Research indicates tea tree oil is about as effective as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in the treatment of acne. While this essential oil can be slower to reduce inflammation, it's a natural, gentle treatment less inclined to irritate the skin than it's pharmaceutical counterparts.
Tea tree essential oil can be purchased at any natural food store but should be diluted before applying to the skin. 4 Most aromatherapists recommend diluting tea tree oil in a carrier like coconut oil or sweet almond oil. But beware, these oils can clog your pores and make acne worse.
Don't mix Tea Tree Oil with other active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, retinol, retinoids, tretinoin, Retin-A, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, vitamin c, etc. Best to use one or the other, not both.
Benzoyl Peroxide
According to Dr. Tanzi, benzoyl peroxide is a great alternative to salicylic acid because it helps with both bacterial overgrowth and clogged pores. It can be a bit drying though, so start with a lower concentration and work your way up.
Tea tree oil is a popular choice for treating acne because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It's thought to calm redness, swelling, and inflammation. It may even help to prevent and reduce acne scars, leaving you with smooth, clear skin.
It's well-known for reducing acne by exfoliating the skin and keeping pores clear. You can find salicylic acid in a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) products. It's also available in prescription-strength formulas. Salicylic acid works best for mild acne (blackheads and whiteheads).
Besides this, vitamin C and tea tree oil can also cause your skin to purge in some cases.
Sulfur works similarly to salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide in that it helps absorb excess oil production, but it tends to be gentler on your skin.
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), a type of carbon-based organic compound that naturally occurs in willow bark, fruits, and vegetables, according to Caren Campbell, MD, a San Francisco-based dermatologist.
Salicylic acid can be helpful for all types of acne.” Salicylic acid is a go-to OTC ingredient for acne since it dissolves the dead skin cells in clogged pores, helping treat existing acne and prevent future breakouts.
Tea tree oil works effectively in treating blackheads by drying them out and unclogging the pores. You can mix tea tree oil with Fuller's earth or go for a tea tree oil bath for blackhead removal. This oil can be mixed with a facial scrub made with olive oil as well.
Acne treatments — especially those that contain active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid — are drying and a bit harsh on your skin. If you use too many treatments at the same time, your skin may become irritated, and you may actually suffer more breakouts as a result.
Retinoids such as Tretinoin, acids such as salicylic, and benzoyl peroxide are just a few of the products that cause purging. These products contain active ingredients that increase the skin cell turnover rate, therefore causing your skin to purge.
"If salicylic acid is an ingredient in your cleanser, it is fine to use it every day." However, if you are using an exfoliant that salicylic acid in the formula, Dr. Hu advises only using the product three times per week, to avoid over-exfoliating the skin and drying it out.
If you have blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid alone should work well to clear out your pores. If your acne tends to be inflammatory, such as papules and pustules, opt for benzoyl peroxide to stop outbreaks at the source. For sensitive skin, start with salicylic acid, since it's less likely to cause irritation.
Salicylic acid is in a class of medications called keratolytic agents.
This oil-soluble chemical penetrates pores extremely well for unclogging and cleaning, but this doesn't mean that it's exempt from its own set of cons. Too much or too strong salicylic acid can dry out and even irritate skin in the process.
Make a paste of the salicylic acid and propylene glycol.
Start with about a tablespoon (13 g) of the powder, and then pour in about 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of the propylene glycol. Whisk the two ingredients together until they're combined in a paste. Try to achieve the consistency of toothpaste.
salicylic acid, also called ortho-hydroxybenzoic acid, a white, crystalline solid that is used chiefly in the preparation of aspirin and other pharmaceutical products.
The Vitamin C Serum and Tea Tree Serum can be used together.
Skin purging typically looks like tiny red bumps on the skin that are painful to touch. They are often accompanied by whiteheads or blackheads. It can also cause your skin to become flaky. The flare ups caused by purging have a shorter lifespan than a breakout.
Be patient for one skin cycle, or about 28 days
Everyone's skin is unique, so that time frame can differ from person to person. Generally speaking, dermatologists say purging should be over within four to six weeks of starting a new skin care regimen.
It Can Help Other Acne Treatments Be More Effective
Tea Tree Oil works on the actual bacteria and resulting inflammation, while Salicylic Acid helps remove the surface oil, dirt, and debris that can clog up the pores and make it easier for p. acnes to create an infection.