Does tea tree oil work on spots?
It may help mild to moderate spots. The main trials used a 5% gel, not neat oil. It worked more slowly than benzoyl peroxide, a common chemist treatment. But it won on one thing.
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Does tea tree oil work on spots?
It may, if your spots are mild to moderate. In one trial, 60 people used a 5% tea tree gel or a dummy gel for 45 days. The tea tree group’s spot counts improved about 3.5 times as much.
A Cochrane review, which pools the trials on a topic, put that at about 7 or 8 fewer spots on average. But it rated the proof low quality, as it came from one small trial.
| Your spots | Tea tree oil | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Mild to moderate | May help, from small trials | Try a tea tree gel for 12 weeks. |
| Deep and painful (severe acne) | Not likely to work | See a GP. |
One small trial is like one test drive. It shows the car goes. It can’t show how the car does over years, or that it beats the one you know.
So it’s fair to try on mild spots. Skin doctors say tea tree is not likely to work for severe acne.
Can you put tea tree oil directly on your face?
Best not. The British Association of Dermatologists says not to use raw tea tree oil on your skin, as it’s more likely to cause irritation. Buy a product made for skin, such as a gel or face wash.
Tea tree oil can cause irritation and allergy. Allergy mostly comes from oil that’s old or stored badly, as it breaks down with age. Redness or irritation may also be more likely if a product is old or has been left in heat, light or air.
| What you notice | What to do |
|---|---|
| Itchy, red or swollen skin where you put it (on darker skin it may look dark brown, purple or grey) | Stop using it. |
| Skin that blisters, dries or cracks, usually within hours or days | Stop using it, and rinse with warm water and a moisturiser as soon as you can. If it’s troubling you, speak to a pharmacist. |
| A rash that lasts, keeps coming back or is severe | See a GP. |
Sources: British Association of Dermatologists; NHS
Using oils to unwind instead? See essential oils for stress.
Never swallow it. Swallowed tea tree oil can cause confusion, unsteadiness and even coma, and children have been poisoned by it. Keep bottles out of their reach.
Tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide: which is better?
For speed, benzoyl peroxide. In a trial of 124 people using 5% gels, both cut spots. But benzoyl peroxide did better on red, swollen spots and oily skin, and tea tree worked more slowly.
That one thing tea tree won on is side effects. It caused less flaking, itching and dryness.
Source: Carson 2006, on Bassett 1990
So if benzoyl peroxide leaves your skin sore, tea tree is a gentler thing to try. If you want the faster option, ask a pharmacist about benzoyl peroxide. It can bleach hair and fabrics.
Other chemist options include salicylic acid and azelaic acid.
How to use tea tree oil on your face
Six steps for using tea tree oil on your face
- Buy a gel, cream or face wash made for skin, not the raw oil.
- Test it first: put it on a 5 cm patch of your forearm twice a day for 5 to 10 days.
- Wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser, and don’t scrub.
- Start on a few days a week, then build up as your skin allows.
- Replace old products, and keep the lid on, away from heat and light.
- Ask a pharmacist before you use it with other spot treatments.
Sources: British Association of Dermatologists; DermNet; NHS; NCCIH
No redness or swelling after the forearm test? Then an allergy to that product is unlikely. Dermatologists use a version of this test to check skin products.
Don’t pick or squeeze spots, as this can cause scars. For marks spots have already left, see acne scars.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? A US health agency says tea tree products on the skin may be safe. Check with a pharmacist first.
How long does tea tree oil take to work?
Give it 12 weeks. Skin doctors say to allow twelve weeks before you decide if it has worked.
Spots fell slowly over 12 weeks in one small study
- 1
Start
23.7 spots on average.
- 2
Week 4
17.2 spots on average.
- 3
Week 8
15.1 spots on average.
- 4
Week 12
10.7 spots on average.
Source: Malhi 2017
Only 14 people finished that study, and it had no comparison group. Acne also often comes and goes. So take the numbers as a rough guide.
No better by week 12? Ask a pharmacist or GP about stronger options.
When to speak to a GP
Book a GP appointment if:
- You’ve tried treating your spots yourself but they’re not getting better.
- You have lots of spots, or the spots are deep, painful or causing scars.
- You have signs of a skin infection, such as hot, swollen and red skin. Redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin.
- Your spots are affecting your mental health.
- A rash from a skin product is persistent, keeps coming back or is severe.
If anyone swallows tea tree oil, especially a child, get medical help straight away.
Already using a prescribed acne treatment? Ask before adding tea tree. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.