How to Use Tea Tree Oil in Your Skin-Care Routine

First, keep in mind that tea tree oil is best used topically and that ingesting the ingredient isn`t safe. It`s a good idea to try a patch test first, by applying the oil on the inside of your forearm and waiting a day or two to see if a rash forms.

To get started with adding tea tree oil to your skin-care routine, either purchase a skin-care product that contains tea tree oil or use the Essential Oil itself, says Dr. Holman. To use the essential oil, dilute it into a carrier, such as a witch hazel toner or moisturizer. (Applying the undiluted oil can cause an allergic reaction on the skin, Holman says.) She recommends using three drops of tea tree oil to two ounces (oz) of product. You can use tea tree oil in the morning or at night. Combine tea tree oil with a witch hazel toner if you have acne, which can be done after cleansing your skin, or combine the oil with a moisturizer (such as coconut oil) as a last step in your evening skin-care routine, if you also have dry or sensitive skin.

It can make skin more sun sensitive, says Holman. For that reason, don`t apply it immediately before going outdoors. No matter what skin-care products you`re using, though, it`s always important to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your face every morning.

Hooper recommends that people with acne-prone skin apply a product containing tea tree oil once or twice a day, focusing on pimple trouble zones like the chin or T-zone. You can apply this product in the morning, at night, or both, but choose a time when you`re most likely to consistently apply it, she adds. Use the ingredient routinely to see the best results, Hooper suggests.