Three Ways I Use Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is something I've had sitting in my medicine cabinet for half a year, but I only started using it regularly about a month ago.  It was one of those products I bought because I had heard it was good for acne then proceeded to forget about it.  I kept seeing the words "tea tree oil" pop up in beauty blogs and on my Pinterest feed.  I think the universe was trying to tell me to start using it, so I did just that!  The one I've been using is by the brand NOW Essential Oils.  I purchased it here for $6.49.  Tea tree oil can be found at health stores, grocery stores, online, and probably other places.  It doesn't matter where you get it or what brand it is as long as it's 100% pure tea tree oil.  There are many uses for this product, which has anti-bacterial, soothing, and healing properties.  It's very potent, and a little drop goes a long way.  You can scour the internet for more information and uses, but here are the three ways I've put it to use.

 As a Toner
I recently posted a skincare routine which featured two toners.  You can find that post here: http://idreamofmakeup.blogspot.com/2015/10/updated-skin-care-routine.html.  I still use these toners, but I've incorporated a homemade concoction into my routine.  Yes, that's three toners.  Yes, that is excessive.  Basically, the only reason I'm still using the two mentioned in my previous post are because I don't want them to go to waste.  But I was dying to try a homemade toner recipe, so I went ahead and made one.  Once I'm out of my other two, I will probably exclusively use this one.

Here's what you need to make your toner:
*An empty bottle or container of some sort (Mine is 6 oz, and I found it in the travel toiletry section of Target.)
*Tea tree oil
*Witch hazel
*Apple cider vinegar (Make sure it's the raw unfiltered kind.  I used this one by Bragg and found it at Target.)

Step 1: Fill up the bottle halfway with witch hazel
Step 2: Add 20 drops of tea tree oil (less if your container is smaller than 6 oz and more if it's bigger)
Step 3: Add a splash of ACV (I did a little less than a quarter of the bottle)
Step 4: Fill the rest of the bottle up with either water or witch hazel (I used water)
Step 5: The tea tree oil will separate and form a layer at the top, so shake it up before each use
Step 6: Pour some onto a cotton pad and apply all over your face once or twice daily

It should look something like this (but the bottle will be full):

ACV has many health benefits and makes your skin look more youthful and glowy.  Combined with the antibacterial elements of the tea tree oil, this toner is gold.  It's all natural, and it's affordable.  It's very soothing, and because it does not contain alcohol like most toners, it's not at all irritating.  I do have to warn you about the smell.  ACV and tea tree oil both have strong scents, and combined, well...it's not the best smelling toner you'll encounter.  It will fade quickly after you apply it on your face though.  I'm really enjoying this toner, and I think my breakouts have decreased somewhat since I've started using it.  It also does give my skin a glowy, healthy appearance, which I'm all about.

As a Spot Treatment for Blemishes
Because tea tree oil is so potent, you never want to use it straight on your skin without first diluting it.  To use as a spot treatment, all I do is wet a q-tip with warm water, then I pour one drop of tea tree oil on it.  One drop is all you need, and the warm water will work to dilute it.  About 20 seconds after I do this, I can feel the tea tree oil going to work.  It feels very soothing, and it speeds up the healing process of the blemish a lot.  It won't be gone by the next morning, but it will look a lot better!  I use this spot treatment right after I wash my face and before I apply my moisturizer twice daily until the spot is gone.

To Heal Canker Sores
Yes, you read that correctly.  This is a weird one that my dentist told me about.  I follow the same procedure as the spot treatment above.  Before applying it, you'll want to dry the sore out a little bit so the tea tree oil will stick.  I use the dry end of my q-tip to dry the sore out before applying the tea tree oil.  I notice an immediate stinging feeling that quickly turns to a soothing feeling.  While it doesn't numb the canker sores as well as Kank-A, Anbesol, or other numbing agents, it does provide a little relief .  I like to use this in conjunction with Kank-A because the Kank-A numbs sores, but the tea tree oil actually helps to heal them.  I had a couple monster ones last month that were extremely painful.  Using tea tree oil on them a couple times a day expedited the healing process, so I was only in agonizing pain for a few days instead of a week as would normally be the case.  Tea tree oil doesn't taste very good, but the taste doesn't last long.

I hope this post was helpful and that it inspires you to explore the wonderful benefits that tea tree oil has to offer!