15 Ways You Can Use Tea Tree Oil

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Healthy Hair

There’s a good reason that tea tree oil has been showing up more and more in our favorite shampoos. A natural cleanser, tea tree oil supports hair health1

without the use of chemicals, making it an ideal ingredient for restoring hair to its natural beauty and shine.

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Healthy Scalp

OHLAMOUR STUDIO / Stocksy

In addition to promoting hair health, tea tree oil can also keep your scalp healthy as it helps to reduce itchiness and flakiness and fights the buildup of residue on the surface of the scalp.1Gary Goldenberg elaborates, "It helps eliminate the accumulation of dead skin layers and scale. It also has strong antimicrobial properties making it an effective agent for fungal infections of the scalp."

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Soothe Inflammation

While there’s no substitute for allergy medication if you’re dealing with a serious aversion, tea tree oil may help to combat the redness and itchiness that often accompanies an allergic reaction: "Tea tree oil is thought to help reduce inflammation by reducing certain markers of inflammation including interleukin 1,8 and 10," says Garshick.

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All-Natural Hand Cleanser

Many hand cleansers and sanitizers rely on alcohol and chemical ingredients, but tea tree oil’s power comes from its natural antibacterial properties. Keep an ounce or two on hand for germ-related incidents. Keep in mind though, "It is best to follow guidelines when using hand sanitizer," Garshick warns. The CDC recommends an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.2

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Reduce Acne

FEDERICA GIACOMAZZI / Stocksy

Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire, and sometimes you have to fight oil with oil. Tea tree oil helps to keep naturally occurring skin oils in check, which, together with tea tree oil’s antiseptic qualities, can help to reduce acne breakouts.3"However, it’s important to remember that facial skin is sensitive and this ingredient can cause an allergic reaction causing dryness redness, and scaliness in the skin," Gary Goldenberg warns, "I always recommend first trying a test area to make sure there is no reaction before applying it to the rest of the face.

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Oral Health

Since tea tree oil is outstanding at killing bacteria, one of the best uses for tea tree oil is as a natural mouthwash.4Mix a tiny amount (a drop or two will do) with warm water and swish for about 30 seconds once or twice daily.

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Clean Your Toothbrush and Retainer

Take it one step further by also using this miracle oil to disinfect your toothbrush and retainers. Due to tea tree oils ability to kill bacteria, it is a great natural way to keep these products clean and bacteria-free. Mix five to 10 drops of the oil in with water and soak your oral products for a few hours to fully clean.

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Repel Insects

One of the lesser-known uses for tea tree oil is as an insect repellent.5Tea tree oil can be rubbed directly on the skin or mixed with water and applied as a spray. We really like this natural alternative from Beekman 1802 because it has a blend of multiple essential oils and it smells amazing!

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Fight Infection

As cold and flu season persists, it’s the perfect time to put your essential oils to work. Enjoy the air-purifying benefits (and calming scent) of tea tree oil by combining it with lavender and adding it to a vaporizer or diffuser. This diffuser from Serene House is the perfect size for any bedroom or living room.

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All-Purpose (and All-Natural) Cleaner

As with other natural remedies derived from tea tree oil, a successful all-purpose cleaner can be made with a very small amount of the substance and is one of the best uses for tea tree oil. Mix 15 to 20 drops of tea tree oil with a half cup each of warm water and vinegar, spray a surface, and wipe clean.

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Soothes Insect Bites

KARINA BARTASHEVICH / Stocksy

Tea tree oil soothes itching and helps with inflammation,3making it the perfect holistic way to treat insect bites. From itchy mosquito bites and beyond, dilute a bit of the oil in some water and apply using a q-tip to the affected area. "When using for open wounds (and bites), it can be applied directly, though maybe diluted down so that it wont cause additional irritation," says Garshick.

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Treat Cuts and Scrapes

Because of its capacity to fight fungus and bacteria, tea tree oil is an ideal choice for treating minor scrapes and wounds. Apply directly to clean skin two to three times daily to try to speed the healing process.

K. Goldenberg states, "Tea tree oil is great for cuts and scrapes for two reasons. Firstly, it has antimicrobial properties that help prevent infections of open wounds. Secondly, tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help the wound heal faster. It helps reduce redness and swelling. Small amounts of oil can be applied directly on the skin."

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Anti-Fungal

Tea tree oil is anti-fungal, which means you can try it for treating athletes foot and other common fungal infections.6"It can also be used in topical forms to [help] treat yeast and fungal infections as it is thought to have activity against Candida albicans and has been used in the treatment of other yeast and fungal related conditions," says Garshick. Add about 20-30 drops into a bath or basin and soak the infected area for 20-30 minutes. Repeat as often as necessary.

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Clear Congestion

The common cold has nothing on tea tree oil. Due to its ability to calm inflammation, it may be a great way to clear congestion such as a runny or stuffy nose. Apply a few drops into your diffuser or add to a warm bath and relax with some deep breaths.

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Make Your Own Deodorant

Michelangelo Gratton / Getty Images

The combination of sweat and bacteria is what makes our armpits, well, smell. Dilute a few drops of tea tree oil in some water and apply to underarms as a potential natural deodorant. The oil is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial,3so it may help keep you smelling fresh all day long, naturally. "However, it can cause irritation since the skin of the underarms is very sensitive," says Kristina Goldenberg. "I recommend moisturizing the area with a gentle moisturizing cream (not lotion) multiple times a day to prevent irritation."

Article Sources

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Ezekwe N, King M, Hollinger JC. The use of natural ingredients in the treatment of alopecias with an emphasis on central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: a systematic review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020;13(8):23-27.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Q&A for consumers: hand sanitizers and Covid-19. Updated February 8, 2022.

Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Bagherani N, Kazerouni A. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. Int J Dermatol. 2013;52(7):784-790. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.x

Ripari F, Cera A, Freda M, Zumbo G, Zara F, Vozza I. Tea tree oil versus chlorhexidine mouthwash in treatment of gingivitis: a pilot randomized, double blinded clinical trial. Eur J Dent. 2020;14(1):55-62. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1703999

Klauck V, Pazinato R, Stefani LM, et al. Insecticidal and repellent effects of tea tree and andiroba oils on flies associated with livestock. Med Vet Entomol. 2014;28 Suppl 1:33-39. doi:10.1111/mve.12078

Nazzaro F, Fratianni F, Coppola R, Feo V. Essential oils and antifungal activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2017;10(4):86. doi:10.3390/ph10040086