Can Tea Tree Oil Help Manage Rosacea? How to Use It?

Specialty: Integrative Dermatology

Dr. Veerula (Dr. V) is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. She is an energetic, proactive, and compassionate medical practitioner w... more

  • 1. Tea Tree Oil Wipes
  • 2. Tea Tree Oil And Coconut Oil Night Cream
  • 3. Tea Tree And Lavender Essential Oils
  • 4. Tea Tree Oil And Olive Oil Face Cream
  • 5. Tea Tree Oil And Honey Face Mask
  • 6. Tea Tree Oil And Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 7. Tea Tree Oil And Almond Oil
  • 8. Tea Tree Oil And Jojoba Oil
  • 9. Tea Tree Oil And Oatmeal
  • 10. Tea Tree Oil Moisturizer
  • 11. Castor Oil And Tea Tree Oil

Rosacea: The Condition And Its Symptoms

Rosacea is a skin condition that is marked by redness on the skin, especially on the face, usually on the nose and cheeks. It can spread to other parts of the face, including the eyelids. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says that those with the tendency to blush easily are vulnerable to this condition (1).

It is mainly caused and aggravated by factors that increase the flow of blood to your face. For instance, cosmetics, hot drinks, sun exposure, drugs (that dilate your blood vessels), and emotions may cause blushing. Anyone may develop this condition, but certain factors increase vulnerability, such as:

  • Fair skin
  • Sun damage
  • Age (people who are in their 30s are at risk)
  • Smoking
  • A family history of rosacea

The symptoms of rosacea include:

  • Redness around cheeks and nose (a persistent blush)
  • Extremely sensitive skin that readily reacts to skincare products and sun exposure
  • Swollen red bumps on the face or pimples
  • Burning sensation on the face
  • Rough and dry skin
  • Enlarged pores
  • Bulbous nose. This is more common in men than in women. The skin around the nose becomes thick and thus appears bulbous.
  • Eye issues, such as irritation in the eyes, swollen eyelids (if the condition gets severe, it may spread to the eyelids as well), and dryness in the eyes.

This is not a curable condition, but with proper treatment, you can control the flare-ups. Tea tree oil is a natural remedy that can help manage the condition.

Is Tea Tree Oil Good For Rosacea?

Yes, because it helps control and eliminates Demodex mites (2).

Demodex is a genus of mites that live in our skin. There are two species, namely Demodex folliculorum (that lives in hair follicles), and Demodex brevis (that lives in our sebaceous glands). Demodex folliculorum is usually found in large numbers on the skin of people suffering from rosacea.

Another study found that tea tree oil contains terpinen-4-ol, an ingredient that can kill Demodex mites (3).

A study evaluated the efficacy of permethrin 2.5% along with tea tree oil gel on rosacea. The researchers found that the topical gel reduced the number of Demodex mites significantly and inhibited the inflammation caused by rosacea (4).

There hasn’t been much research on the effectiveness of tea tree oil in controlling rosacea (caused by any reason other than excess Demodex activity). Still, it has helped treat similar skin issues.

Wondering how you can use tea tree oil for rosacea? Here are some easy recipes that you can try at home. Remember to do a patch test before using tea tree oil to check if you are allergic. Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition, so consult a dermatologist before using tea tree oil or any other home remedies.

Why This Works

Tea tree oil is anti-inflammatory. It calms down the inflammation and promotes healing (5).

Why This Works

Like tea tree oil, coconut oil also has anti-inflammatory properties (6). It moisturizes the skin and soothes irritation.

Why This Works

Both tea tree oil and lavender oil have antibacterial properties (3), (7). Lavender oil is extremely gentle on the skin. This remedy helps soothe the skin and moisturize it without causing further irritation.

Why This Works

Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties (96020/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >8). Thus, it can reduce the irritation and redness caused by rosacea. Rosewater and beeswax soothe the skin (9).

Why This Works

Honey has antibacterial properties (10). Both tea tree oil and honey ease irritation, kill bacteria and soothe itchiness and rashes.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar is said to help maintain the pH balance of the skin, though there is no scientific proof of the same. Rose geranium oil has anti- inflammatory properties that can help in soothing skin irritation (11).

Why This Works

Almond oil is said to have anti-inflammatory properties. It can also moisturize the skin (12). Therefore, it may help in reducing a rosacea flare-up.

Why This Works

Jojoba oil has a proven anti-inflammatory effect, and argan oil can soften and relax the skin (8). Thus, in combination with tea tree oil, these oils may help in the treatment of a rosacea flare-up.

Why This Works

This mixture of oils and oatmeal has anti-inflammatory benefits (8), (13). It helps in reducing the inflammation and redness caused by rosacea.

Why This Works

This mixture helps in eliminating the mites causing rosacea and moisturizing your skin (4).

Why This Works

Castor oil works as an excellent skin-conditioning agent (14). Thus, it may help soothe the skin and relieve any discomfort caused by rosacea.

Let us make one thing clear: do not expect tea tree oil to cure rosacea. This condition is not curable, and you can only control the flare-ups. Also, before using anything on your skin, consult a doctor.

Using essential oils on your skin can be a bit tricky. They work wonders for some and may not work at all for others. So, before you apply tea tree oil to your skin, consider these points.

Things To Consider Before Using Tea Tree Oil On Your Skin

Apart from a good skincare routine, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a good diet to prevent flare-ups. Managing rosacea requires a holistic approach. So, follow the treatment options listed in this article and the ones suggested by your doctor to treat flare-ups. Let us know how your skin feels after using the treatment options mentioned above. You can leave your feedback in the box below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to dilute tea tree oil for rosacea?

Mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of any carrier oil to dilute it.

What is the best carrier oil to mix with tea tree oil for rosacea?

Olive, jojoba, castor, sweet almond, and coconut oils are some good carrier oils to mix with tea tree oil for rosacea.

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