Sensitive skin is referred to as when the skin barrier is severely disrupted exposing it to infection and inflammation. Whether or not one should apply tea tree oil to sensitive skin; is a debatable subject. If you think your skin can handle tea tree oil and you are determined to try it, you should take into account certain factors before giving it a go.
Until more research is done to confirm the best ways to use tea tree oil on sensitive skin, you might want to start by adding a few drops when applying products you already use, like your go-to cleanser. The idea is to score any potential antimicrobial benefits sans skin irritation. If the odor is too strong for you or any irritation occurs, try fewer drops until you find your skin’s sweet spot. Diluting tea tree oil in some way may help you avoid a skin freak out.
You will sometimes see that tea tree oil sold in combination with hydrating carrier oils such as olive, coconut, or avocado oil can give better results. This is supposed to help cut down on irritation, but these oils can have a pore-clogging effect.
CAN YOU USE TEA TREE OIL ON SENSITIVE SKIN?
Whether you are buying a tea tree oil-based product, it can be smart to do a patch test first. Once a day for about a week, rub diluted tea tree oil on a patch of skin. Keep watch for irritation, and dilute it even more if you need to. See how it goes, and let your skin make the final decision.
Tea tree oil works well for dry and oily skin. For dry skin that is inflamed, it functions to calm the skin. When it comes to oily skin and acne-prone skin type, it helps to clarify skin. There aren’t any known drug interactions with tea tree oil but application on sensitive skin can be risky causing irritation and flakiness. The constituents like benzoyl peroxide or retinol should also be used in moderation or after a patch test for people with sensitive skin.
People with eczema should steer clear of tea tree oil. Their skin barrier is already impaired hence if tea tree oil is used, it can cause an allergic reaction. When applied on an actively inflamed skin area, tea tree oil makes the skin go worse. Therefore, people with sensitive skin should mix tea tree oil with an equal or greater amount of olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil. When applied directly to sensitive skin, it can not only irritate skin but also worsen the skin condition. Hence always be careful when using tea tree oil on sensitive skin.