How to Dilute Tea Tree Oil for Skin
Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is a popular essential oil with many applications, including helping with skin irritations. It has strong antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties, but it must be used carefully as it can be irritating to the skin and eyes. To help reduce its potency and make it more suitable for skin use, the oil should be diluted.
Things You’ll Need
- Tea tree oil
- Carrier oil, such as jojoba, olive, sunflower, almond or coconut oil
- Clean dropper bottle
- Small funnel
Step 1
Place a carrier oil of your choice in a clean dropper bottle. A 3 percent solution of the oil contains approximately 12 drops of tea tree oil for every 1 ounce of carrier oil.
Step 2
Use a small funnel to add the tea tree oil in to the carrier oil.
Step 3
Shake the bottle to blend the oils together.
Step 4
Test the mixture on the underside of your forearm, a few drops at a time. Stop if there is any irritation.
Step 5
Apply the mixture to the affected area once a day, or as directed by your doctor.
With proper preparation, tea tree oil can be a beneficial addition to any skin care routine. Diluting the oil with a carrier oil and testing it on a small area of skin to make sure it doesn’t cause irritation makes it safer to use.
