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Tea tree oil has some interesting research demonstrating
it to be an effective antimicrobial agent. The Journal
of Applied Microbiology (January 2000, pages 170–175)
stated that "The essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia
(tea tree) exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
Its mode of action against the Gram-negative bacterium
Escherichia coli AG100, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus
aureus NCTC 8325, and the yeast Candida albicans has been
investigated using a range of methods... . The ability
of tea tree oil to disrupt the permeability barrier of
cell membrane structures and the accompanying loss of
chemiosmotic control is the most likely source of its
lethal action at minimum inhibitory levels." In addition,
"In a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study
of tea tree oil in the treatment of herpes cold sores,
tea tree oil was found to have similar degree of activity
as 5% acyclovir" (Source: Journal of Antimicrobial
Chemotherapy, May 2001, page 450). For acne there is also
some credible published information showing it to be effective
as a topical disinfectant for killing the bacteria that
can cause pimples (Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology,
October 1995, pages 242–245). However, the crux of the
matter for tea tree oil is: How much is needed to have
an effect? The Medical Journal of Australia (October 1990,
pages 455–458) compared the efficacy of tea tree oil to
the efficacy of benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of
acne. A study of 119 patients using 5% tea tree oil in
a gel base versus 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion was discussed.
There were 61 in the benzoyl peroxide group and 58 in
the tea tree oil group. The conclusion was that "both
treatments were effective in reducing the number of inflamed
lesions throughout the trial, with a significantly better
result for benzoyl peroxide when compared to the tea tree
oil. Skin oiliness was lessened significantly in the benzoyl
peroxide group versus the tea tree oil group." However,
while the reduction of breakouts was greater for the benzoyl
peroxide group, the side effects of dryness, stinging,
and burning were also greater—"79% of the benzoyl
peroxide group versus 49% of the tea tree oil group."
Given these results, a 2.5% strength benzoyl peroxide
solution would be better to start with to see if it is
effective, rather than starting with the more potent and
somewhat more irritating 5% or 10% concentrations. However,
if you were interested in using a 5% strength tea tree
oil solution to see if that would be effective, at this
time I know of no products stating the amount of tea tree
oil they contain. It appears that almost all of the tea
tree oil products on the market contain little more than
a 1% concentration, if that, which is probably not enough
to be of much help for breakouts.
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