Nobody likes acne on their face. Most people try to get rid of them as soon as possible. Over the counter medications in all forms, sizes and prices are selling like hotcakes in pharmacies and drugstores nationwide. The promise of clear, acne-free skin in a matter of days – and some brands even go as far as promising “overnight results.” With advertising like this is no wonder most people end up disappointed. What consumers also don’t know is that these acne medications contain high levels of chemicals which are harsh to sensitive skin, even with those that brand themselves as ‘made for sensitive skin’. It’s no surprise that the skin reacts to these chemical compounds, that’s why more and more users of these ointments report bad scarring, extreme redness, and spreading of acne to various areas on both face and neck.

What can acne-prone people do? One thing is for sure, that it’s better to rely on natural and organic products rather than depend on chemical mixtures to take care of our skin.

An all-natural cure to acne comes in a clear oil with antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is known as Melaleuca Oil, one of the best essential oils used for medicinal purposes. You might have heard of this substance, as it is more popularly known as Tea Tree Oil. International brands like The Body Shop, Johnson & Johnson, J/A/S/O/N, SkinFood (Asia), Aubrey Organics, Kiss My Face, Burt’s Bees and so many more have Tea Tree Oil lines for their anti-acne face creams and lotions.

For a more home-remedy type, an ordinary bottle of tea tree oil is enough. No need to shell out too much money for branded products at all. Tea tree oil diluted in water or another “carrier oil” such as natural baby oil, or better yet, emu oil, is highly regarded as an effective anti-acne treatment. In terms of acne eradication, it has been shown that a 5% mix of tea tree oil and a 5% benzyl peroxide have almost the same anti- acne properties. Tea tree oil is slow to take effect but your much better off than with a natural oil than depending on a benzyl peroxide.

There are also soaps and creams that contain tea tree oil that can be used for the body, because not only is it great for acne, but since it contains a anti-microbial properties, it helps in eradicating fungus that forms around the hidden corners of the body and removes bad body odor, too! Not only that, it helps your scalp when it’s flakey and helps scabs and scars. If you have body odor you’d like to get rid of or some fungal infection on your toes, hands, or back, then just find a product for the body with tea tree oil in it. Or you could just create a tea tree oil mix by yourself and apply it on the infected area with a cotton square.

Just remember though that pure 100% tea tree oil shouldn’t ever be put on your face as is because it is highly irritating. That’s why it’s important that you need to dilute it with water or some other unscented oil. Health departments all over the world have set the minimum content to be 15%-30%. A rule of thumb, mix 5% tea tree oil and 95% carrier oil or water.

One of the best things that you can do for your skin is stop using acne medications and rely on organic methods because the more natural, the better!