The Hairy Truth About Tea Tree Essential Oil

While many of us are already well aware of the many benefits tea tree essential oil has to contribute to the overall health and care of our skin, it is also widely used and effective for the hair as well.

What Does Tea Tree Oil Do for Hair?

If you are having trouble with your hair or are not experiencing hair growth, then tea tree oil can help unclog the hair follicles while also effectively nourishing the roots of your hair.

It contains antimicrobial as well as antifungal properties as well, which also makes it effective at treating other hair conditions, as you will see outlined below.

For Dandruff

Dandruff is a scalp condition that many of us experience. Its more noticeable signs are dry, white flakes of skin on our scalp and in the hair. It is also often accompanied by itching and can be an embarrassing as well as annoying condition to deal with.

Due to the moisturizing benefits of tea tree oil as well as its antifungal properties, it is a more than effective treatment for dandruff and dry scalps and can help alleviate some of the causes of dandruff.

For Hair Growth

To maintain a healthy scalp and promote positive hair growth, you can use tea tree oil for daily cleansing and as a hair growth treatment. Mix a few drops of tea tree essential oil with a few drops of a carrier oil of your choosing  we suggest pure virgin coconut oil or jojoba oil.

Mix it well and then apply it to your hair and scalp and massage it in before thoroughly rinsing the mixture out of your hair. For added softness and shine, you can also add in a few drops of olive oil or castor oil as well, and this can also act as a protective layer for the hair that will help block out toxins.

For Dry Scalp

Because of its moisturizing properties, tea tree oil can also hydrate the scalp and nourish your hair while preventing dryness and itchiness. Mix a few drops of tea tree with a few drops of jojoba and massage the mixture into your scalp and leave it for 15 minutes before washing it out.

Hot Oil Treatment

Finally, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil to any hot oil treatment to add more moisture. Add 2 drops of tea tree to about half a cup of carrier oil and then warm the mixture and apply it evenly throughout the hair.

Massage it in and cover your hair with a shower cap and let the hot oil treatment work for at least 30 minutes. You can then wash your hair as normal.

If you are looking to restore the shine and smoothness to your hair and control frizziness and itchiness, then tea tree oil is definitely something you want to include in your hair care routine moving forward.

Should You Really Be Exfoliating?

No matter what your skin type is, many people think that exfoliating the skin several times a week is important for maintaining healthy and balanced skin. But is this entirely true?

When we exfoliate, we are essentially clearing away all of our dead skin cells that may ultimately cause our skin to look dull. It is also a way to allow our other products and moisturizers to penetrate the skin more effectively.

Below, we will take a look at some of the pros and cons of exfoliating and then decide if it is really something we absolutely need to be doing.

Pros of Exfoliating

One of the biggest pros of exfoliating is how it unclogs our pores and clears away all those dead skin cells. In doing so, we are also helping to prevent acne, evening out our skin tone, boosting circulation, and stimulating collagen production.

When we leave the dead skin cells to linger on our face, we are clogging our pores, and when this happens, we can then develop those stubborn whiteheads and blackheads that can be a pain to remove.

The dead skin seals the pores, and when the sebaceous glands produce oil, the oil gets stuck under the skin because the pores are clogged, and it has nowhere to go. Exfoliating helps alleviate this problem and keeps the skin clear and free of this debris and excess oil.

Cons of Exfoliating

On the other hand, exfoliation can cause skin irritation as well as red spots, blemishes, and rashes. This happens because of the hard scrubbing motion many employs during the exfoliation process. They want to make sure they are removing all the dead skin, but in doing so, they are rubbing their skin raw.

The excessive scrubbing motion can potentially remove too much of the skin, and when different products are used, the skin may end up developing an allergic reaction to whatever exfoliating agent you are using on your skin.

In addition, you may also experience excessive dryness, redness, and increased sensitivity. This happens when you exfoliate too much, or you rub your skin too hard.

Is It Necessary?

The skin naturally exfoliates every 28 days, so if you are following a good cleansing routine for your skin, then you may find that it is enough. As long as you cleanse the skin thoroughly and purify the skin, exfoliation isn’t always going to be necessary to include in a regular skincare routine.

Meta: Believe it or not, but regular exfoliating may not be required for healthy and youthful skin.

The Natural Alternative to Microbeads

Microbeads are solid plastic particles that are small and often made of polyethylene and other petrochemical plastics. Microbeads at one time were found in many different facial scrubs and body washes and were also often found in different cosmetic products, deodorant, and nail polish.

The Dangers of Microbeads

Microbeads were typically added as an exfoliating agent for many cosmetic products. While the plastics used in microbeads are generally nontoxic because of their small size, these microbeads may bind with other toxins and can cause harmful effects.

In addition to potentially being bad for your health, they are also bad for the environment. When you use these beauty products that contain microbeads, the products you use often get washed down into the drain when you use them.

This means they are deposited into waterways and become a pollutant. Since they do not easily degrade, they can pile up in the waterways and can make their way to drinking water as well.

Finding an Alternative

To replace microbeads, there are a number of more natural alternatives you can choose from that will not only ensure you remain healthy, but the environment will thank you as well.

Salt Scrubs

Salt scrubs are more often used on rough skin like on the feet and body instead of the more sensitive skin on our face. However, salt is naturally purifying and can remove those toxins that may be blocking our pores. It can also help improve circulation while tightening the skin.

Tea Tree Scrub

Another more natural alternative is bamboo cellulose that offers good abrasion properties without having to use plastic beads. If you find that you have dull, tired-looking skin and are looking for a scrub to help clear out dead skin, clear the pores, and restore your glow, then a tea tree face scrub should be used.

Tea tree oil can draw out the skin’s toxins while also drying up any excess oil you may have. Since the tea tree face scrub is made from natural ingredients, you will find that it is a gentle alternative to microbeads that can be used on all skin types.

As you can see, there are several more natural and healthier alternatives that do not contain plastic beads but prove to be just as effective for your skin.

Meta: Microbeads are small plastic beads that threaten to hurt our skin and harm our environment. So, more natural alternatives should be used in their place

Falling Into Sweet Dreams with Essential Oils

Essential oils have been used for many, many years for different things and their benefits are becoming widely known and understood. Essential oils and aromatherapy offer a more natural solution to other products that may not be as safe or healthy for the skin and home.

Due to their versatility, there are also several different ways you can use essential oils which makes them something you definitely want to have stocked in your home.

Today, we will cover one of the lesser-known uses of essential oils, and that is using them around the home as a linen spray.

Good Night Sleep

Having a good night’s sleep is essential to getting us through our days without being too sluggish or slow-moving. However, many people find that falling asleep is harder than expected and staying asleep is nearly impossible.

The good news is that there is a pillow spray that can be used at night to help restore the mind, heal the body, and rejuvenate the soul.

This pillow spray is made with lavender essential oil. Lavender is a very popular essential oil that is widely used as an aromatherapy choice for sleep and relaxation. It has been shown to help improve your quality of sleep while also helping those suffering from insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

Sweet Dream Set

If you want to take this a step further, you can have the entire sweet dream set. Not only will you get the lavender pillow spray as described above, but you will also have an eye mask to help you sleep as well.

The soothing fragrance will help you get to sleep much faster and will provide you with a much more pleasant and relaxing night full of sweet dreams.

If you aren’t interested in the eye mask, you can get the pillow spray by itself. To use the spray, simply hold the bottle approximately six inches from your pillows and linens and spray. Use the spray before you go to bed, making sure you leave enough time for the mist to dry completely.

Refresh the Home

In addition to providing you with a good night’s sleep, you can also use this spray to refresh all the linens and soft surfaces in the home while taking advantage of all of its aromatherapy benefits.

It can refresh these items in the home in between washes. It can also be used to spray onto fabrics as you iron to leave your clothes with a pleasant and therapeutic scent.

Lavender pillow spray will quickly prove to be one of the most beneficial essential oil products you have in your home, and that will be expressed each morning after you experience a better night’s sleep full of sweet and restful dreams.

Meta: Essential oils are used for many things throughout the night, including making sure you have a restful night of sleep.

 

 

6 Ways to Use Tea Tree Essential Oil

If you are a fan of essential oils in general, then you are probably already well aware of the many benefits and uses tea tree essential oil has to offer.

Today, we will go over some of the best ways you can use tea tree essential oil, including using it for topical applications as well as in your diffuser for aromatherapy benefits.

For the Hair

If you suffer from a dry scalp, you can mix a few drops of tea tree oil with 12 drops of jojoba oil. Mix the oils well and then massage it into your scalp for 10-15 minutes. Once the time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly and then wash your hair as you normally would.

Repeating this process regularly throughout the week can help alleviate the symptoms of a dry scalp and even dandruff.

For the Skin

If you find you have acne scars, regular acne breakouts, dry, or irritated skin, then tea tree oil diluted in two ounces of witch hazel makes an incredible toner for the skin.

You can also use it as a face wash, a moisturizer to hydrate the skin, and even as a spot treatment during those acne breakouts.

For the Nails

To keep your nails healthy, add 5 drops of tea tree oil to half an ounce of carrier oil such as argan oil and then apply the mixture to your nails on a regular basis.

For the toenails, you can add this mixture to warm water and soak your feet for up to twenty minutes. It is also effective for treating any nail fungus you may have as well as any infection.

For Infection

For wounds, you can use tea tree oil to help kill any bacteria there may be as well as reduce any inflammation you are experiencing. It has many antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help with the infection.

As a Household Cleaner

Tea tree oil also has antiseptic properties and can help disinfect the home. Add approximately 10 drops of tea tree oil to two cups of hot water and half a cup of vinegar, and you will have a multipurpose cleanser you can use around the home to kill bacteria and germs and disinfect the surfaces of the home.

As an Air Freshener

You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to your diffuser as a way to naturally purify the air in the home. You can also add in a couple of drops of another oil such as lavender essential oil for that added boost of fragrance and freshness for the home.

With so many applications for tea tree oil, you would be doing yourself a disservice not to have it included in your essential oil collection for the home.

Meta: tea tree essential oil can be used for many things in the home and for your health, including for topical applications as well as diffusing it to purify the air.

Tea Tree as a Natural Remedy

Tea tree oil is also known as melaleuca oil. It is an essential oil that is distilled from the leaves of a native Australian plant. Its popularity has grown over the years as it is being seen as a more natural alternative treatment for a variety of conditions.

Today, you will find tea tree in a number of common products, from cosmetics to topical medicines and even household products.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral, which means it can help with a variety of conditions you may be experiencing. It can help with dry skin and eczema, oily skin, itchy skin, and can help the wound healing process for infections and cuts.

For Gum Health

In addition to helping with skin conditions, tea tree oil is also beneficial for your gum health. Tea tree oil contains compounds that have been found to effectively kill bacteria. Therefore, it is a natural remedy for treating a gum infection.

Tea tree oil can be added to warm water and used as a gargle to help clean and disinfect the mouth. You can also add 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil to your mouthwash and gargle with the mixture for 30 seconds. It can be used twice per day as a preventative measure and up to four times a day to treat conditions related to a gum infection.

For Acne

If you have acne-prone skin, you can use a few drops of tea tree oil on a cotton swab to dab directly onto your blemishes. It is a popular choice for acne due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

It can help calm any redness you may be experiencing and can control swelling and inflammation while reducing acne scars. This leads to smooth and clean skin that is less susceptible to breakouts.

For Nail Fungus

If you see any signs of nail fungus, you can add five drops of tea tree oil to half an ounce of carrier oil like coconut or jojoba and then stir it into warm water. You can then soak your feet in this mixture for 20 minutes.

Tea tree oil contains antifungal properties that have shown to be effective at combatting nail fungus. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to a cotton swab or pad and then spot treat the affected areas.

Tea tree oil is a versatile essential oil that can be used for a number of different applications due to its many therapeutic and beneficial properties. So, before reaching for over the counter medications and treatments, consider the amazing benefits tea tree as a natural remedy has to offer.

Meta – Tea tree in a number of common products, from cosmetics to topical medicines and even household products.

5 Reasons to Start Using Tea Tree Essential Oil Today

If you have acne, then you may have already heard of how popular tea tree essential oil is. This essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help calm any redness you may be experiencing while also reducing swelling and inflammation.

Today, we will go over 5 reasons you should start using tea tree essential oil and how you can easily incorporate this essential oil into your existing skincare routine.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil can help promote healthy skin and can help treat a variety of different skin issues you may be experiencing. Also, when used topically and diluted with a carrier oil, you will find that it can both soothe and heal the skin.

For Acne

Combine two drops of tea tree oil with 12 drops of carrier oil and apply to a freshly cleansed face and then pat the skin dry. You can also use this mixture to dab onto any blemishes you have and then allow it to dry. It will not only help with acne and the inflammation that comes along with it, but it will also moisturize the skin and help restore the skin’s natural balance of oil.

For Balance

To further balance the skin’s natural oils, you can mix 6 drops of tea tree oil into your moisturizer and then apply it to your entire face. It will replenish the skin’s natural oils, balance your oil levels, and prevent breakouts.

For Skin Fungus

Tea tree oil is also known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Add tea tree oil to coconut oil and then use a cotton swab or cotton pad to apply the mixture to the affected area of your skin. Leave it on the area for a few minutes to treat the fungal infection.

For Dry Skin

If you are experiencing itching and irritation due to dry skin or eczema, then tea tree oil mixed with your moisturizer or carrier oil can help. Simply apply the mixture following your shower and at least one more time throughout the day.

For the Hair and Scalp

Tea tree oil can also help with dandruff and can promote healthy hair and growth. Apply tea tree oil and a carrier oil like jojoba to your scalp and allow it to stay in the hair for at least twenty minutes. You can also massage this mixture into your scalp and hair and rinse it off after a few minutes. It can help remove chemicals and dead skin cells from your scalp.

Your Skincare Routine

It is easy to incorporate tea tree oil into your regular skincare routine by simply following our suggestions as outlined above. Mix 4 to 6 drops of tea tree oil with approximately 12 drops of your chosen carrier oil and see the effects for yourself.

Meta: Incorporating tea tree oil into your skincare routine can lead to healthier skin with less inflammation and irritation.

Utama Spice Opens Another Refill Spot

If you are not a fan of shopping exclusively online for your products and prefer to shop in a store, then you will find our several refill spot locations the perfect opportunity for you to take advantage of offline refills of your favorite beauty products.

Current Refill Station Locations

Currently, we have refill stations located in the Plaza Indonesia, JKRT, Gootama Ubud, and Brawa Shop, but now we will be opening a new refill location for our customers in the Batu Belig Shop, Monkey Forest Ubud Shop, and Sanur Shop.

The Benefit of These Refill Stations

These refill stations give our customers the opportunity to bring in their own bottles so that they can fill them back up with their favorite soaps, shampoos, and house soaps.

Having these refill stations in these local locations and having them accessible for a number of our customers means that we are cutting down on the number of bottles that are being used, and our customers love this.

Refill and Save

When you visit these refill locations, you are not only saving on the packaging, but you are also saving money and saving the planet as well! When using the refill program, we charge by the gram. If you forgot to bring in a container or were unclear about the process, you could find a bottle for sale at the shops as well.

Our Recycling Programs

Many of our locations also participate in a recycling program, as well. For example, our Bali shops encourage customers to bring in their old bottles, and in doing so, they will receive a 10 percent discount on that same product or on a product that has similar packaging to the one they bring in for recycling.

The bottles are all collected, and we send them out, hoping they will be recycled and reused to create new bottles. This program is currently only available in the Bali location and not in the Jakarta store.

The Value of Refills

With our refill program, we are becoming more environmentally conscious and are expressing the sheer power and joy of nature. By using this refill program and cutting down on the number of bottles and waste we produce, we are helping the environment and showing that we have an understanding of the importance of nature.

 

Meta: Utama Spice is now opening yet another refill spot location so our customers can cut down on the number of bottles they have and make more positive changes to help the environment

Tea Tree Essential Oil 101

Tea tree oil is also known as melaleuca oil, and it comes from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia. This is a small tree that is native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.

It is more commonly known as tea tree oil but shouldn’t be confused with the plant that is used to make black, green, and oolong teas.

Tea tree oil has a fresh and camphoraceous odor and is yellow to colorless and clear. It is a strongly aromatic scent that is almost medicinal.

How Does Tea Tree Work?

Tea tree has been used in traditional medicine by the Aborigines for centuries. It was often used to treat coughs and was also applied directly to the skin because of its many healing properties. Today, we can find tea tree essential oil that can be used for the skin, and it has been shown to help kill bacteria, viruses, and some fungi.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

This essential oil contains many antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties and is commonly used to treat a variety of conditions including acne, athlete’s foot, dermatitis, and even head lice.

Antibacterial

Due to these properties, tea tree oil makes a great hand sanitizer. Some studies have shown that tea tree oil can be used to kill several common bacteria and viruses that are known for causing certain illnesses.

Antiseptic

Tea tree oil can also be used to treat minor cuts and abrasions. When used in this way, it can help kill off the bacteria that can ultimately cause an infection. To use it for minor cuts and scrapes, one drop of tea tree oil can be mixed with one tablespoon of coconut oil and then applied to the wound and covered.

Anti-Inflammatory

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is also widely used for acne treatments, as well. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions we experience. Tea tree oil mixed with a carrier oil like jojoba can help reduce inflammation and acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin while helping to restore our natural oil balance and prevent future breakouts.

Other Uses of Tea Tree Oil

In addition to the many uses above, tea tree oil can also help soothe sunburns, prevent lice in a more natural way, cure toenail fungus, and help remove skin tags. Tea tree essential oil is definitely an oil you want to have in your arsenal simply due to its incredible versatility and the many available applications.

Meta: Due to its incredible versatility and its many skin healing and protecting properties, tea tree oil is definitely something to have in your beauty arsenal.