Table of Contents
Introduction:
Do you know that using tea tree oil for beard can boost your estrogen levels and cause breast development in men?
Are you one of them who blindly trust that tea tree oil can eliminate bacterial and fungal infections?
Today we will discuss how much truth is there in these two things. Also know the alternative natural remedies for beard growth.
Along with that, you will get to know the actual benefits of tea tree oil for beard growth, how much quantity is enough and safe to use, the precautions you must take before using tea tree oil, and how you can choose the right tea tree oil for beard.
Tea tree oil for beard: what is it?
Tea tree oil (essential oil) is a common ingredient in skin care and therapeutic products.
No one will deny that its soothing, herbal essence provides a beautiful aroma and improves blood flow.
Tea tree oil comes from the steam distillation of tea tree leaves, branches, and twigs. The scientific name of the tea tree shrub is Melaleuca Alternifolia, out of which we derived tea tree oil.
According to the Wiley online library, a tea tree shrub or plant is 15m high and has a bushy crown and papery bark.
It comes from the northern coastal region of New South Wales, bordering Queensland, native to Australia. Some countries like China, South Africa, and Vietnam produce minor quantities.
Some properties of tea tree oil, like antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal, make it suitable for medicinal and therapeutic treatment.
Tea tree oil for Beard: Benefits
Along with the above properties, you will find many other benefits of using tea tree oil for your beard. I have listed all the benefits of tea tree oil for beard below:
Tea tree oil Benefits:
1. Improve skin and hair vitality:
Our hair and skin is the most vulnerable part of our body. Some common reasons for poor vitality are excessive exposure to the sun, harsh chemical-based products, smoking, alcohol, and stress.
Tea tree oil has medicinal properties that heal our beard and the skin underneath. Also, it helps in treating damaged skin, rejuvenating it, and improving skin and hair vitality.
Of course, you have to avoid smoking and alcohol for better skin and hair. You can not rely on a product for everything.
2. Restore moisture:
Shaving, using hot water for face wash, alcohol-based products, dehydration, and pure nutrition are the reasons behind your rough beard and skin.
Tea tree oil has the potential to lock moisture and hydrate the skin underneath.
But you can not underestimate the importance of water and clean nutrition. So eat clean and keep yourself hydrated before blaming the product.
3. Soothes inflammation:
Inflammation can be a response to immune system dysfunction, allergic reaction, or an infection.
Tea tree oil can help treat inflammation by soothing irritated skin and preventing pain and redness.
But you have to find the real reason for the cause before using tea tree oil for your beard.
4. Fight against bacterial infections:
Some common symptoms of bacterial infections are fever, formation of blister, redness around the injury, pus formation, swelling, and many more.
Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties and can give relief if used under a doctor’s supervision.
5. Eliminate Acne and Spots:
Beard acne is nothing but pimples underneath your beard caused due to bacteria or ingrown hair.
A component, Gamma terpinene, found in tea tree oil, has incredibly cures acne and reduces the spots.
6. Remove product build-ups:
Women are always infamous for using a bunch of products. But let me tell you, even though you do not use so many cosmetic products, your beard grooming products, including beard wax, gels, and beard balms can be the reason for build-ups.
Tea tree oil can break the chain of these build-ups and prevent hair from problems like beardruff and acne.
7. Aromatherapy:
Aromatherapy is a trendy topic where you put oil in the diffuser and inhale the fragrance. But is it safe to use tea tree oil for aromatherapy? How does it help in improving beard health?
Yes! You can use it, but limit otherwise, you may suffer a headache.
Inhaling tea tree oil improves blood flow, and a good blood flow is a must for beard growth.
8. Non-greasy and open pores:
Tea tree oil is light inconsistency with a pale yellow color. It is non-sticky.
Well, greasiness depends on the kind of carrier oil you are using. You can adjust the thickness of the oil.
Tea tree oil eliminates dirt, dust pollution, excess sebum, and prevents clogging. In this way, your skin tends to breathe and absorb more nourishment.
9. Prevent ingrown hairs:
Ingrown hair happens when you shave, wax, or tweeze your beard, and your hair grows back to the skin or when dead skin clogs it, and hair starts growing inside the skin.
Now the question is, how does tea tree oil help to eliminate ingrown hair?
Firstly, it helps unclog pores by removing dead skin cells and impurities.
Second, if you learn proper shaving tips, use shaving cream and razors with clean blades, and use tea tree oil with a carrier oil as beard oil, you will notice a sudden decrease in your ingrown hair.
10. Prevent dryness:
A dry beard could be a genetic issue, but if the reason is harsh chemical-based products or extreme weather conditions, tea tree oil can help with this.
Tea tree oil helps to lock the moisture and prevent dryness. When you combine it with coconut oil or jojoba oil, it moisturizes the beard and eliminates brittleness.
Note: Hey! Wait, don’t skip the further article after finding the benefits of (your use) tea tree oil for beard, as it has too many side effects. I recommend reading the complete article then making up your mind about using it.
How to purchase tea tree oil for facial hair?
Choosing the right tea tree oil for facial hair is crucial as each marketer is now selling their oil with all the qualities you are searching for in oil.
1. Chemical composition:
The chemical composition of tea tree oil depends on various factors like the kind of biomass used (leaves or leaves plus branchlets), chemotype, and production process (steam distillation or hydro distillation).
According to International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the maximum and minimum allowed concentrations of the major components of commercial TTO should be:
Try to research deeply before purchasing tea tree oil for your beard. Check that the composition of components lies in the range.
2. Ingredients:
Along with the chemical composition, read the whole ingredient list. Check whether the tea tree oil is free from harmful synthetic chemicals and contains pure and natural ingredients.
The easiest way to pick the best tea tree oil for the beard is to check the certified organic label. Most brands have a specific seal that ensures tea tree oil is organic.
3. Dark bottle:
Nowadays, most essential oils come in a transparent bottle to figure out the quantity. Try to avoid purchasing tea tree oil in a transparant container.
Exposure to light converts the tea tree oil into a byproduct, makes it ineffective and toxic for the skin, and may cause irritation and redness.
4. Affordable:
Finding a natural tea tree oil without any chemicals on a low budget is two different things. But, there is no guarantee that a premium one will always have natural ingredients. So what is the solution?
The solution is to use your common sense and stop running behind premium brands. Do your research and pick the one with the above qualities in an affordable range.
Tea tree oil under $15 is more than enough to spend.
Is tea tree oil bad for your beard?: Sideffects
Using anything beyond the limit is harmful to our bodies. If you respect the dilution range of tea tree oil, it will hardly react. Still, there are some side effects you may experience after using it.
I have listed a few below. I recommend performing a patch test to avoid harmful effects.
Headaches
Tea tree oils in aromatherapy help relieve stress headaches by inhaling. But you can not deny that tea tree oil or any essential oils have a strong fragrance.
People with fragrance sensitivity struggle to breathe easily and suffer extreme headaches. If you are allergic to strong fragrances, do not use them.
Asthma
The powerful scent of tea tree oil can trigger asthma attacks. If you are an asthma patient or have any breathing problems, avoid using tea tree oils. It has a strong minty fragrance which may affect your breathing.
Contact dermatitis
According to Mayoclinic, contact dermatitis is a reaction caused by soaps, cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry, and plants. You may experience a red rash, severe itching, crack, scaly skin, bumps, blister, swelling, tenderness, and burning.
If you perform a patch test and observe any of the above symptoms, stop the usage and consult a doctor if you face anything serious.
Things to consider before using TTO:
People who hate using essential oils are either allergic or do not use them properly. I have mentioned a few things you must consider while using tea tree oil on facial hair.
1. Use Diluted Tea tree oil:
This point is one of the crucial things to follow. When essential oils are applied directly to the skin, they can cause a severe rash, pimples, or sometimes difficulty breathing and chest tightness.
Now you may be thinking of two things!
How to dilute tea tree oil for the face?
The best ratio to dilute tea tree oil for the face is 1:12, where you take 1-2 drops of essential oil in 12 drops of any carrier oil.
Which carrier oil is best to dilute it?
The best carrier oil that goes well with tea tree oil is coconut, almond, and olive. These oils are hypoallergenic and found in a pure form easily. You can also use it with other natural oils, aloe vera gel and beard shampoo.
2. Patch test:
Never use tea tree oil without trying a patch test. Patch test determines whether a particular product suits your skin or not.
Here, you take diluted tea tree oil and apply it to the hidden areas of your body, like behind your ear, thighs, or forearm.
After 14 hours, if you notice any redness, rash, or irritation, discontinue the usage. If not, you can use it.
3. Ingestion:
As per the study, tea tree oils are harmless to use topically in unconcentrated forms but toxic if ingested at higher doses. It may result in stomach pain, a stomach infection, drowsiness, confusion, diarrhea, rashes, and throat infection.
Also, experts recommend avoiding applying tea tree oil on lips. So you have to be careful as the beard is the nearest area around the lips. If you use it on your lips, you may experience itching, rash, or redness.
4. Not for Eczema patients:
According to verywellhealth, various studies prove soothing results of tea tree oil on many skin conditions but a minimal study for eczema.
Although using tea tree in a diluted version may not affect eczema but still do not take the risk. Ask your doctor before applying it to eczema.
5. Lethal for pets:
If you have a pet at home, always keep tea tree oil out of their reach.
As per Petpoisonhelpline, the application of concentrated tea tree oil up to 7 drops resulted in severe poisoning, 10-20 ml of tea tree oil resulted in poisoning and death in both dogs and cats.
6. Avoid using during adolescence:
I understand the desire to grow such thick beards in puberty; I had it myself, but believe me when I say that nothing should force before its time. Wait for the right time to have those beards.
If you think nourishing your beards more will result in thick growth, then let me tell you, it does not work like that. Your beard growth depends on your hormones, especially testosterone.
I recommend avoiding tea tree oil during puberty as it is a time when hormonal activities are at their peak. Tea tree oil can activate estrogen receptors while suppressing androgen, altering your hormonal activities.
Some myth busters:
Tea tree oil is always over-hyped for its benefits. Let us examine it more closely to see how much truth there is.
Tea tree oil for beard growth:
Tea tree oil does not contain any component that promotes beard growth. But it has many properties that help create a healthy environment for beard growth.
Beard growth depends on hormonal balance (testosterone levels), genes, age, nutrition, and good blood flow.
Using beard oils, essential oils, and beard products topically could only help to nourish and moisturize the beard and the skin underneath.
So it is a myth that tea tree oil can help beard growth.
Tea tree oil for beard fungus:
Beard fungal infections (Tinea barbae) generally affect adult men where you may notice inflamed, red lumpy areas, pustules, crust around the hairs, and weak hair follicles.
According to the study, this infection can be diagnosed with microscopy and culture of a skin scraping. Doctors recommend a topical antifungal treatment for mild fungal infections, but oral medication is the solution to treat severe fungal infections.
You may have heard that tea tree oil can help treat fungal infections, but there is no solid data to back this up.
Tea tree oil for beard dandruff:
The general causes of beard dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) are extreme weather conditions, the usage of harsh skin care products, and fungal infection.
If you are exploring extreme cold or warm places and using skincare products having harsh chemicals, you end up drying out your skin.
Beard washes cleanse your natural sebum along with the dirt. It makes your skin dry, flaky, and red, accompanied by itching.
A simple beard care routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing can help to eliminate beard dandruff.
You can use beard oils having tea tree oil. It may help to relieve itching and reduce redness.
Hormonal effects of using TTO
What? Can the topical application of tea tree oil manipulate hormones?
Well, it is true. But knowing the whole truth is way crucial.
According to the New England journal of medicine, the prolonged use of products having tea tree oil and lavender oil can result in breast development in men. Scientifically it is known as Prepubertal Gynecomastia.
Prepubertal Gynecomastia is a hormonal imbalance of estrogen (female hormones) and testosterone (male hormones). It generally occurs in boys or men in their mid puberty and old age, when the imbalance between testosterone and estrogen develops.
The major causes of this imbalance are alcohol and drug abuse( including marijuana, heroin, amphetamines, and anabolic steroids). Also, topical treatments, especially those containing lavender, and tea tree oil, activate estrogen receptors and downregulate androgen, which can also cause breast development.
Now the question is, why do big brands are still using these oils?
No doubt, lavender and tea tree oils have the best aroma and have antibacterial properties. These two is the main reason why they are using them.
Although these studies have proven the side effects of tea tree oil with lavender, using it alone is still an option.
Using tea tree oil with other oil in an acceptable amount with precaution will not harm you.
How to use tea tree oil on beard?
As I have already discussed, the importance of dilution of tea tree oil. Keep that ratio(1:12) in your mind and apply it without any doubt. You can use a carrier oil, shampoos, and conditioner for dilution.
Pour a few drops of diluted tea tree oil on a cotton ball and apply it all over your beard. Avoid using fingertips as it wastes oil.
Beard oil recipes with Tea tree oil:
Conclusion:
Tea tree oil for beard is a great option to improve beard health only if used in a recommended way. Although it does not promote beard growth, it can help build the environment needed for growing a beard.
It can eliminate beard dandruff, dryness, acne, product build-ups, and combat bacterial infections.
Avoid using tea tree oil with lavender oil, especially during puberty. Also, use it in a diluted form under doctor’s supervision.
FAQs:
Is tea tree oil good for your beard?
Of course, tea tree oil is one of the best essential oils for your beard. It has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that create a healthy environment for growing a beard.
How do you use tea tree oil to grow a beard?
First of all, always dilute the oil in the 1:12 ratio, which means one drop of oil in 12 drops of carrier oil. You can use coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil for dilution.
Secondly, use a dropper and cotton balls to apply all over the face.
Does tea tree oil help in beard growth?
No, no study proves it. It has no ingredients that promote beard growth bu,t its properties help create a healthy environment for growing a beard.
How do I fix my patchy beard?
A patchy beard depends on age, genetics, alopecia areata (balding), and hormonal imbalances. Putting topically any premium products would hardly help.
You must add nutritious food that promotes beard growth, exercises daily, and uses chemical-free household products.
How do you use tea tree oil for beard dandruff?
You can either use beard oils with tea tree oil or add the oil to beard shampoo and conditioners. This blend will cleanse the dirt and dandruff without making it greasy.
Is tea tree oil Anti-androgen?
No, This is not true. The blend of tea tree oil and lavender oil results in anti-androgenic activities, so saying tea tree is anti-androgenic would be wrong.
Kayden is an entrepreneur, writer, hairstylist working in a professional salon. He specializes in men’s grooming. He loves to blog about beards, hairstyles, and skincare.