Tea tree oil is one of those ingredients that must be used correctly – or not at all. It is effective, but in too large a dose, it can irritate the skin. Many have tried it undiluted directly on a pimple and ended up with a red spot instead.
The antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil – Melaleuca alternifolia – are well documented. It works particularly against the C. acnes bacteria, which is one of the factors that cause acne. At the same time, it is keratolytic, meaning it can help in the shedding of dead skin cells.
The problem is concentration. Strong tea tree oil is irritating. The concentrations used in studies range from 5% to 20%. In commercial products, the percentage is often much lower.
In Silky Sage, there is a small amount of tea tree oil – just enough for the antimicrobial properties to work without irritation. It does not make Silky Sage specifically an acne product, but it is part of the reason why the product also works for impure skin.
Tea tree oil is not suitable for everyone. It is one of the most common cosmetic allergens. If you are allergic to tea tree oil, Silky Sage is not for you – and it is important to know this before trying it.