My love affair with Tea Tree Oil! (Apothecary Extracts)

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I have been a fan of Tea Tree oil for a few years now and The body shop makes some of my favorite Tea Tree Products. However, I find their bottle of Pure Tea Tree oil really tiny and I decided to try this giant bottle that was sent to me by Apothecary Extracts. Here's a list of how I use my Tea Tree oil and these can serve as ideas for you! I have combination skin which can get dry in some patches at times but is mostly quite oily. The excess oil produced by my skin and sometimes even the mattifying makeup I use results in breakouts occasionally. I found that Tea Tree oil helps balance the sebum produced by my skin and makes it softer. It also helps fight the dark spots left behind by breakouts.

In a Face Mask: I have a favorite Tea Tree Mud Mask (I forgot which brand it is but I'm sure many brands probably make this) that I use regularly. since this mask can get quite dry in the pot, I take the quantity I require for one application and add a few drops each of water and tea tree oil to liquefy it a bit. I apply a smooth layer all over my face and then go over particular problem areas with a little extra. Wait till the mask completely dries so the tea tree oil has had time to absorb into your skin and then wash it off!

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In a night cream: I used to mix a few drops of tea tree oil in my favorite night cream (it was a toning cream with cloves) and apply it every night before I go to bed. It's the perfect amount of hydration and smells divine! However, since I'm testing out a new night cream for an upcoming review, I haven't done this in a while.

By itself: Dilute a few drops of tea tree oil in coconut oil and apply it in spots with a Q-tip on blemishes and breakouts.

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While I do like the Apothecary Extracts Tea Tree oil, I didn't quite see results as powerful as I do with the one from the body shop. However, this might just be because the body shop probably adds other ingredients in their oil and this one is 100% pure. I recommend this bottle if you're trying out tea tree oil in a face mask or night cream but not by itself.

Do you use Tea Tree Oil or have you used it in the past? I want to know all about your experience so share with me in the comments below! 

Tanaya

*Sample sent for review. All opinions expressed in this article are honest and unbiased.

New Skincare Discoveries

A while back I got sent some new skincare products from Mary Kay's new Botanical Effects line to test out and review. It was perfect timing since I'm in India and my oily skin tends to act out in the hot and humid weather here. I thought it would be a real test for these products to help me tackle the oiliness, breakouts and blemishes.

The Botanicals range consists of 4 products that almost make up a complete skincare routine - a face mask, a cleanser, a refreshing toner and a hydrating moisturizer. Each of these products are available in 3 variants depending on whether you have dry, normal or oily skin. I got the range for oily skin. All the products are free from alcohol, fragrance and synthetic dyes.

The mask: The mask claims that it absorbs and controls oil. Since I use this mask along with all the other products too I can't tell if it's the mask in particular that's helping control the oil on my skin but it most probably has a role to play in the overall effects. The tube says it can be used 2-3 times per week but I use it only about 1-2 times per week. My skin definitely feels cleaner and refreshed. It looks hydrated and radiant immediately. I really enjoy using this mask and I even carried it along with me while traveling since it makes for the perfect treat for your skin after a long day outdoors.

The cleanser: This cleanser is great at removing makeup and I use it whenever I'm too lazy to use makeup remover and then cleanse again. It melts off makeup, oil, dust and leaves your skin very clean without making it too dry. I like it but I wouldn't say it's my favorite since it doesn't leave your skin feeling tingling and fresh.

The Freshen Toner: Now it doesn't mention the word "toner" on the bottle but that's what it essentially is. I spray it onto a little piece of cotton and gentle dab/rub it all over my face focusing especially on the areas with blemishes and the Tzone. It removes any last traces of dirt left behind on the skin while calming it and closing up the pores to leave the skin beautifully glowing (and I'm not exaggerating). On several occasions when I've used this toner and stepped out of my room, I've been asked what I did to my skin and what I used because it looks so good.

The Hydrating Moisturizer: I don't really have much to say about this product yet. I haven't used it more than twice and I didn't like it very much those two times. I'm not someone who uses moisturizers except on certain dry spots (and only during winter) so I don't like the feeling of moisturizers on my skin in this hot and humid weather. I might try it out again during winter and let you know what I think about it.

On the whole, I'm really impressed with the three products that I've been using regularly for about a month and a half now and they've really helped keep my skin calm. I still get the occasional breakouts but they're not quite as aggressive and bad as they used to be. I love everything except the moisturizer and I would recommend it to all my readers that have oily/combination skin.

Since I'm thinking of starting a youtube channel, let me know if you would like to see a "best skincare products for oily skin" or a similar video. You can let me know if you would like something like that in the comments below.


Tanaya <3



*Products were sent for consideration for a review. The opinions are honest and unbiased.