6 Super Effective Tea Tree Oil Hacks Every Singaporean Should Know

Tea tree oil’s magical properties

Source

Home remedies are all the rage these days, with people forgoing harsh chemical-laced products in favour of the goodness from Mother Earth. In fact, many have found nature’s gifts to be more affordable yet more effective than certain synthetics.

The phrase “home remedy” would usually bring to mind ingredients like honey, aloe vera, and apple cider vinegar. But a lesser known item that ought to join the list is tea tree oil. It’s a multi-purpose super-product that you’d be thankful for if you’re stuck on a deserted island. Despite lacking recognition, it works wonders you never thought it could:

1. It keeps creepy crawlies away

 Source: @wolfyboy94

If you’re planning to explore Ubin with bae and don’t want pesky mosquitoes ruining the romance, fill a little spray bottle from Daiso with slightly diluted tea tree oil and make a few spritzes over yourselves. While tea tree oil is safe on humans, it’s toxic to insects, so those 6-legged bloodsuckers won’t be feeding off you for dinner after catching a whiff.

Don’t fret if you’ve already been bitten; there’s still hope of salvation from scratching yourself into a scabby mess – just dab on some tea tree oil to soothe the itches.

2. Fights foot odour

Source: @a_livelysoul

No thanks to Singapore’s humid climate, my feet sweat buckets after a day out. And let’s just say that the smell that emanates when I kick off my shoes after a long day is… funky. Sometimes the stench lingers even after a shower and I have to do multiple rounds of scrubbing. Gross, I know.

While foot deo and anti-perspirant sprays do the job, they contain toxins which can clog pores. A natural alternative would be to rub tea tree oil on your soles and between toes before donning your kicks. This will kill and prevent odour-causing bacteria.

Get rid of existing odours by creating a foot bath of warm water with a few drops of tea tree oil and soak your feet in for 10 – 15 minutes. Squeeze in some lemon for added freshness.

3. It clears nasal congestions

 
Source

It’s super shiok when it rains at night, but it ain’t fun waking up the next day with a blocked nose. Breathe clearly again fast by adding a few drops of tea tree oil to a bowl of freshly boiled water and inhaling the steam.

The fragrant vapours function as aromatherapy by calming the senses. This sure beats the pungent medicated oils my ah mah likes shoving under my nose!

4. Helps extract stubborn splinters

 
Source

Don’t you just hate it when wooden chopsticks attack you while being pried apart, when all you want is to eat your bak chor mee in peace? Splinters are tiny and seemingly easy to ignore, but boy do they hurt like crazy after a while! Poking and prodding at the affected area only causes it to swell further, resulting in a dreaded trip to the doctor to get it cut out.

Dislodge an annoying splinter with minimal pain and bleeding this way:
1. Soak your finger in warm water mixed with 2 tablespoons of salt and a few drops of tea tree oil for 5 – 10 minutes to soften and deswell the skin.
2. Then, apply pressure to the area until the splinter tip emerges, and grab it out with a tweezer. Ta-da! Almost like magic.

5. Heals small cuts and blisters

 
Source

Looking good doesn’t come easy. Despite being fabulous in our stilettos, we office ladies often totter around in silent anguish with nasty blisters at the back of our heels.

Speed up the agonising healing process by daubing a tea tree oil-soaked cotton bud on the blister twice a day – it’ll help tissues regenerate and act as a quick antiseptic solution that will shrink the bubble, reducing the temptation for you to pop it and aggravate the situation. You could also put a few drops of the oil on the cushiony part of a plaster and stick it on the back of your heels.

It’s gonna sting a bit, but hey, no pain, no gain.

6. Provides emergency acne relief

 

Source

Dressed immaculately in a perfect suit, armed with a spanking resume and a mental rehearsal of what to say, you’re all set for your first job interview…and then you spot it. A giant new pimple on your chin. Oh, bugger! Just your luck. With a dent in confidence, you start doubting yourself and fretting about making a less-than-stellar impression.

It’s time for an emergency skin saver – you guessed it – tea tree oil, to help reduce redness and make the bump go down.

Tea tree oil: lifesavers in your bag

 

Always keep some tea tree oil in your bag and don’t balk at the thought of coating your already-greasy skin in more oil – there are facial products with tea tree oil that in fact unblock sebaceous glands. For example, the Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution ($32.90) from The Body Shop is a lightweight serum with 100% organic tea tree oil that combats blackheads, whiteheads, and acne outbreaks.

Busy bees who don’t have time for elaborate beauty routines can go for the Tea Tree 3-in-1 Wash.Scrub.Mask ($29.90), a nifty triple threat against blemishes, clogged skin, and large pores. Get on the tea tree trend, and regain your smooth complexion!

Find out more about The Body Shop’s tea tree oil products here

This post was brought to you by The Body Shop.