Tea tree oil and activated charcoal have been used by our ancestors for centuries to treat various ailments and skin conditions. Tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, is native to the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales, and has been used by the Aboriginal people since the Dream Time to treat a variety of conditions. The charcoal most people know about is a product of wood being burned. For use medically or on the skin, activated charcoal is what is used, which is charcoal that is further burned to have small pores that are able to trap and absorb toxins. Various other plants can also be used to make activated charcoal, including coconut shells, bamboo, peat and olive pits.
Tea tree oil can be use as a treatment for a wide variety of skin conditions. From dry skin to oily skin, from psoriasis to dandruff, tea tree oil packs a punch when it comes to soothing and reducing inflammation caused by these conditions. And because tea tree oil can be used for wound healing, skin conditions like acne and eczema can also be treated with tea tree oil.
Activated charcoal is a powerful skin detoxifying agent that can draw out impurities and toxins from within skin pores. Not only are environmental toxins drawn out, but bacteria, dirt, dust and makeup remnants can also be pulled to the surface to be washed away from the skin.
In addition to tea tree oil and charcoal, many of my soaps that contain these two ingredients also contains another powerful element: Tamanu oil. This oil works in a similar way to tea tree and charcoal - to soothe inflamed skin. The rich fatty acids found in tamanu oil keep the skin conditioned and moisturized while doing it's work on inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and dermatitis.
My soaps containing both tea tree oil and activated charcoal are diluted to an appropriate level within the carrier oils to reduce reaction but also still be effective. It may be that your skin benefits from use of these products everyday, or possibly only 2-3 times a week, depending on how much dryness you may or may no experience. It is important to test any new skin product on a small area of skin before prolonged use. If any irritation or redness develops after using the products, discontinue use.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been assessed by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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