It is popularly known as tea tree oil.  But by many familiar with it in other areas of the world, it has been known as Melaleuca oil.  Its pale golden color comes from the Melaleuca tree, and it grows exclusively on the Eastern shores of Australia.  it has been used for various functions through the years, and they actually discovered its use as an acne treatment years ago.  But it hasn’t always been used as such.

Melaleuca oil works as an antiseptic and an antifungal, and in clinical studies, it has been shown to work similarly to benzoyl peroxide.  the difference is in the side effects.  Melaleuca oil does not come with side effects where benzoyl peroxide and others like it do. 

To give you an idea of the history, Melaleuca oil was first shown to work as an antimicrobial and bacteira killer in the 1920′s.   Researcher Arthur Penfold made it popular for a number of years, and then it died away after World War II.  it again rose to popularity some time in the 1970′s and then died away again.  it has only recently come back, and now they have found that it works best in concentrations of about 5% against mild to moderate cases of acne.

Melaleuca oil is for external use only.  it should not be swallowed, or it will cause confusion, hallucinations, unsteadiness, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, severe rashes, and even comas.  So again, it should only be used externally.  But when used properly as an external supplement, there are no known side effects.  In addition, should you decide to stop using it at any time, you will not experience severe and sudden breakouts as you would with benzoyl peroxide.