Homemade Lavender Blemish Buster

We all know the dilemma. You wake up days before a big event or gathering, shuffle to the bathroom, rub the sleep from our eyes and there it is, a newly formed pimple staring back. The nerve. We will do anything to get rid of this intruder. But from past experiences, we know to tread lightly with harsh, chemical-based spot treatments as many times they make things worse before they get better, and there is no room for that!

Thankfully we have another resource, a natural spot treatment that is effective enough to get the job done without any unsightly side effects: Tea Tree-Lavender Blemish Tincture.

The Tea Tree plant grows in Australia and Asia and the oil from the tree is extracted and has been shown to have numerous medicinal uses. Tea tree oil contains numerous beneficial chemicals, most notably terpenoids and cineole, that are naturally able to kill fungus and bacteria. These anti-microbial chemicals make tea tree oil a natural made blemish fighter!

Tea tree oil has gone against the big guys in comparative studies and held its own. In a double-blind study comparing the effectiveness of tea tree oil versus benzoyl peroxide, a potent acne treatment, tea tree oil was found to be as effective as its harsh counterpart. Tea tree oil was found to be a slightly slower and less potent treatment; however, it resulted in fewer side effects such as dry, red and irritated skin and thus was believed to be overall more effective. Tree tree oil has also been found effective for the treatment of athletes foot, toenail fungus and even prevention of the spread of Staphylococcus aureus or more commonly known staph infection in hospitals.

The blemish tincture combines the anti-microbial benefits of tea tree oil, with the soothing, anti-inflammatory and equally anti-microbial benefits of lavender oil to produce an effective, healing and beautifully smelling spot treatment that will help you stay on top of pesky surprise visitors this holiday season.

Tea Tree-Lavender Blemish Tincture 

Ingredients:

• 9 drops tea tree oil
• 6 drops lavender oil
• 3 tsp sweet almond oil
• Small, airtight container for storage (ideally a dark glass or store in a dark cabinet)

Directions:

1. In the small container, combine all three ingredients and mix gently to combine.
2. Remember to spot test for sensitivity before applying.
3. On clean skin, apply tincture to desired area using a clean q-tip. Do not rinse off.
4. Apply once or twice daily until blemish is gone.
5. Store out of direct sunlight in an airtight container for up to six months, or make a smaller portion when you need it.

Want more natural skin care remedies? Check out more of our Edible Skincare recipes.