Can You use Tea Tree and Witch Hazel with Retinol?

If you’re a fan of skincare, you’ll probably already have a good understanding of how to add retinol into your routine in the most effective way. As for tea tree and witch hazel, although both have been used for thousands of years, but are still a couple of the lesser-known skin ingredients. In today’s blog post we will be exploring more into whether you can use tea tree and witch hazel with retinol.

So, stick around before you want to find out more and if you are wondering what these ingredients do for the skin, here is a quick rundown of their benefits.

What are the skincare benefits of tea tree?

• Tea tree oil is able to kill the bacteria, also known as p.acnes bacteria that sits on the surface of the skin. It’s this bacteria that are one of the main causes of acne and other types of blemishes.
• Tea tree oil contains anti-inflammatory properties meaning that once it is applied to any skin suffering from a flare-up in acne or breakouts you will be able to target signs of redness and size of the active spots, whilst preventing further breakouts.
• Tea tree oil can treat a wide variety of different acne, depending on the product formula, you are able to target comedonal acne, such as blackheads and inflammatory acne, such as large, red pimples.

What are the skincare benefits of witch hazel?

• Witch hazel is enriched in anti-inflammatory properties meaning it can work on the skin surface as well as the lower layers of the skin.
• Witch hazel can help remove any excess sebum found on the surface removing any build-up of impurities.
• Witch hazel can help tighten pores making them appear less visible to the naked eye.
• Witch hazel can also help calm and reduce any signs of skin texture, such as any razor bumps that occur from shaving.

What are the skincare benefits of retinol?

• Retinol can help increase the speed of the skin cell turnover revealing fresh skin cells giving a vibrant glow to the complexion.
• Retinol can work in the lower layers of the skin giving a boost to the production of collagen and elastin giving you a firmer skin.
• Retinol can improve the overall look of the skin by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
• Retinol can reduce the appearance of premature ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
• Retinol can improve the texture of the skin leaving you with a smoother, even finish.

Now that you’ve had a brief recap of these potent ingredients and how they work on the skin, now let’s dive in and find out if you can use tea tree and witch hazel with retinol.

Can I use tea tree oil and retinol together?

No, it’s best to avoid using tea tree oil with retinol, as well as other potent actives such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and vitamin C. This is because although tea tree oil is a natural ingredient, it’s an extremely potent and layering it with other active ingredients. This will lead to the skin becoming stripped of the oil and water it needs to remain in its healthiest state.

If you find you’re wanting to use both tea tree oil and retinol in your skincare regime you should alternate the day you apply each powerhouse, remembering to apply either one or the other.

Can you use retinol and witch hazel together?

Yes, you can, but make sure you use the correct concentrate of witch hazel to avoid unwanted irritation. For a routine that already includes retinol the best way of using witch hazel is to opt for using a toner containing the gentle exfoliant. This not only gives the skin a gentle, but deep clean, but it also leaves enough time in between applications to allow the skin to rebalance. Witch hazel is known for being effective yet gentle meaning you can team it with retinoid of any strength, from prescription to over-the-counter formulations. Remember that if you are introducing any new ingredients or formulas to the skin you must consult with a dermatologist or medical professional to avoid any flare-up of irritation on the face.

What can you not mix with tea tree oil?

As I have already mentioned, there are a few potent ingredients that should be avoided with tea tree oil. This will be too much for the skin and cause severe dryness and discomfort. One other factor you need to remember is you should not apply tea tree oil directly to the skin surface. Try instead teaming it with a nourishing carrier oil, such as coconut, almond, or olive oil.

What oil can you mix with retinol?

Jojoba oil is thought to be the most effective oil to mix with retinol. With it being extremely hydrating for the skin it is an ideal oil to apply to the skin after retinol. Jojoba oil can target fine lines and wrinkles as well as combating the common drying side effects that occur when retinol is applied.

Does tea tree cause purging?

Yes, it can, purging is a common side effect that all exfoliants cause to the skin. The purging is a result of all the nastiness found in the lower layers of the skin is pushed to the surface. This is because by sloughing away the layer of dead skin cells from the surface and removes the barrier. Once this is gone you will also find tea tree can work in the lower layers of the skin and unclog the pores of any bacteria, dirt, and general gunk that can lead in acne and other breakouts.

Can I leave tea tree oil on my face overnight?

Yes, you can leave tea tree oil on your face overnight. As I have previously mentioned you shouldn’t apply it to the skin without a carrier oil. Once you have the correct mixture you can use it all over the face, avoiding the eye area, and leave it overnight. Once the morning arrives rinse any of the remaining mixture using warm water. For the best results use this once or twice a week as this will deliver the benefits without the side effects.

So, I hope that this has answered some of your questions about using tea tree and witch hazel with retinol. If you have any more skincare questions, you can find out more over on the Procoal Instagram.