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It can be frustrating and tempting to pick at <keyword id="29502" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="acne" source="Orion">acne</keyword>, but scientists might have found a better way to fight it, using the very bacteria that causes it! This research is pretty clever, like using your enemy's weapons against them. Cutibacterium acnes is a common bacteria on our faces, known for causing pimples. It creates excess oil that clogs pores and leads to inflammation. However, it also helps protect our <keyword id="6371970" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skin" source="Orion">skin</keyword>. Instead of destroying it, researchers changed its genes to make it fight pimples. They used a protein called <keyword id="20363449" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ngal" source="keywords">NGAL</keyword>, which tells oil-producing cells to chill and stop making so much oil. <keyword id="20363450" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sebum" source="keywords">Sebum</keyword>, the oily stuff that builds up and clogs pores, was the target. Inspired by a strong acne medication that also increases NGAL, the team wanted C. acnes to do the job internally, without the harsh side effects. The tricky part was modifying C. acnes' genes, as it's stubborn. But researchers persevered and found a way to sneak the NGAL-making instructions into its DNA, turning it into a tiny NGAL factory. It worked! In lab tests on human skin cells, the modified C. acnes cut oil production in half within two days. On mice, it produced NGAL deep within their hair follicles (where oil comes out) without causing any irritation. However, testing on humans is still needed. Our skin is different, and more studies are required to ensure this acne-fighting bacteria is safe and effective in real life. This research was published in Nature Biotechnology.

Scientists have genetically tweaked the facial acne-causing bacteria to help fight pimples instead!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tea tree oil may fight <keyword id="11952991" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="acne" source="Orion">acne</keyword> by killing acne-causing bacteria and decreasing inflammation.</li><li>You can use tea tree oil on your skin by adding a few drops of the oil to your moisturizer.</li><li>You can also mix the oil with a carrier oil, like olive oil, before applying it to acne.</li></ul>There are plenty of acne-fighting products on the market, but if you want to improve your acne in a more natural way, you can try <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-tea-tree-oil/art-20364246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tea tree oil</a>, which is an essential oil derived from the Australian tea tree's leaves. Due to certain properties of this oil, it may improve your acne.<h2>Tea tree oil fights acne-causing bacteria</h2>Tea tree oil is known for its <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360273/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">antimicrobial properties</a>, meaning it can fight microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungus, says <a href="https://www.schweigerderm.com/providers/erum-ilyas-md-mbe-faad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Erum Ilyas, MD, FAAD,</a> board-certified dermatologist at <a href="https://www.schweigerderm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Schweiger Dermatology</a>. And that's useful since bacteria is one of the causes for acne, says Ilyas. In fact, research indicates that tea tree oil is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33275348/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">effective at fighting</a> one of the most common acne-causing bacteria: cutibacterium acnes. <h2>Tea tree oil is an anti-inflammatory</h2>Tea tree oil acts as an <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360273/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anti-inflammatory agent,</a> which can help prevent small pimples from becoming larger, inflamed acne lesions like <a href="https://www.insider.com/types-of-acne" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pustules, papules, and nodules</a>, says <a href="https://www.drhadleyking.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hadley King, MD</a>, board-certified dermatologist in private practice and clinical instructor of dermatology at the <a href="https://weillcornell.org/hadley-c-kingmd-7149" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weill Medical College of Cornell University</a>.<h2>What the research says</h2>A small <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27000386/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2017 study </a>found that using a tea tree oil gel and face wash twice daily over the course of 12 weeks can significantly improve mild to moderate acne. There were no major side effects, although some participants experienced some dryness and peeling, which eventually resolved. Moreover, a small <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6298394/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018 study</a> found that a mixture of tea tree oil, propolis, and aloe vera was more effective than antibiotic erythromycin cream (a prescription acne medication) at reducing the severity of acne over the course of 30 days. However, these studies are small, and more research is needed. "The data for tea tree oil is significantly more limited compared to other acne-fighting ingredients. We really need more data to establish the efficacy," says King. <h2>How to use tea tree oil for acne</h2>If you'd like to use tea tree oil for acne, you have a couple of choices. Your first option is to buy topical products pre-made with tea tree oil as an ingredient, such as a toner or cream, says Ilyas. Alternatively, you can go the DIY route by diluting tea tree oil and applying it to your skin. "If using pure tea tree oil, make sure the product purchased is 100% tea tree oil to avoid irritation from other ingredients," says Ilyas.Important: Tea tree oil is <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-tea-tree-oil/art-20364246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">toxic if you ingest it</a>. It should only be used topically. Diluting the tea tree oil is crucial to using it safely. Ilyas recommends the following if you're DIY-ing it:<ul><li>Add a few drops of the oil to your moisturizer.</li><li>Or mix the oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, or olive oil. </li></ul>Start with a 1:10 ratio (one drop of tea tree oil with 10 drops of carrier oil) to avoid experiencing irritation. You can work your way up to a 1:5 ratio if your skin tolerates the more diluted mixture.Whether you're DIY-ing it or using a topical product from the store, you can typically expect to see results in one month to 12 weeks, based on the findings of the aforementioned studies. Additionally, King says that tea tree oil may irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. Because of this, you should try doing a test patch on the inside of your arm first.<h2>Insider's takeaway</h2>Tea tree oil's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it a potential treatment for acne. Although large scale studies are lacking surrounding the efficacy of tea tree oil, it is relatively safe to try. <a data-type="60ddf1c4fdabbb44ba2ec129">Dermatologists give specific treatment plans for 6 types of acne, including blackheads, cysts, and more</a><a data-type="5f6ce6d35146727d627e03c6">The best ingredients for fighting acne, according to dermatologists</a><a data-type="6144dbfddbbb3852e421f8a6">3 ways retinol can improve your skin health, and how to use it in your skincare routine</a><a data-type="5eebb04faee6a80138279db5">These are the best, most effective ingredients you should look for in a moisturizer</a>

You Searched For "cutibacterium acnes" and got 3 results

Scientists have genetically tweaked the facial acne-causing bacteria to help fight pimples instead!

Ankush Banerjee

How to use tea tree oil to fight acne, according to dermatologists

Ashley Laderer,Debra Jaliman

11 effective home remedies to clear up acne naturally

Madeline Kennedy

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