When it comes to managing acne-prone skin, we seek beauty products that work round-the-clock to tackle existing blemishes and prevent new ones from forming. One problem, though. Plenty of remedies on the market tend to dry the skin out overnight and ruin makeup when used during the day. Surely we don’t require those additional complexion concerns on top of everything else. After all, we still want to put our best face forward while we watch our zits retreat.
Now, we’ve spoken quite a bit about salicylic acid when it comes to treating acne, but did you know tea tree oil contains natural salicylic acid which does the same job? Tea tree essential oil has long been touted for its antiseptic properties, which makes it a gentler option if you’re looking to green your beauty routine. Well, it’s a good thing The Body Shop discovered this purifying ingredient, and it’s even better now that they’ve reinforced their range of tea tree products, so we won’t have to stress out about our spot-prone complexions 24/7.
(L-R): Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution, $32; Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation, $20 (available in 8 shades);
Complexion Blender, $8
During the day, what oily acne-prone complexions need is a lightweight treatment that won’t interfere with makeup application, which is why the Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Solution is an ideal serum to calm angry zits down as it sinks into the skin fast. To complement its efficacy, The Body Shop has also introduced two new products to the lineup, one of which is their tea tree-infused Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation. It delivers breathable, long-wearing coverage, and as the name suggests, it’s a formula that leaves a soft matte finish while it works to clarify the skin.
(L-R): Tea Tree Oil, $19.90; Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask, $28.90
We’re no strangers to the brand’s iconic Tea Tree Oil. A go-to spot treatment in our teens, this targeted solution contains the highest concentration of tea tree essential oil in the range, and it’s something we still reach for when we a zit decides to randomly move in on our faces. One thing we know about our skin is its unpredictability, but what we didn’t know is that our sebum levels have been reported to peak at 4am, which could lead to clogged pores and new blemishes. Yikes. This is why the brand has introduced us to the Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask – a memory-gel mask that aims to control sebum production, mattifying and reducing the size of pores overnight, so we won’t wake up horrified at the sight of new blemishes.
Intrigued by the lineup, we got 3 members of the NYLON team with spot concerns to put the aforementioned products to the test. Let’s see how they fared!
Patrene Mathieu, 23, Designer
“I was excited to try out this range because I had already been using The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Facial Wash prior, along with the Tea Tree Oil itself, so I was curious to see if any of these products would also find their way into my essential skincare list.”
Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution:
“It goes on light and absorbs quickly without creating any burning sensation on the skin, leaving my face feeling smoother after just one day.”
Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation:
“Its coverage is full, but doesn’t feel thick or heavy on the skin, and the subtle tea tree scent actually adds to the pleasant experience of applying it on my face. It’s quite resilient too, having lasted throughout my entire long day at work.”
Tea Tree Oil:
“Having used this product prior to the trial, I can safely say that this has been my acne-combating sidekick since I was a teenager. I use it as a spot treatment, with just a bit of oil on the tip of a cotton bud, dabbing it across garish cystic acne that pops up every once in a while.”
Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask:
“The green gel feels akin to aloe vera, but is absorbed into the skin much faster after application, and the salicylic acid helps to combat whatever bumps that threaten to materialise out of the skin.”
Phyllis Guo, 22, Editorial Assistant
“When I learned of tea tree oil being an effective natural remedy used to treat acne, I actually purchased a bottle of The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Oil in the past. Sadly, I broke the bottle by accident and didn’t get a chance to use it, so when Jade passed me a whole set of tea tree products for me to try, I was ecstatic.”
Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution:
“I use the Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution and pat it in all over my face right before I apply the Tea Tree Oil. It’s lightweight and feels just like cleansing your face with a water solution. Absorbs into the skin very quickly as well.”
Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation:
“I’m pleasantly surprised with the foundation’s formula! It actually feels like the foundation I’m currently using – smooth and easy to blend. I would say this foundation provides medium coverage, but if I had selected the right shade for myself, I’d be using this way more.
Tea Tree Oil:
“I put a couple of drops on my fingertips and applied it on my spots, which are commonly located on my cheeks and at the temple. The very next morning, I find that the appearance of redness and acne scars have lighten slightly, which is not too bad considering I haven’t used it for that long.”
Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask:
“The Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Overnight Mask is more of a gel-like texture and isn’t as sticky or oily as I expected it to be. After using it, I noticed that my skin looks clearer and my face feels less oily at the end of the day. This one’s definitely my favourite of the bunch.”
Joel Conceicao, 25, Writer
“First things first, I’m a typical dude, so my knowledge of skincare is close to zilch. So you can imagine my horror when I was asked to review The Body Shop’s Tea Tree range. I was surprised, skeptical, and a tad bit frightened. I had no idea what to do. Still, I set about giving it my best shot.”
Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution:
“First up, I tried a Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution, which I applied twice a day on a daily basis. By the second day, the annoying pimple above my upper lip started to dissipate. It was still visible, but I could see that it was a lot less inflamed than before.”
Tea Tree Oil:
“After the Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution, I dabbed the Tea Tree Oil on my pimple religiously every night, and it recovered a lot quicker than I expected.”
Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Overnight Mask:
“To be honest, getting used to it took awhile. That said; my skin did feel (and look) refreshed when I woke up the next day, and I’m pretty certain that the mask aided in the recovery of my blemishes. Now I’m convinced that skincare products do actually work, thanks to The Body Shop’s Tea Tree range.”
The Body Shop Tea Tree Collection, $19.90 – $32. Available now at The Body Shop stores islandwide. thebodyshop.com.sg
You must be logged in to post a comment.