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This tea tree and lavender roller is my simple, gentle blend for blemish-prone skin. Fresh, clean-smelling tea tree and soothing lavender are diluted to just 1% in a light, non-greasy carrier oil, so you can dab it on spots at night without irritating your face. It takes two minutes to make, and one 10 ml bottle lasts for weeks.
Why Tea Tree and Lavender?
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is one of the best-known oils for blemish-prone skin. It has a fresh, medicinal scent and is traditionally used in spot treatments and clarifying skin care. Learn more in my full tea tree essential oil guide.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is gentle and calming, and it softens tea tree's sharp scent. It's traditionally used for irritated, red-looking skin. See all my uses for lavender essential oil.
Together they make one of the most popular pairings in natural skin care. For more ideas, see what blends well with tea tree.
Tea Tree and Lavender Roller Recipe
Clear Skin Roller (1% for the face)
- 1 drop Tea Tree essential oil
- 1 drop Lavender essential oil
- Jojoba or hemp seed oil to fill
- 10 ml glass roller bottle
Adults and teens. For sensitive skin, use just 1 drop total.
How to Make It
- Pop the roller top off a clean, dry 10 ml glass bottle.
- Add 1 drop of tea tree and 1 drop of lavender.
- Fill to the shoulder with jojoba or hemp seed oil.
- Press the roller top back on, cap it and roll gently between your palms to mix.
- Label it with the name and date.
Body Version (2% to 3%)
For blemishes on the back, chest or shoulders, where skin is less sensitive, use 2 drops each of tea tree and lavender in a 10 ml roller (about 2%), or up to 3 drops each (3%). Don't use the body version on your face.
Best Carrier Oils for Blemish-Prone Skin
- Jojoba: my first choice. It's light, absorbs well and feels a lot like your skin's own oil. Read more about jojoba carrier oil.
- Hemp seed: very light and rated non-comedogenic, a nice option for oily skin.
- Grapeseed: thin and fast-absorbing. See my grapeseed oil spotlight.
- Rosehip: richer, lovely for marks left behind after a breakout. Mix it half and half with jojoba if your skin is oily.
- Fractionated coconut oil: stays liquid and keeps well, though some people find it a little heavy for the face.
Not sure which suits you? See my non-comedogenic carrier oils with ratings and full list of carrier oils.
How to Use Your Roller
- Wash your face and pat it dry.
- Roll a small amount right onto blemishes or along oily areas like the T-zone. Keep it away from your eyes.
- Use it once a day, ideally at night. If your skin likes it, you can work up to twice a day.
- Follow with a light moisturizer if your skin feels dry.
- Give it a couple of weeks of regular use before deciding how it's working for you.
Safety Tips
- Patch test first: roll a little on your inner arm and wait 24 hours. Stop if you notice redness, itching or stinging. Here's how to do a patch test.
- Keep the dilution low: 1% is plenty for the face. More isn't better and is more likely to irritate.
- Use fresh oils: old, oxidized tea tree and lavender are more likely to cause skin reactions. Store your roller somewhere cool and dark and remake it every couple of months.
- Skip broken or raw skin, and don't use it alongside strong acne products like benzoyl peroxide or retinoids without checking with your dermatologist.
- See a dermatologist for painful, deep or cystic breakouts, or acne that isn't improving.
Read my 7 essential oil safety tips for more.
Easy Variations
- Extra calming: 1 drop lavender and 1 drop Roman chamomile, no tea tree.
- Fresh and bright: 1 drop tea tree and 1 drop geranium.
- For marks and uneven tone: use rosehip as your carrier and swap lavender for frankincense.
Looking for more? Try my essential oil combinations for skin, witch hazel pads and roller bottle recipes with a free printable. Grab one of my Aromatherapy Supply Kits.
Essential Oil Guide for Beginners - Getting Started
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Beginner's Essential Oil Guide - Download/Printable Learn how to safely and effectively make essential oils a part of your everyday life. Everything you need to know about essential oils. If you have ever been around anyone who loves using essential… Read More
