Why do some oils like eucalyptus or tea tree oil hurt our skin? I don’t mean make it hot or cold. I mean make it itchy or sting. If I apply eucalyptus on a blemish, it stings for a while but overall helps the blemish heal.
What is the chemical reason for this?
Thanks!
In: 5
I am not a doctor but I am a botanist. Eucalyptus oil contains VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that irritate nerve cells. In some cases it has even been fatal (extremely rare, but poisoning is more common) esp. in children and definitely should be used with a degree of knowledge and caution. Essential oil therapy is not particularly well researched, like effects of breathing in vapor or direct to skin contact.
Latest Answers