Can Thyme Help Clear Breakouts? Here's What Research Says  

While there is a long list of acne treatments out there, "natural" remedies are often viewed as ineffective and a waste of time. Sure, some kitchen ingredients absolutely do not belong on your face (lemon juice, looking at you), but if you want to try to heal your breakouts without harsh topicals or oral medications, we hear you.

It's not always easy to tell which tips and tricks are worth your time and which ones are a hoax, especially with all of the seemingly promising before-and-after videos on beauty TikTok. The remedy du jour involves freezing thyme tea and rubbing it over your face, thanks to this thyme ice cube clip.

In the viral TikTok video, the creator rubs a "thyme pop" (aka, frozen cubes of thyme tea) on their skin and claims that this remedy works better for them than benzoyl peroxide, another common acne fighter.

But why are these two being compared in the first place? Well, benzoyl peroxide works to reduce breakouts by killing acne-causing bacteria on the skin. While it's certainly effective, it can cause irritation (especially for those with sensitive skin), resulting in redness and even physical discomfort if overused.

According to research, thyme essential oil also has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties1. And depending on how you use it, the ingredient may be able to provide those beneficial properties sans irritation.

What's more, this study2 analyzed the topical scalp application of a blend of essential oils including thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood, all diluted in a carrier oil blend of grapeseed and jojoba oil.

If you want to use thyme on your breakouts, you can opt for the thyme pops that this creator made (simply brew some thyme tea, pour the mixture into an ice tray, then freeze) or whip up your own blend using thyme essential oil.

Be sure to mix a few drops of the essential oil with a carrier oil (like grapeseed or jojoba) to dilute the concentration and prevent irritation.