TEA TREE OIL

Description: TEA TREE OIL — fragrance.

All Functions: fragrance

Quick Facts:

• Category: fragrance
• Also Known As: Tea Tree Oil
• Regulatory Note: Restricted in the EU

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia via steam distillation
• It contains over 100 chemical compounds, with terpinen-4-ol as the main one
• Used topically in skincare products at 5–10% concentration
• Has been studied for antiseptic properties against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and mites
• Generally well tolerated when applied to skin, but should never be swallowed
• Can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people
• Should not be applied near breasts if nursing, due to hormone-related concerns

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🧪 TEA TREE OIL

TEA TREE OIL

CAS Number: 68647-73-4

Also Known As: Tea Tree Oil

Category: fragrance

EC Number: 285-377-1

Opinion: used in cosmetic products

TEA TREE OIL is a fragrance ingredient used in skincare formulations.

🌍 Regulatory Status

📊 Comedogenicity

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of *Melaleuca alternifolia* through steam distillation (Dermatitis, 2012). It has a distinctive sharp, camphoraceous (camphor-like) smell followed by a cooling menthol sensation. The oil’s chemical makeup is complex—while terpinen-4-ol is the primary active compound, researchers have identified more than 100 other constituents, including 1,8-cineole, also called eucalyptol (peer-reviewed journal, 2006). It’s important not to confuse tea tree oil with similar-sounding products from other *Melaleuca* species, such as cajeput, niaouli, kanuka, or manuka oils, which are chemically and functionally different. #1: Antimicrobial potential. Tea tree oil has been shown to be active against a variety of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and mites, earning it a reputation for antiseptic properties (Dermatitis, 2012), though the sources reviewed do not detail specific strains or efficacy rates.

#2: Topical use and concentration. In skincare and cosmetic products, tea tree oil is most commonly used as a topical ingredient at concentrations between 5% and 10% (Dermatitis, 2012). It appears in shampoos, massage oils, skin creams, nail creams, and laundry detergents. #3: Safety profile for topical application. Topical tea tree oil is generally well tolerated when applied to the skin (peer-reviewed journal, 2006). However, it should never be taken orally or swallowed. #4: Risk of allergic contact dermatitis. Even at typical 5–10% concentrations, tea tree oil can trigger contact sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals (Dermatitis, 2012).

Prevalence data from patch testing suggests that 1.4% of patients referred for dermatitis testing showed a positive allergic reaction to tea tree oil (Dermatitis, 2012). #5: Hormone-related concerns and nursing. Tea tree oil exhibits estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity—meaning it can mimic or interfere with hormone function (peer-reviewed journal, 2006). Multiple cases of breast enlargement in boys have been reported following exposure, though the clinical relevance of these findings has been questioned in some literature and no further confirmatory testing has been published (peer-reviewed journal, 2006). Because of this uncertainty, topical tea tree oil should not be applied near the breast unless it is thoroughly removed before nursing (peer-reviewed journal, 2006).

#6: Limited safety data for infants and nursing mothers. No safety or efficacy data currently exist for tea tree oil use in nursing mothers or infants (peer-reviewed journal, 2006).

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

🧴 Products Containing TEA TREE OIL

• Earth Paste Tooth Paste
• Earth Paste
• Guru Nanda Toothpaste
• Hello ToothPaste
• Urban Hydration Olive & Tea Tree Cleansing Oil
• Nizoral Nizoral Psoriasis
• The Organic Forest Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
• ST. D’vence St. D’vence moisturizer winter edition
• Whitening pulling oil
• Dr. Rashel Beauty Exixirs Nose Pore Strips + Wet Wipes
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📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Unknown authors (2006). Tea Tree Oil. a peer-reviewed journal.
• Hartford O et al. (2005). Tea tree oil. Cutis.
• Larson D et al. (2012). Tea tree oil. Dermatitis.