Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil at a Glance

• Essential oil with a distinctive herbal/medicinal scent even at low concentrations
• Contains volatile compounds that are known to be skin sensitizing
• May help visibly improve breakout-prone skin (when properly incorporated)
• Has antimicrobial, anti-viral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties
• Irritation risk increases when tea tree oil oxidizes—proper storage is essential

Tea Tree Oil Description

Tea tree oil is a popular skin care ingredient with a distinctive herbal scent. However, it can be a double-edged sword for your skin.

While some of tea tree oil’s compounds have been cited in research for helping improve symptoms common to those with breakout-prone skin, these benefits are less likely to transpire with the low concentrations of tea tree oil commonly used in skin care products. Moreover, tea tree oil lacks United States FDA approval as an OTC drug active ingredient for acne treatment.

When used in 100% concentration, tea tree oil’s scent can be overpowering, and its volatile components such as linalool, limonene, and eucalyptol can irritate skin. The irritation risk increases as tea tree oil oxidizes (oxidation makes these volatile components even more potent). If you choose to use tea tree oil, tread cautiously and ensure proper storage that restricts exposure to air and light (i.e. packaging such as an opaque pump bottle).

leaves and may be listed as “Melaleuca Alternifolia Oil” or “Melaleuca alternifolia Leaf Oil” on a cosmetic ingredient list.

Tea Tree Oil References