Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) extract

Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) extract 1
Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) extract 2
Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) extract 3
Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) extract 4
AKA: Narrow-leaved paperbark, Tea Tree Extract
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Australian Native
Extract
Clean
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract is a cosmetic ingredient. Rated low hazard by EWG. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
Plant Part
Leaf
Lifeform
Shrub
Climate
Subtropical
CAS #
85085-48-9
Form
Liquid
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Fights acne
Causing bacteria
Controls excess oil
Quells irritation
Traditional Use
Used by Australian Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years to treat wounds, skin infections, and inflammation. Became internationally recognized in the 1920s-1930s after research documented its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
Dermal absorption: 3%. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 823).
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR