murphyMelaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) flower/leaf/stem oil
AKA: Narrow-leaved paperbark, Tea Tree Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Australian Native
Not Clean
OriginNative to Australia. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of *Melaleuca alternifolia*, a tree native to Australia in the Myrtaceae family. The oil is extracted through steam distillation of the plant's leaves and branches.
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil is a cosmetic ingredient. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
Plant Part
Leaf
Lifeform
Shrub
Climate
Subtropical
CAS #
85085-48-9
Form
Oil
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
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
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 2%
CIR lists it as not reported to be in use.
CIR · report published 2026
SCCS maximum safe concentration: 2.0%. Product type: leave-on. Source: SCCS Opinion SCCS/1681/25.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR