Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) leaf
AKA: Narrow-leaved paperbark, Tea Tree Leaf
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Australian Native
Clean
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf is a cosmetic ingredient used as abrasive, skin conditioning. 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
Powder
Functions
Abrasive
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 for centuries by Australian Aboriginal peoples as a topical remedy for skin wounds, infections, and inflammation. The leaves were crushed and applied directly or steeped as a wash.
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 Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️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