Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) leaf oil
AKA: Narrow-leaved paperbark, Tea tree leaf oil
Plant-Derived
Antioxidant
Fragrance
Australian Native
Not Clean
Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil is a cosmetic ingredient used as antioxidant, perfuming. Rated moderate hazard by EWG. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
Plant Part
Leaf
Lifeform
Shrub
Climate
Subtropical
CAS #
85085-48-9 / 8022-72-8 / 68647-73-4
Form
Oil
Functions
Antioxidant
Fights free radicals — the unstable molecules from UV, pollution, and stress that break down collagen and cause premature aging.
Perfuming
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Fights acne
Causing bacteria
Controls excess oil
Quells irritation
Traditional Use
Used for centuries by Aboriginal Australians to treat wounds and skin infections. Tea tree oil gained widespread popularity in Western skincare in the 1980s-1990s after scientific validation of its antimicrobial properties.
EWG
6
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-6
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