Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) leaf water
AKA: Narrow-leaved paperbark, Tea Tree Leaf Water
Plant-Derived
Preservative
Astringent
Australian Native
Clean
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water is a cosmetic ingredient used as antimicrobial, antiseborrhoeic, astringent. 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
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Antiseborrhoeic
Astringent
Tightens and contracts skin tissue, temporarily shrinking pores and reducing oiliness. That "clean, tight" feeling after toner.
Tonic
Fights acne
Causing bacteria
Controls excess oil
Quells irritation
Traditional Use
A hydrosol or floral water byproduct from tea tree oil distillation. Contains trace amounts of tea tree's active compounds and is used in modern cosmetics for its mild antiseptic and skin-soothing 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 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