Tea tree oil: an ingredient, not a cure-all

A familiar botanical ingredient deserves a more careful explanation than a list of promised benefits.

What is tea tree oil?

Tea tree oil is distilled from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. It is an essential oil, rather than a finished grooming product.

Keep the evidence in proportion

Our original entry described tea tree oil as effective for several skin conditions. That language was too definite. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports limited evidence for some topical uses and says more research is needed.

An ingredient’s reputation does not tell you whether a particular grooming formula will suit your skin. Consider the full product, its directions, and your own sensitivities.

Use the label, not a homemade assumption

Tea tree oil should not be swallowed, and topical use can cause irritation in some people. This article is not a dilution recipe or a recommendation to use concentrated oil directly on your skin.