Tea Tree Oil

What Tea Tree Oil is & what it does

Tea Tree Oil is the essential oil steam-distilled from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia plant. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it is commonly used as a fragrance component and for its traditional association with blemish-prone skin. It is a complex botanical oil rich in terpinen-4-ol, and because it is a known fragrance allergen it is typically used at low concentrations.

Is Tea Tree Oil safe?

Tea Tree Oil is widely used in cosmetics, typically at low concentrations. It is a recognized fragrance allergen, so some people can develop irritation or sensitivity, and it is meant for use within a formula rather than applied undiluted. Patch testing is sensible if your skin reacts to essential oils.

What does Tea Tree Oil do in skincare?

Tea Tree Oil is commonly used as a fragrance component and is traditionally associated with blemish-prone skincare. It is the steam-distilled essential oil of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant and is rich in terpinen-4-ol.

Is Tea Tree Oil natural or synthetic?

Tea Tree Oil is a natural ingredient, an essential oil distilled from the leaves of the Australian tea tree. Because it is plant-derived it is generally considered suitable for vegan formulations.

Sunscreens with Tea Tree Oil

We rate 64 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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