Ingredient glossary
Tea Tree Oil
On your shelf ✓What Tea Tree Oil does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil · Also: TTO
In short: Tea Tree Oil delivers anti acne and antimicrobial, suits combination and oily skin best, and the evidence behind it is moderate. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently.
- What it does
- Anti acne, antimicrobial
- Best for
- Combination, Oily skin
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently
- Evidence
- Moderate
The Glow take
Genuinely worth a spot in your routine.
When your goal is calming breakouts and congestion, Tea Tree Oil pulls genuine weight, with a solid amount of evidence behind it. Introduce it gently, and pair it with something soothing if your skin runs sensitive.
— Maya
What it does
- anti acne
- antimicrobial
- anti inflammatory
moderate evidenceRandomized double blind trials using five percent gel show greater reductions in lesion counts and acne severity index than placebo yet systematic reviews emphasize the small number and variable quality of studies.
On a label: usually effective at 5%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- oily
- acne prone
- combo
Approach with care
- very sensitive
- rosacea
- eczema
- fragrance allergy
- Clogs poresModerate
- Irritation riskModerate
How it fits each skin type
- DryNeutral
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveTake care
Often chosen for acne prone. Take extra care if any of these apply to you: rosacea, eczema, fragrance allergy.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
Tea Tree Oil, answered
Is Tea Tree Oil safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Tea Tree Oil is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Tea Tree Oil?
Approach Tea Tree Oil with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive, rosacea, eczema, and fragrance allergy. Its irritation risk is moderate, so introduce it slowly and patch test first. It carries a moderate risk of clogging pores, so acne-prone skin should go carefully.
What concentration of Tea Tree Oil actually works?
Tea Tree Oil tends to be effective at around 5%. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
During pregnancy
Treat Tea Tree Oil as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
Compare Tea Tree Oil with
Can you mix Tea Tree Oil with
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