Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) leaf
AKA “Tea Tree Leaf”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) leaf
AKA: Tea Tree Leaf
Ingredient · Abrasive · EWG: 1
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Australian Native
Clean
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf is a cosmetic ingredient used as abrasive, skin conditioning. 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
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Abrasive
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Fights acne
Causing bacteria
Controls excess oil
Quells irritation
Traditional Use
Used for centuries by Australian Aboriginal peoples as a topical remedy for skin wounds, infections, and inflammation. The leaves were crushed and applied directly or steeped as a wash.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
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
Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties.
Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV
Clinical microbiology reviews, 2006
Final Report: Safety Assessment of <I>Melaleuca alternifolia</I> (Tea Tree)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Powder
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Tea tree oil: cutaneous effects of the extracted oil of Melaleuca alternifolia.
Crawford GH, Sciacca JR, James WD
Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug, 2004
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Powder
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Efficacy and safety of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil for human health-A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Kairey L, Agnew T, Bowles EJ, Barkla BJ, Wardle J et al.
Frontiers in pharmacology, 2023
Can the tea tree oil (Australian native plant: Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel) be an alternative treatment for human demodicosis on skin?
Lam NSK, Long XX, Griffin RC, Chen MK, Doery JC
Parasitology, 2018
A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology.
Nader Pazyar, Reza Yaghoobi, Nooshin Bagherani, Afshin Kazerouni
International journal of dermatology, 2013
A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology.
Nader Pazyar, Reza Yaghoobi, Nooshin Bagherani, Afshin Kazerouni
International journal of dermatology, 2013
A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology.
Nader Pazyar, Reza Yaghoobi, Nooshin Bagherani, Afshin Kazerouni
International journal of dermatology, 2013
Scientific Opinion on Tea Tree Oil (CAS/EC No. 68647-73-4 /285-377-1)
Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS)
European Commission — SCCS
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR