Tea Tree Oil for Skin Care

Tea tree oil (TTO), also called melaleuca oil or ti tree oil, is derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, which grows in Southeast Queensland, Northeast coast of New South Wales and Australia.

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has a smell of fresh camphoraceous odor and has a color that changes from pale yellow to mostly colorless and clear. The tea tree is quite different from the tea plants that is used to make tea.

According to the International Standard ISO 4730, tea tree oil contains 15 components, and having a fresh and camphor-like smell.

Tea tree oil composition, as per ISO 4730 (2004)^[1]

Component	Concentration
terpinen-4-ol	30-48%
γ-terpinene	10-28%
α-terpinene	5-13%
1,8-cineole	0-15%
terpinolene	1.5-5%
α-terpineol	1.5-8%
α-pinene	1-6%
p-cymene	0.5-8%





[1] SCCP/1155/08 Scientific Committee on Consumer Products SCCP OPINION ON Tea tree oil – European Union Commission Health and Consumer Union protection director general – adopted 18th plenary of 16 December 2008

Six different chemical combinations have composed tea tree oil, a terpinen-4-ol type, a terpinolene type, and four 1,8-cineole types.

Among all these oil compounds, terpinen-4-ol is the major component and responsible for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. So the chemicals containing in tea tree oil can eliminate bacteria and fungus, and reduce allergic skin reactions.

What do you need to notice about tea tree oil?

For most people, tea tree oil is safe to use. But in some cases, it causes skin irritation and swelling. Sometimes, people with acne may find skin to be dry, itch, sting, burn and red after using tea tree oil. So do not overuse tea tree oil because of its high potency.

To young boys who are not puberty, it should be careful to use any products that contains tea tree oil or lavender oil. It's because these products may have hormone effects, which can disrupt the normal boy's hormones. The consequence is to cause boys to develop abnormal breast growth called gynecomastia. There is no evidence to show that tea tree oil has side effect to girls.

Tea tree oil can not be taken by mouth. Any undiluted essential oil could cause severe side effects by taking by mouth. Taking tea tree oil will cause confusion, inability to walk, unsteadiness, rash and coma.

Tea tree oil or Melaleuca is a truly versatile essential oil. Tea tree oil has an outstanding effect on cleansing and rejuvenating skin.