What Is Tea Tree Oil? Benefits, Uses, Side Effects, and More Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Smart Skin Tea Tree Oil 101 Health Benefits Uses Potential Side Effects and More By Jessica MigalaMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: February 9, 2022Medically ReviewedThis popular oil may have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties for skin.iStock; CanvaThe clean beauty trend is still on the rise, as recent research shows: Around a quarter of U.S. adults are now leaning in to the idea that their skin-care products should be natural (though there’s still some debate about what that means).If you’re one of them, and are looking for a tried-and-true, plant-based, acne-fighting ingredient to add to your routine, look no further than tea tree oil.Tea tree oil is an essential oil derived from Australian tea tree leaves, notes the Mayo Clinic. You may also know it as melaleuca oil. “We turn to it for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and there are a lot of ways it can be utilized on skin, hair, and nails as a natural treatment,” says Jennifer Holman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the regional president of U.S. Dermatology Partners in East and South Texas. Tea tree oil is available as a pure essential oil. It may also be used in personal-care products, particularly those that aim to prevent or reduce acne, including cleansers, toners, body washes, gels, lotions, and other treatments.A word of warning: Never ingest tea tree oil, because it's poisonous if swallowed, according to the National Capital Poison Center. Tea tree oil should be applied topically, never swallowed. Read on to learn more about this popular oil and its uses. The Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil The main benefit of tea tree oil is its pimple-fighting ability. For that reason, tea tree oil may be a good choice for people with acne, says Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans. To understand why, consider the four main contributors to the development of acne: inflammation, bacteria, hormones, and sebum, says Dr. Hooper. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so it addresses two of those main players.Editor's Pick Clean Beauty 101 A Comprehensive GuideHooper points to past research that compared tea tree oil with benzoyl peroxide, a common topical acne treatment. This small study found that tea tree was equally effective at reducing acne-related inflammation, she explains.And while tea tree was slower acting (meaning results took longer to see), it led to fewer unwanted skin reactions than the benzoyl peroxide.Other research supports these earlier results. A review concluded that of six studies analyzed, all of which looked at people who had mild to moderate acne, five found that a 5 percent tea tree oil product applied twice daily reduced acne lesions by 23.7 to 62.1 percent after four to eight weeks. (That said, not all of the studies examined were double-blind randomized trials, so more research is likely needed.) Most Recent in Smart Skin How to Do a Skin-Care Patch Test — and Why It Matters How to Tweak Your Skin-Care Routine for Fall Depending on Your Skin Type What Is Collagen Water and Is It Good for You FDA Approves Daxxify 8 Things to Know About the New Botox Alternative How to Use Tea Tree Oil in Your Skin-Care RoutineFirst, keep in mind that tea tree oil is best used topically and that ingesting the ingredient isn’t safe. It’s a good idea to try a patch test first, by applying the oil on the inside of your forearm and waiting a day or two to see if a rash forms. To get started with adding tea tree oil to your skin-care routine, either purchase a skin-care product that contains tea tree oil or use the essential oil itself, says Dr. Holman. To use the essential oil, dilute it into a carrier, such as a witch hazel toner or moisturizer. (Applying the undiluted oil can cause an allergic reaction on the skin, Holman says.) She recommends using three drops of tea tree oil to two ounces (oz) of product. You can use tea tree oil in the morning or at night. Combine tea tree oil with a witch hazel toner if you have acne, which can be done after cleansing your skin, or combine the oil with a moisturizer (such as coconut oil) as a last step in your evening skin-care routine, if you also have dry or sensitive skin. It can make skin more sun sensitive, says Holman. For that reason, don’t apply it immediately before going outdoors. No matter what skin-care products you’re using, though, it’s always important to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your face every morning.MORE ON ACNE-PRONE SKIN Speaking Acne A Glossary of Common TermsHooper recommends that people with acne-prone skin apply a product containing tea tree oil once or twice a day, focusing on pimple trouble zones like the chin or T-zone. You can apply this product in the morning, at night, or both, but choose a time when you’re most likely to consistently apply it, she adds. Use the ingredient routinely to see the best results, Hooper suggests. She also points out that it may take a few months to see real improvement in your skin, so give it 12 weeks of consistent use before assessing the effects on your acne. (That’s because pimple formation can begin months before the red bump appears, she says.) If, after 12 weeks, you’re not seeing results, you may need a stronger acne product. A board-certified dermatologist can help develop an acne-fighting plan appropriate for your skin. Tea tree oil is also better suited for mild acne, and is likely not strong enough if you have more moderate or severe forms of the skin condition, says Hooper. Common Questions & AnswersWhat is tea tree oil used for?Tea tree oil is used topically on the skin for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties in addressing skin conditions, such as acne.Does tea tree oil promote hair growth?There’s no evidence that tea tree oil promotes hair growth. But it can help relieve scalp itching, clarify the scalp (by removing excess product buildup), and aid in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis or scalp folliculitis.Does tea tree oil alleviate acne?Yes, tea tree oil has antibacterial properties to help kill the bacteria that contribute to the development of acne. It is also an anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce skin redness caused by acne.What are the side effects of tea tree oil?Tea tree oil can irritate skin, especially if applied as an undiluted essential oil. Watch for reactions, such as redness or irritation, within the first two or three weeks after you start using it.Can you ingest tea tree oil?No, you cannot ingest tea tree oil. It is poisonous if swallowed, and the National Capital Poison Center recommends you avoid putting tea tree oil near or around your mouth. Other Uses for Tea Tree OilYou can use tea tree oil as a natural treatment for nail fungus or athlete’s foot, says Holman, though it will not be as effective as a prescription product. There’s some in vitro research that shows tea tree oil inhibits the growth of fungus in onychomycosis,the name for the fungal infection of fingernails and toenails that causes thick, discolored, distorted, and even smelly nails. That said, more research is needed to evaluate it. If the condition is not resolving or is getting worse, seek your doctor’s advice. If you are using tea tree oil to treat a nail fungal infection, dilute it in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. (Aim for a ratio of two to three drops of tea tree oil to 15 to 20 drops of carrier oil.) “For nail fungus, use a stronger concentration of tea tree oil than you would on the skin of your face,” says Holman.Tea tree oil may also promote a healthy scalp. “It’s a great ingredient for clarifying hair, so it’s helpful for conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (a variation of dandruff) and scalp folliculitis, as well as general itchiness of the scalp,” says Holman. (“Clarifying” means that a product can help remove product buildup and oil from the scalp.) Look for tea tree–based shampoos or scalp treatments and use these two or three times per week, she recommends. When included in the formula of antidandruff products, research suggests that tea tree oil’s antimicrobial properties may be effective in keeping flakes at bay. EDITOR S PICKS IN HEALTHY SKIN A Detailed Guide on How to Exfoliate Your Skin 5 Reasons Maintaining a Skin-Care Routine Is Good for Your Mental Health How to Smooth Brighten and Tighten Skin Without Seeing Your Dermatologist A Comprehensive Guide to Using Acids in Your Skin-Care Routine Potential Side Effects of Tea Tree OilThe main side effect to watch for when using tea tree oil is irritation. “Up to 4 percent of people can be allergic [to tea tree oil],” Hooper says. It's always a good idea to do a patch test before you start treating an area with tea tree. And yet you still may find that your skin reacts negatively to the ingredient later on. If you are allergic to it, “tea tree will irritate your skin within the first two to three weeks, and then the product will irritate your skin each time you use it thereafter,” she says. That skin irritation indicates that you are allergic to tea tree oil, and you should stop using it entirely. Tea Tree Oil and Skin ConditionsIf you have eczema, avoid using tea tree oil. Though tea tree oil may be effective for scalp psoriasis, it has not been proved to treat that skin condition. Finally, while there is evidence from a double-blind controlled clinical trial that tea tree oil gel, when combined with a medication called permethrin, is effective and safe for treating rosacea compared with a placebo, you should not self-treat, as tea tree oil can worsen rosacea symptoms. Summary Tea tree oil may be a good natural option for treating mild acne, but it may take up to three months for results to appear. While it’s generally tolerated well, it does cause irritation in a small number of people, so watch for reactions if you’re new to tea tree oil products. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking The Clean Beauty Trend Is More Than Skin Deep. NielsenIQ. July 29, 2021.Tea Tree Oil. Mayo Clinic. November 14, 2020.Tea Tree Oil. National Capital Poison Center.Bassett B, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS. A Comparative Study of Tea-Tree Oil Versus Benzoylperoxide in the Treatment of Acne. Medical Journal of Australia. October 1990.Hammer KA. Treatment of Acne With Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca) Products: A Review of the Efficacy, Tolerability and Potential Modes of Action. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. February 2015.Marcos-Tejedor F, González-Garcia, and Mayordomo R. Solubilization In Vitro of Tea Tree Oil and First Results of Antifungal Effect in Onychomycosis. Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. October 2021.Nail Fungus. Mayo Clinic. July 14, 2020.Jain S, Arora P, Nainwal LM. Essential Oils as Potential Source of Anti-dandruff Agents: A Review. Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening. July 11, 2021.Integrative Approaches to Care. National Psoriasis Foundation. October 1, 2020.Ebneyamin E, Mansouri P, Rajabi M, et al. The Efficacy and Safety of Permethrin 2.5% With Tea Tree Oil Gel on Rosacea Treatment: A Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. June 2020.Essential Oils and Rosacea: Not a Great Idea. Leslie Baumann, MD. October 10, 2017.Show LessNEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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