What it is
Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil is the volatile essential oil obtained by steam-distilling the leaves of the Australian tea tree. It is a complex mixture of terpenes, with terpinen-4-ol as a major constituent, and carries a characteristic sharp, medicinal-herbal scent. In sunscreens it is used at low levels as a fragrance and skin-conditioning botanical.
Safety & warnings
As a terpene-rich essential oil it can be irritating or sensitizing, especially when oxidized; it contains constituents such as limonene and linalool that are recognized fragrance allergens, so it may pose a sensitivity risk for reactive skin and should be used at low concentrations.
Origin & sourcing
Natural; produced by steam distillation of the leaves and terminal branches of Melaleuca alternifolia, a tree native to Australia.
Questions everyone asks
What gives tea tree oil its characteristic properties?
It is rich in terpenes, with terpinen-4-ol as a major component, which contributes to its distinctive sharp, herbal-medicinal aroma.
Can tea tree oil irritate skin?
It can. As a concentrated terpene-rich essential oil it may cause irritation or sensitivity, especially once oxidized, so it is typically used at low levels in formulas.