Skin Health Uses and Benefits of Tea Tree Oil By Megan Nunn, PharmD Megan Nunn, PharmD Megan Nunn, PharmD, is a community pharmacist in Tennessee with twelve years of experience in medication counseling and immunization. She is passionate about providing evidence-based recommendations that make health decisions easier and improve lives. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 15, 2023 Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc Verywell Health's Facebook Verywell Health's LinkedIn Verywell Health's Twitter Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, is a board-certified acupuncturist, herbalist, and integrative medicine doctor practicing in Santa Monica, California. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Side Effects Precautions Dosage Toxicity Interactions How to Store Similar Supplements Sources & What to Look For Frequently Asked Questions Tea tree oil is an essential oil traditionally used to treat wounds, burns, and other skin infections. Today, proponents say the oil may benefit conditions from acne to gingivitis, but the research is limited. Tea tree oil is distilled from Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. Tea tree oil may be applied directly to the skin, but more commonly, it's diluted with another oil, like almond or olive, before it's applied. Many products like cosmetics and acne treatments include this essential oil in their ingredients. It's also used in aromatherapy. This article discusses the latest evidence of tea tree oil's benefits and side effects. It also covers common dosages and what to look for when buying it. Dietary supplements are not regulated the way drugs are in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement tested by a trusted third party, such as U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or NSF. However, even if supplements are third-party tested, they are not necessarily safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, talking to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and checking in about potential interactions with other supplements or medications is important. Supplement Facts Active ingredients: Terpinen-4-ol, 1, 8-cineole, limonene, p-cymene, and α-terpineneAlternate names: Aetheroleum Melaleucae alternifoliae, Melaleuca alternifolia oilLegal status: Over-the-counter supplement in the United StatesSuggested dose: 5% eyelid wash for blepharitis (red, swollen, irritated eyelids caused by mites)Safety considerations: Do not swallow; limited safety data for pregnancy and breastfeeding Uses of Tea Tree Oil Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease. Tea tree oil contains active ingredients called terpenoids, which have antibacterial and antifungal effects. The compound terpinen-4-ol is the most abundant and is thought to be responsible for most of tea tree oil's activity. Research on the use of tea tree oil is still limited, and its efficacy is unclear. Some evidence suggests that tea tree oil may help conditions like blepharitis, acne, and vaginitis. Blepharitis Tea tree oil is a first-line treatment for Demodex blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids caused by mites. Tea tree oil shampoo and face wash can be used at home once daily for mild cases. For more severe infestations, it's recommended that a 50% concentration of tea tree oil be applied to the eyelids by a healthcare provider at an office visit once a week. This high potency causes the mites to move away from the eyelashes but may cause skin or eye irritation. Lower concentrations, such as a 5% lid scrub, can be applied at home twice daily between appointments to keep the mites from laying eggs. A systematic review recommended using lower-concentration products to avoid eye irritation. The authors noted no long-term data for tea tree oil for this use, so more clinical trials are needed. Acne While tea tree oil is a popular ingredient in over-the-counter acne remedies, there's only limited evidence that it works. A review of six studies of tea tree oil used for acne concluded that it decreased the number of lesions in people with mild to moderate acne. It was also about as effective as traditional treatments like 5% benzoyl peroxide and 2% erythromycin. And a small trial of only 18 people, an improvement was noted in people with mild to moderate acne who used tea tree oil gel and face wash on the skin twice a day for 12 weeks. More randomized controlled trials are needed to determine tea tree oil's effect on acne. Vaginitis Research suggests that tea tree oil is effective in reducing symptoms of vaginal infections like vaginal discharge, pain, and itching. In one study involving 210 patients with vaginitis, 200 milligrams (mg) of tea tree oil was given as a vaginal suppository each night at bedtime for five nights. The tea tree oil was more effective in reducing symptoms than other herbal preparations or probiotics. Some limitations of this study were the short duration of treatment and the exclusion of women who were taking antibiotics or had chronic illnesses. For now, it's best to stick with traditional treatments like antibiotics or antifungal creams. Additional Uses In addition, tea tree oil has been studied for the following conditions: Dry eyes after cataract surgery Plaque and gingivitis Molluscum contagiosum Dandruff Rosacea Colonization of Staphylococcus aureus in the nose Scabies Lice Hand sanitation Nail fungus Only very limited research exists on the effects of tea tree oil for these uses. More robust clinical trials are needed to determine if tea tree oil is beneficial for any of them. What Are the Side Effects of Tea Tree Oil? Your provider may recommend you use tea tree oil for a skin infection or for another reason. However, using an essential oil like this may have potential side effects. These side effects may be common or severe. Common Side Effects Tea tree oil is usually safe for adults if diluted and applied to the skin in small amounts. People may have allergic reactions to tea tree oil, ranging from mild contact dermatitis to severe blisters and rashes. Tea tree oil has had more allergic reactions reported than any other essential oil, and as many as 3.5% of people may be allergic to it. Applying the pure oil is most likely to cause a reaction, while using a cosmetic product containing tea tree oil is less likely. Severe Side Effects Tea tree oil should not be swallowed, even in small quantities. It can cause serious side effects such as: Drowsiness Confusion Rash Ataxia (loss of muscle control and coordination) Coma And there's been a case report of unexplained breast enlargement, called gynecomastia, in a boy who used topical tea tree oil products. Subsequent reserarch suggests that tea tree oil does not cause gynecomastia or other hormone disorders. Precautions Do not use tea tree oil if you are allergic to it or its components (parts). Pregnant or nursing women should avoid tea tree oil as there's not enough data to know if it's safe for these populations. Do not use it if you have eczema, as it can be worsened by tea tree oil. Dosage: How Much Tea Tree Oil Should I Use? Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs. Researchers have studied various doses of tea tree oil. Some that have been used in clinical trials include: 200 mg vaginal suppository for vaginitis5% to 50% tea tree oil eyelid scrub for blepharitis5% to 20% tea tree oil gel for acne For children, diluting one or two drops of tea tree oil in 1 teaspoonful of olive or almond oil before applying it to the skin is recommended. What Happens If I Take Too Much Tea Tree Oil? Never swallow tea tree oil. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of overdose, whether or not you've swallowed it, such as: Poor coordinationExcessive sleepiness and drowsinessComa Interactions Tea tree oil may interact with the following prescription medications and make them less effective: Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Antifungals like amphotericin B It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss any potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications. How to Store Tea Tree Oil Keep tea tree oil out of the reach of children and pets. Store in its original container, away from heat and sunlight. Heat and light can cause oxidation, which makes side effects more likely. Discard after one year or according to the manufacturer's directions. Similar Supplements Some other supplements traditionally used for wound healing include: Aloe vera Echinacea Chamomile Ginseng Green tea Jojoba Rosemary Comfrey Garlic Ginkgo Other supplements that may offer benefits for vaginal infections are: Chamomile Calendula Yarrow Some other supplements that have been studied for acne include: Vitamin C Nicotinamide Zinc Green tea Resveratrol Curcumin Licorice Chamomile Discuss these or any supplements you plan to take with your healthcare provider, who can counsel you on drug interactions and precautions. Sources of Tea Tree Oil & What to Look For Many supplements are found in foods as well as on the pharmacy shelf. Food Sources of Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil is toxic if swallowed, so it's not found in commercially prepared foods or drinks in the United States. It is an ingredient in some types of toothpaste and mouthwash, so avoid swallowing any of these products. Tea Tree Oil Supplements Tea tree oil is most commonly found as a pure essential oil. It's also an active ingredient in lid scrubs, facial cleansers, eyelid patches, gels, shampoos, and eyelid wipes. As with any supplement, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that you check the Supplement Facts label on your product. This label will contain information about the concentration of the product and any ingredients that have been added. In addition, look for a product with a seal of approval from a third-party organization providing quality testing. These organizations include USP, ConsumerLab, and NSF. A seal of approval from one of these organizations does not guarantee the product's safety or effectiveness. Still, it provides assurance that the product was manufactured correctly, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful contaminants. Frequently Asked Questions Can you put tea tree oil on your nails? Yes, and research suggests it may help clear nail fungus. Applying tea tree oil to the nails twice a day for up to six months seems to be safe. Learn More: Symptoms of Fungal Nail Infections Does tea tree oil treat lice? Maybe. Limited research shows tea tree oil may treat head lice infestations. A 1% concentration of tea tree oil effectively killed lice, while a 2% concentration was required to kill the eggs. Learn More: The Best At-Home Lice Treatments Is tea tree oil effective for molluscum contagiosum? Molluscum is a common viral skin condition in children, and treatments are often invasive, such as freezing or lasers to remove the lesions. It's possible that tea tree oil may help, but there isn't much science to prove it.A small study researched the effects of tea tree oil and iodine on the skin of children with molluscum twice a day for a month. Tea tree oil combined with iodine was shown to be most helpful, but the study was too small to recommend tea tree oil routinely. 27 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Bagherani N, Kazerouni A. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. Int J Dermatol. 2013;52(7):784-790. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.x Hammer KA. Treatment of acne with tea tree oil (melaleuca) products: a review of efficacy, tolerability and potential modes of action. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2015;45(2):106-110. doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2014.10.011 National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 22833361. Lam NS, Long X, Su XZ, Lu F. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and its monoterpene constituents in treating protozoan and helminthic infections. Biomed Pharmacother. 2020;130:110624. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110624 Fromstein SR, Harthan JS, Patel J, Opitz DL. Demodex blepharitis: clinical perspectives. Clin Optom (Auckl). 2018;10:57-63. Published 2018 Jul 4. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S142708 National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Tea Tree Oil. Lee C, Chen L, Chen L et al. Correlations of the components of tea tree oil with its antibacterial effects and skin irritation. J Food Drug Anal. 2013;21(2):169-176. doi:10.1016/j.jfda.2013.05.007 Savla K, Le JT, Pucker AD. Tea tree oil for Demodex blepharitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;6(6):CD013333. Published 2020 Jun 20. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD013333.pub2 Malhi HK, Tu J, Riley TV, Kumarasinghe SP, Hammer KA. Tea tree oil gel for mild to moderate acne; a 12 week uncontrolled, open-label phase II pilot study. 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Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs. Parasitol Res. 2012;111(5):1985–92. doi:10.1007/s00436-012-3045-0 Youn B, Kim Y, Yoo S, Hur M. Antimicrobial and hand hygiene effects of tea tree essential oil disinfectant: A randomised control trial. Int J Clin Pract. 2021;75(8). doi:10.1111/ijcp.14206 AbdelHamid D, Gomaa AH, Mohammed GF, Eyada MM, El Sweify MA. Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of tea tree oil in treatment of onychomycosis. Int J Pharmacogn Phytochem Res. 2017;9(12):1414-1420. doi: 10.25258/phyto.v9i11.11184 de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Tea tree oil: contact allergy and chemical composition. Contact Dermatitis. 2016;75(3):129-143. doi:10.1111/cod.12591 Hawkins J, Hires C, Dunne E, Keenan L. Prevalence of endocrine disorders among children exposed to Lavender Essential Oil and Tea Tree Essential Oils. Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2022;9(2):117-124. doi:10.1016/j.ijpam.2021.10.001 Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Rafiee E, Mehrabian A, Feily A. Skin wound healing and phytomedicine: a review. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(6):303-310. doi:10.1159/000357477 Kallis PJ, Price A, Dosal JR, Nichols AJ, Keri J. A Biologically Based Approach to Acne and Rosacea. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(6):611-617. Capasso L, Abbinante G, Coppola A, Salerno G, De Bernardo M. Recent Evidence of Tea Tree Oil Effectiveness in Blepharitis Treatment. Biomed Res Int. 2022;2022:9204251. Published 2022 Jul 30. doi:10.1155/2022/9204251 NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH. Office of Dietary Supplements - Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. ods.od.nih.gov. Markum E, Baillie J. Combination of essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia and iodine in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children. J Drugs Dermatol. 2012;11(3):349-354. Additional Reading Bassett IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS. A Comparative Study of Tea-Tree Oil Versus Benzoylperoxide in the Treatment of Acne. Med J Aust. Buck DS, Nidorf DM, Addino JG. Comparison of Two Topical Preparations for the Treatment of Onychomycosis: Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil and Clotrimazole. J Fam Pract. Crawford GH, Sciacca JR, James WD. Tea Tree Oil: Cutaneous Effects of the Extracted Oil of Melaleuca Alternifolia. Dermatitis. Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV, Nielsen JB. A Review of the Toxicity of Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil. Food Chem Toxicol. Henley D, Lipson N, Korach K, Bloch C. Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oils. "New England Journal of Medicine." Morris MC, Donoghue A, Markowitz JA, Osterhoudt KC. Ingestion of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) By a 4-Year-Old Boy. Pediatr Emerg Care. Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of Interdigital Tinea Pedis With 25% and 50% Tea Tree Oil Solution: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blinded Study. Australas J Dermatol. Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of Dandruff With 5% Tea Tree Oil Shampoo. J Am Acad Dermatol. Syed TA, Qureshi ZA, Ali SM, Ahmad S, Ahmad SA. Treatment of Toenail Onychomycosis With 2% Butenafine and 5% Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil in Cream. Trop Med Int Health. By Megan Nunn, PharmD Megan Nunn, PharmD, is a community pharmacist in Tennessee with over twelve years of experience in medication counseling and immunization. Originally written by Cathy Wong Cathy Wong Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit