Tea tree oil

On the label: Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil · Fragrance

What it is

An Australian essential oil with antimicrobial properties in lab studies, used in spot treatments and shampoos. Oxidised oil is a known contact allergen; keep the bottle closed and dark.

Fragrances: Fragrance ingredients give a product its scent, from a single essential oil to a blend listed only as 'fragrance' or 'parfum'.

Wikidata: Essential oil derived from leaves. Q48832 →

In the research

285 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:

Terpinen-4-ol: A DEET-comparable repellent from tea tree oil with added bacteriostatic and anti-pruritic benefits · Fitoterapia, 2026
Rhamnolipids and Essential Oils: A New Approach to Managing Bacteria Associated with Skin Diseases · Microorganisms, 2026
An interdisciplinary scoping review of the emerging impact of periocular skincare products on the ocular surface microbiome and tear film stability · Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 2026

A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.

Other fragrances

Lavender oil Peppermint oil Sweet orange oil Lemon oil Bergamot oil Eucalyptus oil Rosemary oil Lemongrass oil Geranium oil Sandalwood oil Vanilla extract Fragrance (parfum)

Dew & Balm describes ingredients from the public record and makes no claim about what a product will do for you. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it; a reaction that spreads or affects breathing is a call to a doctor or 911.