Tea tree essential oil, also known as tea tree oil, is widely used in cosmetics for its purifying properties and is particularly prized for oily or acne-prone skin. On the face, however, its use requires certain precautions. How can you safely benefit from tea tree essential oil? Typology provides a practical guide.
How should tea tree essential oil be applied to the face?
Summary
Published on January 10, 2023, updated on January 28, 2026, by Maylis, Chemical Engineer — 5 min of reading
Themes:
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil: a concise overview.
The tea tree essential oil is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a tree native to Australia. Used for centuries by Aboriginal peoples to cleanse wounds and prevent infections, it was not until the early 20th century that its antiseptic and antibacterial properties were scientifically demonstrated, notably by the chemist Arthur de Ramon Penfold in 1922. As an anecdote, the anti-infective virtues of tea tree oil led to its inclusion in the first aid kits of the Australian Army and Navy during the Second World War.
The tea tree essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves, a process requiring approximately 100 kg of plant material to produce 1 to 2 litres of essential oil. It appears as a clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic woody aroma. Its composition is dominated by monoterpene alcohols, notably terpinen-4-ol (around 45%), as well as by monoterpenes such as γ-terpinene, α-terpinene and limonene. These compounds are responsible for its purifying and sanitising properties, which account for its use in cosmetics, particularly for the oily skin prone to imperfections.
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How can a facial treatment be formulated using tea tree essential oil?
Tea tree essential oil should never be applied undiluted to the skin.
Highly concentrated in active constituents, including allergens, it can cause irritation and redness if applied undiluted, especially on thin, sensitive skin such as that of the face. That is why the use of tea tree essential oil on the face absolutely requires its dilution in a vegetable oil. To prepare a facial treatment, we recommend mixing tea tree essential oil with a light vegetable oil, such as jojoba oil, hazelnut oil, or even grape seed oil, which are particularly suited to oily or blemish-prone skin.
The usual concentration is around 10% for facial use, corresponding to approximately 1 drop of essential oil per 10 drops of carrier oil.
The mixture is prepared in a small, tinted glass vial that is clean and dry to minimise oxidation. This treatment can be applied locally to blemishes, preferably in the evening, once daily. To do so, after thoroughly washing your hands, take a single drop of the mixture and apply it to each blemish. It is also worth noting that although tea tree essential oil is not photosensitising, a night-time application remains preferable.
Before any use, it is essential to carry out a patch test by applying a small amount of the mixture to the inner elbow and observing the reaction for 24 hours.
Tea tree essential oil should not be applied near the eyes nor on mucous membranes, as it can cause significant irritation. As a precaution, like most essential oils, its use is discouraged in pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as in young children.
Sources
KAZEROUNI A. & al. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. International Journal of Dermatology (2013).
ÇALISKAN K. U. & al. Tea tree oil and its use in aromatherapy. Current Perspectives on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (2018).
EL-ESAWI M. A. & al. River tea tree oil: Composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and potential applications in agriculture. Plants (2021).
DA GRAÇA MIGUEL M. & al. Tea tree oil: Properties and the therapeutic approach to acne – A review. Antioxidants (2023).
