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Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
Where tea tree oil comes from, how to use it for skin, scalp, home and aromatherapy, the best oils to blend it with, and how to use it safely.
Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia, and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The leaves are steam-distilled to make a potent essential oil with a long list of uses.
Here is what makes it special, how to use it in personal care and around the house, how to blend it with other essential oils, and how to use it safely. We also introduce our own 100% pure Tea Tree Essential Oil.
The short version
- Tea tree oil is steam-distilled from the leaves of Australia’s Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant the Bundjalung people have used for centuries.
- It is rich in terpinen-4-ol, the compound behind tea tree’s purifying reputation and the reason it is such a versatile oil.
- People use it for blemish-prone skin, a flaky scalp, feet and nails, homemade cleaners and aromatherapy.
- It blends well with lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus and peppermint.
- Always dilute it with a carrier oil, patch test first, and never swallow it.
Where Tea Tree Oil Comes From
Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. The Indigenous Bundjalung people have used it for centuries, valuing it as part of their traditional medicine.
The oil is made by steam-distilling the leaves. The result is rich in terpinen-4-ol, a compound known for its antimicrobial activity. That composition is behind tea tree’s reputation as a purifying, soothing oil, and it is what makes it so versatile.
Tea Tree Oil for Skin
Tea tree oil is a popular ingredient in skincare, especially in products for blemish-prone skin. It helps skin look clearer and calmer and reduces the look of redness around breakouts.
A simple way to use it is to add a few drops to a carrier oil like jojoba or almond oil and dab the blend onto blemishes. Do a patch test before using tea tree oil on your skin to check for an allergic reaction.
Many people also use it diluted to soothe dry, itchy or irritated-feeling skin, rashes and insect bites. Mixed with aloe vera gel, it adds a cooling feel after too much sun.
Ways to add tea tree oil to your skincare routine:
- Add a few drops to your facial cleanser or moisturizer.
- Make a homemade spot blend by mixing tea tree oil with a carrier oil.
- Use it in a DIY face mask for deep cleansing and purifying.
- Make a natural body wash with tea tree oil.
- Blend it with other beneficial oils, like lavender or rosemary, for a nourishing skin oil.
Feet and Nails
Tea tree oil has long been a favorite in foot care. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil and apply it to your feet as part of your regular routine, or apply it directly to your nails for cleaner, healthier-looking nails.
Hair and Scalp
Tea tree oil is a natural ally for your scalp. Add a few drops to your shampoo to help keep your scalp feeling clean and fresh and to reduce the look of dandruff flakes.
It is also a good base for a simple scalp oil. Mix tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and massage it into your scalp to help keep follicles clear and nourish the roots.
Around the Home
Tea tree oil’s cleansing reputation makes it a popular plant-based addition to homemade cleaning products. Try it:
- in a homemade hand sanitizer
- in a homemade all-purpose cleaner for surfaces
- in your laundry detergent
It has also traditionally been used, diluted with a carrier oil, on minor cuts and scrapes.
Aromatherapy
Tea tree oil is a popular aromatherapy choice for its calming, uplifting effect. Diffused, it gives a room a fresh, clean scent.
It is also a favorite for a clearing steam. Add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water and breathe in the vapors to help you feel less congested and breathe easier.
Blending Tea Tree With Other Essential Oils
Blending tea tree oil with other essential oils lets you tailor it to what you need, whether that is a stuffy nose, stress or skin. Tea tree with eucalyptus and peppermint makes a refreshing blend for easier breathing. Tea tree with lavender and chamomile makes a calming blend for stress relief.
| For | Blend |
|---|---|
| Blemish-prone skin | Tea tree oil, lavender oil and jojoba oil |
| Stress relief | Tea tree oil, lavender oil and chamomile oil |
| Easier breathing | Tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil |
| Skin soothing | Tea tree oil, chamomile oil and coconut oil |
Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to your skin.
Chaé Organics Tea Tree Essential Oil
If you are looking for a high-quality tea tree essential oil, our Chaé Organics Tea Tree Essential Oil is 100% pure, so you get everything tea tree oil has to offer.
Using Tea Tree Oil Safely
Tea tree oil is potent, so use it correctly to avoid unwanted reactions. Above all, always dilute tea tree essential oil with a carrier oil before applying it to your skin. That helps you avoid skin irritation.
- Patch test first. Test it on a small area before using it on your skin to check for an allergic reaction.
- Never swallow it. Tea tree oil can be toxic if ingested.
- Store it well. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency.
Tea tree oil is at its best when it is used safely and responsibly.
The Bottom Line
From skincare to home cleaning, tea tree oil is one of the most versatile essential oils you can own, a natural choice for many everyday needs. Add it to your routine and let nature support your wellbeing.
Want to learn about our other oils? Read Take Control of Your Health and Wellbeing With Essential Oils.
FAQ: Tea Tree Oil
Can I put tea tree oil straight on my skin?
No. Always dilute it with a carrier oil such as jojoba, almond, coconut or olive oil, and patch test a small area first to check for an allergic reaction.
How do I use tea tree oil on my scalp?
Add a few drops to your shampoo, or mix it with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and massage it into your scalp.
Can I take tea tree oil by mouth?
No. Never ingest tea tree oil. It can be toxic if swallowed.
Which essential oils blend well with tea tree?
Lavender and chamomile for a calming blend, eucalyptus and peppermint for a refreshing blend that helps you breathe easier, and lavender with jojoba for blemish-prone skin.
How should I store tea tree oil?
In a cool, dark place. That keeps the oil at full potency.
Product Spotlight
Start with our 100% pure Tea Tree Essential Oil, then build the blends in this article with Lavender for calm and Peppermint for a cool, refreshing lift.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Fresh, earthy Australian tea tree — a crisp, clean scent for your skincare shelf and your home.
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Lavender Essential Oil
Sweet, herbal lavender from the first blooms of the season—made for slow evenings.
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Peppermint Essential Oil
Crisp, cool English white peppermint — a wide-awake scent with a sweeter, floral edge.
$19.99 · save 15% with Subscribe & Save
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Essential Oil Trio - Pick Any 3
Choose any three of our essential oils and save 25%.
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