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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES Learn more About EWG VERIFIED®

Data: Fair

Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil

  • Products with this ingredient are allowed for use in EWG VERIFIED but must meet use restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data.
  • This ingredient's score is higher if used in product forms that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns. The score is lower if used in product forms that have lower risk of inhalation (e.g., solids, liquids)

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Other Concerns

Endocrine disruption (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low_moderate), and Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low_moderate)

SYNONYMS

● TEA TREE OILS
● MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) ESSENTIAL OIL
● MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) OIL
● TEA EXTRACT; TEA LEAF, ABSOLUTE; TEA OIL; TEA TREE OIL
● MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA ESSENTIAL OIL
● MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA LEAF OIL
● OIL OF MELALEUCA
● TEA TREE OIL
● TIMOREX
● TTO

Restricted

Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil is the oil distilled from the leaves of the Tea Tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, Myrtaceae

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW_MODERATE
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • LOW
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
facial cleanser158 products
facial moisturizer/treatment109 products
conditioner251 products
foot moisturizer46 products
baby shampoo4 products
baby soap6 products
baby wipes7 products
body wash/cleanser86 products
shampoo296 products
shaving cream (men's)9 products
styling gel/lotion23 products
toners/astringents76 products
mask124 products
sunless tanning11 products
tanning oil4 products
exfoliant/scrub77 products
serums & essences69 products
moisturizer114 products
liquid hand soap32 products
muscle/joint soreness7 products
antiperspirant/deodorant119 products
vapor rubs2 products
toothpaste110 products
body oil21 products
foot cleansing25 products
lip balm16 products
bath oil/salts/soak17 products
nail treatment14 products
hand cream9 products
shaving cream12 products
tooth whitening9 products
facial powder1 products
hair relaxer5 products
hair treatment/serum177 products
hair spray14 products
hair-loss treatment12 products
bar soap85 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)11 products
mouthwash40 products
cuticle treatment6 products
detangler5 products
body powder1 products
pore strips7 products
nail polish3 products
hair styling aid42 products
after shave20 products
beard oil38 products
body firming lotion9 products
setting powder/spray4 products
after sun product11 products
beard care27 products
beard cleanser6 products
Beard Conditioners1 products
lipstick1 products
Moisturizing Socks1 products
foundation18 products
daily use with SPF4 products
recreational sunscreen18 products
baby toothpaste3 products
Oils & Serums11 products
eye shadow1 products
makeup remover5 products
diaper cream10 products
makeup primer5 products
baby lotion3 products
hand sanitizer17 products
fragrance for men1 products
foot odor control15 products
damaged skin treatment9 products
fragrance for women1 products
around-eye cream1 products
body spray9 products
acne treatment4 products
concealer15 products
styling mousse/foam6 products
bubble bath2 products
hair removal waxes1 products
hair color and bleaching1 products
baby sunscreen3 products
Facial Cleansing Water1 products
BB cream2 products
lip balm with SPF5 products
Hair Styling Gel2 products
lip gloss4 products
anti-aging1 products
Bath and Body Wipes1 products
Exfoliants1 products
baby oil1 products
Tanning Sprays1 products
Dry Shampoo and Hair Powders1 products
Other Hair Care Preparations1 products
Baby Hair Conditioner1 products
brow liner3 products
polish remover1 products

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Limited evidence of toxicity or allergies[Sensitization to tea tree oil in Germany and Austria A multicenter study of the German Contact Dermatitis Group].(2003-08-01)
Known human dermal toxicant or allergenOpinion on Tea tree oil(2008-12-16)
Limited evidence of skin toxicity or allergiesEuropean Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Endocrine disruption

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Limited evidence of endocrine disruptionPrepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils(2007-02-01)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Limited evidence of systemic toxicityOpinion on Tea tree oil(2008-12-16)
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada
Classified as toxic or harmful.European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Limited evidence of skin irritationOpinion on Tea tree oil(2008-12-16)
Limited evidence of skin irritationEuropean Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
Limited evidence of eye irritationCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
One or more animal studies show irritation at low dosesPeer Reviewed Literature
Limited evidence of irritationPeer Reviewed Literature

Multiple, additive exposure sources

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodUS. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada
Wildlife and environmental toxicityEuropean Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Enhanced skin absorption

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Penetration enhancerCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more animal studies show reproductive and developmental effects at low dosesCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Cancer

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not likely to be mutagenic in humansPeer Reviewed Literature
Not likely to be mutagenic in humansEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • [Sensitization to tea tree oil in Germany and Austria A multicenter study of the German Contact Dermatitis Group].(2003-08-01)
  • Opinion on Tea tree oil(2008-12-16)
  • European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils(2007-02-01)
  • Environment Canada
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Peer Reviewed Literature
  • US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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