Ingredient decoder

Tea tree oil: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil

Acne verdict Acne helper

Helps acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Essential oil with small acne trials, can irritate.

  • Anti-acne
  • Antioxidant
  • Perfuming

Tea tree oil in plain English

Tea tree oil is an essential oil with antibacterial and calming properties. A few small trials found that a 5 percent gel can reduce acne, but it works more slowly and less strongly than benzoyl peroxide. It can irritate or cause allergic reactions, especially when used undiluted or when the oil has oxidized with age.

Is tea tree oil bad for acne?

No. Tea tree oil is on the helpful side for acne-prone skin and is not known to clog pores. Our checker groups it with the anti-acne ingredients.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
  • Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil
  • Tea tree leaf oil
  • Melaleuca oil

Related ingredients

Browse all ingredients A to Z

Frequently asked questions

Is tea tree oil comedogenic?

There is no published comedogenic rating for tea tree oil, and it is not known to clog pores. It is used in products made for acne-prone skin.

What does tea tree oil do in skincare?

In short: essential oil with small acne trials, can irritate. In formulas it is used for antioxidant and perfuming.

What else is tea tree oil called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, tea tree oil can also appear as Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Tea tree leaf oil or Melaleuca oil.

Sources