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Here's some of our top products for a little tea tree TLC
Written byH&B editorial team
Reviewed byHeeral Patel
To tea tree or not to tea tree? Wondering what tea tree oil's good for? Discover how to use this cleansing oil for skin, in tea tree shampoo, aromatherapy and much more
Our top picks
Daily cleansing wash
Dr Organic
Dr Organic Tea Tree Face Wash 200ml
3 For 2 Mix & Match
£9.75
For oil-prone hair
Dr Organic
Dr Organic Tea Tree Conditioner 265ml
3 For 2 Mix & Match
£7.25
A classic for a reason
Faith in Nature
Faith in Nature Tea Tree Soap 100g
End of Summer Sale
£2.34
RRP £3.49
Tea tree oil: you might have some childhood memories of it sitting in your bathroom. Is it time for it to have a revamp?
What are the benefits of this oil? And how can you use it beyond the typical tea tree shampoos and face washes?
We’ll talk you through everything you need to know about this versatile product.
What’s tea tree oil?
Pure tea tree oil is made by extracting oil from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tea tree.1 It was first discovered by sailors arriving in Australia, where the thirsty seadogs used its leaves to make a brew with a nutmeg aroma.2
Nowadays, tea tree essential oil is used for all sorts of things. It’s got a reputation for its cleansing and purifying properties, making it popular in skin and hair care products. However, more research is needed.3
Using tea tree oil for aromatherapy
If there’s space for tea tree oil in your relaxation routine, check out our picks from Miaroma, Tisserand and Dr Organic.
As pure essential oils, they’re in their most versatile form. So, dilute a few drops with a neutral carrier oil before you begin your spa evening...
Short on time? Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water in an electric diffuser and let its clean, invigorating scent fill your home.
*Pure essential oils should never be applied directly and undiluted to the scalp, skin or bath as it can lead to irritation, burns and skin damage. Please dilute properly, read warnings and follow instructions provided on the product label carefully before use.
Tea tree oil products for skin
Maybe you’ve got memories of dabbing tea tree oil on your chin as a teenager. Good news, skincare has come quite a way since!
But the benefits of tea tree oil remain the same: it’s got cleansing and purifying properties. The products we mentioned earlier aren’t suitable for skin and hair – they're concentrated oils for aromatherapy and massage. Instead, choose specially formulated products like these...
Tea tree and witch hazel is a classic combo – and for good reason. But say goodbye to the stinging scrubs you might have used as a teenager and hello to Dr Organic’s mild-yet-mighty wash.
Ideal for normal to oily skin, it uses a blend of tea tree, mandarin, lemon and witch hazel essential oils for an invigorating daily cleanse. Thanks to tea tree’s potential cleansing properties, it helps gently cleanse the skin.
Its vegan formula is suitable for skin of all ages, leaving your face feeling fresh. Your morning and evening routine couldn’t be easier: massage the cleanser into damp skin in circular motions, focusing on the forehead, nose and chin. Rinse with cool water.
Tea tree isn’t just useful for your face: it’s a great ingredient in body care too. Soften up your shower routine with Dr Organic Tea Tree Body Lotion, designed to refresh the skin while keeping you silky-smooth all over.
If you’re prone to body blemishes, give this a try: tea tree’s refreshing properties may help soothe your skin. Cocoa and shea butters hydrate the skin and help lock in moisture.4,5
Together, it’s a softening, cleansing combo that’s vegan and suitable for all skin types. Apply to freshly washed and almost-dry skin, all over the body.
Somewhere along the way, bar soap went out of style. But why? It might feel basic, but you’re getting exactly the same clean – just without the fancy bottle.
Faith in Nature has a whole collection of soaps, but of course we’re featuring tea tree here. Not only is its vibrant scent perfect for your wake-up shower, but it helps cleanse the skin and gently remove dirt.
Pop one next to your sink or shower for a space-saving wash that’s simple in the best possible way.
How else can you use tea tree oil?
When did you last show your scalp some love? Dr Organic’s invigorating formula helps shift unwanted build-up, leaving oil-prone hair feeling light and rejuvenated.
Combining tea tree oil with aloe vera leaf juice and refreshing peppermint oil, it’s one you’ll want for a peppy morning shower. You’ll be left smelling fresh and feeling zingy around the roots of your hair.
Whether it’s a one-off sweaty scalp or an ongoing mission to feel fresher, reach for this vegan formula (and its conditioner, too) for a gentle yet powerful wash.
Think you shouldn’t use conditioner on oily hair? It’s a myth!
Formulated with organic tea tree to refresh hair, and aloe vera and shea butter to leave it glossy and soft, there’s no need to choose between that clean feeling and silky locks. Vitamin E helps lock moisture in for ultimate shine, while vitamin B5 hydrates and helps manage frizz.6,7
Smooth through damp hair (preferably after Dr Organic’s Tea Tree Shampoo, but you do you). Leave for a few minutes, or as desired, and rinse. Then say hello to a shinier you...
Is tea tree oil safe to use?
You always need to follow product instructions and directions on the label; dilute essential oils, including tea tree oil, before you use them. Never apply them directly to the body as they could cause irritation.8
It’s generally recommended to use up to five drops of tea tree oil for every 20ml of carrier oil before use.
*Pure essential oils should never be applied directly and undiluted to the scalp, skin or bath as it can lead to irritation, burns and skin damage. Please dilute properly, read warnings and follow instructions provided on the product label carefully before use.
The final say
Will tea tree be your new go-to?
It’s great in aromatherapy for lifting the mood, but there are plenty of other options for a relaxing spa-style night. Browse our round-up of our top essential oils or, if blemishes are your concern, discover our superstar salicylic acid products.
This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Tea Tree Oil [Internet]. NIH [reviewed 2025 Apr; cited 2025 Jul 21]. Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tea-tree-oil
2. Trove. “Why Tea Tree” [Internet]. The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) 1904 Oct 8 [cited 2025 Jul 21] 1848-1957. Available from: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10344213
3. Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties. Clin Microbiol Rev [Internet]. 2006 Jan [cited 2025 Jul 21]; 19(1): 50-62. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1360273/
4. European Commission. Ingredient: HYDROGENATED SHEA BUTTER [Internet]. European Commission [cited 2025 Jul 21]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/56670
5. European Commission. Ingredient: COCOA BUTTER GLYCERYL ESTERS [Internet]. European Commission [cited 2025 Jul 21]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/86709
6. European Commission. Ingredient: TOCOPHEROL [Internet]. European Commission [cited 2025 Jul 21]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/80273
7. European Commission. Ingredient: PANTHENOL [Internet]. European Commission [cited 2025 Jul 21]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/35839
8. Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV, Nielsen JB. A review of the toxicity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil. Food Chem Toxicol [Internet]. 2006 May [cited 2025 Jul 21]; 44(5): 616-25. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16243420/
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