Tea Tree Oil for Skin and Scalp: What It Is and How to Use It
Tea tree oil is one of the best-known natural ingredients in skin and hair care. You'll find it in body washes, shampoos and creams – including ours. But what actually is it, and how should you use it?
What is tea tree oil?
Tea tree oil is an essential oil distilled from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant, native to Australia. It has a fresh, slightly medicinal smell and has been used in traditional Australian skin care for generations.
Why is it used in skin and hair care?
Tea tree oil is popular because it gives products a fresh, deep-clean feel. People reach for tea tree products when they want to:
- feel properly clean after sweating or a long day
- help keep odour at bay
- soothe an itchy, irritated-feeling scalp
- keep spot-prone skin feeling fresh
Never use neat tea tree oil on your skin
Pure tea tree oil is very concentrated and can irritate skin if applied undiluted. That's why it's best used in properly formulated products, where it's blended at a safe level with other ingredients.
How to use tea tree products
- Body wash: lather onto damp skin, focusing on sweat-prone areas, then rinse well.
- Shampoo: massage into the scalp with your fingertips for 30–60 seconds before rinsing.
- Conditioner: apply after shampooing, leave for a minute, then rinse.
- Patch test first if you have sensitive skin: try a small amount on your inner arm and wait 24 hours.
- Avoid your eyes, and rinse with water if any gets in.
What we pair it with
We combine tea tree with ingredients chosen for each job:
- Body Wash: Tea Tree with Avocado Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil and Olive Leaf Extract to cleanse without stripping.
- Shampoo: Tea Tree with Salicylic Acid to lift away flakes and build-up.
- Conditioner: Tea Tree, Salicylic Acid and Oregano Oil for a calm, fresh scalp and soft hair.
Try all three in our Complete Routine Bundle and save £9.90, or take our 60-second scalp & skin check for a personalised routine and 15% off.
Stop using any product that causes redness, burning or discomfort. For ongoing skin or scalp concerns, speak to a pharmacist or GP.