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Beauty of Joseon
Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
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A cushiony propolis-and-niacinamide serum with a low price and a devoted following for glow, calm and smoother-looking pores.
Serum5$17.00
Botanicals & ferments· in 2 products
Tea tree oil
Also listed as Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, Terpinen-4-ol and TTO
Emerging evidence 5% in most clinical studies; usually 1–5% in products
Tea tree oil is an essential oil distilled from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree. It is used in spot treatments, cleansers and scalp products for blemish-prone skin and flaking.
2TtTea tree oilBotanicals & ferments
What it does
The short version.
Its main component, terpinen-4-ol, has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity. A few small randomized trials found 5% tea tree oil gels reduced acne lesions compared with placebo, and an older trial found it slower but gentler than 5% benzoyl peroxide. A 5% tea tree oil shampoo improved dandruff in one placebo-controlled trial. Overall, though, the trials are small and of mixed quality.
Emerging evidence
A handful of small randomized trials suggest modest benefit for mild acne and dandruff; NIH's NCCIH and systematic reviews say more evidence is needed.
In our directory: It’s a key ingredient in 2 products we review, most often cleansers and serums. Those products are mostly built for smoothing, hydrating and clogged pores. In formulas, it most often shares the label with salicylic acid, propolis and niacinamide.
Reach for it for
Usually a good fit for
How to use it
Getting it right.
Dab a formulated 5% gel onto blemishes once or twice daily, or use a tea tree shampoo as directed. Do not apply undiluted oil to skin.
Layering
Friends & frenemies.
Pairs well with
Go slow with
Not forbidden — just easier to over-do. Alternate nights or separate morning and evening.
Before you start
A recognized contact allergen. Oxidized (old, air- or light-exposed) tea tree oil is a much stronger sensitizer, so keep bottles closed, cool and dark and discard old oil. Never swallow it; it is toxic if ingested. Stacking with other drying actives increases irritation.
References
- 1Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH)
- 2Efficacy and safety of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil for human health—A systematic review of randomized controlled trials — Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023), via PubMed Central
- 3Tea tree oil: contact allergy and chemical composition — Contact Dermatitis (2016), via PubMed
Educational, not medical advice. Ingredient guides summarise published research and expert guidance; formulas and concentrations differ between products.
2 products
Every product with tea tree oil.
2 products
Best value Trending
COSRX
Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
7.7Good
An inexpensive low-pH gel wash with a light lather and a tea-tree scent — a solid morning or second cleanse, not a makeup remover.
Cleanser4$14.00
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