PoreWise Ingredient
Tea tree leaf extract
Public databaseMELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF EXTRACT
Tea tree leaf extract is an extract of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) leaf; its terpinen-4-ol content is studied for clarifying and soothing use. The strongest evidence comes from a 2026 review article: A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis pooled seven clinical studies of tea tree oil for acne (445 patients in total). Acne severity was lower with tea tree oil than with the control treatments (pooled odds ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.88), adverse events were mostly local and mild, and the reviewers judged the overall risk of bias as low. 2026 · 445 people · patients across seven clinical studies of acne · PMID 42098589 · The pooled result is a modest reduction in severity. The seven studies used different tea tree oil formulations and the follow-up was short; the authors call for larger trials with standardised formulas. It also reports more mild itching, dryness and stinging in some comparisons. 1 product contains Tea tree leaf extract, at number 23 of 30 on its ingredient list.
- Also written as:
- Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract, Tea Tree Leaf Extract
- INCI name:
- MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF EXTRACT
- Source:
- PubChem
Functions
Products with this ingredient
Tea tree leaf extract appears on 1 product ingredient lists, most often around number 23; its highest position is number 23 of 30.
| Product | Brand | Where it sits on the list |
|---|---|---|
| Glow Serum : Propolis + Niacinamide | Beauty of Joseon | 23 of 30 |
Studies and results
- 1 Skin effectEfficacy and Safety of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil for Acne — A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis pooled seven clinical studies of tea tree oil for acne (445 patients in total). Acne severity was lower with tea tree oil than with the control treatments (pooled odds ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.88), adverse events were mostly local and mild, and the reviewers judged the overall risk of bias as low.
Review article · 2026 · 445 people · patients across seven clinical studies of acne · Acne severity across seven clinical studies of topical tea tree oil, the condition that most often starts in the teenage years. · The pooled result is a modest reduction in severity. The seven studies used different tea tree oil formulations and the follow-up was short; the authors call for larger trials with standardised formulas. It also reports more mild itching, dryness and stinging in some comparisons.
- 2 Skin effectThe efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 60 people with mild-to-moderate acne, 5% tea tree oil gel was 3.55 times more effective than placebo in improving total lesion counts and 5.75 times more effective in improving the acne severity index over 45 days.
Human trial · 2007 · 60 people · people with mild-to-moderate acne · Total acne lesion counts and acne severity index over 45 days. · Cochrane rates tea tree oil evidence for acne as low quality, based largely on this single 60-participant trial.
Skin concerns this ingredient has been studied for
The people in each study had that concern.
Common questions
- What does Tea tree leaf extract do in skincare?
- Tea tree leaf extract is an extract of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) leaf; its terpinen-4-ol content is studied for clarifying and soothing use.
- Where does Tea tree leaf extract sit in these formulas?
- Tea tree leaf extract appears in 1 product, Glow Serum : Propolis + Niacinamide, at number 23 of 30 on its ingredient list.
- Which products contain Tea tree leaf extract?
- Products that contain Tea tree leaf extract: Glow Serum : Propolis + Niacinamide.
- How strong is the evidence behind Tea tree leaf extract?
- 2 findings on Tea tree leaf extract; the strongest is a 2026 review article of 445 patients across seven clinical studies of acne.
- What did the study on Tea tree leaf extract measure?
- 2026 · 445 people · patients across seven clinical studies of acne · PMID 42098589 · The pooled result is a modest reduction in severity. The seven studies used different tea tree oil formulations and the follow-up was short; the authors call for larger trials with standardised formulas. It also reports more mild itching, dryness and stinging in some comparisons.