We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Skin & Hair Products The 8 Best Tea Tree Oils to Treat Everything From Acne to Infections Bacteria and fungi don’t stand a chance against the potency of tea tree oil. By Sherri Gordon Updated on February 20, 2024 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / Brian Kopinski Tea tree oil is an effective treatment for several different conditions, including acne, athlete’s foot, lice, nail fungus, mite infections on the eyelids, and insect bites. Its effectiveness comes from its antibacterial and antifungal properties, which increase white blood cell activity to fight germs and other foreign invaders, says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology. To find the best tea tree oil, we spoke with dermatologists and reviewed dozens of tea tree oil products. We evaluated each for active ingredients, intended use, price, and production method. Here are the eight best tea tree oil products that stand out from the rest. How to Use Tea Tree Oil Due to its potency, 100% pure tea tree oil should never be applied directly to your skin. Instead, mix it with a high-quality carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil. Before beginning with a new care product, always perform an at-home patch test on one small area of your skin. Start with one drop of tea tree oil daily for up to seven days, says Shailee Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cutaneous surgeon with Minars Dermatology. If your skin reacts, rinse off the product as soon as possible and discontinue use. Avoid using tea tree oil on an active rash or eczema, since it can cause further irritation. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Fiora Naturals Tea Tree Essential Oil at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review Best Budget: SheaMoisture Tea Tree Essential Oil at Amazon ($10) Jump to Review Best Shampoo: Love Beauty & Planet Tea Tree Oil & Vetiver Shampoo at Amazon ($10) Jump to Review Best Face Wash: Heyedrate Foaming Tea Tree Face Wash and Eyelid Cleanser at Amazon ($25) Jump to Review Best Body Wash: Truremedy Naturals Remedy Soap at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review Best Multipurpose: Young Living Tea Tree Essential Oil at Amazon ($44) Jump to Review Best for Dandruff Prevention: Botanic Hearth Tea Tree Oil for Hair at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review Best for Acne: Sunday Riley U.F.O. Acne Treatment Face Oil at Amazon ($40) Jump to Review In This Article Expand How to Use Tea Tree Oil Our Picks How We Selected the Best Tea Tree Oils What to Look for When Shopping for Tea Tree Oils Our Experts FAQs Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Fiora Naturals Tea Tree Essential Oil Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Walmart $14 View On Fioranaturals.com Pros USDA-certified organic Easy-to-use dropper No parabens, fragrances, phthalates, sulfates, or preservatives Cons Scent may be too strong for some Key Specs Key ingredients: 100% therapeutic grade tea tree oil | Dosage: 1–2 drops | Uses: Haircare, skincare, nail care, aromatherapy, DIY cleaning Why We Recommend It Fiora Naturals Tea Tree Oil checks all of the boxes when it comes to a 100% pure, therapeutic-grade oil. It’s USDA-certified organic and made without parabens, preservatives, fragrances, phthalates, or sulfates. It’s also gluten- and cruelty-free. The oil is sourced from its native home of Australia and bottled in the United States. This versatile oil can be used with a carrier oil to manage skin and scalp conditions or mixed with shampoo to improve shine and prevent dandruff. You can also add it to children’s shampoo to create a natural deterrent for head lice. The included dropper makes it easy to apply, and the dark amber glass protects the oil from UV light. Keep in Mind Because this tea tree oil is naturally sourced, it has a potent smell that can be off-putting if you’re not familiar with it. Once it’s mixed with a more neutral oil, like coconut or grapeseed oil, the scent isn’t as overpowering. Best Budget SheaMoisture Tea Tree Essential Oil Amazon View On Amazon $10 View On Walmart $10 View On Ulta $12 Pros No parabens, phthalates, or sulfates Cruelty-free Easy-to-use dropper Cons May not be suitable for sensitive skin Key Specs Key ingredients: 100% tea tree oil | Dosage: 1–2 drops | Uses: Haircare, skincare, nail care, aromatherapy, DIY cleaning Why We Recommend It Dr. Garshick recommends SheaMoisture Tea Tree Essential Oil due to its easy-to-use dropper-style applicator, which allows you to control how much you use. This product contains 100% pure tea oil and is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, or mineral oil. SheaMoisture boasts a B Corp company designation, which means it meets the high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency. Aside from its stellar manufacturing processes, we appreciate the versatility of this tea tree oil, which can be used in a room diffuser or blended into your favorite moisturizer or body lotion. You can even add it to a warm bath to address minor skin issues or mix it into your DIY home disinfectant spray. Keep in Mind Dr. Garshick notes that this since this is 100% pure tea tree oil, it may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin. She suggests testing it on a small area prior to use. Best Shampoo Love Beauty & Planet Tea Tree Oil & Vetiver Shampoo Walmart View On Amazon $10 Pros Adds moisture without weight Safe for colored hair No parabens, phthalates, sulfates, silicone, or dyes Cons May not be suitable for people with oily hair Key Specs Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, coconut oil | Dosage: A nickel- to quarter-size amount | Uses: Shampooing hair Why We Recommend It This sulfate-free Love Beauty and Planet Tea Tree Oil Shampoo leaves hair clean and fresh without weighing it down. It’s also safe for colored hair, which is a real bonus considering how hard it is to find a tea tree oil shampoo that doesn’t strip color. We appreciate how this shampoo revitalizes and refreshes hair, making it a welcome addition to any hair care maintenance program. With regular use, the tea tree oil in this shampoo will reduce your scalp’s inflammation and control flaking and itchiness. Keep in Mind Because this shampoo is blended with coconut oil, it can be a little too nourishing for those with oily hair. It might be better to use it on occasion rather than daily. Best Face Wash Heyedrate Foaming Tea Tree Face Wash and Eyelid Cleanser Amazon View On Amazon $25 View On Walmart $32 View On Dryeyerescue.com Pros Developed by optometrists Gentle on face and eyelids Eases itching and inflammation Cons May not be suitable for sensitive eyes Key Specs Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, aloe vera, olive oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil | Dosage: Dime-size amount | Uses: Cleansing face and eyelids Why We Recommend It We fell in love with the multiple uses of Heyedrate Foaming Tea Tree Face Wash. You can use it to wash your face or as an eyelid scrub. Eyelid scrubs like this one help soothe inflamed eyelids and treat some eye conditions like mites and blepharitis. Developed by optometrists, this tea tree oil cleanser washes away bacteria, oils, and crusts that form along your lash line and helps ease itching and inflammation. Used on your face, it combats impurities and excess oil and leaves skin nourished and moisturized. We also appreciate that Heyedrate Foaming Face Wash is natural and organic. It contains several soothing oils as well as aloe vera, and it’s non-toxic so you can apply it near your eyes without exacerbating any existing irritation and inflammation. Keep in Mind While this cleanser is designed to be soothing, people with sensitive skin or eyes may find that it burns. Use a small amount at first to gauge your sensitivity before everyday use. Best Body Wash Truremedy Naturals Remedy Soap Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Walmart $20 View On Truremedynaturals.com Pros Reduces body odor Soothes dry itchy skin No parabens, petroleum, sulfates, silicone, dyes, or preservatives Cons Can cause a tingly sensation Key Specs Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, omega 3, 6, 7, and 9, vitamins E and C, aloe vera | Dosage: Quarter-size amount or more | Uses: Soothe and cleanse face, hands, heels, toenails, elbows, back, chest, and bottom Why We Recommend It If you’re looking for a body wash to help with odor or address skin irritations like acne or candida, we suggest Remedy Soap Tea Tree Oil Body Wash. This dermatologist-tested body wash is all-natural with no parabens, petroleum, sulfates, silicone, dyes, or preservatives. With a blend of tea tree oil, aloe vera, omega-3s, and vitamin E, we love how it nourishes cracked, irritated, or flaky skin and promotes a healthy skin barrier. This body wash is suitable for all skin types and safe enough to be used every day. Because it contains tea tree oil, it can even reduce itchiness associated with mild cases of athlete’s foot and jock itch. Keep in Mind This body wash contains tea tree oil and peppermint, which can cause your skin to feel tingly after use. Best Multipurpose Young Living Tea Tree Essential Oil Amazon View On Amazon $44 View On Youngliving.com Pros Superior manufacturing processes Can be used on its own or mixed with a carrier oil Neutralizes odors Cons May not be suitable for sensitive skin Key Specs Key ingredients: 100% therapeutic grade tea tree oil | Dosage: 1–2 drops | Uses: DIY cleaning and disinfection, haircare, skincare, nail care, aromatherapy Why We Recommend It Young Living Tea Tree Oil quickly became our favorite multipurpose tea tree oil. It’s a pure, high-quality tea tree oil that can be used on its own or mixed with a carrier oil to address skin, hair, or nail issues. You can even add it to a diffuser for aromatherapy or use it to make your DIY cleaning products. Just use caution around pets as diffusing it (and other pure tea tree oils on this list) can be toxic to animals. Designed with a unique cap to dispense the oil slowly, we quickly discovered that a little goes a long way with this tea tree oil. It’s highly concentrated, which makes it a versatile oil that can be used in a variety of ways, including neutralizing body odors or cleaning moist and germ-ridden areas in the home. Keep in Mind Like other 100% pure essential oils, we suggest mixing this one with a carrier oil if you use it on your skin in order to prevent irritation. Best for Dandruff Prevention Botanic Hearth Tea Tree Oil for Hair Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Botanichearth.com Pros Relieves dryness and itchiness Comes with a comb-like applicator No sulfates, parabens, dyes, or harsh chemicals Cons May not be ideal for people with oily hair Key Specs Key ingredients: 100% tea tree oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil | Dosage: Use the included comb for application | Uses: Dandruff treatment, hair growth, haircare Why We Recommend It Tea tree oil is blended with other oils, including argan, jojoba, and grapeseed, in Botanic Hearth Tea Tree Oil for Hair, making it ideal for soothing irritated scalps and relieving dryness and itchiness. The unique formulation helps prevent dandruff, which is a welcome feature for anyone prone to flakiness. The oil may even help promote hair growth since it nourishes and strengthens hair follicles. We especially like the unique applicator that comes with this tea tree oil. It’s designed with a comb that can be attached to the bottle, so you can easily work the oil through your hair and scalp. This product is also vegan and cruelty-free. Keep in Mind If you have oily hair you may want to use this product sparingly. Best for Acne Sunday Riley U.F.O. Acne Treatment Face Oil Amazon View On Amazon $40 View On Walmart $104 View On Macy's $40 Pros Fast-acting and quick-drying B Corp-certified Clears blackheads and soothes blemish-prone skin Cons May be too oily for some skin types Key Specs Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, salicylic acid, black cumin seed, licorice root | Dosage: 1–4 drops | Uses: Acne and blackhead treatment Why We Recommend It For anyone looking for a product to help fight breakouts, we recommend Sunday Riley UFO Ultra-Clarifying Tea Tree Oil. According to Dr. Garshick, the salicylic acid in this cleanser reduces the appearance of breakouts and blemishes while also nourishing the skin. Tea tree oil clarifies the skin, while chamomile oil provides a soothing effect. This face oil is fast-acting and quick-drying, so you’ll see results quickly and your skin won’t feel too oily after you apply it. It unclogs pores, clears away blackheads, and prevents acne breakouts. As an added bonus, the company is B Corp-certified, so what you see is what you get when it comes to the ingredient list. Keep in Mind Though this product is quick-drying, it can still leave a light residue that some people find off-putting. To minimize these effects, we suggest using it sparingly and at night. How We Selected the Best Tea Tree Oils When selecting tea tree oils, we spoke with dermatologists and spent hours evaluating tea tree oil products for a variety of needs. We considered everything from the formulation of the product to the way it was manufactured. Here is a closer look at our selection criteria: Active ingredients: It’s important to distinguish pure tea tree oil from a product that contains tea tree oil as an additional ingredient. We made sure that the 100% tea tree oils on our list haven’t been diluted with any other ingredients. When considering products with tea tree oil as an ingredient like body washes, shampoos, and face washes, we evaluated the other active ingredients for quality. Intended use: Not every tea tree oil product does what it says it will do, so we focused on weeding out those that fall short.Manufacturing process: Low-quality processes can lead to inferior products, so we made sure the tea tree oil was derived in the most efficient, natural, and responsible way possible.Price: We tried to find products that were reasonably priced and ensured those that cost more were of the highest quality. What to Look for When Shopping for Tea Tree Oils Types: Tea tree oil comes in a variety of types and forms. If you prefer more natural products, look for tea tree oil that is therapeutic grade and 100% pure tea tree oil. Consider how it is manufactured as well since this can impact quality and purity.Uses: Tea tree oil can be used in a variety of ways. Before purchasing tea tree oil or a product containing it, think about your intended use. If you want to use pure 100% oil without any other ingredients, undiluted tea tree oil should be the only thing on the ingredient list. Ingredients and concentration: Undiluted, 100% tea tree oil is potent and requires the use of a carrier oil or other product to dilute it. If you don’t want the hassle of mixing the oil with something else, look for products that contain tea tree oil rather than those that are 100% therapeutic grade. Dropper Application: Given the potency of tea tree oil, it’s important to look for containers that have droppers or some other mechanism to ensure you don’t dispense too much. Our Experts Shereene Idriss, MD, board-certified dermatologist, founder of Idriss Dermatology in New York City, and creator of the #Pillowtalkderm series on Instagram Shailee Patel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and cutaneous surgeon with Minars Dermatology Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology Frequently Asked Questions What is tea tree oil good for? Tea tree oil acts as an antifungal and antiseptic. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Most often, tea tree oil is used to treat athlete's foot, toenail fungal infections, and acne. It also may be beneficial for treating dandruff, skin infections, skin tags, or hair loss. Some people even use it to create DIY cleaning products. Does tea tree oil remove dark spots? There is limited research as to whether or not tea tree oil removes dark spots on the skin. While it does offer minor resurfacing properties, almost like an exfoliating acid that could potentially help reduce dark spots, it isn’t a full-on dark spot corrector, says Dr. Idriss. Why can't you put tea tree oil directly on the skin? Regardless of your skin type, undiluted tea tree oil should never be placed directly on the skin because it can cause irritation. Tea tree oil also contains limonene, which is a common allergen, so it’s especially important to avoid undiluted application if you are sensitive or prone to eczema or have allergies, says Dr. Idriss. Does tea tree oil repel mosquitos? Some research suggests that tea tree oil might be more effective than DEET (an established mosquito repellent) at repelling mosquitos. Another study found that a natural-based repellent containing tea tree oil could be just as effective as other synthetic products. However, research is limited at this time. Why Trust Verywell Health Sherri Gordon, CLC, has been covering health and social issues for nearly two decades and has written countless articles with a health focus. She is well versed and knowledgeable about a number of health conditions that impact our everyday lives. Sherri is particularly interested in natural remedies for common ailments and has quite a collection of essential oils, including tea tree oil. Her favorites on this list include the Fiora Naturals Tea Tree Oil and Young Living Tea Tree Oil. 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Tea tree oil. B Lab. Measuring a company's entire social and environmental impact. Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Bagherani N, Kazerouni A. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. Int J Dermatol. 2013;52(7):784-790. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.x Adams TF, Wongchai C, Chaidee A, Pfeiffer W. “Singing in the Tube”—audiovisual assay of plant oil repellent activity against mosquitoes (Culex pipiens). Parasitol Res. 2016;115(1):225-239. doi:10.1007/s00436-015-4739-x Greive KA, Staton JA, Miller PF, Peters BA, Oppenheim VMJ. Development of Melaleuca oils as effective natural‐based personal insect repellents. Aust J Entomol. 2010;49(1):40-48. doi:10.1111/j.1440-6055.2009.00736.x See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit