Skin Irritancy of Tea Tree Oil
Abstract
The essential oil of Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) has been investigated for skin irritancy using an occlusive patch test on 25 human subjects for 21 days. 1,8-Cineole, the constituent reported as being responsible for tea tree oil skin irritancy, was similarly tested. Irritancy was not detected from any of eight preparations containing pure cineole in concentrations of 0.0, 3.8, 8.0, 12.0, 16.0, 19-9, 24.0 and 28.1% in soft white paraffin. Eight tea tree oil preparations containing similar concentrations of cineole did not show skin irritation when tested at 25% in soft white paraffin. However, 3 of 28 panelists were withdrawn from the trial because of a severe allergic (as distinct from irritant) response to tea tree oil. These subjects were then tested with either pure tea tree oil major constituents or crude fractions. One panelist showed a strongly positive reaction to α-terpinene and all three reacted (two strongly) to two sesquiterpenoid fractions. None showed allergic response to α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, terpinen-4-ol or α-terpineol in 24-28 h. Three positive reactions occurred to a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon fraction, and one to a sesquiterpene alcohol fraction. The significance of these human tests with the topical application of tea tree oil products is discussed and methods for the minimization of allergens are suggested.
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Southwell et al. study on skin irritancy of tea tree oil was classified as Level IV evidence and was limited by small sample size and lack of control group.
“According to the Oxford evidence hierarchy, this study would fall under Level IV (case series, case‐control studies) as it involved human subjects and measured the effects of tea tree oil on their skin.”
From Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review. (2024) · cites this paper as [20]
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Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review.
Chan, L. K. W., Lee, K. W. A., Lee, C. H., Lam, K. W. P., Lee, K. F. V., Wu, R., Wan, J., Shivananjappa, S., Sky, W. T. H., Choi, H., et al. (2024) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1111/srt.13730 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
- Authors
- Southwell, I. A., Freeman, S., & Rubel, D.
- Affiliations
- Skin and Cancer Foundation (AU)
- Venue
- Journal of Essential Oil Research
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1997-01
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 47-52
- ISSN
- 1041-2905 (ISSN-L)
- 2163-8152
- OpenAlex
- W2074223421
- Cited by
- 54
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 3.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Essential Oil Research (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Keywords
- tea tree oil, Melaleuca alternifolia, skin irritation, 1,8-cineole, allergic contact dermatitis, sesquiterpenes, α-terpinene, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene alcohols, essential oil constituents, topical application
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