Absolute Aromas supply the pure oil in 10ml and 30ml, including an organic version. Australian Tea Tree make the finished products – the skin wash and the soap – where the oil is already diluted into something usable.
For most people the ready-made products are the sensible buy. The pure oil is for anyone who wants to dilute it themselves into a carrier or add it to something.
Tea tree is potent and should not go onto skin undiluted, whatever you have read. A few drops into a carrier oil is the way to use it, and patch testing on a small area first is worth the day it takes.
It is not for internal use and should not be swallowed. Keep it out of reach of children and away from pets – it is toxic to cats and dogs, which people frequently do not know.
Keep it in the dark glass bottle it came in, tightly closed, somewhere cool. Tea tree oxidises over time and oxidised oil is more likely to irritate skin than fresh, so replace a bottle that has been open a couple of years.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or using it on a child, check with a pharmacist first. We are describing what it is rather than what it does, since there is no permitted claim to make.
FAQ
Can I put tea tree oil directly on my skin?
No, it should be diluted in a carrier oil first. Neat application is a common cause of irritation.
Is tea tree oil safe around pets?
No – it is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it well away from them.
How long does it keep?
Best replaced after a couple of years open. Oxidised oil is more likely to irritate skin than fresh.
Should I buy the oil or a ready-made wash?
The ready-made products are simpler and already correctly diluted. Buy the pure oil if you want to dilute it yourself.
