Evidence Check
- Skin
- Body
Tea tree
Tea tree oil: real antimicrobial, real allergy risk
Laboratory work and small clinical trials support tea tree oil’s antibacterial and antifungal activity, and a recent meta-analysis found topical tea tree reduced acne severity; reviews and formulation studies also warn of local irritation and stability problems. Current evidence is useful but limited, and safety concerns in topical use are repeatedly raised.
3 min read