Peer-reviewed research on Tea Tree Oil, summarised in plain language. Every study links to its record on PubMed so you can read it yourself.
Efficacy and Safety of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil for Acne-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Phytotherapy research : PTR2026Meta-analysis445 participantsPositive
In a large review of 445 people with acne, tea tree oil modestly reduced acne severity and usually caused only mild local side effects.
Essential oils as topical anti-infective agents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Complementary therapies in medicine2019Meta-analysisMixed
A large review found essential oils may help acne, but it did not report a clear result for tea tree oil itself and rated the evidence as low quality.
Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2015Meta-analysis60 participantsPositive
In a large review, tea tree oil helped clear acne better than a placebo in 60 people, but the evidence came from just 1 small trial.
Evaluating efficacy, safety, and innovation in skin care applications of essential oils: a systematic review.
Frontiers in medicine2025Systematic reviewPositive
This review found that tea tree oil was particularly effective for acne, but it gave no study details for tea tree oil itself.
Efficacy and safety of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil for human health-A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Frontiers in pharmacology2023Systematic reviewNeutral
This review found that tea tree oil may help acne, but the evidence was too limited to clearly show how well it works.
Tea tree oil: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin und klassische Naturheilkunde = Research in complementary and natural classical medicine2000Systematic reviewPositive
A large review of clinical trials found tea tree oil showed promising but not compelling results for acne.
A topical gel of tea tree oil nanoemulsion containing adapalene versus adapalene marketed gel in patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized clinical trial.
Archives of dermatological research2022RCT100 participantsPositive
In a 12-week trial of 100 people with acne, a gel with tea tree oil and adapalene cleared acne better than adapalene alone.
Comparison of clinical and histological effects between lactobacillus-fermented Chamaecyparis obtusa and tea tree oil for the treatment of acne: an eight-week double-blind randomized controlled split-face study.
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)2014RCT34 participants5%Positive
In an 8-week study of 34 people with acne, tea tree oil reduced red, sore spots, but it worked less well than the other treatment.
The efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology2007RCT60 participants5%Positive
In a 45-day trial of 60 people with mild to moderate acne, 5% tea tree oil gel cleared acne better than a placebo with similar side effects.
A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne.
The Medical journal of Australia1990RCT124 participants5%Positive
In a study of 124 people with mild to moderate acne, 5% tea tree oil helped clear pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads, but it worked more slowly than benzoyl peroxide.
Tea tree oil gel for mild to moderate acne; a 12 week uncontrolled, open-label phase II pilot study.
The Australasian journal of dermatology2017Clinical trial18 participants200 mg/g gelPositive
In a 12-week pilot study of 18 people with mild to moderate facial acne, tea tree oil used on the skin reduced acne and was well tolerated.
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not any one product.
Products we have confirmed contain Tea Tree Oil, from their ingredient lists.
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