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MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF OIL
Score:
Data: Limited
- Other Concerns
- Functions
- About the Chemical
- Synonyms
-
Enhanced skin absorption, Endocrine disruption (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), and Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
Cancer 
Cancer: Ingredients linked to cancer in government, industry or academic studies or assessments.
Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity
Developmental and reproductive toxicity: Ingredients linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, a broad class of health effects that range from infertility and reproductive organ cancers to birth defects and developmental delays in children.
Allergies & Immunotoxicity
Allergies and immunotoxicity: Ingredients linked to harm to the immune system, a class of health problems that manifest as allergic reactions or an impaired capacity to fight disease and repair damaged tissue in the body.
Products with this Ingredient
| shampoo | 76 products |
| conditioner | 71 products |
| facial cleanser | 65 products |
| moisturizer | 56 products |
| toothpaste | 52 products |
| facial moisturizer/treatment | 42 products |
| mask | 40 products |
| toners/astringents | 39 products |
| antiperspirant/deodorant | 36 products |
| hair treatment/serum | 33 products |
| exfoliant/scrub | 30 products |
| beach & sport sunscreen | 30 products |
| serums & essences | 29 products |
| body wash/cleanser | 26 products |
| bar soap | 22 products |
| foundation | 21 products |
| foot moisturizer | 19 products |
| mouthwash | 19 products |
| liquid hand soap | 10 products |
| beard oil | 10 products |
| beard care | 10 products |
| foot cleansing | 8 products |
| body oil | 7 products |
| after shave | 7 products |
| makeup primer | 6 products |
| hand sanitizer | 6 products |
| after sun product | 6 products |
| lip balm | 6 products |
| bath oil/salts/soak | 5 products |
| muscle/joint soreness | 4 products |
| detangler | 4 products |
| diaper cream | 4 products |
| hand cream | 4 products |
| lip gloss | 4 products |
| beard cleanser | 4 products |
| shaving cream | 4 products |
| hair styling aide | 4 products |
| moisturizer with SPF | 4 products |
| pore strips | 3 products |
| baby soap | 3 products |
| sunless tanning | 3 products |
| makeup remover | 3 products |
| shaving cream (men's) | 2 products |
| tooth whitening | 2 products |
| hair-loss treatment | 2 products |
| antiperspirant/deodorant (men's) | 2 products |
| baby sunscreen | 2 products |
| 2 products | |
| anti-aging | 1 products |
| nail treatment | 1 products |
| baby lotion | 1 products |
| hair spray | 1 products |
| foot odor control | 1 products |
| baby wipes | 1 products |
| fragrance for men | 1 products |
| body spray | 1 products |
| hair relaxer | 1 products |
| lipstick | 1 products |
| body firming lotion | 1 products |
| eye shadow | 1 products |
| baby shampoo | 1 products |
| vapor rubs | 1 products |
| facial powder | 1 products |
| lip balm with SPF | 1 products |
Enhanced skin absorption
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Penetration enhancer - alters skin structure, allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin. | Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 2020. CIR Assessments. Appears as: ; Chemical_Name: MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF OIL; ; CAS: 68647-73-4; Classification: PE; R+; D+; S; IR; Notes1: Assessment incomplete -- Scientific Literature Review for Public Comment released 4 Aug 2020 |
Allergies/immunotoxicity
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| SCCP concludes this substance is a sensitizer in humans. | European Commission, Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) 2008. Opinion on Tea tree oil. SCCP/1155/08. |
| tea tree oil linked to sensitization (allergic reactions) in a number of case studies | Pirker C et al 2003. Sensitization to tea tree oil in Germany and Austria. A multicenter study of the German Contact Dermatitis Group. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2003 Aug;1(8):629-34. |
| May cause an allergic skin reaction. | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) 2018. GHS Data from ECHA Website. Appears as: chemical_names: Melaleuca alternifolia, ext.; -; Essential oil extract of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae) leaf; Essential oil obtained from the leaves and terminal branchlets of Melaleuca alternifolia, by steam distillation; Essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia; cas_numbers: 68647-73-4, 85085-48-9 |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| SCCP concludes this substance can cause skin irriration. | European Commission, Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) 2008. Opinion on Tea tree oil. SCCP/1155/08. |
| Eye irritation potential reported from animal and in vitro testing. | Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 2020. CIR Assessments. Appears as: ; Chemical_Name: MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF OIL; ; CAS: 68647-73-4; Classification: PE; R+; D+; S; IR; Notes1: Assessment incomplete -- Scientific Literature Review for Public Comment released 4 Aug 2020 |
| Causes skin irritation. | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) 2018. GHS Data from ECHA Website. Appears as: chemical_names: Melaleuca alternifolia, ext.; -; Essential oil extract of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae) leaf; Essential oil obtained from the leaves and terminal branchlets of Melaleuca alternifolia, by steam distillation; Essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia; cas_numbers: 68647-73-4, 85085-48-9 |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Acute intoxication following ingestion has been reported in humans. | European Commission, Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) 2008. Opinion on Tea tree oil. SCCP/1155/08. |
| May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways, is harmful if swallowed, and is harmful if inhaled. | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) 2018. GHS Data from ECHA Website. Appears as: chemical_names: Melaleuca alternifolia, ext.; -; Essential oil extract of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae) leaf; Essential oil obtained from the leaves and terminal branchlets of Melaleuca alternifolia, by steam distillation; Essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia; cas_numbers: 68647-73-4, 85085-48-9 |
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Reproductive and developmental toxicity reported in animal and in vitro tests at med-low doses. | Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 2020. CIR Assessments. Appears as: ; Chemical_Name: MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF OIL; ; CAS: 68647-73-4; Classification: PE; R+; D+; S; IR; Notes1: Assessment incomplete -- Scientific Literature Review for Public Comment released 4 Aug 2020 |
Endocrine disruption
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| in preliminary study, linked to prepubertal breast development in three boys, and to estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity in lab assays | Henley et al 2007 Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. N Engl J Med. 2007 Feb 1;356(5):479-85. |
Ecotoxicology
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) 2018. GHS Data from ECHA Website. Appears as: chemical_names: Melaleuca alternifolia, ext.; -; Essential oil extract of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae) leaf; Essential oil obtained from the leaves and terminal branchlets of Melaleuca alternifolia, by steam distillation; Essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia; cas_numbers: 68647-73-4, 85085-48-9 |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environment Canada Domestic Substance List |
Data gaps
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| 570 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical | NLM PubMed |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food |
Data Sources
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 2020. CIR Assessments. Appears as: ; Chemical_Name: MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF OIL; ; CAS: 68647-73-4; Classification: PE; R+; D+; S; IR; Notes1: Assessment incomplete -- Scientific Literature Review for Public Comment released 4 Aug 2020
- European Commission, Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) 2008. Opinion on Tea tree oil. SCCP/1155/08.
- Pirker C et al 2003. Sensitization to tea tree oil in Germany and Austria. A multicenter study of the German Contact Dermatitis Group. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2003 Aug;1(8):629-34.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) 2018. GHS Data from ECHA Website. Appears as: chemical_names: Melaleuca alternifolia, ext.; -; Essential oil extract of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae) leaf; Essential oil obtained from the leaves and terminal branchlets of Melaleuca alternifolia, by steam distillation; Essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia; cas_numbers: 68647-73-4, 85085-48-9
- EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
- Henley et al 2007 Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. N Engl J Med. 2007 Feb 1;356(5):479-85.
- NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.
- FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
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