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November 02, 2026 · Gotes Essentials
Tea tree essential oil: what it's for and how to use it
Tea tree is one of the most versatile essential oils you can have at home. Its fresh, clean and slightly medicinal scent has made it a classic for caring for blemish-prone skin and the scalp, and for freshening the air. Here is what it's for and how to use it properly.
In short
- Blemish-prone skin: 1 drop in your usual amount of night cream or serum.
- Scalp: 2 or 3 drops in your usual amount of shampoo.
- Diffuser: 4 to 6 drops for a fresh, clean atmosphere.
What tea tree essential oil is
It is obtained by distilling the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a shrub native to Australia. Ours comes from South Africa and is 100% pure and organic. It has nothing to do with the tea we drink: it is a different plant and is always used externally.
In skincare it is valued above all for its purifying action: it helps keep blemishes at bay and balance oily skin and scalp.
How to use it, step by step
1. On blemish-prone skin
Add 1 drop to your usual amount of night cream or serum, or mix it with a teaspoon of jojoba oil, which balances oily skin without clogging it. For a specific spot, dip a cotton bud in that blend and apply it only to the blemish. If you want something ready-made for combination or oily skin, Balance Serum is your everyday ally.
2. On the scalp
Add 2 or 3 drops to the amount of shampoo you are about to use, massage for a couple of minutes and rinse. It is a simple step for an oily or itchy-feeling scalp. Don't add it to the whole bottle: it works better at each wash.
3. In a diffuser
4 to 6 drops in the diffuser water, for 30 to 45 minutes. Its fresh scent is perfect for clearing that stuffy-room feeling in the colder months.
Blends that work
- Tea tree + lavender: softens its scent and is ideal for your evening routine.
- Tea tree + lemon: the freshest blend for the diffuser (3 drops of each).
- Tea tree + peppermint: 1 drop of each in your shampoo for a fresh feeling on the scalp.
Precautions
- For external use only: do not swallow.
- Don't apply it neat to the skin: always dilute it in a carrier oil, a cream or a shampoo.
- Do a patch test on a small area before first use and avoid the eyes and mucous membranes.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or it is for children, check with a professional first.
- Keep it tightly closed, away from light and heat: it keeps better and stays gentler on the skin.
Frequently asked questions
Tea tree or niaouli?
They are cousins: both are melaleucas. Tea tree is more focused on skin and scalp; niaouli has a more balsamic scent and is widely used in diffusers in winter.
Can I use it every day?
In your shampoo or diffuser, yes. On your face, better a few nights a week and always well diluted.
Discover our tea tree essential oil, 100% pure and organic, and the rest of our essential oils collection.
