Tea tree oil: scope of the SCCS safety opinion
What the sources say
The SCCS adopted the final opinion during its plenary meeting on 30 October 2025. Source
The SCCS considers tea tree oil safe as an anti-seborrheic and anti-microbial agent in four product types, up to 2.0% in shampoo, 1.0% in shower gel, 1.0% in face wash and 0.1% in face cream. Source
The opinion applies only to tea tree oil whose composition conforms to ISO 4730:2017. Source
The opinion applies only to dermally applied products exclusively for adults, not to aerosolised or sprayable formats. Source
The SCCS describes tea tree oil as a moderate skin sensitiser. Source
The SCCS says the stability of tea tree oil must be maintained in the finished product so its components stay within ISO 4730:2017. Source
The SCCS says the new ISO 4730:2025 standard should also be taken into account. Source
The assessment did not cover environmental safety. Source
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