Ingredient

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (Tea Tree Oil)

Melaleuca alternifolia

Benefits

Balancing, Soothing

Tea tree oil has a fresh and powerful smell. It is used to keep the scalp and skin clean and spotless thanks to its antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic) properties and its ability to balance sebum’s production and soothe irritation.

Melaleuca alternifolia is a small tree in the myrtle family, native to Australia. It has papery, shredded bark and grows white flowers during the summer. Its foliage conceals glands from which the essential oil is extracted. 

You may have asked yourself: "Is tea tree tea?" The answer is, absolutely not. It is said that the plant was so named by British explorers after seeing Bundjalung communities making infusions with the leaves. In fact, the Bundjalung people (indigenous to New South Wales) used tea leaves as a medicine to treat colds and promote wound healing, among other things.

What are the benefits of tea tree oil?

• Regulates and balances sebum
• Good for spot-prone skin
• Soothing for irritated scalps

Where do we get tea tree oil?

Lush buy tea tree oil from Australia. Our supplier is based in Myrtle Creek, a floodplain region of New South Wales that supports a rich diversity of plant and animal life, including over 100 types of bird. Amongst the species that use the land are Sea eagles, Wedge-tail eagles, and kookaburras, as well as bandicoots, dingoes, tortoises, kangaroos and wallabies.

Our supplier typically harvests tea tree leaves and twigs once a year, using careful methods that have allowed some plantations to be harvested for up to 27 years. To obtain a high-quality essential oil, the leaves and twigs must be processed soon after harvest. They are finely cut and steam-distilled, then stored in a separation chamber to remove any remaining water and contaminants.