The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has recently concluded that Tea Tree Oil (TTO) can be safely used in cosmetic products at specific concentrations. The framework for tea tree oil cosmetics safety consists of a few concentration restrictions by application:
–2.0% in shampoos,
–1.0% in shower gels and face washes, and
– 0.1% in face creams when used as an anti-seborrheic and anti-microbial agent.
This safety assessment considered Tea Tree Oil’s potential reproductive toxicity classification under EU CLP Regulation and evaluated aggregate exposure from both cosmetic and non-cosmetic sources. The opinion applies only to TTO meeting ISO 4730:2017 standards in dermally applied products, excluding aerosol or spray applications that could cause inhalation exposure.
The SCCS identified Tea Tree Oil as a moderate skin sensitizer and emphasized the importance of product stability. Manufacturers must ensure TTO remains stable in final cosmetic formulations to prevent degradation that could alter the chemical composition beyond ISO standards.
You can find the full opinion here