Evaluation of safety and possible toxicity of melaleuca alternifolia (Tea tree) oil in cosmetics

Essential oils have been used in cosmetic products for centuries. Its use for many years can be perceived as a reassuring factor; however, some of these oils can be dangerous for consumers through transdermal absorption or inhalation when used in cosmetic products. Current scientific publications are generally limited in number, and these studies do not specifically describe the use of these oils in cosmetic products, but they describe only one or more ingredients contained in essential oils. Günümüzde kozmetik ürünlerde esansiyel yağ olarak kullanımı giderek popülerleşen "çay ağacı yağı"nın da, kozmetik ürünlerde kullanımının etkinliğinin ve güvenliliğinin sıkça tartışma konusudur. Therefore, reliable clinical toxicology studies on this issue remain insufficient. Researches confirm that the oil has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity attributed to its high terpinen-4-ol content, and clinical trials in recent years are promising. In the past fifteen years, tea tree oil has gained an increasing popularity for a wide range of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products as a product of natural origin. As with other essential oils, further studies are needed for clear data on the use, effectiveness, safety, and toxicity of "tea tree oil". In this study, the views of the Council of Europe Cosmetic Product Experts Committee, the Consumer Safety Scientific Committee (SCCS) are emphasized and the importance of tea tree oil may have potential harm to the consumers. In addition, while making general safety evaluations of cosmetic products, it was concluded that the risks that this substance may pose to consumers should be taken into consideration. For this reason, it is of great importance that the quality criteria of tea tree oil are well defined and those responsible for the safety of cosmetic products take into consideration these issues when placing cosmetics containing tea tree oil on the market.