In short
Tea tree oil is distilled from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia. Its main constituent is terpinen-4-ol, which gives a warm, spicy-medicinal odour.
What Tea Tree Oil smells like
Tea tree oil owes its character mainly to terpinen-4-ol: sources describe a camphoraceous, medicinal and herbal smell with a woody undertone, a clean, slightly medicinal impression with a forest-like freshness. A supplier classes its aroma family as woody. An Italian glossary attributes its subtle spiciness to the minor constituent para-cymene rather than to terpinen-4-ol.
- Leading note
- Medicinal herbaceous
- Supporting facets
- Camphoraceous, woody
- Faint facets
- Spicy
- Character
- Sharp, clean, fresh
What makes Tea Tree Oil distinctive
The antiseptic note itself: clean, medicinal and woody-herbal, recognisable from countless skin-care products.
How Tea Tree Oil is used
Used in functional, skin-care and fresh-herbal fragrances, and for its antiseptic association.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Tea Tree Oil differs from similar materials
- Terpinen-4-ol
- Terpinen-4-ol is the oil's main constituent alone, earthier and more peppery; the oil adds camphor, cineole and a fresh, forest-like note. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Cajeput Oil
- Cajeput is more camphoraceous and eucalyptus-like; tea tree is woodier and more medicinal-herbaceous.
An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
Oxidised tea tree oil is a stronger skin sensitiser; store it cold, full and away from light.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Essential oil
- Origin
- Natural
- Odour family
- Aromatic / Spicy
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Melaleuca oil
- Botanical source
- Melaleuca alternifolia
- CAS number
- 68647-73-4
The CAS number was checked on 19 October 2026 against a PubChem substance record that gives it for this material. A natural material is a mixture, so it has no single formula; its composition varies with origin and processing.
Safety and compliance
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Terpinen-4-ol
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Spicy — spicy, herbal, woody, earthy
-
Eucalyptol
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Green — camphoraceous, cool, medicinal
-
Lavender Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Floral — lavender, herbal, floral, fresh
-
Rosemary Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Woody — herbal, camphoraceous, fresh, woody
Tea Tree Oil is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Niaouli Oil and Terpinolene.
Used in formulas and accords
Not currently used in any published formula.
The Formula & Accord Library lists Tea Tree Oil here as soon as a published formula, accord or base uses it.
Further reading
Questions about Tea Tree Oil
Is Tea Tree Oil natural or synthetic?
Tea Tree Oil is natural. It is a volatile oil obtained from plant material by steam distillation or, for citrus peels, by cold expression.
What is the CAS number of Tea Tree Oil?
68647-73-4, the registry number for the essential oil as a substance rather than a single molecule. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Sources
- PubChem — substance 176297579, checked 19 October 2026.
- Premiere Peau — Tea tree oil — published perfumery reference.
- MySkinRecipes — Tea tree oil (extra grade) — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 21 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.