Guide to Buying Tea Tree Oil

Interested in buying tea tree oil?

Discovered hundreds of years ago by the aboriginals in Australia, tea tree oil is gaining popularity in many modern households for its natural germ-fighting abilities.

With so many different products now available, how do you know which is the best tea tree oil to get?

I've used tea tree oil for a number of years and have tried many different products and brand names. While you may think most of these oils are all alike, there are some important factors that will make some tea tree oils better than others.

Tips for Buying Tea Tree Oil

1. Determine the % of Terpinen 4 OL in your tea tree oil

Terpinen 4 OL is the main ingredient in tea tree oil with antiseptic properties.

*The higher the percentage of terpinen, the stronger the tea tree oil's antiseptic properties.

Look at the bottle labels to see if the percentage of Terpinen 4 OL is listed. Some companies will list this, some won't.

I've seen concentrations range from 10% to 40% and some people may be sensitive to higher concentrations. If you think you're one of them, try a skin patch test at a lower concentration to see if you react to it before using a higher concentration.

2. Make sure your tea tree oil comes in a dark brown glass bottle

Studies have shown that terpinen-4-ol can rapidly oxidize and become useless when exposed to light.

Light exposure can also increase the levels of para-cymene (a hydrocarbon found in tea tree oil). Para-cymene is a known skin irritant.

Better quality tea tree oils are manufactured to have low levels of para-cymene.

3. Are you getting 100% tea tree oil?

Some tea tree oils come mixed with eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil. These mixtures may affect how well the tea tree oil will work. I like using only 100% pure tea tree oil.

4. Is your tea tree oil 100% organic?

I like using a product that's 100% Certified Organic. Good for the planet and good for the body.

5. Cost of Tea Tree Oil

Prices for tea tree oil depend on:

The size of the bottle you're buying

The strength of the tea tree oil (look at the percentage of Terpinen 4 OL)

If the oil is 100% pure or mixed (diluted) with another substance

I've seen two ounce (60 ml) bottles range from $10 to $20 and larger 32 ounce bottles priced at over $100.

Tea Tree Oil Cosmetics and Toiletries

If you're buying tea tree oil, you can find it mixed with other health and beauty products. There's a growing market for natural health products. The big corporations are starting to jump on the natural health bandwagon with their own products.

Here's a list of products where tea tree oil is added:

• Tea tree oil shampoo

• Tea tree oil antiseptic creams

• Tea tree oil toothpastes (remember not to swallow any tea tree oil)

• Tea tree oil mouthwashes (same rule as above)

• Tea tree oil soaps

• Tea tree oil acne products

• I've even seen tea tree oil pet products

Some of these products may cost more because they're marketed as being more 'natural' than the big corporations' health and beauty products. Some manufacturers also can't produce as large amounts as the bigger companies, so they need to charge a little more for production costs. You might also be paying a premium for a more natural, chemical-free product.

I hope these tips will help you when buying tea tree oil at your local health food store. As my mother always told me, "Compare prices before buying." Great advice that I still follow.