What is Tea Tree Lemon Essential Oil?

Tea Tree Lemon Essential Oil is an Australian oil with a fresh, lemony aroma and a mild, purifying action. Despite its name, this is not a citrus oil and not a cross between tea tree and lemon. It is a separate plant: Leptospermum Petersonii, an Australian shrub from the myrtle family. The scent resembles a milder tea tree combined with a natural lemon aroma, often considered more pleasant than lemongrass or citronella.

The oil is obtained through steam distillation of the thin leaves of the shrub. Aboriginals and Maori knew of the plant long before for its purifying properties.

Tea Tree Lemon blends beautifully with other purifying oils such as classic tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus, and with fresh citrus oils such as bergamot and sweet orange.

How is Tea Tree Lemon Essential Oil made?

The oil is obtained through steam distillation of the leaves and small twigs of Leptospermum Petersonii. In this process, volatile aroma molecules are released, captured and condensed into oil.

Because it is not a citrus oil, Tea Tree Lemon does not contain furocoumarines and is therefore not phototoxic. The oil is particularly rich in citral, which is responsible for the characteristic lemon aroma.

Benefits of Tea Tree Lemon Essential Oil

Powerful purifying, mild aroma
Tea Tree Lemon has the purifying action of classic tea tree, but with a more pleasant aroma. A popular choice for homemade products for impure skin.

Suitable for impure skin
The oil is popular in formulations for oily or impure skin, and in spot care.

Deliciously fresh lemon aroma
Many people find the lemony scent of Tea Tree Lemon more pleasant than classic tea tree or citronella. A nice choice if you find the aroma of tea tree too intense.

Not phototoxic
Unlike citrus oils from the peel, Tea Tree Lemon is not phototoxic and can therefore be used without sun restrictions.

Versatile in hair and scalp care
The purifying action makes this oil suitable for products for impure or irritated scalp.

How to use Tea Tree Lemon Essential Oil?

Always dilute essential oil when using on skin in a carrier oil or butter. For homemade care, we recommend a working dosage of 1 percent (1 gram per 100 grams of product). Tea Tree Lemon is a fairly strong oil, so this guideline is especially important. Read the explanation below for more information. Suitable carriers include for example Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil or Shea Butter.

In spot care for impure skin
Dilute one drop of Tea Tree Lemon in jojoba oil and apply to the area with a cotton swab. A milder choice than classic tea tree in terms of scent.

In a facial cleanser or toner
Add the oil to a facial cleanser or toner for oily or impure skin. Keep the dosage low because the oil is powerful.

In a shampoo for oily or irritated scalp
Add a few drops to your shampoo or conditioner for a refreshing, purifying action on the scalp.

In a nail oil
Dilute with jojoba oil for a nourishing nail oil that keeps the skin around the nails soft.

In a diffuser
Add 3 to 4 drops to an aroma diffuser for a fresh, purifying atmosphere in your home. Especially nice during cleaning rituals or when the air feels musty.

Tips for using Tea Tree Lemon Essential Oil

• Store the oil in a cool, dark place. Citral-rich oils are sensitive to oxidation, so proper storage is important.
• Always close the bottle tightly after use.
• Test first on a small area of skin before using the oil for the first time, especially if you have sensitive skin. Tea Tree Lemon can cause irritation at high dosages.
• Always work with grams and percentages, not drops. Drops vary in size and make it difficult to stay within safe limits.

Precautions and side effects

Tea Tree Lemon Essential Oil is not phototoxic and can therefore be used without sun restrictions. However, this is a fairly strong oil that can cause irritation at high dosages or in sensitive skin. Always use diluted, never pure on the skin.

Our practical working dosage: 1 percent
For homemade care, we recommend a dosage of 1 percent (1 gram per 100 grams of product). The oil naturally contains allergens such as citral, citronellol and geraniol. When you combine multiple essential oils in one recipe, these allergens stack up and you can quickly exceed legal allergen limits. A working dosage of 1 percent gives you room to use multiple oils in one recipe without exceeding those limits.

For rinse-off products, such as soap, shower gel or shampoo, wider maxima apply because the oil does not remain on the skin.

Not recommended for use during pregnancy without consulting an expert. Keep out of reach of children. If in doubt or with sensitive skin, always test first on a small area and wait 24 hours before using it on larger areas.