Is Tea Tree Oil Toxic To Your Eyes?

Tea Tree Oil? Is it eye-safe for use as a cosmetic?

Using Tea Tree Oil in your beauty routine, such as a daily eye makeup remover, eyelash scrub, or face wash? According Drs. Rachna Murthy and Jonathan Roos of Face Restoration in London, you should exercise caution.

Research has shown a possible link between abnormal breast growth in young boys—called prepubertal gynecomastia—from regular exposure to tea tree oil, aka it’s an endocrine disruptor. Tea tree oil also possesses anti-androgen activities. Hormone disruption can cause or exacerbate ocular surface disease. Tea tree oil might be great for managing toe fungus, but as an ingredient in eye cosmetics, not-so-pretty. Look forward to sharing more of “The Story”! eyesarethestory.com

For more behind the science of our Founder’s conversation, source the TFOS Lifestyle Report: Impact of cosmetics on the ocular surface … which addressed the use of eye cosmetics & procedures and how they represent a lifestyle challenge that may exacerbate or promote the development of ocular surface disease. The Report may be viewed here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37061220/