Leptospermum Petersonii Oil
Lemon-scented tea tree oil
Genuinely relevant for some people, or depends on dose and pH.
Also written as: Lemon-scented Tea Tree Oil · Lemon Tea Tree Oil · Leptospermum Petersonii Leaf Oil
What it is
Despite the name, lemon-scented tea tree is a different plant from Melaleuca alternifolia and has a very different chemistry. Its oil is typically 60 to 80% citral, made up of geranial and neral, with citronellal making up much of the remainder. It is used for a sharp natural lemon scent and is sometimes marketed for antimicrobial properties.
What it does well
Strong antifungal activity in laboratory testing
Citral-rich oils are effective antifungals in vitro. The concentrations needed are far higher than those used in cosmetics, so this should not be read as a treatment claim.
Limited evidence
Worth knowing
Very high citral content makes it a potent sensitiser relative to other oils
Citral is a declared EU fragrance allergen and part of fragrance mix II. An oil that is two thirds to four fifths citral concentrates that exposure, so it needs to be used at much lower percentages than most essential oils.
Matters most toPeople with a citral or geraniol allergy, and anyone with sensitive skin.
Easily confused with ordinary tea tree oil
The shared common name causes genuine confusion, but the two oils are chemically unrelated and behave differently on skin.
Matters most toAnyone reading a label and expecting Melaleuca alternifolia.
Where the EU stands
No specific restriction
Leptospermum petersonii oil is not listed in Annex II and is not on the Annex III fragrance-allergen labelling list. Its citral content must be declared as Citral, Annex III entry 70, above the usual thresholds.
