How to Use Tea Tree Water: Benefits for Face, Hair and Scalp
Organic tea tree water is a pure, alcohol-free floral water that's ideal for clarifying and refreshing combination, oily or blemish-prone skin. It's also wonderfully soothing for an itchy or flaky scalp, and has plenty of other uses too. In this guide, we'll explain what tea tree water is, how it can be used, and how to get the most from it.
Let’s get started. And if you’re already curious to try it for yourself, you’ll find our Organic Tea Tree Water here.
What Is Tea Tree Water?
Tea tree water, also known as tea tree hydrolat or hydrosol, is the aromatic water produced when organic tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is steam distilled to make tea tree essential oil. As the steam passes through the plant material and then cools, it separates into essential oil and a fragrant botanical water containing water-soluble compounds from the tea tree plant.
You may see it called tea tree water, tea tree hydrolat, tea tree hydrosol, floral water or plant water. These terms are commonly used for this type of aromatic botanical water, so if you're searching for tea tree hydrolat or tea tree hydrosol, you're essentially looking for tea tree water.
What is Tea Tree Water Good For?
Tea tree has long been valued for its naturally antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties, and the hydrolat brings that freshness in a gentle, water-based mist. Here's where it earns its place in your routine:
Oily, combination and blemish-prone skin. A clarifying mist that helps control excess oil and blemishes, calms redness and irritation, and leaves skin feeling fresh, toned and visibly shine-free, with a smooth, matte finish.
An itchy, flaky scalp. Tea tree water is just as useful on the scalp, where it can help soothe itchiness and reduce flakiness. Mist it between washes and hair feels clean, light, fresh and revitalised. It's a gentle addition to a regular scalp-care routine if you're dealing with mild dandruff.
A cooling pick-me-up. Spritz it over your face when your skin feels warm, tired or in need of a refresh.
After exercise. Keep a bottle in your gym bag and spritz your face, neck and body after training to freshen up and deodorise naturally.
Body, room and linen. Use it on the body, on bedding and linen, or around your home whenever you'd like a fresh botanical lift.
Walks, camping and travel. Keep a small spray bottle in your bag for a refreshing spritz whenever you're out and about. Use it to freshen your face and body after a walk, refresh your hands before a picnic, or give your scalp a cooling spritz when it feels hot or itchy. It's a simple, versatile addition to your outdoor kit.
Tea Tree Water at a Glance
| Use | How to apply | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Toner | After cleansing, spritz onto the face or sweep on with a cotton pad. Avoid the eyes, then moisturise. | After cleansing, daily if you like |
| Face mist | Spritz over make-up-free skin | Whenever skin feels warm, tired or shiny |
| Scalp refresher | Part the hair, mist the scalp, massage gently and leave to dry | As needed, between washes |
| Hair freshener | Mist through roots and lengths | On non-wash days |
| After exercise | Spritz over face, neck and body | After training |
| Body, linen and room | Spray lightly | Whenever you want a fresh lift |
| Hands & outdoors | Spritz onto hands to freshen them when you're out and about, such as after a walk or before a picnic | As needed |
Ready to try it? Shop our Organic Tea Tree Water.
How to Use Tea Tree Water As a Toner?
Tea tree water makes a simple, alcohol-free toner, and it's easy to add to your routine:
- Cleanse first. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser so skin is clean and ready.
- Spritz or sweep. Spray tea tree water directly onto your face, or apply it with a cotton pad as you would a toning lotion. Keep it away from the eye area.
- Follow up. While skin is still slightly damp, apply your usual moisturiser or face oil.
A Simple Tea Tree Skincare Routine
For a routine that's easy to stick to, follow three steps: cleanse, refresh, moisturise.
- Cleanse with our Organic Tea Tree Soap.
- Tone with a few spritzes of our Organic Tea Tree Water.
- Moisturise with our Tea Tree Light Cream.
You can explore everything together in our complete Tea Tree Range.
How to Use Tea Tree Water on Hair and Scalp
Tea tree hydrolat is a light, alcohol-free mist that won't weigh hair down, making it easy to incorporate into your regular hair and scalp routine.
For an itchy or flaky scalp
Part your hair in a few sections so the spray reaches the scalp, then mist lightly over the areas that feel itchy, tight or flaky. Massage gently with your fingertips and leave to dry - there's no need to rinse. Use where needed, rather than soaking the scalp.
To freshen hair on non-wash days
Mist lightly through the roots and lengths when your hair needs a little lift between washes. It leaves hair feeling fresh and lightly scented with the clean, distinctive aroma of tea tree.
As part of your usual hair routine
After washing, towel dry your hair and lightly spritz the scalp before styling. If you use a hair oil, apply the tea tree water first, then your oil to the lengths and ends.
Tea tree water is also easy to keep in your bag for a quick scalp or hair refresh when you're out and about.
Tea Tree Water Safety and Storage Tips
- Patch test before first use.
- Avoid contact with eyes.
- Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
- Use within 12 months of opening for best results.
Tea Tree Water FAQs
Can I use tea tree water every day?
Yes. It's gentle and alcohol-free, so it suits daily use on skin, scalp and hair.
Is tea tree water good for acne?
Tea tree water is a great choice if your skin is oily, congested or prone to spots and blemishes. It may help to refresh the skin, reduce excess oil and calm the appearance of redness and irritation. Use it after cleansing as a toner, then follow with a light moisturiser. If you have severe or persistent acne, it's best to speak to your GP or pharmacist as well.
Is tea tree hydrolat the same as tea tree hydrosol?
Yes. The two terms are interchangeable and both describe the aromatic water produced during steam distillation.
Can you make tea tree water with tea tree oil? No, tea tree oil doesn't mix with water. If you add a few drops to a spray bottle, the oil just floats on top and you end up spritzing concentrated droplets onto your skin, which isn't what you want. Real tea tree water is made a different way: it's the water collected during the steam distillation of tea tree, so it's already blended and gentle enough to use straight from the bottle.
What's the difference between tea tree hydrolat and tea tree essential oil? Tea tree hydrolat is a much gentler, water-based by-product of steam distillation, containing only trace amounts of essential oil. Unlike essential oil, it can be used directly on your skin without diluting, which makes it a milder option for daily use.
Can tea tree water help with dandruff?
It may help reduce dandruff and soothe an itchy scalp. Tea tree is traditionally valued for its antifungal and antimicrobial properties, so tea tree water can be a gentle addition to a regular scalp-care routine. For a more complete tea tree hair-care routine, use it alongside our Organic Tea Tree Shampoo and Organic Tea Tree Conditioner.
How long does tea tree hydrolat last once opened? Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and use it within 12 months of opening for best results.
Our Organic Tea Tree Water (Hydrolat/Hydrosol) Spray
Our Organic Tea Tree Water Spray is made with just one ingredient: Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) floral water. There are no emulsifying agents, added fragrance or other ingredients - just pure organic botanical water in a handy spray bottle.
Available in a 30ml pocket size and a 100ml regular size.
Looking for more botanical mists? Browse our full range of organic floral waters.
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