Tea Tree Oil vs. Triclosan
Tea tree oil and triclosan are two ingredients used in hand soaps and other cosmetic, personal care and household products for their antimicrobial properties.
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Chemistry
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Tea tree oil is the essential oil derived from the Australian tea tree, or Melaleuca alternifolia. Like all essential oils, it is a complex mix of natural, plant-created chemicals.
Triclosan is a synthetic compound. It belongs to a group of chemicals known as chlorinated aromatics.
Uses
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Tea tree oil is used in aromatherapy and natural products for its antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral properties. It can be used undiluted on the skin, mixed with carrier oils or included in toothpastes, soaps, cleansers or other products.
Triclosan is used as an antimicrobial in a variety of commercial products such as toothpaste and soap. It is the active ingredient of most antibiotic hand soaps. It is also used as a material preservative in mattresses, plastics, textiles and other solid products.
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Regulation
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Tea tree oil is not regulated, unless it is listed as organic. In this case, it should follow the USDA's organic guidelines.
Triclosan is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), depending on its use. As an ingredient in personal and household products, it falls under the FDA. As a material preservative, it falls under the EPA.
Efficacy
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According to studies published this year, one in the Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery and one in the Journal of Microbiological Methods, tea tree oil has been proven effective against MRSA (a virus), Candida (a yeast), and Legionella (a bacteria).
According to the EPA, triclosan kills bacteria, fungi and mold at higher concentrations, as in soap. At lower concentrations, as in plastics, it stops bacteria, fungi and mold from multiplying.
Safety
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Applied topically, tea tree oil may cause allergic reaction or irritation in people who are sensitive to it. It is a natural plant oil and poses no threat to the environment.
Triclosan is considered a pesticide by the EPA. The European Union classifies it as an irritant to humans and a danger to the environment. The Environment Working Group's "Skin Deep" database states that it may cause endocrine disruption in humans. Use of triclosan in cosmetics is restricted in Canada, as it accumulates in wildlife and is toxic to aquatic life.
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