Peran Tea tree oil dalam Sediaan Kosmetik: Dari Bahan Alami Menuju Inovasi Modern

Abstrak

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is an essential oil widely utilized in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields, particularly as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent for various skin conditions. One of its most extensively studied applications is in acne therapy, as its main active component, terpinen-4-ol, has been proven effective against Cutibacterium acnes, the primary acne-causing bacterium, while also helping to reduce skin inflammation. However, the hydrophobic nature of tea tree oil limits its solubility in water-based formulations, necessitating innovative drug delivery systems to enhance its stability, skin penetration, and therapeutic effectiveness. This review article is a literature study based on national and international journals published within the last five years, sourced from ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar, using the keywords “Tea Tree Oil Formulation,” “Tea Tree Iul and Cosmetic,” and “Anti-Acne.” From the collected articles, screening was conducted based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in ten main articles for analysis. The literature review findings indicate that the use of nanoparticle technology in various formulation systems such as creams, gels, serums, emulgels, nanoemulsions, microemulsions, and ethosomes enhances the stability, skin penetration, and bioavailability of tea tree oil while reducing irritation risks associated with high concentrations. Additionally, combining tea tree oil with other active ingredients such as propolis, Aloe vera, azelaic acid, adapalene, and turmeric extract produces synergistic effects in acne therapy through antibacterial, antioxidant, and skin-healing mechanisms.