Examining Beauty and Fashion Cultures Around the World: Cross-Cultural Psychology

Examining Beauty and Fashion Cultures Around the World: Cross-Cultural Psychology

Post 4: Australia 

By Sierra Lookabill 

For our last exploration of beauty regimens and products from around the world, Peyton and I researched the use of tea tree oil in Australia. While we were not able to try it ourselves given the current circumstances, it is a product readily available throughout the globe. Tea tree oil can be used on its own or in various skin, hair, and body products. These products include shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and toners. I have included some pictures of these types of products below. 

The use of tea tree oil originated in Australia centuries ago. The oil is taken from the leaves from a tree native to Australia called Melaluca alternifolia. Commonly used today for skincare, it was first used for medicinal purposes by the Aboriginal people in Australia. It was used for treating various skin ailments such as bites and infections. Its use among the white population of Australia was not seen until the 1920's, however, as it had mainly been used by the native Aboriginals for these purposes. And while the antimicrobial effects of the oil were useful, the rise in use of antibiotics and other medications throughout the twentieth century rendered the use of the oil for that purpose somewhat unnecessary. This led to tea tree oil's more notable use of today in various skin and beauty products. The antimicrobial effects are helpful on the skin in preventing blemishes and promoting clear, clean skin. Australia remains the highest exporter of tea tree oil, with almost 90% of the tea tree oil produced being exported to markets around the world.

While tea tree oil is now used around the world, its cultural significance to Australia is found in the origins of its use. Centuries ago, without modern medicine, the medicinal uses of the oil described above would have been incredibly important to the Aboriginal population. Its antimicrobial properties were useful for healing and treating infection, while also being easy and convenient to produce. The indigenous people of Australia were familiar with these properties and relied on these for their healing of themselves and those in their communities. The indigenous people believed the tree tea tree oil is derived from was gifted to a princess of their tribe from the Gods, and through this gave her protection. The trees were supposed to protect the princess, and therefore also protected them with its antimicrobial properties against infection. 

So while the use now may be cosmetic in nature, underneath lies an important aspect of history and culture for those that use tea tree products in Australia. Mass production of the oil began in the 1970's where machines were used to harvest and distill the oil taken from the leaves. The oil was important for skincare, but also helpful in stimulating the economy by the higher production of the oil itself. 

Sources:

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/natural-beauty-fashion/stories/top-5-ways-to-heal-with-tea-tree-oil (image)
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/tea-tree-oil-face-washes-available-in-india/ (image)
https://australian-bodycare.com/uk/product-category/pure-oil/
https://australian-bodycare.com/uk/tea-tree-oil/
https://www.agrifutures.com.au/farm-diversity/tea-tree-oil/
https://teatree.org.au/teatree_about.php