Tea tree oil to keep neoprene flexible?

[3joern]

Ahoy, does anyone of you have experience with tea tree oil to keep his wetsuit flexible? I heard and read on surfing websites that this would be used for a long time, since it is good for flexibility of the neoprene in addition to the disinfecting effect.

 

[Mr. X]

My wetsuit has remained flexible using just fresh water to rinse it, for more than a decade. I usually use a dilute plain shower gel as lubricant but hair conditioner is often recommended. That powdered seaweed-based wetsuit lubricant (Slippy??) sounds interesting.

I have never felt the need to disinfect my wetsuits (I have 2 now) but would likely use Dettol if I did - but it might stiffen or age them. I think of Dettol being like a cheaper, older tea tree oil type product - but perhaps I am wrong on that?

Yes, I believe neoprene is not particular adversely affected by oil.