Is tea tree oil shampoo good for hair? You betcha it is – shampoo with tea tree oil clears up dandruff and scalp acne. It might even help with lice, but we hope it never comes to that (1). As we reviewed products for this article, we were impressed at all the tea tree oil shampoo benefits.
Is tea tree shampoo good for everyday use?
If you have oily hair, it’s likely fine to wash your hair daily with tea tree shampoo. But people with dry hair and dry scalps may find some formulations too harsh. We don’t want anyone to feel left out, so we endeavored to point out both clarifying and moisturizing tea tree oil shampoos below.
Since tea tree oil shampoo treats dandruff, sometimes it can be drying just like any other anti-dandruff shampoo. Try using it two or three times a week instead of every day, and follow up with a conditioner.
What shampoo has the highest concentration of tea tree oil?
When in doubt, check the label. If tea tree oil, also known as Melaleuca, is one of the first ingredients instead of the last, chances are it’s an important part of the formula and not an afterthought.
Who should not use tea tree oil shampoo?
Anyone who has eczema or an allergy to tea tree oil should avoid these shampoos.
Who can benefit the most from tea tree shampoo?
People who want to get rid of dandruff, who are tired of itchy, flaky scalps, or those with acne on their forehead or neck find tea tree shampoo very helpful.
Like any other treatment, tea tree oil shampoo may take a couple of weeks to get dramatic results. But happily, many users find some relief after the very first wash.
Ready to get started? Then check out the best shampoos with tea tree oil below:
| The best tea tree oil shampoos | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Tea Tree Special Shampoo |
|
| HASK TEA TREE OIL & ROSEMARY Invigorating Shampoo |
|
| Yes To Tea Tree Scalp Relief Soothing Shampoo |
|
| OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Shampoo |
|
| Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo Infused with Tea Tree Oil |
|
| J•R•LIGGETT'S All-Natural Shampoo Bars - Tea Tree & Hemp Oil |
|
| MAJESTIC PURE Tea Tree Shampoo |
|
Best Tea Tree Oil Shampoos in 2024
Tea Tree Special Shampoo
Let’s start with the ever-popular Paul Mitchell tea tree shampoo review. It’s a salon product that’s officially available through Amazon as well.
No, it’s not sulfate-free, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The sulfates are surfactants that make the nice lather that cleanses the skin of excess oil and dirt. Unless you’re specifically avoiding sulfates, this isn’t a showstopper.
On the other hand, it’s a little disappointing that the artificial fragrance is the fifth ingredient and tea tree oil is only the eighth, followed by menthol. There are also artificial colors at the end of the list. Let’s just say that this isn’t the best shampoo for people with very sensitive skin.
Still, even though it also contains wheat germ oil, that’s not a trigger for celiac disease unless you happen to lick the shampoo and ingest it. Gluten is just too big of a protein to absorb through the skin (2).
Now that we’ve explored the seedy side, let’s look at the good news. The vegan formula contains no parabens and it’s described as color-safe for all hair types. You can get it in small, medium, and large bottles, too. (The large bottle has a handy pump top).
Moreover, the shampoo smells fantastic and leaves the hair soft and lightly fragranced. It tingles and refreshes the scalp, instantly relieving any itchiness.
Pros:
- Cooling tingle refreshes the scalp and relieves itchiness
- Clears up flakes and leaves the hair soft and manageable
- Pleasant fragrance, not as earthy as pure tea tree oil
- Available in different bottle sizes
Cons:
- Has an artificial fragrance and artificial colors
- Not sulfate-free
HASK TEA TREE OIL & ROSEMARY Invigorating Shampoo
Here’s how to get tea tree oil shampoo and conditioner at the same time. Both are sulfate-free and cruelty-free, with no phthalates or parabens.
What’s more, the soothing shampoo cools the scalp and smells fabulous. It’s formulated with tea tree oil, of course, but also rosemary, bergamot, basil, and sandalwood. (Did you know that rosemary leaf oil is a traditional remedy for hair loss?)
Out of all the tea tree shampoos we reviewed, this is one of the more moisturizing options. The manufacturer says that it can be used up to five times per week on oily hair. They recommend switching off a milder shampoo like Blue Chamomile on the other days.
To get the most from any tea tree oil shampoo like this one, lather up and let it work on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it. It gives the Melaleuca time to neutralize the dandruff-causing fungus and reduce inflammation.
Pros:
- Soothes the scalp with tea tree, rosemary, and menthol
- Delicious aromatherapy fragrance with notes of sandalwood, basil, and bergamot
- Sulfate-free, cruelty-free, with no parabens or phthalates
- Has a matching conditioner
Cons:
- The shampoo is most effective when you’re not in a hurry and can wait 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing
- Daily shampooing might be drying – don’t forget the conditioner
Yes To Tea Tree Scalp Relief Soothing Shampoo
Which is the best tea tree oil shampoo for dandruff? We like this one because it doesn’t just have tea tree oil but also salicylic acid and sage. Salicylic acid is an exfoliator used to treat dandruff and acne. (It’s in dandruff shampoos like Neutrogena T/Sal). Not only does it get rid of flakes, but it also unclogs pores and reduces inflammation.
Furthermore, this moisturizing shampoo doesn’t have harsh sulfates, silicone, or parabens. It’s 97% natural and Leaping Bunny Certified.
When you wash with it, you’ll notice two things: it tingles and it smells awesome. Even after you rinse, it leaves the hair with an amazing fragrance. Even better, just a single shampooing calms an itchy scalp.
Reviewers say it’s best to shake the bottle before dispensing the shampoo. This ensures an even consistency. Be sure to check out the matching Tea Tree Scalp Relief Conditioner.
Pros:
- Tea tree oil with sage and salicylic acid
- Treats scalp acne and dandruff, alleviates itching and flaking
- No harsh sulfates, silicones, or parabens
- Amazing fragrance, has a tingling sensation
- Certified cruelty-free
Cons:
- The formula comes out either runny or gloppy if the bottle’s not shaken first
OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Shampoo
Remember how we said that if tea tree oil is one of the first ingredients on the label, the shampoo probably has a high concentration of it? It’s fourth on the list in OGX’s shampoo, followed by peppermint and witch hazel. Frankly, we were impressed as most of the other brands put Melaleuca alternifolia as the eighth ingredient or even lower down.
As you might imagine, tea tree and peppermint provide a cooling, soothing sensation with a bit of tingle. But witch hazel is also helpful as it’s a natural astringent. It reduces oiliness without stripping all the moisture from the skin. It’s one of the reasons why most people can skip a shampooing now and then when they use this product.
Moreover, the shampoo is free of sulfates and parabens to protect sensitive skin. And the tasty sweet peppermint and vanilla scent is hard to resist.
Pros:
- Sulfate-free, paraben-free, and mild
- Tea tree oil is the fourth ingredient, making it one of the most concentrated shampoos
- Also features witch hazel and peppermint to soothe and cleanse the scalp
Cons:
- Has an artificial fragrance, but it’s the final ingredient and it smells wonderful
Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo Infused with Tea Tree Oil
Which is the best tea tree shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis? Try the Head and Shoulders tea tree shampoo. After all, this brand’s the expert when it comes to dandruff. Plus it doesn’t hurt that the company offers a “flake-free” guarantee.
Nevertheless, the fact that it’s described as “infused with tea tree oil” and “crafted with tea tree oil” should tell you that Melaleuca alternifolia is not the main ingredient. Sadly, it’s at the bottom of the ingredients list right after mint oil.
To continue the list of cons, it has both SLS and SLES as well as sodium chloride, making it undesirable for keratin-treated and color-treated hair.
On the plus side, it’s affordable, smells nice, comes in a pump bottle, and reviewers say it doesn’t dry out the hair or scalp.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Comes with a “flake-free” guarantee
- Smells nice, feels cool on the scalp
Cons:
- Tea tree oil is near the bottom of the ingredients label
- Could be risky for color-treated and keratin-treated styles as it’s not sulfate-free and contains salt
J·R·LIGGETT’S All-Natural Shampoo Bars – Tea Tree & Hemp Oil
This is no ordinary bar of soap. It’s a carefully-formulated solid shampoo made with natural oils and no artificial colors, fragrances, preservatives, or sulfates. It’s safe for all types of skin and hair, too.
How does a shampoo bar work? Wet your hair and lather the bar in your hands. Spread the foam through your hair or rub the bar directly on the scalp. It gets surprisingly sudsy and has a mild herbal fragrance from the natural ingredients. Enjoy it because the scent fades once the hair is dry.
Do you need a conditioner? Maybe. In our experience, the hair wasn’t tangled although it felt squeaky clean after washing. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t quite as shiny when dry unless we rinsed with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water.
Nevertheless, by itself, the shampoo gave us a significant amount of volume. It also made us feel good to know that we were using a plastic-free product.
Pros:
- Natural oils and no preservatives, artificial colors, perfumes, or sulfates
- Mild herbal fragrance from botanical ingredients
- Impressive amount of lather
- Safe for all skin and hair types
- Handcrafted in New England
Cons:
- You might still need a conditioner or an occasional apple cider vinegar rinse
MAJESTIC PURE Tea Tree Shampoo
Here’s a dandruff-fighting shampoo with no harsh sulfates or parabens. Thankfully, it’s also cruelty-free.
The formula features coconut-based cleansers paired with natural extracts like ginseng, turmeric, argan oil, and tea tree oil. But the active anti-dandruff component is zinc pyrithione, proven to kill the fungus that causes itching and flaking.
What’s more, there are hair growth ingredients like nettle, green tea, and rosemary. If you were hoping for an all-in-one solution for dry scalp and premature balding, it’s not a bad place to start.
Pros:
- Dandruff-fighting shampoo with zinc pyrithione, tea tree oil, and other natural extracts
- Clears up flaking and itching, stimulates hair growth
- No parabens or harsh sulfates, also cruelty-free
Cons:
- Melaleuca alternifolia is listed a ways down the ingredients list
Conclusion
Tea tree oil is proven to resolve acne and dandruff, making it an ideal ingredient in shampoo. If you want relief from an itchy scalp and flakes on your shoulders, try one of the best tea tree shampoos.
We hope these reviews helped you find what you need today. Check back soon for new reviews of the best hair care and skincare products for comfortable, healthy living.
Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-tea-tree-oil/art-20364246 by Mayo Clinic Staff, accessed November 15, 2021
2. https://gluten.org/2019/10/18/beauty-supplements/ published October 18, 2019, accessed November 16, 2021