7 Best Tea Tree Oil Shampoos For A Healthy Scalp, Ranked

Need a shampoo to revive your blah hair? Consider buying one made with tea tree oil. This oil, also called Melaleuca oil, is an essential oil found in the leaves of the tea tree, which is native to Australia. Due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil is found in many skin and haircare products. It soothes the scalp and helps remove product build-up. With so many different brands available, we’ve cut through the noise to deliver a list of the best tea tree oil shampoos.

Ditch the flakes and embrace healthy hair with the magic of tea tree oil! This natural powerhouse packs a punch for scalp health, and its inclusion in your shampoo routine can be a game-changer. But with so many options on the market, finding the “best” tea tree oil shampoo can feel like navigating a jungle. Fear not, fellow hair warriors! This guide will unravel the mysteries of tea tree oil’s benefits and steer you towards the perfect mane-taming elixir.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil Shampoo:

  • Conquers Dandruff: Its potent antifungal and antibacterial properties combat the pesky Malassezia yeast, the culprit behind dandruff. Say goodbye to itchy, flaky woes and hello to a confident, snow-free scalp!
  • Soothes Scalp Irritations: Dryness, eczema, and psoriasis? Tea tree oil’s anti-inflammatory magic relieves redness, itching, and general scalp discomfort. Hello, Zen scalp!
  • Boosts Scalp Health: Think of it as a superfood for your scalp. Tea tree oil promotes healthy hair growth by unclogging pores, stimulating circulation, and balancing sebum production. Strong roots, strong hair!
  • Adds Shine and Manageability: Not just a dandruff slayer, tea tree oil can leave your hair feeling silky smooth and manageable. Shine on, you beautiful mane!

What to look for in a good tea tree oil shampoo:

  • Concentration: Look for shampoos with one to five percent tea tree oil for optimal effectiveness without irritation.
  • Natural Goodness: Steer clear of harsh chemicals and opt for shampoos with natural, sulfate-free, and gentle ingredients.
  • Scalp-Specific Solutions: Dry scalp? Choose a hydrating formula. Oily scalp? Look for clarifying ingredients. Tailor your choice to your needs!
  • Brand Reputation: Research brands known for quality ingredients and positive customer reviews.

Which tea tree oil shampoo will turn your hair from blah to beautiful? We have searched across nine expert reviews to find the best tea tree oil shampoos for your hair that were most recommended. It’s important to note that it’s always wise to do a patch test before using a new product to prevent an allergic reaction if you have sensitive skin. Don’t see the one you love? Let us know in the comments below.

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StudyFinds’ “Best of the Best” articles are put together with the idea of taking the work out of common consumer research. Ever find yourself searching for a product or service on Google and reading multiple reviews to find items listed across many of them? Our Best of the Best lists are created with that process in mind, with each item ranked by how frequently it appears on expert reviews or lists. With Best of the Best, you are getting consensus picks — making them truly the best of the best!

A woman washing her hair
A woman washing her hair (Photo by Pixel-Shot on Shutterstock)

The List: Best Tea Tree Oil Shampoos Beauty Experts Love

1. John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Special Shampoo

John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Special Shampoo
John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Special Shampoo

It’s no surprise this is John Paul Mitchell’s best-selling shampoo. For many tea tree lovers, this brand may be what first comes to mind for shampoo. Byrdie reviewers commend this shampoo for effectively getting rid of dandruff, cleansing, and reviving lifeless hair.

According to Oprah Daily, this cult-favorite gently clarifies oily scalps and leaves a cool tingling sensation after each wash. You can literally feel it working! It is so refreshing when you step out of the shower with a minty scalp.

GQ recommends this shampoo for thin, fine hair, or anyone experiencing hair-thinning at all. Why? This product aims to plump the strands without drying them out. The tea tree oil “creates a more harmonious growth environment for those follicles,” they write in their review.

2. Love Beauty and Planet Tea Tree Oil Radical Refresher

Love Beauty and Planet Tea Tree Oil Radical Refresher
Love Beauty and Planet Tea Tree Oil Radical Refresher

This is a budget shampoo that Byrdie says has a “sophisticated scent that is much more like something you’d find in a pricier option.” The website adds it not only smells good but also adds impressive volume to the hair.

This shampoo is also sulfate-free, which is healthier for your hair overall. Cosmopolitan likes that the brand implements coconut oil for hydration, as well.

Love Beauty and Planet also incorporates vetiver into this formula. According to Mind Body Green, “Vetiver is also a known sleep-supporting essential oil (you could substitute it for lavender), which makes this shampoo especially great for an evening rinse to prime your senses for bed.” Better sleep and healthy hair? Score!

3. Shea Moisture Detangling Shampoo

Shea Moisture Detangling Shampoo
Shea Moisture Detangling Shampoo

If you have thick and curly hair, Oprah Daily recommends this product. Plus, its use of cocoa butter, red palm oil, flaxseed oil, tea tree oil, and fair-trade shea butter make for the perfect cocktail to boost scalp health. The website adds the combination keeps hair “looking and feeling soft, shiny, and as silky smooth as it does on salon day.”

According to GQ, tea tree oil may not be the star of the show in this formula. But combined with all the other scalp-loving ingredients, it works like a charm to balance your scalp and detangle your hair all at once.

This is another sulfate-free product. Cosmopolitan adds that it effectively “removes product buildup from flat, moisture-resistant hair, all while giving it a little boost of hydration with glycerin, shea butter, and penetrating oils.”

4. Luseta Tea Tree Shampoo

Luseta Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner
Luseta Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner

If you have a sensitive scalp or dry, damaged hair, Byrdie recommends this sulfate and paraben-free shampoo from Luseta. While being gentle on your scalp, the tea tree oil in this product provides a deep cleanse “while argan oil softens, smooths, and adds plenty of shine to your strands,” writes Byrdie.

Reviewers at Buoy Health tested this product and noticed a significant reduction in dandruff. They also noticed improved shine and vitality.

How does it work? StyleCraze says it clears dead skin cells while soothing itchiness with lavender. Tea tree oil is naturally germicidal, fungicidal, and antiseptic. Plus, it heals dry scalps and can repair split ends and frizzy or brittle hair, they write in their review.

5. OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Tea Tree Mint Nourishing Daily Shampoo

OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Tea Tree Mint Nourishing Daily Shampoo
OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Tea Tree Mint Nourishing Daily Shampoo

Just because a product actually works doesn’t mean you have to fork over your savings for it. This product is super affordable! According to Oprah Daily, a bottle of OGX’s tea tree shampoo costs less your standard Starbucks run.

Why is it so great? StyleCraze loves how this product repairs split ends and adds shine to your hair. Plus, it works for all hair types. It’s also great for detangling, yet gentle.

The combination of tea tree and witch hazel makes for a dream team! GQ describes it as a “potent oil-balancing punch” and also likes the addition of peppermint for that satisfying minty scalp feeling.

6. Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Mind Body Green says this shampoo checks every box! “Binchotan charcoal lifts excess oil and product buildup from the follicles; tea tree and peppermint oils help relieve itch and aggravation; coconut oil provides moisture and prevents over-drying; and panthenol adds shine and helps protect the skin barrier. We call that a winning number,” they write.

According to Cosmopolitan, the secret lies in the chemical exfoliants in this formula mixed with mild, natural surfactants. This ensures a gentle daily wash that relieves irritation.

7. Avalon Organics Scalp Treatment Tea Tree Shampoo

Avalon Organics Scalp Treatment Tea Tree Shampoo
Avalon Organics Scalp Treatment Tea Tree Shampoo
Celebrity hairstylist Alex Brown raves to Byrdie about this product’s scalp-supporting nature thanks to tea tree oil and vitamin E. They also love the addition of quinoa proteins to strengthen and hydrate hair. Not to mention that it’s squeaky clean with an organic formula that’s even EWG-verified and NSF-certified (two accreditations that aren’t easy to come by).
 
If dandruff is your main concern, Mind Body Green says, “You can’t go wrong with this potent treatment. Along with beloved tea tree, it contains 2% salicylic acid (another ingredient that helps reduce scaling), as well as aloe and chamomile to ensure your scalp remains soothed.”
 

Sources:

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.


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About the Author

Amy Chodroff

Amy Chodroff is a recovering Morning Radio Show Host and award-winning broadcaster who recently retired from DFW’s Morning News on KLIF in Dallas. Fondly known as the “Chief Googler” by her friends, it was a seamless transition for StudyFinds to enlist her expertise for their “Best of the Best” franchise. Amy has an innate curiosity and a penchant for thorough research before any purchase and she’s constantly on the hunt for top-notch products. Outside of her digital explorations, Amy loves to explore the world with her husband and is the proud mother of two adult daughters. You can also find Amy on the pickleball court, perfecting her dink and drop shots.

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