11 Best Tea Tree Shampoos for a Healthy, Flake-Free Scalp

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If the dry winter air is making your hair feel a little blah, it might be time to add one of the best tea tree shampoos into your routine. You know that feeling after you’ve washed your hair, and it feels soft, silky, and squeaky clean? Sometimes, a simple reset is all your mane needs to come back to life, and a shampoo infused with this essential oil could be just the solution.

“Tea tree is a natural cleanser with antimicrobial and antifungal properties that can clarify and moisturize the scalp, reduce flakes, and increase circulation for fuller, stronger hair,” explains trichologist and LA salon owner Sara Hallajian. In fact, the ingredient is often found in some of the best shampoos for dandruff and dry scalp, as well as top formulas that promote hair growth. “Tea tree shampoo is great for anyone but especially beneficial for those with specific concerns like dandruff, dry scalp, or an itchy scalp,” says David Lopez, celebrity hairstylist and Ulta Beauty Pro Team Member. “I also like to recommend it for thicker, coarser, curlier hair types that get product buildup on the scalp and notice flaking.” It’s important to note that tea tree oil shampoo can dry out your hair if used too frequently. However, proper application will, of course, vary based on your specific scalp, hair, and texture situation.

So, how do you know which tea tree oil shampoo is best for you? “I would look for a shampoo that has tea tree in it, but not necessarily as the first ingredient as that could be too potent and possibly irritating to the skin,” Hallajian shares. “I would also look for hydrating or soothing ingredients as well, like aloe vera or vitamin E.” With today’s expansive beauty market, choosing the right hair products can sometimes take months—perhaps even years! Luckily, we’ve done the research for you, including consulting experts, personally testing formulas, and scouring online reviews to find the 11 best tea tree shampoos available for stronger strands and a healthier scalp.

Tea Tree Special Shampoo

Lopez and Paul Mitchell artistic director Paula Peralta are both big fans of this cult-loved shampoo. “The Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo is safe to use daily and is also a great first shampoo option for people that shampoo once a week and are looking to clarify as part of their wash day routine,” says Peralta. Thousands of customers also rave that it helps wash away impurities and leave hair looking shiny—all while delivering a tingling sensation and an aromatherapy-inspired experience. Personally, I had the chance to try out this product, and it felt like I was getting a really nice, deep cleanse. I can definitely see why it’s a popular choice!

Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, peppermint, lavender

Hair type: All

Size: 10.1 oz

Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “This shampoo makes my hair and scalp feel very clean and refreshed. There is a tingling feeling on your scalp! Might not be for some people, but I love that, too! It also helps me with my wintry dry, flaky scalp (not dandruff).”

MegaStrength+ Dandruff Relief Shampoo

If dandruff is the issue, look no further than the Briogeo Megastrength + Dandruff Relief Shampoo. This product is gentle enough for daily use yet highly effective for combating pesky flakes due to a dry, oily, or irritated scalp. Formulated with 92 percent natural ingredients, this shampoo provides gentle exfoliation while helping address symptoms associated with dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and psoriasis. It’s composed of tea tree oil, Binchotan charcoal, three percent salicylic acid, and lactic acid, all of which work to alleviate the scalp.

Key ingredients: Binchotan charcoal, tea tree oil, lactic acid, salicylic acid

Hair types: All, with dry or oily scalps

Size: 8.4 fl. oz.

Briogeo rating: 4.5/ stars

A Briogeo reviewer says: “This stuff is amazing! With not washing my hair as often and using dry shampoo, my scalp gets irritated. Using this once a week keeps my scalp feeling good and healthy.”

Naturals Creamy Hair Cleanser

If your mane’s on the drier side, the Miribel Naturals Creamy Hair Cleanser is here to save the day with a burst of creamy moisture. This unique formula is technically not a shampoo since it doesn’t lather (hence the name), but it contains apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil that deeply cleans without stripping hair of its natural oils. It’s naturally fragranced with essential oils, so you can rest assured your curls will look and smell extra bouncy and beautiful.

Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, turmeric, jojoba seed oil, peppermint oil

Hair type: Dry

Size: 8 oz.

Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This shampoo has a nice clean scent, and I like that it contains quality ingredients. Since it’s sulfate-free, it does not lather at all. I realize that’s a good thing, but it takes a little getting used to. Overall, this shampoo left my scalp feeling clean and my hair silky smooth. I like it a lot!”

Power Rinse

The first time I tried this rinse I wasn’t quite sold by it, but after a couple of more uses it became clear as to how it can help maintain overall hair health. This power rinse is a clarifying cleanser that can be used instead of shampoo to detox and help remove excess product buildup. Like a reset for your scalp, it works to give your roots a full-on purifying experience. I also appreciate that it’s free of harsh chemicals and safe for color-treated hair.

Key ingredients: Tea tree, peppermint, apple cider, quinoa protein, carrot seed extract

Hair type: All

Size: 8 fl. oz.

EO Products rating: 5/5 stars

An EO Products reviewer says: “After a week spent in the pool and at the beach, this Power Rinse is just what I needed to rescue my hair and return it to its beautiful, natural state. As soon as I rinsed it out, my hair felt softer and more lively. My curls, quite literally, bounced back! This will be my go-to product.”

Clarifying Shampoo

Hair that’s squeaky clean and full of weightless volume is what you’ll get with this Herbal Essences Clarifying Shampoo. It’s gentle enough for daily use and helps to detangle, moisturize, and enhance shine. Moreover, it’s infused with a lime, herb scent that instantly energizes the senses.

Key ingredients: Tea tree, minty citrus

Hair type: All

Size: 13.5 fl. oz.

Walmart rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Walmart reviewer says: “My hair stays cleaner for longer with this Tea Tree Shampoo, without becoming oily, which is what most shampoos do to my baby fine hair. I recommend this shampoo highly.”

Cleanse and Hydrate Shampoo

A scalp shampoo that also helps reduce breakage is a win-win for those with an irritated scalp and dull, fragile hair. The Divi Cleanse and Hydrate Shampoo is a great option, as it provides nourishing ingredients while helping to remove product and oil buildup.

Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, betaine, menthol, amino acids

Hair type: Dull and/or fragile with oily scalp

Size: 12 fl. Oz.

Divi rating: 4/5 stars

A Divi reviewer says: “I have been using the serum, shampoo, and conditioner for months and definitely feel a difference in the strength and health of my hair— even my hairdresser noticed. Not to mention, the tingle feels amazing.”

Tea Tree & Argan Oil Shampoo

Soothe your strands with the power of Luseta’s Tea Tree & Argan Oil Shampoo. This product supplies intense moisture to help repair damaged strands and relieve dry, itchy scalps. It also offers a cooling sensation, leaving your scalp feeling super clean and refreshed. As someone who tends to be on the drier side, my hair and scalp were appreciative of this tea tree and argan oil blend. With this product, you’re getting the best of both worlds by marrying a deep cleaning effect with a high dose of moisture. After a few washes my scalp felt smooth and pleasantly clean. I can happily add it didn’t dry out my hair, and it was left feeling soft and manageable.

Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, argan oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil

Hair type: Damaged, oily

Size: 16.9 oz

Luseta rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Luseta reviewer says: “It has helped my scalp from being itchy, dry, and broke out! My hair is so soft after using this and has also helped my husband’s scalp as well!! It smells great too!”

Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Teatree Mint Shampoo

If you happen to go heavy on the hair products, you can count on this OGX shampoo to remove buildup and balance moisture levels for healthier-looking hair. The invigorating scent offers a great way to jumpstart your morning, too.

Hair type: All hair types

Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, peppermint, witch hazel

Size: 13 fl.oz

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I absolutely LOVE this shampoo! Recently I’ve been having some scalp irritation and issues, but this tea tree shampoo has helped. I love how it makes my scalp feel while I’m sudsing up and it smells minty without being overpowering. Rinses easily and my hair feels stronger and cleaner than it has in a long time. Super SOFT too!”

Tea Tree Oil and Vetiver Radical Refresher Shampoo

A blend of tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and organic coconut oil combine to deliver a refreshing and nourishing cleansing moment with this affordable formula. It promises to purify and refresh locks while adding volume. Plus, it’s free of harsh sulfates, parabens, silicones, and dyes.

Hair type: All

Key ingredients: Tea tree, eucalyptus, organic coconut oil

Size: 15. 5 oz

Target rating: 4.1/5 stars

A Target reviewer says: “The smell is clean and refreshing, free of sulfates and leaves hair feeling healthier and healthier over time. Using this brand has actually helped minimize my hair thinning. I just love that this is safe, clean and gentle and smells phenomenal!!”

Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo

Those concerned about an oily scalp can find comfort with the balancing effects of this tea tree shampoo, which is specially formulated for oily hair types. Made with vegan silk protein and tea tree oil from Kenya, this shampoo is fully equipped to give strands a clean and purified experience without stripping essential moisture. It helps rebalance the scalp and is part of a three-step hair care routine created to revive and repair.

Key ingredients: Tea Tree Oil, Vegan Silk Protein

Hair type: Oily hair types

Size: 8.4 oz

Ulta rating: 4/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I have very oily hair and this product is the only one that cleanses my hair best. I’m able to skip washing days and still have clean hair.”

Tea Tree & Mint Clarifying Shampoo Bar

Shampoo bars have become popular in recent years thanks to their eco-friendly nuance of not using plastic. This one here is specially formulated with tea tree and mint to deeply cleanse hair without stripping or drying it out. One bar is estimated to last 100 washes, and its formula contains no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or silicones.

Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, mint

Hair type: All

Size: One bar

Ulta rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “This shampoo leaves hair very clean and soft. It removes hairspray and other hair care products very well leaving behind clean, shiny, and manageable hair! Recommend 100%.”

Who should use a tea tree shampoo?

“All hair types and textures can benefit from using tea tree shampoo,” says Peralta, adding that they are best for “anyone who is experiencing scalp buildup and looking to clarify and invigorate while hydrating the scalp and promoting healthy hair,” she adds.

Tea tree is also a great ingredient for those with itchy, flakey, oily, or red and irritated skin, adds Hallajian.

How often should you use a tea tree shampoo?

“This depends on your hair type and scalp needs,” explains Lopez. “If you have a specific issue, like flaking or dandruff, you might use it more frequently, but using it every other shampoo or every couple of shampoos can also be great for maintaining scalp health.”

Be sure to read the instructions on the shampoo label as well, since the frequency of use can depend on the formulation.

Meet the Experts

David Lopez is an Ulta Beauty Pro Team Member, celebrity hairstylist and content creator.

Sara Hallajian is a trichologist and LA-based salon owner.

Paula Peralta is an LA-based multi texture hair stylist and artistic director at Paul Mitchell.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

Natalia Trejo is a writer and editor with over ten years of experience covering fashion, beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. For this piece, Natalia interviewed a celebrity hairstylist, hair care experts, and one trichologist about the benefits of using a tea tree shampoo. She personally tried various of the products and scoured reviews for each tea tree shampoo mentioned.

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