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The 5 Best Tea Tree Oil Shampoos of 2025, Expert-Backed
Tea tree oil is one of those unique essential oils that pulls double duty, equally beneficial in both skincare and haircare formulas—thanks to its proven antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Commonly lauded as a top acne-fighting ingredient, tea tree oil is an effective natural alternative to options such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
When it comes to your scalp, tea tree oil is said to be particularly beneficial for those dealing with dryness, itching, flakes, and even full-on dandruff. Not to mention that the essential oil innately feels refreshing, a major win for anyone who craves that ultra-clean, totally refreshed sensation. The easiest way to reap these benefits? With a tea tree oil shampoo, of course.
To find the very best tea tree oil shampoos, we conducted hours of research, evaluating each on active ingredients and thousands of customer reviews. We also looked for any additional key features, such as whether they were sulfate-free or contained fragrance. With expert recommendations from Chicago-based celebrity hairstylist Alex Brown and after considering dozens of formulas, we landed on these top-rated tea tree oil shampoos, earning them a spot as the best tea tree oil products for your hair.
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What We Like
Balances oily hair
Adds shine
Reduces itch
Recycled packaging
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Tea tree | Size: 10.1, 16.9, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Voilà, haircare icon John Paul Mitchell’s best-selling tea tree oil shampoo for dandruff relief. The potent tea tree oil works to deeply purify your scalp and hair, and is perfectly paired with peppermint oil and lavender oil to make it feel extra refreshing and even a little tingly (in a good way), making it a nice scalp pick-me-up on sleepy mornings. All those essential oils for hair also give this a signature, clean, and spa-like scent.
Our top pick is excellent for getting rid of dandruff and providing itchy scalp relief, making it an outstanding choice if you’re dealing with a persistently itchy or flaky scalp. Along with being incredibly effective at cleansing oily scalps and purifying, we also love that this volumizing shampoo revives lifeless hair, leaving strands that look truly voluminous and vibrant. It should come as no surprise that this top-rated tea tree shampoo also tops our list of the best shampoos for men, specifically for scalp health.
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What We Like
Reduces itch
Rebalances scalp pH
Adds shine
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Tea tree | Size: 12.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Tea tree oil and peppermint oil deliver tons of soothing scalp benefits, but this shampoo formula also claims to be specially made to help rebalance the pH of your scalp and help alleviate itching in the process. It also touts yucca extract, which has some nice effects on the hair, namely, leaving it smoother and shinier for healthy-looking strands.
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Hair Type: Dry | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Tea tree | Size: 11, 32 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
“I love that this organic shampoo supports scalp health with both tea tree oil and vitamin E and contains quinoa protein for optimal hair hydration and strength,” says Brown. “It cleanses effectively and gently, and it’s also a good option if you’re sensitive to fragrance, making it an excellent fragrance-free shampoo.” Not to mention that it’s squeaky clean, with a truly organic formula that’s even EWG-verified and NSF-certified (two accreditations for clean beauty products that aren’t easy to come by).
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What We Like
Sulfate-free
Reduces itch
Lathers well
Hydrating
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Tea tree, argan oil | Size: 16.9, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you have a sensitive scalp that’s easily irritated or have dry or damaged hair, seeking out a sulfate-free shampoo is always a good move. This gentle formula meets the bill and is also paraben-free (fyi, parabens can sometimes cause irritation, dryness, and hair loss). Tea tree oil provides a nice, deep-cleansing and purifying experience, while argan oil works to soften, smooth, and add plenty of shine to your hair. It’s an Amazon fan-favorite tea tree oil shampoo, with reviewers noting how well this hair and scalp treatment works on both their hair and scalp, resulting in a truly balanced feel.
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Hair Type: Curly, wavy | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Since some tea tree oil shampoos can be stripping, those with natural hair types might think they should avoid them. But this sulfate-free formula is a great choice because it effectively cleanses and removes product buildup without drying out the scalp. Reviewers appreciate that their scalp feels clean and refreshed, and that their hair is easier to detangle and style after use.
What to Look for in a Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
- Tea Tree Oil: It sounds silly, but do a quick check to make sure tea tree oil is high up on the ingredient list of your chosen shampoo to ensure there’s actually enough of it in the formula to make a difference. The lower it is in the ingredient list, the less effective it may be. Since you’re most likely using a tea tree oil shampoo for a specific hair concern (i.e., dandruff, itchy scalp, excess oil production, or overall scalp health), you want to ensure that the ingredient is prevalent in the overall formula to maximize its renowned antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Sulfate-Free Formulas for Gentle Care: According to Brown, a sulfate-free tea tree oil shampoo is critical if you have a super dry, sensitive scalp. If you’re using a tea tree oil shampoo, you likely have some concern with your scalp (such as flakiness and irritation), and sulfates could exacerbate that. Sulfate-free formulas are usually more gentle on the hair and can cleanse without irritating your scalp.
- Complementary Ingredients: Tea tree oil isn’t the only ingredient that matters when picking the right shampoo—if you have irritation, peppermint oil can be cooling and refreshing. Salicylic acid is great for exfoliating dandruff, while aloe vera or glycerin can be calming and hydrating. If you need further guidance, consult your doctor or hair stylist to determine which ingredients are best suited for you.
Meet Our Expert
To learn more about tea tree oil shampoos, Byrdie consulted the following expert:
- Alex Brown is a Chicago-based celebrity hairstylist.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud is an editorial writer covering beauty and lifestyle product recommendations. She has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the most prominent magazines and websites.
