Skincare and makeup enthusiasts are no strangers to tea tree oil. This unique essential oil makes a regular appearance on the ingredients list of your favorite skincare and makeup products but did you know that it can also be found in hair care formulas? With its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, it’s no wonder that tea tree shampoo is also a thing today.
Tea tree oil is known for being an anti-acne ingredient. When it comes to your scalp, using a tea tree shampoo offers the same benefits and more. Regular use of tea tree shampoo and conditioner can help you deal with scalp issues like flakes, itching, dryness and dandruff. Another plus is tea tree oil refreshes your scalp, which is a major win for anyone who wants a fresh feeling 24/7.
So if you want a good shampoo after a regular day or an active workout, tea tree shampoo is at your service.
The Science Behind Tea Tree Oil
As mentioned above (as its name suggests), tea tree shampoo is made with essential tea tree oils, which are derived from the Melalueca alternifolia tree in Australia. Years before, the plant was used as an antiseptic for wounds and a medicinal inhalant. People would crush the leaves to treat sore throats, colds and other ailments. During the 1920s, researchers discovered the benefit of the tea tree’s oils, which led to the use of tea tree oil in the cosmetics industry.
Today, tea tree oil is available as a 100 percent “neat” or undiluted oil. The diluted forms of tea tree oil are also for sale in the market. Diluted tea tree oil ranges from five to 50 percent strength in skincare products. Both diluted and undiluted tea tree oil contains 98 compounds, which include terpinen-4-ol, which is famous for its ability to kill certain fungi, viruses and bacteria.
Tea tree oil’s germ-fighting properties make this oil a valuable natural remedy for treating fungal and bacterial skin conditions. In terms of hair care, it can help you with your dandruff problem, stimulate your hair and keep you feeling refreshed.
What Does Tea Tree Shampoo Do For Your Hair?
Regular use of tea tree shampoo and conditioner benefits hair and scalp health in the following ways:
Treats Dry Scalp
Tea tree oil can treat seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition that inflicts the scalp with scaly patches. Research also proves that regular use of tea tree hair products improves greasiness and itchiness. Tea tree oil is also rich in anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which soothe wounds and skin irritations.
Finally, the essential oil doubles as a natural conditioner for the scalp, moisturizing the skin while eliminating the flakes.
Treats Dandruff
When your scalp is too itchy and dead skin falls to your shoulder whenever you scratch, you have a serious dandruff problem. Dandruff occurs when your scalp becomes so dry, it develops white and dry flakes of dead skin, accompanied by persistent itchiness.
Contrary to popular belief, dry hair and scalp aren’t the only culprits behind dandruff. You can also develop dandruff if you have an oily and irritated scalp. Other causes of dandruff include poor hygiene and other skin conditions (e.g. contact dermatitis). Malassezia, a common fungus, can also cause an infection that leads to dandruff.
Tea tree oil’s anti-fungal properties treat dandruff. Your tea tree shampoo is also a potent cleanser, which you can regularly use to remove dirt, grime and dead skin cells. By keeping your scalp clean, you keep your hair follicles free of dandruff and build-up.
Tea tree shampoo can also control the excess oil production, keeping your scalp clean, free of dandruff and healthy.
Prevents Hair Loss
Dandruff is a common culprit behind most cases of hair loss since hair that grows on dandruff-infested scalp struggles from protein and cuticle damage. Constant scratching of the scalp (due to the dandruff-related itchiness) also leads to breakage and hair loss.
Since tea tree shampoos and conditioners are effective in treating dandruff and soothing the scalp, they can also prevent excessive hair fall.
Boosts Hair Growth
Tea tree oil can also help your hair grow faster. This essential oil nourishes the scalp, hair roots and hair follicles, producing thick and strong hair. Apart from reducing flaking and dandruff, soothing an itchy scalp and controlling your scalp’s oil production, tea tree oil improves the blood flow of your scalp and enriches the hair with nutrients.
Treats Head Lice
If you’re struggling with head lice, a good tea tree shampoo can solve your problems. A 30-minute tea tree oil treatment can reduce (if not remove all) lice.
Is Tea Tree Oil Bad for Your Hair?
Tea tree shampoo and conditioner are safe for use topically but can be toxic when ingested. Also, if you’re new to using tea tree oil, test it out on a small patch of skin before using it. Some people have high sensitivity to essential oils and may experience irritation when they use tea tree oils. If you’re unsure of the effect of tea tree on your scalp, consult with your dermatologist first.
Which Tea Tree Shampoo is the Best?
No matter whether you use shampoo every day or prefer to work it into your shower routine, tea tree shampoos can do wonders for your hair and scalp. Here are some of our favorites.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
The Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo is a godsend to people who want to incorporate tea tree oil in their hair care routine. This product is the hair care giant’s bestselling shampoo and for a dozen of good reasons.
The Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo complements tea tree oils purifying powers with peppermint and lavender oils’ refreshing properties. Its clean and spa-like scent is the cherry on top.
This tea tree shampoo is perfect for a perfectly clean and healthy scalp that feels refreshed all day. On the other hand, the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Conditioner is a nice and light concoction that moisturizes and detangles your hair without weighing it down.
OGX Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo
If you’re dealing with a greasy and oily scalp, try out OGX’s Hydrating and Tea Tree Mint Shampoo. Apart from its standard tea tree oil ingredient, this shampoo also contains witch hazel, a popular astringent that absorbs excess oil. It is also infused with peppermint oil, which gives your scalp a refreshing feeling.
Washing your hair every day with OGX Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo rewards you with a healthier and shinier crowning glory. As an added perk, OGX products do not test on animals. Their products come in eco-friendly and sustainable bottles, too! Consider it the vegan option for your hair.
Avalon Organics Scalp Treatment Tea Tree Shampoo
If you’re looking for a more natural option, Avalon Organics Scalp Treatment Tea Tree Shampoo is for you. This organic formula is NSF-certified and EWF-certified, which are difficult accreditations to come by. It gives you a squeaky clean with tea tree oil, vitamin E and aloe vera. The hair care trio soothes irritated scalps while the quinoa protein strengthens your hair strands.
Hair Food Purifying Shampoo
This tea tree shampoo is perfect for people with curly hair. If you want a deep and gentle cleanse that doesn’t weigh your curls, go for Hair Food Purifying Shampoo. This tea tree shampoo is infused with tea tree oil and lavender oil to remove the grime off your scalp and promote hair growth.
Also, this shampoo does not include mineral oils, parabens, dyes and sulfates. Despite the lack of sulfates, this shampoo delivers a rich lather. Your curly hair will love you for it.
Hask Tea Tree Oil and Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner Set
For people who regularly dye their hair, the HASK Tea Tree Oil and Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner save your hair color while cleansing it. This tea tree shampoo and conditioner set is free of drying alcohol, gluten, parabens, and sulfates so it won’t strip your hair of dye.
Tea tree oil is a lifesaver for people struggling with a myriad of hair problems. So, if you want to enjoy healthier hair minus dandruff, itchiness and oiliness, make the switch to a tea tree shampoo and conditioner today.
