10 Best Sulfate Free Clarifying Tea Tree Oil Shampoos For Healthy Clean Scalp 2024

Check out these reviews for the best tea tree oil shampoos if you want a clean healthy scalp and something to control dandruff, itching, seborrheic dermatitis, lice and other inflammatory issues.

The many benefits of tea tree oil shampoo have made it a celebrity in the hair and skincare world. It’s used in just about every product. Why, you ask?

Tea tree oil is a wonder drug of sorts for dandruff, inflammation, itchy scalp, hair loss, and excess oiliness. Not to mention treating acne, skin infections, redness, and other skin conditions. Phew! Now that’s a lot. 

There are several ways to use tea tree oil. A lot of people just dunk a few drops of this oil into their haircare products. But there’s an easier way. Get the top tea tree oil shampoo! 

Shampoos infused with this essential oil are all the rage these days.

How I tested the top tea tree oil shampoos on my hair?

I have fine hair and often have dandruff and flaky scalp issues so it was important to me to get the best tea tree oil shampoo. So I used these top ones on my hair and reviewed them based on certain parameters I've given below. I've also rated them points on a scale of 1-5.

• Concentration of Tea Tree Oil - I was looking for a tea tree oil shampoo so the first thing I checked if this was a main ingredient in the shampoo or not.
• Clarifying Properties - I also looked at how well these tea tree oil shampoos are at cleaning dandruff flakes, buildup, etc. from scalp
• Gentleness - Of course, I checked if the shampoo contained sulfates or if it was gentle enough for everyday use.

Tea tree oil has several benefits for hair!

And the best part about them? They contain a host of other nourishing ingredients apart from tea tree oil. 

We tried a few of the top tea tree oil shampoo brands in the market. Let’s take a look at who got it right and which shampoos you can give a miss.

How to pick the best tea tree oil shampoo

Before looking at the best shampoo for any hair, let’s look at what to look for in a such a shampoo. Check it out:

Sulfate-Free

Most regular shampoos are packed with sulfates. While this is generally bad for your hair (Asian or not), sulfates become a bigger problem with color-treated hair.

The most common sulfates are Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. These are surfactants that cleanse your hair and leave them squeaky clean.

We still love Videri Peppermint Shampoo with no sulfate the best

Top Tea Tree Oil Shampoos 2024

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo

This top tea tree oil shampoo is by the hair care expert Paul Mitchell. So I had high hopes for it to be good. And it did live up to my expectations... well somewhat.

I can definitely say it's one of the best products for oily hair and dandruff because of its ingredient list.

There’s the tea tree oil, of course. But apart from it, the shampoo contains lavender and peppermint essential oil that left my scalp squeaky clean and refreshed.

And we all know how the antibacterial and antifungal tea tree oil is great at removing flakes and reducing inflammation. 

My dandruff and itching problem was gone in just a week of use.

What I also loved about the shampoo is that vegans can use it and yeah, you’re going to enjoy the tingling sensation and spa-like feel using this shampoo gives. 

But it's not all good here.

I was surprised and somewhat disappointed to see sulfates in the ingredients list here.

So no matter how much this shampoo claims to be color safe, I can tell you it's not.

Pros:

• Strong tea tree oil formula helps remove all kinds of buildup from hair
• Antifungal and antibacterial formula helps control scalp irritation
• Vegan shampoo
• Lovely peppermint scent that feels like aromatherapy

Cons:

• Comes with sulfates added so not safe for color treated hair
• Added perfume and colorants might irritate some scalp types

My Ratings:

• Concentration of Tea Tree Oil - 5/5
• Clarifying Properties - 4.5/5
• Gentleness - 3/5

Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

Most people think tea tree oil leaves your hair dry. While that’s not the case, some tea tree oil shampoos, especially the ones that target dandruff, can do their job too thoroughly.

So if you want a top tea tree oil shampoo that cleanses and moisturizes, I think you should check out this one by Maple Holistics.

Apart from the anti-inflammatory tea tree oil, this shampoo contains a blend of jojoba oil and argan oil that nourishes the scalp.

Plus, it’s completely free of sulfates and parabens, so it’s great for color-treated hair and sensitive skin too.

This Maple Holistics shampoo is an excellent choice if you want a gentle, vegan shampoo that works on issues like lice, dandruff, and mild flaking.

I used this shampoo daily for almost 3-4 weeks and my hair had never felt better.

What I loved is that this shampoo will clarify your scalp without compromising on moisture.

Oh, and I also give it bonus points for being eco-friendly as this shampoo as it contains sustainable ingredients and comes in packaging made of recycled materials.

Pros:

• Contains argan and jojoba oil that nourish dry scalp and hair
• Helps control mild dandruff and flaking within 3-4 weeks of use
• Good for color-treated hair as there are no sulfates

Cons:

• None that I could find

My Ratings:

• Concentration of Tea Tree Oil - 5/5
• Clarifying Properties - 4.5/5
• Gentleness - 4.5/5

OGX Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo

No one can beat OGX when it comes to creating amazing hair care products at convenient prices. So if you’re looking at a budget-friendly top tea tree oil shampoo, this is the one for you.

It’s also the perfect pick if your hair gets oily too quickly and too often.

I really liked that the OGX Hydrating Tea Tree Mint Shampoo contains witch hazel, a powerful astringent. It helps keep my scalp’s oil production under control. And it was effective at dandruff at flaking too but not as much as the Paul Mitchell shampoo.

I also really enjoyed the refreshing peppermint scent it leaves behind. 

Plus, it doesn’t contain harsh surfactants like SLS or SLES. So you can use it on color-treated hair.  

But what kind of disappointed me was that this shampoo can leave hair dry and frizzy if used too often. Yes, despite the lack of sulfates.

So if you've got dry scalp, I suggest trying the Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Shampoo instead as it comes with argan oil.

And whatever your hair type is, I highly recommend either using this shampoo only 2-3 times a week or using a hydrating conditioner afterwards.

When it comes to cleaning hair, this shampoo means business.

Pros:

• Very good for oily hair as it deeply cleanses scalp
• It prevents oiliness too as it contains witch hazel
• Pleasant peppermint scent

Cons:

• Will leave hair dry in the long run
• Contains added perfume and alcohol that won't suit sensitive scalp types

My Ratings:

• Concentration of Tea Tree Oil - 4/5
• Clarifying Properties - 4.5/5
• Gentleness - 3.5/5

Check out more OGX shampoos right here!

HASK Tea Tree And Rosemary Shampoo

We know how tempting it is to style and update your hair every day. And doing so requires tons of hair cream, setting sprays, and gels. But the truth is, your frequent styling can lead to a lot of product build-up on your mane.  

The Hask Tea Tree And Rosemary Shampoo is here to your rescue!

As the name suggests, this product combines tea tree oil and rosemary oil to purify your scalp of all dirt, dandruff, and build-up. 

But that’s not all it does. The shampoo helps boost blood circulation to the scalp, promoting hair growth. We also thought it reduced itching and redness to a large extent. 

If you’ve got sensitive scalps, you can use the Hask shampoo without a worry. It’s free of sulfates, parabens, and other harsh chemicals.

Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo

Okay. So the Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo is probably our favorite on this list. And there are so many reasons for this. Let’s start with the most important one - the ingredient list! 

There’s tea tree oil, obviously. But the shampoo contains a ton of other nourishing botanicals like rosemary, aloe vera, eucalyptus, thyme, and more. No sulfates or paraben in sight! 

This means the Giovanni shampoo is an excellent choice for vegans and people with color-treated hair. It’s the top tea tree oil shampoo for dandruff, scalp inflammation, and hair loss. 

Oh, and we adored the invigorating, peppermint scent. 

Yes To Tea Tree & Sage Oil Scalp Relief Shampoo

Sometimes even the top tea tree oil shampoo cannot do its job well if there’s a lot of crusting and flake-formation on the scalp. This layer of dead skin cells prevents the shampoo from even touching the scalp surface. In this case, the Yes To Tea Tree & Sage Oil Scalp Relief Shampoo comes handy. 

It’s got salicylic acid that breaks down this crusty layer and cleanses the scalp. And thanks to the sage oil, the itchiness and inflammation are reduced in only a few washes.

The ingredients are 97 percent natural and do not contain sulfates or paraben. Worried such a powerful purifying shampoo would dry your hair? It contains kukui seed oil and sweet potato extracts to keep your tresses nourished. So you can rest easy. 

Luseta Tea Tree and Argan Oil Shampoo

If your top hair concern, along with dandruff, is damaged strands, you should try the Luseta Tea Tree and Argan Oil Shampoo. It contains a nourishing blend of…you guessed it - tea tree oil and argan oil. 

Tea tree oil is excellent in removing dandruff flakes and reducing scalp inflammation, while the omega-3 rich Moroccan argan oil repair strands from root to tip.

There’s also lavender that purifies the scalp and peppermint oil that leaves a natural scent. 

This shampoo also has a color-safe formula and is free of sulfates. So you can use it on dyed hair without a second thought. 

Love Beauty & Planet Tea Tree Oil And Vetiver Shampoo

Three things impressed us about the Love Beauty & Planet Tea Tree Oil And Vetiver Shampoo. 

One was the ingredient list - there are no silicones, sulfates, phthalates, or parabens in sight. Plus, it contains nourishing coconut oil that is just the thing for dry scalp and tresses. And there’s the vetiver to add a refreshing scent. 

Two, we liked how great this shampoo is for not only your hair but also mother earth. The packaging is recycled, and the ingredients in the shampoo are cruelty-free. 

Three, you get all of this at drugstore prices. *Chef’s kiss*

Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Pure-Castile Liquid Soap

This shampoo intrigued us for two reasons. One, of course, was the tea tree oil and castile soap formulation. And two, this shampoo claims to work for everything - face, hair, laundry, vegetables, pets! 

Okay, we know what you’re thinking. This level of soap cannot be good for the hair or skin.

But castile soap is perfectly harmless. In fact, the lather in this shampoo is from plant oils and a compound called oleuropein. No sulfates here! 

We should warn you though, Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Pure-Castile Liquid Soap can strip color from hair. So give it a pass if you’ve got dyed tresses. Other than that, this shampoo is mild and gentle enough for use on your scalp. Just remember to dilute!

Chi Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

Looking for a gentle, daily-use shampoo? We suggest you try the Chi Tea Tree Oil Shampoo. It’s sulfate, paraben, and gluten-free. So you can use it every day without worrying about damaging or drying your hair. 

We felt that the shampoo is a good choice for the sensitive scalp as well. The tea tree oil is there to soothe itching and redness. But the product also contains silk extracts that condition the scalp. 

Another reason why the Chi shampoo works well for daily use is because of the chamomile extracts in the ingredients. They repair any damage, restore elasticity, and protect the hair strands against breakage. 

Using the top tea tree oil is definitely a good thing for your hair. But let us tell you, it is not a miracle product. There are so many myths that crop up around essential oils. Do they work? Do they not work? How much do they work? Let us answer a few of those questions for you.

Do tea tree oil shampoos work?

Let’s answer this question right off the bat. Yes! Absolutely! Tea tree oil is a proven cure for mild infections and inflammations on the scalp.

And if you use a shampoo with a concentrated tea tree oil formulation, it can be really beneficial on your hair. It’s not just us saying this - it’s science!

Studies have shown that users of tea tree oil shampoos have seen significant improvement in dandruff, greasiness, and other hair problems. 

What are the benefits of using tea tree oil on hair?

Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. So if you use this essential oil in diluted amounts, it helps reduce dandruff, flaking, redness, and irritation on the scalp.

This dead skin build-up can hamper hair growth. So using tea tree oil can help your hair grow faster too. 

It also maintains the moisture balance on the scalp as removing this dry, flaky layer can help natural oils nourish the scalp. Also, it keeps excess sebum from accumulating on the scalp and leading to greasiness. 

What to check before buying a top tea tree oil shampoo?

On the lookout for a top tea tree oil shampoo? Here’s what you need to consider before making your choice. First of all, check the percentage of tea tree essential oil in the product.

Anything less than 5 percent, and you can toss the shampoo into the bin. The shampoo’s only going to work if there’s enough concentration of tea tree oil in it. 

Second, look at the ingredient list more closely. What else does the shampoo contain? Remember, the other components are going in your tresses too. Do they match your hair texture? Are they good for your mane? 

If your hair's too dry, get a top tea tree oil shampoo with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, or shea butter.

Got really greasy hair? Witch hazel or rosemary might be more to your liking. 

And it’s always better to keep away from sulfates and parabens. 

When it comes to shampoo ingredients, tea tree oil is the undisputed king. A tea tree oil shampoo can solve many of your hair problems in a jiffy.

The best part? You don’t even need to use it every day. Just incorporate it into your hair wash routine once or twice a week.

And if you want the full-fledged tea tree experience, we suggest getting a matching conditioner and hair mask as well. 

Also read

Best shampoo for seborrheic dermatitis

Best shampoo for folliculitis