Tea tree shampoo has long been thought to suit those specifically struggling with dandruff, but this versatile essential oil from the land down under actually offers a full array of benefits. What’s more, the miracle liquid delivers its bounty in a fashion far more sustainable and healthy than the multi-hyphenated chemical compounds that formerly dominated the cosmetic industry. Recent interest in essential oils comes in tandem with a greater movement towards sustainable, organic, earth-based products grounded in holistic healing. Human beings are becoming more attuned to our inextricable relationship with the earth, and shoppers can now detect that change in the choices at their disposal. No sally beauty or generic value products here—we’ve skipped the options you’ll find over and over again on the internet to deliver the best tea tree oil-infused hair products for men you might not have ever heard of yet.
Of all the essential oils on the market, tea tree oil ranks perhaps the most ubiquitous, and for good reason
A Brief History of Tea Tree Oil
Before we begin, let’s get some facts straight. Of all the essential oils on the market, tea tree oil ranks perhaps the most ubiquitous, and for good reason—its antibacterial properties bring a vast array of pragmatic applications. While tea tree oil rings a household name, there’s an interesting backstory to it that begins with indigenous knowledge acquired by the Aboriginal people of Australia.
Top tea tree industry representative ATTIA Ltd explains that “The indigenous Bundjalung people of eastern Australia are believed to have used tea trees as a traditional medicine for many years.” Sometimes they’d inhale its aroma to treat coughs and colds, but more often they’d pack it in poultices to help heal wounds. “One of the areas where tea trees are grown in abundance today is called Bungawalbyn which translates to ‘healing ground,’” the site continues.
On his expedition to the area, British colonizer Captain James Cook (see #8) gave the plant that yields this miraculous oil the household name it commands today, based on his observation of the indigenous people drinking it as a healing, brewed tea. Army personnel relied on tea tree oil during WWII to stave off fungal infections, propelling its proliferation. While production slowed in the decades that followed due to the advent of new antibiotics, renewed interest in natural remedies has allowed this amazing gift of nature to thrive once more.
Benefits of Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
Treats Medical Conditions
In keeping with the properties that first allowed tea tree oil to gain prominence, perhaps the essential oil’s greatest capacity lies in its ability to stave off all kinds of infection, including Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, eczema, and dandruff! Its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties reduce the greasiness and itchiness associated with these conditions. What’s more, this incredible natural remedy also possesses insecticidal properties that means it can help cure and prevent head lice.
Relieves Itchy Scalp
Even if you’re not fighting a sensation that can be named, all the aforementioned properties of tea tree oil shampoo mean it can even help stop minor discomfort. Excess buildup can naturally occur on the scalp due to heavy hair products or natural residue from everyday life. Tea tree oil offers clarifying properties that cleanse this buildup away. Just make sure to rinse with warm water rather than hot water—the latter will dry out your scalp and force it to overcompensate with more oils, thus perpetuating the problem.
Promotes Thicker Hair
While the jury’s still out on the hard data to support this, countless sources across the internet claim that tea tree oil promotes thicker hair by increasing blood flow circulation around the scalp and unclogging hair follicles to increase hair growth and stymie hair loss. While the tea tree oil shampoo has proven an effective solution to combat dandruff, which can predate hair loss, online cosmetic conglomerate Byrdie notes that “While there are reports that tea tree oil can help regulate overactive sebaceous glands, there is no definitive data that shows tea tree oil can actually penetrate into the follicle and dissolve the debris inside.” It comes down to how much you trust empirical evidence.
Invigorating Scent
One fact that needs no study for confirmation? Tea tree oil simply smells good. For those who love a bracing, clarifying scent, tea tree oil strikes off the beaten path to provide a more individual olfactory effect than most products throughout the men’s hair care aisle. From an aromatherapy perspective, its distinct scent serves to relieve anxiety and wipe away insomnia. Sweet, clean dreams!
Natural Ingredient
Most of all, as mentioned before, one of the best benefits to harnessing tea tree oil’s amazing powers stem from the fact this remedy comes from the earth, bringing you into closer commune with humanity’s roots while avoiding chemical compounds that harm the planet. Try to source it as ethically as you can, wherever possible.
Best Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
Tea Tree Shampoo by Beardbrand
This beard-care brand with a cult following has expanded their expertise to include hair on other parts of your head. Their shampoo eschews the synthetic sulfates, silicones, and parabens found throughout bargain brand grooming products for holistic staples like Cedarwood, Clove, and Palo Santo. Available in six trendy and sleek scents, their tea tree oil shampoo recipe includes notes of Tea Tree, Peppermint, Vanilla, and Balsam for a crisp and cool herbal shower experience.
Tea Tree Shampoo by Baebody
Unsatisfied to simply revel in the clarifying nature of tea tree oil, this incredible formula from simplified self-care destination Baebody adds nourishing ingredients like argan oil, avocado oil, and keratin to craft a thickening shampoo with a notably strong tea tree oil smell for the scent’s diehard fans. While this formula won’t work as well for those looking to cure a difficult case of dandruff, it’s a great fit for everyone hoping to incorporate the essential oil to cultivate a more lush mane.
Monsoon Mist Tea Tree Shampoo by Billy Jealousy
Since 2004, Billy Jealousy has created award-winning men’s grooming solutions with serious attitude. The Monsoon Mist might take its name from the power tea tree oil’s scent instills in its users, or maybe from the sheer flurry of benefits this multifaceted shampoo packs. Not only does the company include clarifying tea tree oil, but they pair it with rosemary extract for a one-two punch meant to jumpstart scalp circulation. Meanwhile, jojoba seed oil moisturizes ends to ensure your new strands stay strong.
News Anchor 2-in-1 Hair Wash by Duke Cannon
Looking to channel your inner Ron Burgundy? Go straight suave on your adoring fans with this 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner infused with tea tree oil by Duke Cannon Supply Co. This formula features protein for strength, a thickening shampoo paired with tea tree oil and menthol for an utterly invigorating aroma. What’s more, this brand donates a portion of its proceeds to benefit US Veterans, a feel-good perk to make your day that much more bracing.
Daily Strengthening Shampoo for Men by Brickell Men’s Products
Made-in-the-USA brand Brickell Men’s Products offers some of the most ethical grooming options available on the market—with natural ingredients, no animal testing, and a totally fair 30-day money-back guarantee. Their organic daily strengthening shampoo infused with tea tree oil speaks to this hard-driving ethos, with wheat protein to enrich your locks while Amino Acids and Vitamin E fortify your hair. Peppermint and tea tree oils work on the scalp while creating a riveting scent that sneaks all the way down to your nose.
Tingle Shampoo by Tame the Beast
Also American-made Beast Brand strives to make men’s grooming products in homage to that sacred temple: the shower. Their Tingle Shampoo lives up to its name, delivering a scintillating physical sensation thanks to its jam-packed lineup of essential oils and other homeopathic offerings. While some ingredients pop up time and again across tea tree oil shampoos, there’s some really unexpected additions in this particular formula, including caffeine, ginseng, and moringa. Get your Beast routine going with a kick, and try this tingling shampoo today!
Head and Shoulders with Tea Tree Oil
Everyone knows Head and Shoulders offers supreme solutions for those specifically struggling against dandruff. Adding tea tree oil to this iconic product makes sense like putting salt on a pretzel or adding whiskey on the rocks. We’re letting the scalp care monolith slide to present one generic value product that actually deserves its spot amongst the competition, an accessible tea tree shampoo available in nearly every neighborhood pharmacy.
Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Tea Tree Pure Castile Liquid Soap
Going back to the basics? I personally could extoll ad nauseum the endless benefits of Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile soap. Really, I use it for everything from dishes to floor wash to face wash, shower gel, and shampoo. This company creates simple solutions from minimal ingredients of the highest quality. Borne of old world recipes, they seem to carry some spiritual quality with subtleties based on each scent. The tea tree scent correlates with road opener spells, which release blockages holding you back from success. Take or leave the magic, this product is great regardless.
True Volume Thickening Shampoo by Jack Black
Okay, forget about function for a second. Let’s talk about form. The silhouette and labeling of this shampoo bottle is so sexy it looks like you should take a swig of fine spirits from its spout. This rich thickening shampoo offers the shower-equivalent of vintage scotch, with sophisticated additions like Basil and White Lupine. Sage leaf, lavender, and tea tree oil clarify, clearing the way for the more nourishing elements of its formula. These natural remedies might come from the earth, but when paired appropriately and packaged with tact, they’re human pleasures that belong in even the most highly evolved societies.
