The Best Tea Tree Oil and Mint Shampoo

Buying Guide

The human race has come a long way when it comes to hair care. (Mostly) gone are the days when people bought shampoo filled with unpronounceable chemicals, trusting that they wouldn’t harm their locks. Experts have found that natural ingredients can be just as effective at keeping hair healthy, if not more so — and two of the most popular ingredients are tea tree oil and mint.

Mind you, just because something is naturally derived doesn’t mean it’s the best thing for you. If you have a dry or flaky scalp, though, tea tree oil might be just the thing. It’s derived from the tea trees of Australia most commonly known as melaleuca, and it’s worth noting that these trees are unrelated to the ones that produce the leaves for drinking tea. In fact, tea tree oil can be toxic of swallowed. When used topically, it has antibacterial properties that can fight acne, fungus or even certain types of parasitic insects. And while the research is spotty on the way tea tree oil interacts with the human scalp, there is evidence to suggest that those same properties can help treat dandruff and even promote hair growth.

Mint is a shampoo ingredient that’s often included with tea tree oil, for many of the same reasons. Mint leaves are packed with antioxidants like carotene, which is why you’ll see it mixed into smoothies or other health drinks. Those same antioxidants can help it fight flaking or excessive oiliness. Of course, the minty smell that it leaves behind on your hair is a big fringe benefit.

All in all, tea tree oil and mint shampoos are a good starting point if you want to clear up dandruff or kickstart hair growth — but they’re hardly the only two ingredients you need. Salicylic acid is great for clearing away buildups of yeast on your hair that can contribute to dandruff. Coal tar may sound like an unlikely hair care ingredient, but it has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the amount of flakes a dry scalp generates. use with caution, though: It can increase sunlight sensitivity on those with lighter colored hair, so it may be best to speak with a dermatologist before using. If your dandruff is especially severe, you can go with a ketoconazole shampoo. This medication is very effective at fighting yeast, and while concentrations are low in over-the-counter dandruff shampoos, you may be able to get a more concentrated formula with a prescription.

For hair growth specifically, there are many natural ingredients that can help. Almond, lemongrass, lavender and jojoba oil are all substances that feed hair the vitamins and other nutrients it needs. (And again, the scent all these ingredients provide is a bonus.)

No matter what type of hair you have, it’s important to find a pH-balanced shampoo if you can. Balancing the acidity and alkalinity of your follicles helps them retain their natural oils, which in turn keeps them from breaking or tangling. Keep your locks healthy as well as clean, and they’ll thank you.

Finding the right shampoo is important, but a lot depends on how you use it. Most people only need to use shampoo a couple of times per week, since even the best formula can strip the essential oils from your hair. When you do shampoo, make sure that you soak your locks thoroughly beforehand and work in a little bit at a time. Massage your hair for at least 30 seconds and rinse it out completely afterward. Remember that shampoo primarily helps your scalp and not the actual hair itself, so focus on your head and not so much the strands.