In addition, to the tea tree, this shampoo contains a number of “interesting” noteworthy ingredients. Melanie Palm, MD, MBA, a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained dermatologic cosmetic surgeon Now, this shampoo isn’t one big bag of bad chemicals. There are some really promising ingredients in there.

Sarah Bradley has been writing health content for over five years, and has covered everything from product roundups to nutrition explainers. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions such as hair loss and dandruff.

Uses: An invigorating shampoo that helps with oil and scalp health. Depending on your hair type, it can work for regular use or as a periodic clarifying shampoo. To find the best shampoos for thinning hair, we asked dermatologists what to look for and avoid when choosing a product that can improve the condition of existing hair and prevent future thinning and loss. Those we spoke with included: When it comes to your scalp, it’s delivering those same benefits, just for the skin on your head. It is said to be particularly beneficial for those dealing with scalp issues such as 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.

For example, there are some great moisturizers, including Panthenol, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, and Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Leaf Extract, even though Jojoba oil may contribute to a dandruff problem. Washing your hair can be a mundane beauty chore—or it can be an enjoyable ritual. It all depends on how you look at it and the products you’re using. Personally, I love the sensory benefits that come with a fresh-scented shampoo. Who doesn’t want to turn their shower into a mini day spa?

Cruelty-free

My hair is short, fine, and prone to greasiness around the roots. It’s also very soft because I don’t color it. I’m always on the hunt for shampoos that will remove buildup and create volume without stripping or damaging my hair. Wow, where to even start. While there is a handful of nice ingredients that could benefit the scalp and hair, there are far too many irritants, allergens, and toxicants. And strong ones at that. Paul Mitchell may claim to use only the highest quality ingredients that are good for us and the planet, but we’re sad to conclude that as false. With such a mixed formula, there’s just no way that this is good for the majority of users, or the earth for that matter. We recommend thinking more about your scalp and less about your hair when deciding how often to wash. Dr. Palm says the goal is to prevent flaking, itchiness, and redness on the scalp, and that many people do this by shampooing every one to three days. Unfortunately, there’s no prescription for how often you should wash your hair—everyone is different so it really comes down to individual preference and needs. It may take a little trial and error to find the shampooing timeline that strikes the right balance. Tea tree oil is a naturally occurring essential oil with antifungal properties known to combat the yeast associated with Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Algae extract may seem natural, but the generic labeling means that it can come from any source of algae, either safe and soothing or poisonous. So it’s not necessarily a positive ingredient since we don’t know the source. Conclusion: Look Elsewhere! While there is no conclusive scientific evidence to show that sulfates, phthalates, and formaldehyde can cause thinning hair or hair loss,” Dr. Palm says, “I would recommend avoiding these ingredients in your shampoo or hair care products since they’re known to cause skin irritation and can strip natural oils from your hair.” Aloe Barbadensis (aloe vera) Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis (chamomile) Flower Extract, and Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract are all soothing for the skin. And Hedychium Coronarium (White Ginger) Extract is anti-inflammatory. Keratin is a skin cell-based protein that’s commonly included in many shampoos to help with hair thinning and hair loss. When used supplementally, keratin can strengthen the hair shaft and make it less prone to breakage, which means your hair may grow longer and stronger.

The brands now vast range of products covers everything from their original products, made with Hawaiian awapuhi which helps to balance moisture of hair to kid friendly formulas. An amazing top tip from the Paul Mitchell team is that their shampoos and conditioners also double to be used on skin to cleanse and moisturise.

The shampoo works in three ways: by decreasing hair follicle shrinkage, reducing hair shaft breakage, and extending your hair’s natural growth and rest cycles, so hair grows faster. We love that it’s gentle enough to be used every day to keep your scalp clean, but works effectively enough to give you both short- and long-term results. The Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo is a product that fits the above bill perfectly. Enriched with tea tree, peppermint, and lavender essential oils, this product is not only great for hair health, but it has a certain zingy quality that’s hard to resist. The tea tree and menthol in the shampoo definitely come out when washing and simply sniffing the bottle. They provided an invigorating experience, both for my skin and my nose and left a slightly cooling sensation. Everyone is different, so the frequency of your hair washing should come down to personal preference and needs. However, less is not always more when it comes to washing thinning hair. “Many people believe washing your hair less frequently can curb hair loss, but this is simply not true,” Dr. Palm says. “In fact, shampooing is critical to follicle and scalp health. A dirty scalp is prone to inflammation, redness, scaling, and other problems that could exacerbate hair loss.”Limonene, Linalool, and Citronellol are also fragrances with strong evidence for being irritants, allergens, and toxins. They are restricted for use in cosmetics in several countries. Every time you use shampoo, natural oils are removed or stripped from your hair along with excess oil, sebum, or product buildup,” Dr. Ilyas says. “These natural oils serve to protect and hydrate your hair, [but] in excess, they can weigh the hair down and make it lose fullness or body.” What sets this shampoo apart from others is the inclusion of tea tree, peppermint, and lavender essential oils. This blend brings the benefits of the oils together to improve hair and scalp health while providing a lovely sensory experience. The brand is so animal friendly that they also produced their animal care range in 2006. John Paul Pet has a wide range of animal care products from shampoos, detangling spray to Ear and Eye wipes. All formulated with cruelty-free and safe for animal ingredients.