Winter scalp. You know what I’m talking about? I know I’m not alone. When the air gets cold and dry, my skin takes a beating, and that includes my scalp. Maybe those damp Oregon winters in college ruined me for life, but for whatever reason, since my early 20s, I have frequently experienced scalp itch and flaking during the winter.
So glamorous, I know.
Fortunately, tea tree oil, which has become one of my favorite ingredients for gentle skin care, is also really helpful in keeping my scalp healthy and happy. In addition to its healing benefits, tea tree oil has a tingling sensation when it’s applied, which feels just dreamy on skin that is itchy and inflamed.
Maple Holistics reached out a few months ago and offered to send me a bottle of their Tea Tree Oil Shampoo. I wasn’t familiar with the brand previously, and I didn’t think I was necessarily in the market for a new shampoo, but with winter just around the corner, I was definitely open to trying a product that incorporates my go-to skin care agent.
I’ve been using Maple’s tea tree shampoo for close to two months now, and I am happy to report that it’s a keeper. The tea tree oil gives it just the right amount of tingle (it also contains rosemary and lavender oils, so the scent is nice and fresh without being medicinal), and my scalp has stayed comfortably itch-free as fall has started to turn to winter. This is my first full year in the Midwest, and while I’ve noticed some dry patches, including a couple of very small patches of severely dry, cracked skin, my scalp has been problem-free.
As a bonus, I’ve found that I don’t have to use a ton of product to get my hair very clean, and unlike some other shampoos, the Maple Holistics shampoo rinses out of my thick hair really easily and thoroughly with no residue left behind. It’s sulfate-free, so it should be safe for chemically-treated hair, and I don’t notice that the absence of that traditional lathering agent leaves anything to be desired.
Maple’s Tea Tree Oil Shampoo is $8.95 for an 8 oz. bottle if you buy from the manufacturer (you can also set them up in Subscribe & Save on Amazon). The bottle I have now was sent to me for free, but I’ll probably buy it again, since I’ve been very happy with the shampoo. If you want to try before you buy, Maple Holistics has a free sample program on its website (if you’re not into tea tree oil or aren’t in the market for a new shampoo, there are other products to try, like beard oil, toner, conditioner, even cleaning products).
