Dealing with dandruff? These 13+ shampoos can help
Dermatologists recommend looking for a few key ingredients to calm your scalp and keep your hair flake free.
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
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$15.88
If you’re looking to combat dandruff and its associated effects like itchiness and flakiness, dermatologists recommend considering the following factors:
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Keep in mind, if an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo is not showing any improvement, you should consult your dermatologist for a prescription option.
If you’re looking for a shampoo that can relieve the flaking and itching associated with dandruff and is suitable for all hair types and textures, consider this one, which comes recommended by board-certified dermatologists Dr. Isabela Jones and Dr. Julie Jackson. This is the only over-the-counter option that has ketoconazole in it, which dermatologists say is the best anti-yeast medication, says Jones. (Yeast, specifically Malassezia yeast, is linked to dandruff, so controlling this is important to prevent and target this skin and hair care issue, according to our experts.)
If you have a sensitive scalp, considerthis mild option from Vanicream. It targets itchiness, redness and flaking, and it hydrates the scalp with ingredients like panthenol and glycerin, according to the brand. This shampoo, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 2,400 reviews on Amazon, is also free of common irritants, including dyes, parabens and sulfates.
This shampoo not only helps tame psoriasis, but it also helps combat dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (a condition that can create itchy, flaking scales and rashes that develop on the scalp and other areas of the face, according to the American Academy of Dermatology). The neutral-smelling shampoo has a high percentage of salicylic acid (3%), which is great for removing dandruff flakes and oils that cause the yeast to grow, says Jones.
After a recent brush with mild dandruff, this option cleared it away fast after just a few uses. Plus, it didn’t leave my hair feeling like dry hay. Although Cerave has a dandruff shampoo and conditioner, I love the convenience of this 2-in-1 version. It’s the best and most gentle dandruff product I have tried, and I cannot recommend it enough.
NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez also recommends this shampoo because it has a pleasant smell and is easy to lather. “It really made a difference in reducing dandruff and overall dryness,” he says.
With a 4.6-star average rating from over 1,300 reviews on Amazon, this dandruff shampoo is formulated specifically for wavy, curly and coily 4C hair. Not only does it help combat dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, but it’s also safe for those with dry and sensitive scalps, according to the brand. Reviewers say their scalp felt a sense of relief without any irritation and suggest using an additional moisturizing agent (like a conditioner or hair mask) if you worry about it drying out your hair.
This color-safe shampoo helps with mild to moderate dandruff, dry scalp and itchiness, according to the brand. It also has ingredients like coconut oil to soften and hydrate hair, squalane to prevent hair breakage and sugar kelp extract for its hydrating and anti-bacterial properties, according to Jupiter. The shampoo has a 4.3-star average rating from over 2,100 reviews on Amazon.
This shampoo is an expert-recommended option because it lathers well, smells good and has zinc, a gentle ingredient that helps control the yeast that can contribute to dandruff, according to Jones. It will clean your hair and combat dryness, relieve irritation and itchiness, reduce visible flakes and redness, and control oil levels, according to the brand.
Selsun Blue’s shampoo has selenium sulfide and menthol, the latter of which is a cooling ingredient that helps relieve mild itching, says Jones. The shampoo will also help combat and prevent flaking when used regularly (at least twice a week for approximately two minutes, according to the brand).
This scalp shampoo’s gentle formula helps reduce itchiness and flaking and treats severe scalp conditions, including dandruff, dermatitis and psoriasis. Reviewers say it helps maintain their scalp health and prevent future symptoms and buildup (including dead skin cells), but most importantly, it helps provide relief quickly. The shampoo, which has the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Seal of Recognition, also helps reduce inflammation and thick plaque buildup, according to the brand. It has a 4.5-star average rating from over 11,700 reviews on Amazon.
I use this option as a weekly preventative treatment during winter because it soothes my scalp and prevents noticeable white flakes on my dark brown hair. It also boosts overall hair health by adding shine, reducing breakage, improving smoothness and preventing dryness, according to the brand.
This sulfate-free dandruff treatment reduces the appearance of flaking and redness while also soothing the scalp and relieving irritation and itchiness, according to the brand. The shampoo, which is suitable for all hair types and textures, uses ingredients like salicylic acid and propanediol caprylate to reduce the amount of bacteria that causes dandruff, according to Ouai. Reviewers say that after using this scalp shampoo twice a week, their hair and scalp feel as though it had a deep clean and that it’s effective at combatting dandruff and its accompanying symptoms. It has a 4.3-star average rating from over 600 reviews at Amazon.
For those looking to combat dandruff and dry hair, consider this option from Dove, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 6,400 reviews on Amazon. The shampoo gently cleanses the scalp while preventing and controlling dandruff flakes, itchiness and irritation, according to the brand. Reviewers say it calms their symptoms but doesn’t make their hair feel as dry as other alternatives.
If you’re looking for an extra exfoliating option, Briogeo’s scrub shampoo soothes dry, flaky scalps. The brand recommends massaging the exfoliant into your scalp a few times a week in place of your regular shampoo. It has charcoal, coconut oil and tea tree oil, which helps detox and moisturize your scalp, according to the brand. The scrub has a 4.5-star average rating from over 3,000 reviews on Amazon.
Shampoo bars can be a great alternative to liquid bottled shampoos because they can save space and reduce plastic. This one's main active ingredient is zinc pyrithione, which helps treat both dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, according to the brand. The bar has a 4.4-star average rating from over 1,400 reviews on Amazon.
Dandruff, which falls under the skin condition seborrheic dermatitis, is flaking of the scalp skin. It can fall on a spectrum of mild and severe cases, according to the AAD. Dandruff causes white to yellow flaking or scales on the scalp. You’ll sometimes notice it more prominently along the hairline or behind the ears. Most people have no symptoms, but occasionally, there is mild itching. In the more severe cases of seborrheic dermatitis, you might even notice redness on the scalp, larger scaly plaques and more severe itching, says Jones.
As with many conditions, dandruff may be multifactorial, meaning multiple causes are at play, says Jones. Here are a few factors dermatologists say can cause dandruff:
When shopping for a shampoo to combat dandruff, experts recommend keeping ingredients and hair type in mind.
Look for active ingredients that help to combat yeast and are anti-inflammatory, such as pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, ketoconazole or ciclopirox, says Jackson.
There are also a few ingredients you’ll want to avoid, if possible. For example, many dandruff shampoos contain tea tree oil, which, in general, is great for combating seborrheic dermatitis. However, it is a common allergen, so if your scalp tends to be more sensitive, this ingredient might make your dandruff worse, says Jackson. Also, since the yeast that causes dandruff likes to grow in oil, experts I spoke to advise against shampoos that have oils as the primary ingredient.
If you want to go the extra mile, consider shampoos for your specific hair type and texture, according to our experts. For example, if you have color-treated hair, shop for a color-safe option to remove dandruff while preserving your color. Also, depending on your hair type, make sure you are picking an appropriate conditioner for your strands to make sure you are counteracting any drying effects of your shampoo, according to Jones. “It’s a bit of a battle — we want to degrease the scalp but moisturize your hair,” says Jones. “As most know, we don’t want conditioner on your scalp, which will add oils that can worsen dandruff.”
Dandruff can affect people regardless of their skin type, hair type and hair texture, according to our experts. Those with oily skin also tend to have an oily scalp, making them more likely to develop dandruff and acne around the hairline because the Malassezia yeast can contribute to both issues, says Jones.
Seborrheic dermatitis may be a lifelong condition for some, according to Jackson. However, there are certain periods where the condition may worsen. “I will see flares in a hot, humid environment, and I have even seen flares in susceptible individuals who have taken up activities such as hot yoga,” says Jackson. “However, other individuals will flare in the less sunny months.”
How often you use a dandruff shampoo will depend on the severity of your condition. If you suffer from a mild form of dandruff, consider incorporating this type of shampoo once or twice a week. In more severe cases, you might rotate two to three different anti-dandruff shampoos, but overuse may also lead to your hair strands drying out, says Jones.
There isn’t a specific amount you need to apply — just make sure you use enough to cover the entire scalp, which will vary from person to person, says Jones. But be sure to use the balls of your fingers or a gentle scalp massager to work the shampoo into your scalp and let it sit for two to five minutes before rinsing, says Jones.
“You should see improvement after a week, and if you don’t, then you may need to see a dermatologist for prescription treatment,” says Jones.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bianca Alvarez is a former NBC Select associate reporter who covered new product launches as well as skin care and hair care, including roundups of the best leave-in conditioners and heat protectants. For this story, she interviewed experts and researched highly rated dandruff shampoos that align with expert guidance.
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