Itchy, flaky dandruff is a super common (but annoying) skin condition and hair care conundrum. The good news: Once you find the best dandruff shampoo for your cranky scalp, it’s actually pretty easy to get some relief. “Using a dandruff shampoo on a regular basis, even just once a week, may help prevent the recurrence of [your] symptoms,” Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, tells SELF.
Estimates vary, but dandruff can affect up to 50% of the population, so naturally there are tons of products that claim they’ll be able to make your flakes disappear—and it can be hard to know which ones will get the job done. This is one of those shopping trips where you’ll need to read the label carefully, because it’s all a matter of the shampoo’s active ingredients. We spoke to dermatologists to find out what you should look for in a dandruff shampoo that really works, plus the best formulas to try.
In this article
- What causes dandruff?
- What to look for in an effective dandruff shampoo
- What can you do to prevent dandruff?
- Shop zinc pyrithione shampoos
- Shop selenium sulfide shampoos
- Shop coal tar shampoo
- Shop ketoconazole shampoo
- Shop salicylic acid shampoos
- Shop tea tree oil shampoos
What causes dandruff?
Dandruff happens when your scalp starts shedding dead skin cells too quickly—this often looks like white flakes and itchiness on your scalp. It most commonly crops up when there’s an overgrowth of Malassezia, a naturally occurring yeast, Elizabeth Houshmand, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas, tells SELF.
SELF has previously reported that, in more severe cases, that overgrowth can trigger an inflammatory condition known as seborrheic dermatitis (a.k.a. scalp eczema), which can appear on your scalp, upper body, eyebrows, facial hair, ears, and skin folds. It has the same symptoms as dandruff, plus visible irritation, changes in skin color (darkening, lightening, or reddening), scaling, and greasy patches. Sometimes an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo is all you need to address seborrheic dermatitis, but there are also prescription-only topical treatments and medications that can help. (If you notice changes in your skin—including on your scalp—talk to a dermatologist before starting any sort of treatment.)
Dr. Houshmand notes that your dandruff may get worse if you live in a very warm or very cold climate, have dry skin, or produce excess sebum (or oil) on your scalp.
What to look for in an effective dandruff shampoo
There are quite a few derm-approved active ingredients that are available in over-the-counter products that you can look for while shopping for a new dandruff shampoo. They tackle symptoms in a few different ways, but are all considered effective—here’s what you need to know about each of them.
Zinc pyrithione
This is a very common antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial agent in dandruff shampoos that works to treat flakes, itching, and scaling, Dr. Camp says. Dr. Houshmand explains that it does so by helping regulate your scalp’s skin cell and oil production, as well as its yeast levels.
Selenium sulfide
Another antifungal, selenium sulfide treats dandruff by reducing the amount of dandruff-causing Malassezia, Dr. Camp says. It also slows down skin cell turnover, which can help reduce flaking. According to the Mayo Clinic, shampoos containing selenium sulfide may cause some discoloration in your hair and scalp, so make sure to rinse well after lathering up.
Coal tar
Coal tar addresses inflammation and slows skin shedding. It’s a highly effective ingredient for treating both dandruff and scalp psoriasis, Dr. Houshmand says, though she cautions that it can stain your hair and may have an unpleasant smell.
Ketoconazole
This is yet another antifungal option that you can find (in low amounts) in OTC shampoos. But it’s mainly available with a prescription from a dermatologist for treating severe cases of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.
Salicylic acid
Dr. Houshmand explains that salicylic acid shampoos exfoliate the top layer of skin on your scalp, which helps with flakes, scales, and rough patches. SELF has previously reported that salicylic acid can be drying, so use with caution if your scalp is prone to dryness or irritation.
Tea tree oil
There’s some evidence that tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can address symptoms like itchiness and greasiness, but it’s not considered the most effective option for particularly stubborn cases.
What can you do to prevent dandruff?
If you aren’t dealing with an active case of dandruff, but you know you’re prone to it, Dr. Camp recommends keeping a dandruff shampoo in your regular washing rotation. While you might not need to use it every time you suds up, swapping it in every other hair wash can help prevent major flake flare-ups, Dr. Houshmand says.
And if you are currently combating dandruff, Dr. Houshmand recommends washing your hair daily or every other day and leaving the shampoo on your scalp for up to five minutes before rinsing. If you don’t see improvements after two to three weeks, she says you should see a dermatologist. Your doc can prescribe medications to treat your symptoms and determine whether you have dandruff or another scalp condition (like psoriasis, eczema, or contact dermatitis).
Shop the best dandruff shampoos
Keeping these key ingredients in mind, here are our favorite dandruff shampoos, including reliable drugstore options, elegant higher-end formulations, and SELF Healthy Beauty Award winners.
Zinc pyrithione shampoos
Head & Shoulders is probably the first brand that comes to mind when you think of dandruff shampoos, but its Bare Pure Clean formula is far from run-of-the-mill. It won a 2023 Healthy Beauty Award for its simple ingredient list (it clocks in at nine total) and the immediate improvements our tester noticed in their hair and scalp. “I tend to get dandruff easily, but this product did a really great job of keeping it at bay,” they wrote. “It also had a great lather, which is something I really look for in a shampoo. My hair looked amazing after just one wash.”
Both Dr. Camp and Dr. Houshmand like Jupiter’s soothing Balancing Shampoo. In addition to zinc pyrithione, it contains coconut oil and squalane, which provide a nice moisture boost to help prevent breakage. Dove’s Dryness & Itch Relief Damage Therapy Shampoo is similarly hydrating, with coconut oil and nourishing shea butter playing backup to its active ingredient (and you can grab it for as little as $5).
Courtesy of Head & Shoulders
Amazon
Selenium sulfide shampoos
“I deal with regular bouts of dandruff, on top of a pretty consistently itchy scalp,” our senior commerce writer says. “When things get especially intense, I use the moisturizing variety of Selsun Blue and my symptoms clear right up.” This version of the brand’s popular anti-dandruff shampoo also contains aloe, which has a soothing effect on the scalp.
Head & Shoulders’s Clinical Strength line of shampoos uses selenium sulfide to tackle tough cases of dandruff, and the Sensitive Shampoo is a standout for its gentler formula. “I have an extremely sensitive scalp and everything I was using before this crossed my path irritated my scalp,” one Target reviewer wrote. “[This shampoo] was a complete game changer for me. I was able to get much needed dandruff relief, but this also kept my sensitive scalp in mind.”
Amazon
Target
Coal tar shampoo
Dr. Camp recommends Persōn & Covey’s DHS Tar Shampoo, which is made without any added fragrances or dyes and has a satisfying lather. For those reluctant to try tar-based shampoos because of their natural smell, Amazon reviewers say this one’s odor fades after a couple hours.
Amazon
Ketoconazole shampoo
Nizoral is a top pick for Dr. Camp, an overwhelmingly popular option on Amazon (it has over 8,000 five-star reviews), and the only OTC ketoconazole shampoo on the market. It’s highly effective—Amazon reviewers noticed improvements after their first wash—but gentle enough to use on dyed, chemically treated, and gray hair. Plus, multiple shoppers described Nizoral’s fresh scent as pleasant but not overwhelming.
Amazon
Salicylic acid shampoos
On top of its actual exfoliating effects, Neutrogena’s Healthy Beauty Award–winning Scalp Therapy Anti-Dandruff Itchy Scalp Shampoo just feels good. “When I tried this shampoo, I felt an instant cooling sensation on my scalp—it felt amazing,” our tester wrote, adding that it alleviated her itchiness and irritation as well.
