The 14 Best Dandruff Shampoos for a Healthy and Happy Scalp
Did you know that approximately half of adults experience dandruff? The right dandruff shampoo is key to relieving symptoms, but the number of choices on the market might leave you, well, scratching your head. For starters, look at the shampoo’s active ingredients before buying to gauge its effectiveness for your type of dandruff and hair.
“If the shampoo doesn’t work for your hair type, you are less likely to use it,” says Hayley Goldbach, MD, a double-board-certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and assistant professor of dermatology at Brown University. It’s also vital to know why you have dandruff. Dr. Goldbach recommends scheduling a visit with a dermatologist, who can help you choose the correct active ingredients in a shampoo.
To find the best dandruff shampoos, we researched top brands with an eye toward formula, hair type, and scalp sensitivity. We consulted Dr. Goldbach for advice on what to look for in a product that’s right for your specific dandruff symptoms and compiled our list of dandruff shampoos based on their overall effectiveness, keeping in mind such factors as active ingredients, gentleness on color-treated hair, and price.
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The active ingredient combats scalp fungus, the cause of dandruff.
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Some say the thinner consistency makes it hard to lather up.
Our list of best dandruff shampoos starts with one that is clinically proven to get rid of the white stuff. Nizoral’s active ingredient is ketoconazole (1%), and it happens to be the only over-the-counter dandruff shampoo to contain it. This powerful ingredient is known to be 10 times more effective in zapping scalp fungus, which is the main cause of your itchy, flaky scalp.
If that sounds scary for your actual hair, don’t worry. The formula is gentle enough to be used on color-treated and chemically processed hair. It’s even got a clean, fresh scent, so you can use this shampoo twice weekly as prescribed without any unpleasant medicinal smells emanating from your scalp.
Key Ingredients: Ketoconazole (1%) | Size: 7 ounces | Scent: Clean fresh scent
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It’s a budget friendly way to tame an itchy, flaky scalp.
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You might not love the scent.
If you want to get rid of the itch and the flakes, Dove DermaCare Anti-Dandruff shampoo is the answer. Its active ingredient is pyrithione zinc, which combats dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. While it takes care of your scalp woes, it leaves hair feeling fresh, clean, and free from frizz.
Dove DermaCare has a gentle scent of coconut and shea butter, so you don’t have to worry about medicinal odors lingering after you wash your hair. And while you probably don’t mind paying a bit extra for dandruff relief, you don’t have to—this large, 12-ounce bottle is priced under $5.
Key Ingredients: Pyrithione zinc (1%) | Size: 12 ounces | Scent: Coconut and shea butter