:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MelanieRudHeadshot-82702c3bc69c47eb801a1408684c08f5.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SophiaEmmanuelbio-9c9762ff738b4d6485287f37b9f6a821.jpg)
If you’re currently fighting flakes, we feel ya. While dandruff isn’t necessarily a condition to be concerned about from a medical perspective, it can be annoying and embarrassing. “A combination of fungal growth on the scalp and inflammation causes skin cells to proliferate in an abnormal way, resulting in both flaking and itching,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nava Greenfield. It’s super common and often flares up with the change of seasons, adds board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rita Linkner.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, a formula beloved by numerous board-certified dermatologists that effectively combats the fungal component of dandruff and contains menthol to soothe irritation. For a medicated drugstore pick, consider Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Shampoo, another board-certified dermatologist pick that contains 1% selenium sulfide, which helps prevent flaking, itching, irritation, scaling, and redness.
Your best bet when it comes to combating dandruff is to pick up an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo; most of these use anti-fungal ingredients such as pyrithione zinc and selenium sulfate to get the root of the issue, says Dr. Greenfield (though there are other ingredients that can help too; more on those to come). Use one a few times per week, making sure to let it sit on your scalp for at least a few minutes before rinsing to let said ingredients do their thing, she adds.
We conducted hours of research on the best shampoos for dandruff, tapping numerous board-certified dermatologists and a trichologist for expert recommendations. We considered dozens of formulas, evaluating them on the active ingredients, how well they soothe the scalp, and how effective they are at getting rid of flakes. We also looked at additives like fragrance or potentially and whether or not a formula is sulfate and phthalate-free.
Here, we rounded up the best shampoos for dandruff to keep you flake-free.
Best Overall
Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/d5632550-3c3e-41a3-98ef-ecaf03a06815.4004b7b1443e784a6acbab6c4435c65e-a9765b5b22414c0f813ab8be140a04de.jpeg)
Walmart
Soothes irritation
Cooling sensation
Lathers well
Contains fragrance
Who else recommends it? Men's Health and Insider both picked the Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.
What do buyers say? 90% of 4,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Three of the dermatologists we spoke with agree that this sudser is a serious standout. “This is a great over-the-counter option,” says Dr. Linkner. “It’s not as strong as prescription dandruff shampoos, but works very well to help with scaling and is a great place to start.” It works effectively to combat the fungal element of dandruff, adds dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian, who’s also a fan. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green points out that it also has the added benefits of containing menthol to soothe irritation and make it feel extra refreshing.
Price at time of publish: $10
Hair Type: Dry, dandruff | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Unscented | Size: 11 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Overall, Runner-Up
First Aid Beauty Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/FirstAidBeautyAnti-DandruffShampoo-521c065d60554bc899258808caf71aae.jpeg)
Ulta
Smells great
Leaves hair soft
Safe for color-treated hair
On the pricier side, especially given the smaller bottle size
If it wasn’t for how effectively this fights flakes, you’d never know this was an anti-dandruff shampoo. Silk peptides in the formula leave your hair feeling next-level soft (much more so than is the case with my other dandruff shampoos). It also has a subtle citrus and tropical scent—which is derived entirely from natural sources. But, per the dandruff part of things, it touts a 1% concentration of pyrithione zinc, an ingredient approved by the FDA for the control of dandruff.
Price at time of publish: $30
Hair Type: Dry, dandruff | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus-y | Size: 8 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget
Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/HeadShouldersClassicClean-9731f4f2a8a44eddb2d74d95420740b0.jpeg)
Walmart
Affordable
Absorbs excess oil
Reduces itch
Contains fragrance
Dr. Nazarian recommends any of the anti-dandruff options from this “trusted brand,” and adds that they also offer accompanying conditioners, which she likes. We’re partial to this affordable, effective classic formula; it helps knock out not only flakes (thanks to the use of pyrithione zinc) but also itch, oil, and dryness.
Price at time of publish: $9
Hair Type: Dandruff, oily | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Peppermint, lemon | Size: 8.45 fluid ounces, 13.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Itch
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/71SatjdKOlL._SL1500_-c579b387a4564b69b5f5ae0941f8581f.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
Gentle formula
Reduces itch
Lathers well
Can be drying
Flakes aren’t the only symptom of dandruff—itch can also be a major problem. To combat flaking, scaling, and itch (oh, and redness too), try another one of Dr. Green’s picks, which contains a 1 percent concentration of ketoconazole, an anti-fungal ingredient. Dr. Linkner likes the same active ingredient, often prescribing a shampoo that contains a slightly higher amount of it. Also nice: The formula is effective, yet gentle enough to use even on color-treated and/or chemically-processed hair.
Price at time of publish: $16
Hair Type: Color-treated, chemically-treated | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fresh | Size: 7 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Medicated
Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/headshoulders-a052fbef307648ec9622916e4977ce2a.jpg)
Amazon
Soothes irritation
Reduces itch
Calms redness
Can be drying
To the point of Head & Shoulders really cornering the dandruff market, here’s yet another derm-approved pick from the brand. “This shampoo contains 1 percent selenium sulfide, which helps prevent flaking, itching, irritation, scaling, and redness associated with dandruff,” says Dr. Green.
Price at time of publish: $24
Hair Type: Color-treated, dry, curly | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fresh | Size: 13.5 fluid ounces, 23.7 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Try alternating between this formula and the classic Head & Shoulders option featured earlier; switching between the two active ingredients can be a more effective way to target flakes, notes Dr. Nazarian.
Best Drugstore
Dove DermaCare Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DoveDermaCareAnti-DandruffShampoo-b6d128991e1b4d1798c4a512e9dfe32d.jpg)
Target
Affordable
Smells nice
Helps combat a dry and itch scalp
Not sulfate-free
Another option that relies on pyrithione zinc, this is one of the top options to nab at the drugstore. It’s both affordable and super effective; we also like that it contains coconut oil, an ingredient that not only helps moisturize both the hair and scalp, but is also antibacterial and antifungal.
Price at time of publish: $6
Hair Type: Dry, dandruff | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Tropical | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore, Runner-Up
Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo With Build-Up Control
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/1ae8de28-131a-4842-a335-a597769af2eb_1.6689959e4f210e3b7753079e535a5f7f-eb63a29d53fd4e2181ea160cb60d5681.jpeg)
Walmart
Affordable
Fragrance-free
Good for a variety of scalp conditions
Can feel a bit medicinal
Bottle could be bigger
The true definition of an oldie-but-goodie, the star of the show here is a three-percent concentration of salicylic acid. The beta-hydroxy acid is great at dissolving excess oil and helping to fight flakes; it’s also a good ingredient to reach for if you have scalp psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. Just FYI, this can be a bit drying if used on its own, so make sure to pair it with a conditioner.
Price at time of publish: $12
Hair Type: Oily, dandruff | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fragrance-free | Size: 4.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No
Best with Salicylic Acid
DHS SAL Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/511xkSzOZlL._SL1500_-3d84cd5c25724e5187ab9df293020d6b.jpg)
Amazon
Contains salicylic acid
Soothes itchy scalp
Treats seborrheic dermatitis
Can be drying
According to Dr. Green, salicylic acid is a great ingredient to seek out in an anti-dandruff shampoo. Unlike others, it isn’t an anti-fungal but rather works by helping to break down excess oil that feeds into the dandruff cycle, as well as dissolving dead skin cells before they can start to clump together and fall off as flakes. This dermatologist-recommended shampoo boasts a whopping three percent salicylic acid to expel and prevent flakes, while soothing a dry and itchy scalp. We love that not only is it fast-acting, but it also prevents dandruff and dryness altogether with continued use.
Price at time of publish: $10
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Unscented | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Curly Hair
Curls The Green Collection Sea Kelp Curl Cleanser
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Sea-Kelp-Curl-Cleanser-b7feb964dc314cd0b0307d0e0c2aecf4.jpg)
Natural formula
Soothes irritation
Hydrating
Bottle is smaller than other options
You might have heard about sea kelp's internal health benefits, but the vitamin-packed superfood also purportedly does wonders for scalp health. This Curls shampoo is totally natural and sulfate-free, so don't expect a ton of suds, but what you can expect is a soothing treatment for your flaky scalp. Made with textured hair in mind, users report hair that was softer, hydrated, and dandruff-free.
Price at time of publish: $10
Hair Type: Wavy, curly, kinky, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Dry Hair
RE-fresh Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/be10e2ee-e1c3-4eb2-bd9b-9cd0b89dd797_1.caea11331df77acc725485439a21ded1-58226171911946bdaf76ab1799533d85.jpg)
Absorbs excess oil
Contains salicylic acid
Hydrating
Pricier than other options
Dealing with both dandruff and dry hair can make for a tricky conundrum. On the one hand, you want to knock out oiliness on the scalp, but you also don’t want to further dehydrate your strands. Enter this pick. It contains salicylic acid to break down excess oil and flakes but is packed with hydrating coconut water to ensure it isn’t too drying. Pair it with the accompanying conditioner and you’re good to go.
Price at time of publish: $44
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Size: 13.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Splurge
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/briogeoscalprevivalcharcoalcoconutoilmicro-exfoliatingshampoo-9314b068af8d4dd5a622b68a3af733e0.jpg)
Briogeo
Reduces itch
Hydrating
Cooling sensation
Pricier than other options
This unique shampoo draws impurities from the scalp and the hair follicles for optimum scalp health. With charcoal, peppermint, and plant-based micro-exfoliants, this cooling formula promises to reduce itchiness and irritation to stop dandruff in its tracks. In a clinical laboratory study, 100 percent of participants saw reduced flakiness and irritation, according to the brand.
Price at time of publish: $41
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Coconut | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Runner-Up, Best Splurge
ORIBE Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Oribe-5c8140f6c9e77c0001e98fb7.jpg)
Dermstore
Smells good
Contains salicylic acid
Hydrating
Pricier than other options
There’s no way around it—anti-dandruff shampoos aren’t particularly sexy or luxurious feeling. Enter this welcome alternative which proves you can still have an enjoyable shampooing experience while still combating dandruff. Everything from the pretty pink bottle to the sophisticated scent makes this nothing like any other dandruff shampoo you may have used. Still, it gets the job done with exfoliating salicylic acid, and also has caffeine to help give hair follicles a boost.
Price at time of publish: $147
Hair Type: Dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Cote d'Azur | Size: 8.5 ounces, 33.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Multitasker
Rugby Sebex Medicated Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/RugbySebexMedicatedDandruffShampoo-814b8019cd864f0291b33ad92cc76dd4.jpg)
Amazon
Contains salicylic acid
Great for dry scalp, psoriasis, and eczema
Lathers well
Bottle is smaller than other options
Dandruff isn’t the only scalp condition out there: “Dry scalp, psoriasis, and eczema can all present with similar symptoms as dandruff; however, the treatments are all different,” explains Dr. Green. The one exception? This shampoo, which works effectively to target them all. “It packs a one-two punch, containing both salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and colloidal sulfur, which acts as an anti-microbial,” she says.
Price at time of publish: $7
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Unscented | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No
Runner-Up, Best Multitasker
Kenkoderm Psoriasis Therapeutic Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KenkodermPsoriasisTherapeuticShampoo-12a4288f5f6e4c2884708b3291c65bb0.jpg)
Amazon
Multi-tasking formula
Works quickly
Not sulfate-free
In our experience, this has worked great at clearing up not only dandruff, but scalp psoriasis, too. Credit a three-percent concentration of salicylic acid, in a formula that’s fragrance- and dye-free to help prevent the likelihood of any further irritation. (Fun fact: It also works great as a beard wash for guys dealing with flakes in their facial hair.) And while the bottle is small, a little goes a long way.
Price at time of publish: $15
Hair Type: Oily, dandruff | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fragrance-free | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Oily Scalps
Jupiter Balancing Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/JupiterBalancingShampoo-cbea3cdbb3a0482a85aa7d597655f198.jpg)
Jupiter
Absorbs excess oil
Smells good
Vegan formula
Lather could be better
Excess oil is a key component in the complicated equation that is dandruff (we’re simplifying slightly, but the fungus or yeast on the scalp feed off the oil). This newbie uses zinc pyrithione to knock out that fungus but also contains decylene glycol, an ingredient meant to help control oil production. We also appreciate that it’s good for all hair types and textures, sulfate-free, vegan, and has a lovely, herbaceous fragrance to boot.
Price at time of publish: $21
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Mint, vanilla, sage, lavender | Size: 9.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best With Coal Tar
Denorex Extra-Strength Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spin_prod_ec_1045343910-ed7a7ba271664c1486025035106cd9f9.jpg)
Kmart
Cooling sensation
Contains salicylic acid
Affordable
Can be drying
Coal tar is in fact what it sounds like—a thick, black substance that comes from, well, coal. It may sound like a strange ingredient for a shampoo, but Dr. Green says it’s another one of the best to look for in a flake-fighter. It works by normalizing how quickly skin cells fall off (when you have dandruff, they’re falling off too fast). This particular pick contains a high concentration of the ingredient—almost 2 percent—and pairs it with soothing menthol as well as conditioning ingredients to keep your hair strong and healthy.
Price at time of publish: $21
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Size: 10 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Oily Hair
bhs Fresh Detox 2-in-1 Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhsFreshDetox2-in-1Anti-DandruffShampoo-542911024691480199e4d3b7caf22cb0.jpg)
Walmart
Affordable
2-in-1 formula that leaves hair soft
Can be used daily on all hair types and textures
Contains fragrance
The name of this brand stands for ‘better hair and scalp’ and it does indeed deliver exactly that. While the root cause of dandruff (pun intended) is an overgrowth of fungus, those microorganisms do feed off of oil, which is why oily scalp types may be more prone to dandruff. This detoxifying formula contains both salicylic acid and purifying charcoal, can be used on all hair types and textures (including color-treated hair), and even has some conditioning benefits.
Price at time of publish: $8
Hair Type: Oily, dandruff | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fresh | Size: 13.5 fluid ounces | Byrdie Clean: No
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, a formula beloved by numerous board-certified dermatologists that effectively combats the fungal component of dandruff and contains menthol to soothe irritation. For a medicated drugstore pick, consider Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Shampoo, another board-certified dermatologist pick that contains 1% selenium sulfide, which helps prevent flaking, itching, irritation, scaling, and redness.
Meet the Expert
- Rita Linkner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. In addition to being in private practice, she is a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
- Nava Greenfield, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Brooklyn, NY. She’s been published in many medical journals and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Women’s Dermatologic Society, and the American Medical Association.
- Michele Green, MD, is a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. She’s worked with many global skincare brands developing and testing product launches and addresses both medical and cosmetic issues with her patients.
- Trichologist Dominic Burg, PhD, is a published researcher with articles in numerous high-ranking journals including the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Journal of Cancer Research and the Journal of Proteome Research.
What to Look for in a Dandruff Shampoo
Anti-Fungal Ingredients
Trichologist Dominic Burg, MD, advises looking for antifungal ingredients to help curb the impact of the microorganisms that may be the culprits behind your dandruff. "Common ingredients like pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, and selenium disulfide are antifungal and have shown some good results in reducing dandruff," he says.
Soothing Elements
"Rosemary oil, lavender oil, green tea extract, and mangosteen all have great antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties," Burg adds. When used alone, he notes that they may take a longer time than selenium disulfide to impact dandruff, but they can be as effective when used in the long term.
Color Protection
If you have color-treated hair, make sure to look for a color-safe option to keep your hue intact. Those aforementioned antifungal ingredients, while effective, can be pretty harsh on color and may cause premature fading. Using a color-safe formula can help to combat the toll they take on your highlights, extending the life of your hue while keeping flakes at bay.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. While she doesn’t have dandruff, she frequently writes about the topic (and has her dad try out and weigh in on all the anti-dandruff shampoos she features).
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-10-best-tea-tree-oil-shampoos-4846246-primary-e42b1f8ba6b64d819fde3c4767dfe2f1.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/278044392_535371854640826_579642313236836695_n-d151c53fcfa741aa9edf1397b4ee882d.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/shampoos-for-oily-hair-4163478-9b1cf54beb1f4f298455909f092f1872.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-14-best-shampoos-for-men-4843179-primary-9c01f0f4300349159e13126210334e6f.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYR-Kerastase-Densifique-Bain-Densite-Bodifying-Shampoo-Juliao-1-2ef4367960ff4b518deda75910fb3d87.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-11-best-shampoos-for-colored-hair-4582708-primary-077b4fe8d666477fbe0fed0ea7bd92bb.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-10-best-eczema-shampoos-recirc-21f1acaf43d2493889bf8e81b18923c0.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-drugstore-sulfate-free-shampoos-4801968-recirc-2422d90d4277434d80c4da3d74f253e5.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Olaplex-Shampoo-Hair-System-1-4cc4d0314a3d4a358ba05ff4b8b24dbf.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-9-best-shampoo-for-fine-hair-recirc-9794bffcff9548b0a6c7d2a7036844d9.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/zinc-p-7e7785e755104956a23a03e4a8d927cc.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-recirc-best-drugstore-shampoo-and-conditioners-c2d1ed512adc44f19268faba2ea3a355.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-12-best-clarifying-shampoos-recirc-d64cd59280b04ac19ec8f633ee7ce8ff.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-byr-primary-best-shampoos-hard-water-jkim-0060-4cce0fc8d7cc4a76a261511e945052e2.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-13-best-shampoos-for-frizzy-hair-primary-66a446f8633d4e95af7ff8ed0f899960.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Web_1500-byr-primary-best-shampoo-curly-hair-jkim-0084-4a4328cf0eeb46258c66e0d4cd3ba077.jpg)