Dandruff is a really common issue, and, as with most common issues, there are a ton of products on the market aimed at treating it. But not all dandruff shampoos are created equal, and you shouldn't settle for sub-par cleansers that help your scalp, but destroy your hair. The best dandruff shampoos support both: They get rid of flakes and leave your strands soft and manageable, so you no longer have to choose between the two.
When it comes to choosing a dandruff shampoo, it's important to know which ingredients to look for. Pyrithione zinc, coal tar, salicylic acid, and ketoconazole are all effective at fighting dandruff. And, if you're looking for a natural dandruff shampoo, tea tree oil is believed by many to help control the growth of a yeast present on the scalp that's often the culprit behind dandruff. But many of the same ingredients that fight dandruff can be drying, so it's best to look for a gentle formula, and that may mean choosing a formula that's free of sulfates.
These eight dandruff shampoos have people raving because they're extremely effective at fighting dandruff and cleansing the scalp while promoting healthy hair. But if you've tried everything and your dandruff isn't improving, a quick visit to the dermatologist can help clear things up.
1A Salon Quality Shampoo With The Flake-Fighting Power Of Pyrithione Zinc
Matrix Biolage ScalpSync Antidandruff Shampoo, $22, Amazon
Get the luxurious feel of a salon shampoo alongside the flake-fighting action of a dandruff cleanser. This dandruff shampoo keeps hair soft, silky, and shiny while targeting scalp irritation and flakes with pyrithione zinc. Some reviewers say that it's so moisturizing, they don't even have to use conditioner afterward.
2A Shampoo With Pronounceable Ingredients That Are Great For Sensitive Scalps
Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo, $8, Amazon
The tea tree oil in this dandruff shampoo treats dandruff and helps relieve scalp itch. The blend of other plant extracts and oils leave the scalp clean and tingly, and your hair soft and manageable. Best of all, the ingredients are gentle and pronounceable, so it's great for sensitive scalps.
3This Dermatologist Recommended Solution With 1,300+ Reviews
Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo, $12, Amazon
If you're looking for a powerful solution for seborrheic dermatitis, flakes, or itchy spots, Neutrogena T/Gel shampoo has people raving. It uses coal tar to soothe the scalp before clearing dead skin away, and it works especially well on oilier hair types.
4This Shampoo With Ingredients From Nature That Actually Work
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Shampoo, $11, Amazon
With super healing ingredients like willow bark and plantain wash, SheaMoisture's dandruff shampoo isn't your average dandruff solution. It uses gentle ingredients found in nature, and reviewers are shocked at how effective it is: "I didn't think all natural ingredients could tackle my scaly, flaky, itchy scalp issues beyond maybe one use. But after about 5-6 washes, this shampoo is still going strong."
5This Twice-Weekly Medicated Shampoo For Stubborn Dandruff
Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $14, Amazon
Use this medicated dandruff shampoo only twice a week to control flaking, scaling, and itching. It includes one percent ketoconazole, even though it's non-prescription, and reviewers say, "This stuff is absolutely amazing. I was one step away from going to the dermatologist... With just a few uses per week, I got rid of all of my flakes."
6A Shampoo That Treats Dry Scalp & Flakes
Kenra Dandruff Shampoo, $10, Amazon
Kenra's dandruff shampoo deeply cleanses while controlling overactive cell reproduction, so the result is clean but lightweight flake-free hair. It's also safe for color treated hair, and doesn't have that heavy chemical smell like other brands.
7A Shampoo With Coal Tar & A Blend Of Botanical Ingredients
ArtNaturals Dandruff Shampoo, $12, Amazon
With over 700 reviews, ArtNaturals dandruff shampoo has been called "a miracle in a bottle" and "the ONLY thing" that actually worked. It uses effective ingredients like coal tar, keratin, and jojoba oil, which leave hair soft and silky after styling.
8This Great-Smelling Shampoo That's Getting Harder To Find In Stores
Garnier Fructis Dry Scalp Shampoo, $16, Amazon
This dry scalp shampoo offers 48-hour flake control using natural extracts, Pyrithione zinc, and B Vitamins. Amazon is one of the few places where people can still find it, even though reviewers' scalps are "no longer dry and [have] no more dead skin." It also smells great, which is a rare quality in dandruff shampoos.
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