Skin Health Skin Care & Cleansing Products Hair & Scalp Care The Best Dandruff Shampoos for Soothing Itchy Scalps Nizoral's Shampoo is formulated with ketoconazole to control flaking By Jennifer Nied Jennifer Nied LinkedIn Twitter Jennifer Nied has written about health, fitness and wellness for over 10 years. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Learn about our editorial process and Brittany Leitner Brittany Leitner Twitter Brittany Leitner is a freelance writer and poet. She has a degree in journalism from Syracuse Univeristy and her book, "23 Emotions" is currently on sale online and in NYC bookstores. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 07, 2022 Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD LinkedIn Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Dandruff can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable condition. It "is caused by the buildup of Malassezia organisms that lower immunity in areas of the skin that have sebaceous glands like the scalp, chest, eyebrows, and beard, as well as around the nose," says Orit Markowitz, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. This can lead to inflammation that causes flaking and redness—but dandruff shampoos can offer an effective treatment. Reviewed & Approved Formulated with 1% ketoconazole, Nizoral's Anti-Dandruff Shampoo controls flaking and itching. Selsun Blue's Moisturizing Dandruff Shampoo has salicylic acid to fight dandruff and is an affordable option. When looking for dandruff shampoo, look for ingredients like pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, and salicylic acid, which are all great for combating dandruff. Pay attention to your hair type, too. Some dandruff shampoos may be better for thicker hair while some may have ingredients that best suit those with thin, fine hair. You'll also want to pay attention to how frequently the shampoo should be used and then use it accordingly. If you wash your hair daily, you don't want to select a shampoo intended for use only once a week. We assessed dozens of dandruff shampoos, evaluating them based on their ingredients and scent, uses for different needs and hair types, method, and price. Below, you'll find the best dandruff shampoos on the market. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Selsun Blue Moisturizing Dandruff Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best Luxury Buy: ORIBE Anti-Dandruff Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Oily Hair: Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Women: Biolage R.A.W. Anti-Dandruff Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Men: BosleyMD Scalp Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoo at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Cradle Cap: Mustela Foam Shampoo for Cradle Cap at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Gentle on the skin Good for sensitive skin Cons Scented, which some may find irritating We selected Nizoral's Anti-Dandruff Shampoo as our top pick because it contains ketoconazole, which is a potent anti-fungal also found in prescription-grade dandruff medications. The formula controls flaking and irritation and is safe for color-treated hair. It also leaves a fresh scent behind, so you can rest easy knowing that your hair will have a clean appearance and smell. You should use Nizoral every 3 to 4 days for up to 8 weeks for best results. If you're still not seeing improvement, contact your dermatologist for further instructions. Price at time of publication: $19 Key Ingredient: Ketoconazole 1% | Scent: Fresh | Usage: Every 3-4 days for up to 8 weeks Best Budget Selsun Blue Moisturizing Dandruff Shampoo Courtesy of Rite Aid View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Riteaid.com Pros Salicylic acid helps fight tougher dandruff cases Affordable Gentle enough for daily care Cons Moisturizing ingredients can create oily appearance When other formulas fall short, Selsun Blue Medicated Shampoo controls itching and flaking caused by the most challenging cases of dandruff. It also helps prevent the recurrence of seborrheic dermatitis. Still, it’s gentle on hair and affordable for most budgets. Because of its intensive moisturizing properties, this shampoo is best for dry hair, as it can make oily hair types look greasy. It's recommended to use this shampoo twice a week for best results. Price at time of publication: $9 Ingredients: Selenium sulfide 1%, aloe | Scent: Scented | Usage: Twice a week or as directed by doctor Best Luxury Buy ORIBE Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bergdorfgoodman.com Pros Hydrating Sulfate-free Safe for color-treated hair Cons Moisturizing ingredients can create oily appearance Keep pesky flakes at bay with Oribe’s hydrating Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. The salicylic acid in this shampoo gently exfoliates the scalp, while the caffeine rejuvenates hair follicles to help alleviate and prevent dandruff. This shampoo is sulfate-free, so the suds are soothing to your dry, itchy, and irritated scalp. While it comes with a higher price tag than most other shampoos on our list, we love that it's safe for color treated hair and fresh, clean scent. Price at time of publication: $46 Ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, bilberry fruit and sugar maple extracts | Scent: Cote d’Azur | Usage: Can be used as frequently as needed 18 Best Gluten-Free Shampoos and Conditioners Best for Oily Hair Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon View On Neutrogena.com Pros Affordable Medical grade strength Safe for color treated hair Cons Unscented Neutrogena's T/Gel is a go-to for oily and dandruff-prone scalps. Its formula, which has the Seal of Recognition from the National Psoriasis Foundation, treats chronic scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff with coal tar extract. You should use this shampoo at least twice a week for the best results. Its formula won't dry out your hair but will leave it feeling silky and soft. However, the formula is scentless, so you may need to find a conditioner that can give you that fresh, clean scent. Price at time of publication: $18 Ingredients: 2% Neutar solubilized coal tar extract | Scent: Unscented | Usage: At least twice weekly or as recommended by doctor What Our Editors Say "This shampoo has worked wonders for me. In one wash I noticed a difference. I like to use it before using my regular, scented shampoo, so that I get the fresh scent when I get out of the shower." — Christina Oehler, Health Commerce Editor Best for Women Biolage R.A.W. Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Pros Safe for color treated and chemically treated hair Good for all hair types Cons May not work for more severe dandruff cases Stressed out by flakes and dry scalp? This wholesome shampoo (plus conditioner and treatment system) de-stresses tresses and purifies the scalp to eliminate dandruff and calm itching. You won’t believe it’s a dandruff fighter until you see the effect of 2.9 percent salicylic acid and willow bark extract. It smells and feels like a luxe spa treatment atop your head with rosemary. While it may not be strong enough for all dandruff cases, it's a great option for color treated and chemically treated hair that needs moisture and protection while still fighting flakes. Ingredients: 2.9% Salicylic acid, rosemary, willow bark extract | Scent: Rosemary | Usage: Can be used as frequently as needed Best for Men BosleyMD Scalp Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Courtesy of Bosley View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bosleymd.com Pros Controls the appearance of current flakes Helps prevent future flakes Cons Similar ingredients to cheaper products The active ingredient in this shampoo, pyrithione zinc, reduces Malassezia yeast on your scalp, a driving force behind flakes. With extended use, you’ll notice a scalp free of buildup, in addition to a healthy, dandruff-free head. The formula also contains rosemary extract, which treats and reduces scalp inflammation and improves circulation, and pumpkin seeds which encourage hair growth. Following a limited trial, 100 percent of participants reported improved scalp conditions in only two weeks, according to the brand. Price at time of publication: $30 Ingredients: Pyrithione Zinc, pumpkin seed extract, rosemary extract | Scent: Rosemary | Usage: At least twice a week or as directed by a doctor The Common Causes of Excessive Hair Loss in Men Best for Cradle Cap Mustela Foam Shampoo for Cradle Cap View On Amazon Pros Made of 99% plant-based ingredients Paraben and phthalate-free Tear-free Cons Unscented Cradle cap is a form of seborrheic dermatitis in infants that can create greasy, scaly dandruff on the scalp. Thankfully, the active ingredients that fight flakes in adults are also safe for children, per Dr. Markowitz. This Mustela Foam Shampoo is many parents’ go-to for infants to kids under 9 years old. You can feel good about using it on your little ones because it’s preservative-free (think parabens and phthalates). While it doesn't have much of a scent, its tear-free formula can be used as often as needed, which is great for babies with more severe cases of cradle cap. Price at time of publication: $14 Ingredients: Avocado perseose | Scent: Unscented | Usage: Can be used as frequently as needed The 8 Best Shampoos for Seborrheic Dermatitis of 2023 Final Verdict Nizoral A-D (view at Amazon) is one of the best options for fighting pesky flakes. It contains ketoconazole, a potent anti-fungal also found in prescription-grade dandruff medications. A luxurious alternative, the Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (view at Amazon) makes treating dandruff feel like a high-end spa treatment. The combination of salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the scalp and soothing ingredients is hard to beat. What to Look for in a Dandruff Shampoo Ingredients The common ingredients found in anti-dandruff shampoos are pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, salicylic acid, and coal tar. These can all effectively reduce dandruff, according to Dr. Markowitz. Finding the right ingredient for you may take some trial and error. Your scalp may react differently to each. If you prefer more natural ingredients, there are also options for that, such as tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar. Craig Ziering, M.D., founder of Ziering Medical and hair restoration specialist, also recommends tea tree oil, which he says is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory and can help dandruff. Dr. Ziering also points out that typical ingredients used to treat hair loss, such as pyrithione zinc and selenium sulphide are typically found to help restore hair growth to boot. You can tackle dandruff and ensure your hair is growing healthily and happily at the same time. Hair Type You should factor in your specific hair type when choosing a dandruff shampoo. There are a variety of formulas designed for color-treated, dry, and curly hair types. For example, your hair and scalp may need an extra boost of moisture, so hydrating ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera are just as important as the flake-fighters above. If you’re unsure what type of hair you have, reach out to your stylist or dermatologist. Method How you wash your strands can either enhance or diminish the effects of the dandruff shampoo creating all the suds. The frequency of and style of your scrubbing method play a role. Dr. Markowitz recommends starting by shampooing two times a week, and if your condition remains unchanged, you can add one or two weekly washings to your schedule. When you do scrub up, note the instructions on the bottle and in general scrub it in with your fingertips and let it sit for five minutes or more before rinsing. This allows the active ingredients to penetrate better and more likely to stick around post-shower. Pair anti-dandruff shampoos with anti-dandruff conditioners, too. The conditioner adds to the active ingredients left by the shampoo instead of washing it away. Frequently Asked Questions How does dandruff shampoo work? Dandruff shampoo works to curb a flaky and itchy scalp. What they target depends on the ingredients. Dandruff shampoos usually contain antifungals or corticosteroids. Antifungals keep fungus from growing, which, in turn, reduces the fungi that cause dandruff. Some common antifungals in dandruff shampoo are ketoconazole, bifonazole, selenium sulfide, ciclopirox olamine, and zinc pyrithione. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory, which helps reduce irritation and thus flaking. Fluocinolone is a common corticosteroid in dandruff shampoos. Coal tar is yet another common ingredient that acts as an antifungal and anti-inflammatory. Is dandruff shampoo bad for your hair? Some dandruff shampoos, such as tar-based shampoos and selenium sulfide shampoos can cause discoloration of the hair and scalp. Read the instructions carefully to see how long (or short) the shampoo should stay in before rinsing thoroughly. Can you use dandruff shampoo every day? It depends. It’s always best to read the shampoo’s instructions for how often it should be used. It may be best to mix and match regular shampoo with dandruff shampoo. For example, try using a dandruff shampoo two or three times a week and a regular shampoo in between times. If you have dry hair, you may benefit from less shampooing overall. How long can dandruff last? Dandruff can last for weeks. If you’ve been using a dandruff shampoo for several weeks and aren’t seeing an improvement in the flakiness, itchiness, or irritation of your scalp, talk to your healthcare provider or dermatologist. They can point you in the right direction for a better shampoo or other skin-based treatments. Sometimes, even after treatment was successful, dandruff may come back. Thus, you may need to restart dandruff treatment every once in a while. Why Trust Verywell Health As a seasoned health writer, Jennifer Nied understands how vital quality product recommendations are for treating symptoms safely and effectively at home. For over 10 years, she has reviewed products, interviewed experts, scrutinized ingredients, and pored over research studies and claims to help readers like you understand what works for your specific conditions. She selected every product in this piece by taking into account recommendations from doctors, published research, and real customer reviews. Additional reporting by Brittany Leitner As a health writer with over 8 years of experience, Brittany Leitner understands how important access to information is when it comes to making educated health decisions. She has interviewed dozens of medical experts, tested out hundreds of products, and aims to provide quality recommendations that won't break the bank. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Psoriasis Foundation. Seal of Recognition. 2021 Park M, Cho Y-J, Lee YW, Jung WH. Understanding the mechanism of action of the anti-dandruff agent zinc pyrithione against malassezia restricta. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):12086. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-30588-2 Borda LJ, Wikramanayake TC. Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff: a comprehensive review. J Clin Investig Dermatol. 2015;3(2). doi:10.13188/2373-1044.1000019 Additional Reading Aldhalimi MA, Hadi NR, Ghafil FA. Promotive Effect of Topical Ketoconazole, Minoxidil, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin on Hair Growth in Male Mice. ISRN Pharmacol. 2014;2014:1-5. doi:10.1155/2014/575423 Reeder NL, Kaplan J, Xu J, et al. Zinc Pyrithione Inhibits Yeast Growth through Copper Influx and Inactivation of Iron-Sulfur Proteins. Antimicrob Agents and Chemother. 2011;55(12):5753-5760. doi:10.1128/aac.00724-11 Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo. J Am Acad Dermatol. 47.6 (2002): 852-855. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit