Best Dandruff Shampoos 2023: Get Rid of Dandruff

Do you have dandruff?
Dandruff is a common scalp condition that causes an itchy, flaky scalp. It can be caused by dry skin, oily skin, or a fungus. But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to get rid of dandruff and keep your hair looking healthy and shiny again. One way to combat dandruff is with the right shampoo. It compiled this list of best shampoos for fighting off flakes so you can find one that works for you!
Best Dandruff Shampoos 2021
Best Dandruff Shampoos Overall
1
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
7-fluid ounce bottle of Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo containing ketoconazole 1% to relieve flaking, scaling, and itching caused by dandruff
This powerful dandruff control shampoo is made with ketoconazole 1%, an effective ingredient proven to help fight dandruff outbreaks. Avoid contact with eyes
Salon-tested, this dandruff treatment shampoo is specially formulated to be gentle and is safe enough to be used on color-treated, chemically processed, and gray hair
The rich, thick lather of this itchy scalp shampoo rinses clean, leaves hair smelling fresh, and helps relieve scalps that are flaky, itchy, and scaling
What we like:
- Gentle and safe for color-treated hair.
- Leaves hair smelling fresh.
Best on Budget
2
Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo
The Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic and Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 16-fluid ounce bottle is a great product for you. It’s one of best dandruff shampoos on a budget that will help your scalp feel better in no time. This shampoo contains coal tar extract, which scientific tests have proved continues to work for hours after the shampoo is rinsed off. It also contains salicylic acid, which helps clear away flakes and soothe an itchy scalp. The No 1 dermatologist-recommended brand, this dandruff treatment shampoo helps control scalp itching and leaves hair clean and manageable.
What we like:
- Helps soothe scalp itching and dryness.
- Leaves hair manageable, soft, shiny and more beautiful.
Best for Curly Hair
3
Head and Shoulders Shampoo, Moisture Renewal
Head & Shoulders Moisture Renewal Shampoo is a deep-cleansing shampoo that hydrates your hair and scalp. This formula with natural coconut oil helps restore the moisture balance of your scalp, relieves dry, itchy* scalp (*associated with dandruff; with regular use) and leaves hair feeling soft. This expertly designed shampoo is specifically formulated for natural, relaxed, kinky or coily crowns to help balance their unique needs. You can feel confident knowing that this product will leave your curls looking healthy and shiny while helping to relieve the itchiness associated with dandruff.
What we like:
- Leaves hair feeling clean and fresh.
- Helps prevent dryness and scalp irritation.
4
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo cleanses and reinforces shine from root to tip. It’s sulfate-free, dyes & paraben-free, and safe for all hair types & color-treated hair. The first ingredient is oat, a natural moisturizer that helps calm an itchy scalp while adding volume and shine to dull hair. This shampoo features a fresh apple scent and is infused with apple cider vinegar. This shampoo cleanses the scalp without harsh chemicals or stripping away natural oils.
What we like:
- Controls hair frizziness and flyaways
- Helps with dry scalp
- Controls frizz and flyaways.
- Reduces scalp itchiness.
Best for Colored Hair
5
Head & Shoulders Dandruff Supreme Color Protect
Head & Shoulders Supreme Color Protect Shampoo & Conditioner System is specially formulated to gently cleanse, hydrate, and protect colored hair from root to tip. This advanced technology deeply moisturizes the scalp & hair from root to tip to help reveal your best hair. Infused with Manuka honey and naturally derived Argan Oil, this shampoo and conditioner system helps you maintain vibrant color between washings while caring for your scalp. The result? Hair is fuller, healthier-looking, and more beautiful than ever before. It’s the perfect complement.
- Get the color you want without worrying about dandruff.
- Keep your hair looking fresh and beautiful all day long.
6
L’Oreal Paris EverPure Scalp Care
L’Oreal Paris EverPure Scalp Care + Detox system is the perfect solution. This unique formula is infused with refreshing menthol to leave your scalp feeling fresh for 24 hours. The gentle shampoo rinses clean without stripping hair of its color. Experience a rich, creamy formula that leaves your hair hydrated, healthy-looking, bouncy, soft, and beautiful. Gentle in color and 100 percent free of sulfates, paraben, gluten dyes and formulated with vegan ingredients. You deserve to look great without worrying about how you look or what others think of you because self-confidence is everything when it comes to looking good!
What we like:
- Hydrates dry, overworked hair.
- Improves scalp health and reduces shedding.
Best for Oily Hair
7
Degrease Shampoo for Oily Hair Care
Degrease Shampoo is one of the most popular purifying shampoo oily hair formulas that can tackle some of the most common hair concerns making it a top greasy hair shampoo for oily scalp care. Say hello to one of best clarifying shampoo sulfate-free formulas packed with best natural hair care products like pure rosemary oil. Healthy hair begins at the scalp, and our oily and dry scalp shampoo for oily hair for men and women is made with the finest natural hair products like Cypress Basil and Jojoba Oil.
What we like:
- Gives you a fresh, clean feeling.
- Removes oil and dirt buildup on your scalp.
8
Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Shampoo
Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is the perfect solution for you. It’s a medicated shampoo that helps fight dandruff with regular use. This formula contains active ingredients that penetrate deep into your scalp to help stop the itch and flaking associated with these conditions. You can trust this product because it has been clinically tested to work in just one wash by reducing visible flakes by up to 100%.* Not only will this shampoo reduce your visible flakes, but it also provides relief from severe dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis symptoms.
What we like:
- Gives you relief from the itching and scalp discomfort.
- Helps to eliminate flakes for up to 24 hours.
Best for Sensitive Skin
9
Free & Clear Hair Shampoo
If so, our gentle shampoo is perfect for you. It’s free of common chemical irritants such as dyes and parabens that can irritate your scalp and hair. Our clear formula contains no added fragrance or masking fragrance, so your hair will smell fresh and clean. Free & Clear Hair Shampoo is a sulfate-free, pH-balanced shampoo that gently cleanses and rinses easily without stripping natural oils. Our clear formula contains no added fragrance or masking fragrance, so your hair will smell fresh and clean. Free of common chemical irritants such as dyes, parabens, lanolin, formaldehyde releasers, and other preservatives!
What we like:
- Clear and clean hair after every wash
- Leaves your hair feeling soft, manageable, and shiny.
10
Tree to Tub Fragrance Free Shampoo for Sensitive Skin
Tree To Tub’s shampoo is best way to cleanse hair without irritating skin. It uses nature’s shampoo, wild Soapberry, to gently cleanse hair and scalp without leaving behind any harsh chemicals or strong scents that can irritate sensitive skin. This gentle-on-skin formula is made with 100% natural ingredients that are safe for your whole family. And unlike other organic shampoos that leave a strong scent, this fragrance-free shampoo will keep your hair soft and smelling fresh all day long!
What we like:
- Soothing and gentle.
- Free of harsh chemicals that irritate sensitive skin.
11
Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Tea tree shampoo and conditioner set is made with tea tree oil and coconut oil, and both provide deep moisture to relieve dry hair and scalp. Specially formulated so you can enjoy softer, thicker hair. A cutting-edge technology is used to create a formula that stimulates hair follicles and encourages new hair growth, revitalizing your hair and scalp. Deeply nourish your hair and scalp with our medical-grade organic ingredients, such as manuka honey, aloe vera, cehami, etc. Thoroughly cleanse and moisturize your hair and scalp with our gentle formula.
What we like:
- Get a deep clean and soothe your scalp with tea tree oil.
- Enjoy the beautiful, fresh scent of peppermint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shampoos take out dandruff?
It is recommended to use shampoo with selenium sulfide, such as Selsun Blue. You could also use Head & Shoulders or T-Gel. If you want to go all-natural but still get results, you can mix 1 part of apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water in a spray bottle and spritz it on your hair after showering each day—let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing out.
How can I permanently get rid of dandruff?
It is essential to use a shampoo with coal tar or salicylic acid. It would help if you also used Head & Shoulders, T-Gel, Selsun Blue, Nizoral A-D Anti Dandruff Shampoo, and OTC brands like TheraClear. Apply the shampoo to damp hair for about 5 minutes before rinsing off.
How do dermatologists get rid of dandruff?
This would depend on the severity of your dandruff. For example, over-the-counter shampoos are often used for mild to moderate cases. But if you have more severe dandruff, then prescription drugs or medicated shampoos may be necessary.
How often should I shampoo if I have dandruff?
Dandruff is caused by skin cells that are not being sloughed off by your scalp. This can cause blocked pores. Best thing to do is not to use hair care products, harsh shampoos, or dyed hair dyes because they can worsen. You should use a baby shampoo diluted with water if necessary. Dandruff is not contagious, so you don’t need to be careful about it.
Is dandruff fungal?
Dandruff is not a fungus. It is because of your dry skin or hair. If you don’t wash your hair often, the cells from your skin get on the scalp and combine with sebum to form three words: dandruff.
Why does dandruff keep coming back?
If you use harsh chemicals or alcohol in your shampoo, your scalp will become irritated, and dandruff will return. Try using a gentle shampoo like DevaCurl Ultra Defining Big Hair Shampoo that is SLS-free and doesn’t contain Parabens for healthier hair.
How do I get rid of dandruff once and for all?
You must follow a good hygiene routine to keep dandruff at bay. To do this, wash your hair regularly with a shampoo. It can remove all the sebum and other contaminants near your scalp. After cleaning, rinse your hair well before applying conditioner to it.
Dandruff Shampoos Buyer Guide
Dandruff is one such thing which affects your health as well as personality as it can be quite embarrassing to see dandruff on your clothes and hair. Choosing a good anti-dandruff shampoo consists of many factors which should be considered carefully in order to get rid of this problem completely. Here are some of the factors you should keep in mind while buying a dandruff shampoo to get clean and healthy scalp:
1) Ingredients
Anti-dandruff shampoos contain a lot of special ingredients as compared to regular shampoos. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, tea tree oil, coal tar, sulfur, selenium sulfide etc which clean the scalp of existing dandruff and reduce further outbreaks. Since these ingredients can be a bit drying, use a hydrating shampoo with aloe vera or argan oil in between for giving a boost of moisture to the scalp.
2) Scalp conditions
There are different types of scalp conditions like psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and regular dandruff. All these conditions are very different from each other and need to be treated accordingly. Select a shampoo which is formulated for your hair concern as a shampoo which is made for treating regular dandruff will not work on psoriasis or dermatitis.
3) Scalp and hair type
Determine which type of scalp and hair you have to get a good shampoo for your hair. If you have an oily scalp, look for lightweight formulas which do not leave residue in the hair. If you have a dry scalp, rich and creamy formulas which lather well should be preferred.
4) Price
Shampoos are a daily requirement and it is better to find a budget shampoo which works effectively than to spend a lot of money every other month. There are a lot of great shampoos which work as they claim and are moderately priced. Look online for discounts available on large shampoo bottles which prove to be cheaper in the long run. Organic formulas tend to cost a little more than chemical-laden formulas but they are better for scalp health.
Here are some general tips and tricks you should follow to keep your scalp clean from dandruff:
- Always rinse the shampoo completely from the hair to avoid residue build up which can clog the pores and impact hair growth.
- Do not use an anti-dandruff shampoo for daily cleansing as it can be too strong for the scalp. Alternate between a gentle daily shampoo and anti-dandruff shampoo for giving complete nourishment to the scalp and hair.
- Use a conditioner with the shampoo as these formulas can be a bit drying for the scalp.
- Using water infused with tea tree oil for rinsing the hair also helps a lot in improving scalp health and reducing dandruff.
- Dandruff is the result of dead skin cells getting accumulated in form of flakes on the scalp. Using a small-teethed comb works well in removing topical dandruff which is seen on the hair.
- Overusing shampoos to wash your hair often can also aggravate this condition. Washing your hair twice or thrice a week is enough to cleanse the hair effectively.
- Keeping your hair braided or tied continuously also tends to increase the frequency of dandruff outbreaks. Keep your hair open and let some fresh air caress your hair to keep them healthy and shiny.
So these are some of the most effective shampoos for controlling and reducing dandruff while maintaining the health of the scalp. These shampoos work well for all types of hair and cleanse the scalp without drying it. They contain ingredients which clarify the scalp and nourish the sensitive skin beneath the hair. This shampoo buyer guide will help you choose a great anti-dandruff shampoo for your hair which will help you in fighting this embarrassing condition. So find a shampoo which leaves your scalp clean and healthy and say bye-bye to dandruff with just a few washes.