Best Dandruff Shampoo: 10 Products For All Hair Types

Like all the bad things in life… dandruff happens. It happens to all hair types throughout the year, though it may vary in intensity. If you notice dandruff on your shoulders, you will need the best dandruff shampoo to wash those flakes away and save you the embarrassment. But, first, you have to figure out why you’re flaking in the first place. 

Seasonal dandruff means you have a dry scalp. Any good dandruff shampoo will keep the flakes away. Year-long dandruff indicates an underlying skin condition such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. But, the good news is, no matter your hair condition, there’s the best shampoo for dandruff that offers respite. 

Before we answer “what shampoo is good for dandruff,” you need to understand what exactly is dandruff.  

What Is Dandruff – Learning The Basics

Dandruff is a common hair condition. It appears in your hair in the form of those white dry skin flakes you sometimes brush off your shoulders or collars. It’s totally harmless and non-contagious but can be very itchy and embarrassing. No, it’s not about your hair type or how often you wash it either. Instead, it’s a condition of the skin on your scalp.

Dandruff  Vs. Dry Scalp: Understanding The Difference

If you have a dry, flaky scalp, you may suspect it’s dandruff. However, it may just be that – dry skin. Both dandruff and dry skin have the same primary symptoms, i.e., flakes and itchy skin. But, they are totally different. 

On a dry scalp, the flakes fall off because of skin irritation. On the contrary, dandruff is due to an increase in oil production on the scalp. The excess oil builds up in the skin cells and sheds off in the form of flakes. 

Causes Of Dandruff And Dry Skin

 Following are the leading causes of dry skin: 

• Dry and cold air
• A reaction to hair products 
• Old age

The main cause of dandruff is Seborrheic dermatitis. It’s a condition that turns your skin red, oil, and scaly. The scales flake off, resulting in dandruff. That’s why you can get dandruff anywhere near your oil glands – such as eyebrows, armpits, groin, and nose sides. 

Oftentimes, Malassezia – a fungus – triggers this skin condition. Normally, it lives on your scalp’s skin, but overproduction can result in your skin cells multiplying rapidly. Below are some factors that cause Malassezia multiplication: 

• Stress
• Hormones
• Age

That means dirty hair doesn’t typically cause dandruff. You can skip a hair wash every day! However, if you don’t wash your hair for a long time, the oil buildup can contribute to this skin condition.

Alright! Now that you know the basics and difference between dandruff and dry skin. Let’s dive into our top picks for dandruff shampoos. 

Best Dandruff Shampoos – 2022 Edition

Vanicream Free & Clear Anti Dandruff Shampoo

Sensitive skins are the toughest to deal with when it comes to dandruff. You never know what might exacerbate the irritation. In such a situation, a medicated shampoo by a brand that’s proffered by dermatologists may get the job done. And Vanicream Free & Clear anti-dandruff shampoo fits the bill. 

With a formula that contains 2 percent pyrithizone zinc anti-microbial and anti-fungal ingredients, this shampoo clears up dandruff without irritating your skin. Moreover, this creamy and luxurious medicated dandruff shampoo is ideal for sensitive skin ailments like psoriasis, eczema, and Seborrhea dermatitis. 

Briogeo Scalp RevivalCharcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Now, the Briogeo Scalp RevivalCharcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo is an excellent option for people who want a deep scrub to exfoliate their hair and skin. This formula feels like a sweet and cool tingly relief in the shower. Once you are done with the shower, the itchiness is all gone. Therefore, it’s an ideal shampoo for dry itchy scalp. 

Brigeo’s solution treats your hair with a blend of anti-inflammatory spearmint, coconut, and peppermint oils. Both spearmint and peppermint relieve itchiness, while coconut oil provides the necessary moisture to keep your scalp healthy and moisturized for a longer duration. 

Nizoral AD Antidandruff Shampoo

Whenever you have a dandruff emergency, use Ketoconazole. It removes dead skin and oils, making your head inhospitable to the fungus. Nizoral is an over-the-counter version of an anti-dandruff prescription. It contains the same active ingredient but a much smaller %1 percent dose. 

This makes it suitable for everyday use without drying out your hair. For best results, use Nizoral before getting in the shower and let it sit on your scalp for at least 10 minutes. Otherwise, you will just wash it down the drain before its formula can cleanse your scalp. 

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo

Try Paul Mitchel Tea tree shampoo if you have been struggling with scalp itches and dandruff for a long time and nothing seems to work. It’s one of the best-selling formulas by Paul Mitchel that has proven itself as a life-changing and luster-reviving shampoo for all hair types.

Its star ingredient is tea tree oil, famous for its antibacterial and anti-fungal characteristics. It revives the shine and keeps the scalp clean and balanced. Besides, it also contains the Tingle Complex, a unique blend of peppermint, tea tree oil, and lavender that reinvigorates your scalp health.

Ethique Solid Shampoo Bar

Are you slowly replacing all the plastic bottles in your shower? The Ethique Solid Shampoo Bar is a plastic-free, natural and eco-friendly alternative for itchy and dry scalps. It combats and checks the scalp fungus with the help of neem oil – a herbal anti-fungal oil. It contains nimbidin that soothes scalp irritation. 

Furthermore, it also contains Karanja oil. Its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties help with conditions like eczema. Besides the rich leather and kiwi scent, we also love how it volumizes thin hair without weighing them down with excessive oil. 

TPH by Taraji Scalp Treatment Wash

The TPH by Taraji scalp wash is a refreshing and rebalancing deep clean for all hair textures and colors. That’s right, whether you wear weaves, weaves, braids, straight, or a curly afro, TPH by Taraji redefines hair care. It’s a three-pronged applicator that ensures the soothing product reaches the deepest recesses of your scalp. 

The three ingredients are tea tree oil, witch hazel, and eucalyptus. All of these ingredients are famous for their anti-inflammatory sebum balancing characteristics. When combined together, they work miraculously to provide the necessary nourishment and address all of your scalp-related issues.  

Jupiter Dandruff Shampoo

Jupiter Dandruff shampoo is one of Vogue’s best dandruff shampoos. This soothing and balancing shampoo gets to the root of dandruff, giving your crown flake-free smoothness. The star ingredient in this formula is 1 percent pyrithione zinc, which makes it ideal for sensitive scalps. 

What’s more, the Jupiter dandruff shampoo is also infused with squalane and coconut oil – two moisture-retaining ingredients. Other ingredients are decylene glycol (which controls oil production in hair) and algae extracts (which further hydrates the scalp due to their anti-aging nature). 

Phyto Anti Dandruff Shampoo For Dry Scalp

If you love a good hair care routine, Phyto takes you on a two weeks intense exfoliating regimen. During this period, you have to gently massage your dry scalp with Phyto dandruff treatment shampoo for five to seven minutes, 2 to 3 times a week. Don’t worry. The extra shampooing isn’t damaging to your hair at all. 

Once your hair is free of dandruff, you can switch to a monthly wash and your regular maintenance shampoo. Its formula combines Guyana wood extracts and black pepper that gets down in between your hair and covers the scalp. It’s very thin and watery. We found it effective on severe dry scalp, making it one of the best shampoos for dry scalp.

Redken Dandruff Control Shampoo

Getting a color treatment is expensive. So it makes a lot of sense not to play with your hair color when choosing a suitable anti-dandruff shampoo. The Redken dandruff control and scalp relief shampoo is our top pick when relieving dyed hair of dandruff. 

It’s formulated with 1 percent pyrithione zinc, which treats dandruff without stripping hair of its color. It’s an active ingredient that reduces dryness, flakes, and skin itchiness. It’s also very convenient to use as you can apply it on your dry scalp a few minutes before heading to the shower. 

Oribe Serene Scalp Anti Dandruff Shampoo

The Oribe’s luxe formula gives your scalp the same treatment and cares your face is used to. Its exfoliating salicylic acid removes all the flakes instead of sloughing them off for the time being. It also contains caffeine and vitamin c to help stimulate your scalp. 

However, just be careful if you are sensitive to scents. This product is infused with Oribe’s signature Cote d’Azur by the boatload. We love it, but those with skin and scalp allergies may not. In comparison with other anti-dandruff shampoos, Oribe’s formula is very expensive.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! Our top 10 best anti-dandruff shampoos. Every individual has different hair care requirements. Therefore, no single miracle product can relieve dandruff for everyone.

Try a suitable dandruff shampoo from our top picks above, and let us know whether it worked for your hair or not. Thanks for reading!