6 Best Shampoos for Dandruff

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After 18 hours of research evaluating 73 products, we picked Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo as our top choice.

Can’t wear black anymore for fear that it’ll be covered in flakes before you even get to work? You’re not alone; according to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 40 percent of adults over 30 experience some level of dandruff.

Why?

Well because dandruff is, sadly, natural. Those flakes are simply dead skin cells – traditionally held together with oil from your scalp.

There are a couple of causes, including not shampooing frequently enough. Seborrheic dermatitis, however, is one of the leading causes of these flakes, as it is an oily, irritated scalp. Another cause is a fungus that just about everyone deals with – though it doesn’t affect everyone with serious flakes.

Luckily, most people can solve their flakes with a shampoo for dandruff. However, not everyone experiences the same results from over-the-counter products.

Not sure where to begin?

Well, we’ve taken the time to narrow down the best shampoo for dandruff if you’re battling flakes. Keep reading to find the best anti dandruff shampoo for you. Welcome to the flake free life!

Why you should trust us: Faveable has been providing some of the best product recommendations on the web since 2013. Spending thousands of hours researching, interviewing experts, and testing products to come up with carefully selected lists that are trusted by millions of consumers.

Best Natural Shampoo for Dandruff

Maple Holistics Hydrate

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71 Bought

Why People Love it

Great for dry scalps
Alleviates itching
Visible reduction of flakes and hair feels fantastic

ProsCons

You won’t find any parabens or sulfates in this shampoo for dandruff. On top of that, it visibly reduces flakes and reduces itchiness quickly.

You’ll definitely need a conditioner after this product and it’s not exactly cheap. Plus, the smell can be a little too strong for some users.

Details

One of the things we like most about this shampoo for dandruff is that you won’t feel the need to wash your hair every day. This treatment lasts between washes and most people find that it leaves their hair feeling clean and shiny. That said, you may want to add a conditioner to the mix – especially if you have damaged or color-treated hair.

This is an amazing shampoo for dry and itchy scalps and most users find that it works relatively quickly. You can also expect a visible reduction in flakes, but it won’t happen overnight. That is, however, to be expected when you’re dealing with such a natural formula. But, that’s not a bad thing when you’re after something for sensitive skins.

Active ingredients: Homeopathic ingredients with essential oils

Sulfates: No

Parabens: No

Alcohol: No

Package size: 8 fluid ounces is your only option, but it is available as a Subscribe and Save product on Amazon.

Pricing: The MSRP is $9 and you’ll pay a little less than this which works out to a little more than $1 per ounce. It’s not terrible, but you can also find less expensive dandruff shampoos – though perhaps not such natural ones.

Learn more:Maple Holistics Hydrate »

Best Shampoo for Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis

Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo

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77 Bought

Why People Love it

Gets the job done
Cleans and improves scalp health
Decreases itching

ProsCons

Not only does this do the job when it comes to dandruff, it really does work well for seborrhic dermatitis. You can choose between sizes and they’re all affordable.

Not everyone can handle the smell – and it can take a little longer to work than some dandruff shampoos.

Details

This shampoo for dandruff does a stellar job for those that battle seborrheic dermatitis. Indeed, is does a fair job with dandruff flakes, but it’s really better for the former condition. If you deal with a combination of the two, you want this. Hey, even if you’ve been battling mild dandruff, the price on this should sway you.

Now, there is something you should know – the smell is, well… strong. But, that has to do with the clinical-level ingredients, which we love. Scalps do feel clean after use and there are plenty of dermatologists that would recommend you start with this shampoo before moving onto other options. Given the range of affordable sizes, we don’t see why you wouldn’t.

Active ingredients: 1% selenium sulfide

Sulfates: Yes

Parabens: No

Alcohol: No

Package size: Amazon offers three different choices of packs with 13.5-ounce bottles. Each of them is more than affordable.

Pricing: For the 2-pack of 13.5-ounce bottles, you’ll pay about $12. You don’t need to have strong math skills to know that’s a seriously affordable dandruff treatment (a little more than 60 cents an ounce) Nice, right?

Learn more:Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo »

Best Shampoo for Dandruff (That’s Not Specifically for Dandruff)

K + S Salon Quality Men’s Shampoo

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74 Bought

Why People Love it

Smells great
Refreshing scalp tingle
Effective and cleanses well

ProsCons

This shampoo won’t scream that you need dandruff control; it also offers a nice tingle and there’s a TSA-approved size available.

Besides being expensive, it’s not totally effective for everyone.

Details

Okay, this cruelty-free product is only so-so at getting flakes under control. It is pretty good at keeping them in check once you’ve cleared the condition, but it’s not necessarily going to be your friend until then. However, you shouldn’t rule out this shampoo for dandruff for a couple of reasons.

For a start, it won’t be obvious that you’re keeping dandruff under control. Additionally, it smells terrific and it lathers exceptionally well. As it does so, you can expect a tingling sensation on your scalp which will make you feel amazing. And, this shampoo is also sold in a 2-ounce, TSA-approved size so you can take it with you on the plane. Score, score, and score; it’s just not as cheap as we’d like.

Active ingredients: Tea tree

Sulfates: Yes

Parabens: No

Alcohol: No

Package size: There are a couple different package sizes available. We’re fans of the 2-pack of 16 ounce bottles. You can also Subscribe and Save on six different packs available.

Pricing: For the 32 ounces in the 2-pack above, you’ll pay less than $30 and that means a little more than 90 cents an ounce. That’s actually a terrific price for an effective cruelty-free product.

Learn more:K + S Salon Quality Men’s Shampoo »

Best Budget Shampoo for Dandruff

Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo

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91 Bought

Why People Love it

Works great
Keeps itchy, flaky scalp under control
Fast results

ProsCons

Does a good job with dandruff as well as other scalp conditions, such as psoriasis. The price is right and it’s an Amazon best seller.

There are those that can’t handle the smell; it is quite strong.

Details

There are pros and cons to this shampoo for dandruff. On the plus side, the price is right and it has enough backing from real users as evidenced by its status as Amazon #1 best seller. There are also plenty of rave reviews to back it up (particularly interesting is the story about one woman’s cat who appears to be addicted to the smell).

On the downside, this doesn’t work for everyone, nor does it work for every condition. Though it’s supposed to control dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis, not everyone achieves the same results. On the upside, when it works, it works fast – in just a few washes. So, it’s not as if you need to wait around for ages just hoping for a result. But, and this is really important, it’s crucial to follow the directions if you want results.

Active ingredients: Coal tar

Sulfates: Yes

Parabens: No

Alcohol: No

Package size: 16 ounces

Pricing: You should be paying less than $12 for the 16 ounces of this dandruff shampoo. That works out to less than 75 cents per ounce. For an effective treatment, that’s a darn good price.

Learn more:Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo »

Best 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo

Jason Dandruff Relief 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner

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157 Bought

Why People Love it

Seriously works – 100% flake-free
Smells fantastic
Safe ingredients and cruelty-free

ProsCons

It cleanses and conditions. On top of that, it battles dandruff, dermatitis, and mild cases of psoriasis. Plus the price is right.

Some users with longer hair need to get a separate conditioner.

Details

You may remember Head and Shoulders as the best 2-in-1 from back in the day. That is hardly the case today as this is hands-down the best shampoo for dandruff that includes conditioner. To be fair, women (and men) with longer hair may require a dab of extra conditioner on the ends, but most find this formula to do the job just fine.

We’re a big fan of the way this deals with scalp dermatitis and mild psoriasis - users find a lot of relief for all sorts of scalp conditions. The natural ingredients don’t strip color from treated hair which makes it a solid choice for many people. The price isn’t bad; it could be better, but it’s not terrible.

Active ingredients: Pyrithione Zinc

Sulfates: Yes

Parabens: No

Alcohol: No

Package size: 12 ounces

Pricing: You’re likely to pay between $13 and $15 for the 12 ounce bottle. That does make this quite cost effective at a little more than $1 per ounce. Not bad. Not bad at all.

Learn more:Jason Dandruff Relief 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner »

Best Overall Shampoo for Dandruff

Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

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260 Bought

Why People Love it

The only product that works consistently regardless of hair type
Excellent formula
Seriously recommend

ProsCons

The Ketoconazole 1% controls flaking, scaling, and itching while remaining gentle on the scalp. The formula works by binding to the protein of your hair.

Besides being expensive, this isn’t going to do anything about other issues, such as eczema or psoriasis.

Details

This is the stuff that truly works. Seriously. And, it’s so effective that you only need to use it twice a week. Now, this dandruff shampoo can be a little drying, so it’s best to use a conditioner on the days when you use this shampoo, but don’t rinse it out completely.

That said, the way this shampoo for dandruff works is through the attachment of the Ketoconazole to the hair proteins. The active ingredient does battle against the natural fungi we all have which causes dandruff. So, you may not want to be washing with other shampoos in between these treatments.

In case you’re wondering, this works for men and women of every shade and hair type. Really, if you can afford this, you want it.

Active ingredients: Ketoconazole (1%)

Sulfates: No

Parabens: No

Alcohol: No

Package size: 7 ounces

Pricing: The MSRP is closer to $18, but you can find this dandruff shampoo for a little more than $14. That’s about $2 per ounce. Sadly, that does make this one of the most expensive options, but it is also one of the most effective.

Learn more:Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo »

Article Staff

By Katie Schenk

Katie’s Cleveland proud; but she’s also lived in Australia, Switzerland and now stays in South Africa. That’s a roundabout way of saying she can’t sit still; she’s always moving, always busy.

She has a BA in International Relations from Kent State University and work towards a Masters in Human Rights. She speaks French, is learning German and used to dream in Spanish. For years, Katie worked as a producer on fashion and advertising shoots before she realized her passion was the written word.

Katie’s far more interested in guy’s gear than women’s, except she has a wardrobe brimming with little black dresses. She drinks her beer out of the bottle and is raising her two boys to be better men.

Editor Jenna Holtz

Researcher Ronnie Langston

Art Director Cherry Barbacena

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