The Best Dandruff Shampoos to Minimize Flakes and Itching

Tester feedback: "Eczema doesn't just plague my skin—it hits me with an intensely itchy(!!) and flaky scalp," says shopping director Shanna Shipin. “Needing a gentle yet effective solution, my doctor long ago suggested I use Nizoral, and it's helped me manage the snowy flakes of dandruff over the years.” Shipin adds that while she suffers from chronic atopic dermatitis, occasional seborrheic dermatitis (the oily, yellowish patches of dandruff caused by an overproduction of sebum) is also in the mix: "Nizoral has helped me tackle suspected fungal acne breakouts on my forehead, too. Those tiny acne bumps hate to see the blue shampoo coming.” Shipin notes that using Nizoral multiple times per week can dry out her hair and scalp, so she alternates between hydrating shampoos and oil-control shampoos, such as the Serene Scalp Shampoo from Oribe.

Key ingredients: ketoconazole | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it's for: people with stubborn dandruff

Best Drugstore: Head & Shoulders Bare Pure Clean

Why it's worth it: How can you argue with a $10 dandruff-busting formula? The drugstore brand—and 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner—keeps things simple with just nine ingredients, including zinc pyrithione, and is infused with an uplifting orchid and aloe scent. Who says dandruff shampoos have to be boring? In our testing, it built to a thick, foamy lather, which made it easy to massage into the scalp—and the scent was so good that people commented on it.

Tester feedback: Social media manager Bianca Richards deals with itchiness and flakes as a result of her scalp psoriasis. "Within just one use of this shampoo, I was immediately blown away by the results," she says. "Throughout the week, I haven't experienced as much flakiness as I have with other shampoos.

Key ingredients: zinc pyrithione | Fragrance-free: no | Who it's for: everyone

Best for Curls: Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Shampoo

Why it's worth it: Powered by piroctone olamine (an antifungal agent) and aloe vera, the Maria Nila Head and Hair Heal Shampoo does exactly what its name promises—heals. The 2024 Best of Beauty winner soothes and stabilizes flaky, sensitive scalps, doesn't wreak havoc on color-treated hair, and protects from UV damage and free radicals; its gentle blend of ingredients also leaves hair softer than other, more aggressive dandruff shampoos. And, thanks to notes of white jasmine, galbanum, and linden flower, this formula smells like a fresh bouquet. Pair the shampoo with its sister conditioner, the Maria Nila Head and Hair Heal Conditioner, for the whole kit and kaboodle.

Tester feedback: “I've struggled with flakes for years—it's a combo of dryness and what seems to be seasonal dandruff,” says contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai, who has 2B and 2C curls. “I use both this and the matching conditioner to keep it under control, and even keep a travel-size set in my dopp kit since I cannot go without it. I love that it calms my scalp and dials down itchiness, but doesn't leave my curls flat, dull, or otherwise thirsty.”

Key ingredients: aloe vera, piroctone olamine, peptides, vitamin E | Fragrance-free: no | Who it's for: everyone

Best Exfoliating: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo

Why it's worth it: If you not only see congestion and buildup on your scalp but also feel it, Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo is the refresh you need. "Ingredients like charcoal and coconut oil help remove buildup while increasing hydration,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Florida, who likes that it's been clinically tested and proven to reduce dry, flaky scalp with just one use. The plant-based exfoliants sweep away oil, dead skin, and anything else blocking your follicles from absorbing the good stuff. “Plus, peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oils provide a refreshing, spa-like experience that smells as good as it feels,” she says. "It’s color-safe, strengthening, and more than just a dandruff fix—it’s a scalp detox

Editor's tip: Commerce editor Sarah Han's dandruff is largely fueled by stress—and this scrub works in two ways to soothe her scalp.. “Not only is it extremely effective at removing dead skin cells, but the minty smell from peppermint and spearmint oils, which help reduce itchiness, instantly calms me down every time,” she says, noting that she spends a full minute massaging it in before she rinses. “My scalp has never felt cleaner, and I've been noticing a lot less flakiness.”

Key ingredients: coconut oil, charcoal powder, tea tree oil, peppermint oil | Fragrance-free: no | Who it's for: everyone, especially curly hair types

Best Fragrance-Free: CLn Shampoo Clarifying Formula

Why it's worth it: The CLn Shampoo Clarifying Formula is the Swiss army knife of dandruff shampoos. Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, is a fan of this formula because it employs tea tree oil, a powerful, dandruff-fighting ingredient with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties—in addition to salicylic acid and sodium hypochlorite to clear up excess oil, folliculitis, dermatitis, and itchiness. Use it one to three times a week, letting it sit for one to two minutes after lathering.

Editor's tip: The CLn 2-in-1 Gentle Wash & Shampoo is likely a better fit if your scalp is extremely dry.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid, sodium hypochlorite | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it's for: everyone

Best for Scaly Patches: Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo

Why it's worth it: Neutrogena's T/Sal Shampoo is a classic dandruff-buster with 3% salicylic acid as its star ingredient. Just like in products designed for your face, shampoos containing salicylic acid work as "a peeling agent that helps increase cell turnover," according to cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson. "This can help reduce flaking and break up the scaly patches." This is a good option if you're not sure what kind of condition you're working with—since it targets signs of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp psoriasis alike.

Editor's tip: While this formula is considered gentle, Neutrogena's Scalp Therapy Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Daily Control is an even milder formula you might want to consider, as it contains a lower 1.8% concentration of salicylic acid.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it's for: people with thick or large flakes.

Best Weekly Treatment: Selsun Blue Medicated Antidandruff Shampoo

Why it's worth it: For the most stubborn flakes, Selsun Blue Medicated Antidandruff Shampoo is a tried-and-true, derm-loved favorite.“It contains 1% selenium sulfide, an antimicrobial ingredient that lowers levels of yeast on the scalp,” NYC board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, previously told Allure. “By lowering yeast, you can reduce scalp inflammation that contributes to flaking.” The formula also includes menthol for that instantly soothing, tingly-cool sensation. It’s strong stuff, so it’s not for daily use—just once or twice a week can help calm dandruff symptoms like itchiness, reduce redness, and get your scalp back in balance.

Editor's tip: It’s probably not the best pick if you have super dry or color-treated hair—the medicated formula can be a little too strong.

Key ingredients: selenium sulfide, menthol | Fragrance-free: no | Who it's for: people with moderate to severe dandruff

Best for Sensitive Scalp: Vichy Dercos Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Why it's worth it: For dandruff relief that doesn’t irritate a sensitive scalp, derms turn to Vichy Dercos Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. “This is a patient favorite, especially for those with very sensitive scalps and persistent flaking,” says Asmi Berry, DO, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. “It uses selenium disulfide, which reduces the yeast that contributes to dandruff and helps rebalance the scalp microbiome.” The formula also packs salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and menthol to deliver an instant cooling effect. It calms irritation quickly, cuts flakes fast, and leaves hair feeling soft.

Editor's tip: Heads up: Selenium sulfide can contribute to hair dryness or brittleness. The brand's matching Dercos conditioner contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin to counteract that drying effect, so you may want to stock up on both.

Key ingredients: selenium sulfide, niacinamide, glycerin | Fragrance-free: no | Who it's for: people with sensitive scalps experiencing dandruff

Frequently Asked Questions

Though dandruff is commonly mistaken for a dry scalp, the two conditions are quite different. "Dandruff is the result of increased oil production and yeast overgrowth on the scalp," Texas-based board-certified dermatologist Heidi Prather, MD, previously told Allure. Accordingly, it makes sense that dandruff tends to develop on those with oily scalps rather than dry ones.

The yeast in question is called malassezia, and can be commonly found in the skin, according to Dr. King. "It can contribute to the inflammatory response in seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis [the scientific name for dandruff] and feeds on sebum, so it, therefore, thrives in oily areas," she adds.

Dandruff is limited to the scalp and typically presents itself as loose, white scales or plaques, as Dr. Prather explained, but it can evolve into seborrheic dermatitis. The latter can affect other seborrheic areas (like your face, chest, and back à la fungal acne) and manifests as yellow, greasy scales coupled with redness, itching, and irritation.

Dandruff can have a number of triggers, including buildup-causing styling products, stress, infrequent (or too much) shampooing, overproduction of sweat, and living in moist, humid, or warm climates. Stress and diet can also contribute to dandruff production, according to Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut. "Increased levels of stress can trigger dandruff,” she previously told Allure. “When our cortisol, the stress hormone, rises, it triggers inflammation and sebum production. If the sebum builds up on the scalp, that can lead to dandruff." Dr. Robinson added that both overly frequent and overly infrequent washing can both lead to dandruff. "If you are not washing your hair frequently enough, sebum and dead skin cells together can build up and cause dandruff," she said.

While Dr. King says we can't fully cure seborrheic dermatitis, there are ways to manage it with the help of over-the-counter shampoo ingredients—that is, outside of topical corticosteroids that your board-certified dermatologist can prescribe. Dr. King calls out several anti-fungal (and some antimicrobial) ingredients like selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, coal tar, and tea tree oil that can decrease malassezia, inhibit fungal growth, and calm an irritated, inflamed, and itchy scalp. According to Dr. King, pyrithione zinc-infused formulations are especially gentle yet effective, making them great for sensitive scalps.

Joel Lamm, MD, a NYC-based board-certified dermatologist, says salicylic acid is another useful exfoliating ingredient that helps wash flakes away and reduces scaling when used in conjunction with other dandruff-specific treatments.

Each dandruff shampoo has its own usage instructions, often relating to the concentration of active ingredients. Usage can also depend on the severity of your flakiness, your scalp's oil production, and hair texture. "Those with oily hair or dandruff may find that it is important to wash more frequently, while those with dry or thicker hair may not need to do it as often," Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, previously told Allure.

• Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC at Idriss Dermatology
• Neil Sadick, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
• Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
• Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami
• Asmi Berry, DO, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in LA
• Francesca Fusco, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
• Heidi Prather, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Texas
• Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
• Joel Lamm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?

For our review of the best dandruff shampoos, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and board-certified dermatologists—who have experience with different scalp conditions, including dandruff. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Find more Allure editor-approved picks for your hair-care routine:

• These Creams Are the Way to Pillowy-Soft, Defined Curls
• 17 Best Detangler Sprays for Knot-Free Hair
• 15 Best Air-Dry Creams to Perfect Your Heatless Styles
• Every Allure Editor Has A Boar-Bristle Brush — Here's Why You Need One, Too

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