Dandruff is a scaly, itchy scalp condition where layers of skin cells come together to create flakes you can see in your hair.

If you have mild to moderate dandruff, treating it with over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos can often help keep flakes, itching, and irritation at bay.

Keep reading to learn what to look for in a dandruff shampoo and how specific ingredients interact with certain hair types.

Pricing guide

  • $: prices range from $5 to $15
  • $$: prices range from $16 to $30
  • $$$: prices range from $31 to $40
  • $$$$: prices range from $41 to $60

NamePriceActive IngredientsScentsSulfate-free?
Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo$zinc pyrithione 1%unscentedno
Dove Dermacare Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo$pyrithione zinc 1%coconut and shea butterno
Philip Kingsley Flaky Scalp Cleansing Shampoo$$$$cocamidopropyl betaine appleno
Jupiter Balancing Shampoo$$$zinc pyrithione 1%mint/vanilla/sage/lavenderyes
SACHAJUAN Scalp Shampoo$$$piroctone olamine, climbazolefreshno
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo$$ketoconazole 1%freshno
Leonor Greyl Paris Gentle Dandruff Shampoo$$$$ propolisylang ylangno

For this list, we aimed to select dandruff shampoos at various price points while keeping all hair types in mind. We tested several products. We also scoured online reviews, prices, and ingredients.

It’s important to note that choosing a shampoo may take trial and error. You also need to consider your hair type and color.

Give a medicated shampoo at least 3 weeks before deciding to move on. If you don’t notice a difference by that time, you can try using another ingredient.

What makes dandruff shampoo special?

Dandruff shampoo is a specialty shampoo that contains antifungal and antimicrobial ingredients like ciclopirox and zinc pyrithione to help relieve itching and flaking, buildup, and excess sebum production in your scalp.

When you start to look at dandruff shampoos, it’s important to know that dandruff usually occurs due to a combination of the three following factors:

  • presence of Malassezia yeasts on the scalp
  • sebaceous (oil gland) function and overproduction
  • your body’s immune response to the presence of yeast

As a result, most dandruff shampoos contain ingredients that aim to reduce yeast on the scalp or keep the sebaceous glands from producing too much oil.

Contact dermatitis, as well as skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, can also cause dandruff.

Antidandruff ingredients

Manufacturers use many different ingredients in dandruff shampoos. Certain ingredients may work well for some people, but not so well for others.

The following table lists these ingredients and how they work to minimize dandruff.

IngredientHow it works
ciclopiroxThis antifungal agent works by stopping the growth of the fungus.
coal tarCoal tar helps reduce skin scaling and the overgrowth of skin cells that lead to dandruff.
ketoconazoleThis beta-hydroxy acid keeps skin cells from sticking together and can help remove scaly skin cells.
salicylic acidThis beta hydroxy acid keeps skin cells from sticking together and can help remove scaly skin cells.
salicylic acid and sulfurAdding sulfur to salicylic acid helps further reduce skin cell buildup. Sulfur also has antimicrobial activity.
selenium sulfideThis antimicrobial agent also helps slow skin cell turnover and scaling as well as reduce yeast growth.
zinc pyrithioneAlso known as ZPT or ZnPT, this ingredient helps heal the scalp by reducing yeast growth, excess oil production, and overproduction of skin cells that can lead to dandruff flakes.

Is it dandruff or dry scalp buildup?

While dandruff and dry scalp have similar symptoms, they’re different conditions. Dandruff is the result of excessive oil production on the scalp with a yeast overgrowth, which causes skin cells to build and then shed. With dry scalp, the skin becomes irritated and flakes off.

You can differentiate between these conditions by assessing the appearance of the flakes. Dandruff flakes are bigger and look oily, while dry scalp flakes are smaller and dryer.

According to HairClub Hair Health Expert and Trichologist Shab Reslan, “A dandruff shampoo is essential in clearing your scalp better than your daily shampoo, which typically offers a more gentle cleansing.”

She recommends choosing a dandruff shampoo with cleansing agents that can break down sebum and product buildup, environmental debris, and flakes caused by Malassezia fungus. Your scalp should feel clean and clear of any dandruff after one or two uses.

In addition to ingredients, you may also want to consider the following variables when choosing a dandruff shampoo:

Hair color

Coal tar shampoos can darken or stain the appearance of your hair. For this reason, doctors don’t usually recommend using it on light-colored hair.

Frizzy and flyaway hair

If you have hair prone to flyaways, you may wish to try a ZPT-containing product.

One older study of women with dandruff asked them to use either a 1% ZPT solution or a 2% ketoconazole shampoo.

Researchers found that 75% of them preferred the ZPT-containing shampoo because it resulted in less frizz and flyaways compared with the ketoconazole shampoo.

Oily hair

Dandruff shampoos with selenium sulfide can make oily hair feel even oilier, according to the National Library of Medicine. If you manage hair greasiness, you may want to try dandruff shampoos with other ingredients.

Male vs. female response

Due to differences in their skin barrier, men are more likely than women to have dandruff. A small study found that men’s dandruff responded better to a 1% ZPT shampoo compared with women who used the same shampoo.

The study’s authors also found women’s dandruff responded better to non-dandruff shampoos than male dandruff, which they thought was probably due to the detergent (cleaning) effects of shampoo on women’s hair.

Hair conditioners can make hair softer and, ideally, more manageable. Some people advocate using conditioners specifically for people with dandruff. These conditioners often contain ingredients such as ZPT to further penetrate the hair and scalp.

Tips for making dandruff conditioners work effectively

  • Apply the conditioner from the scalp to the ends of your hair.
  • Leave the conditioner on your hair for at least 3 minutes.
  • Use the dandruff-specific conditioner on your hair every time you use a dandruff shampoo.

In addition to conditioners, it’s important to avoid certain hair products that may be drying to the scalp.

A dry scalp can cause an overproduction of oil, which further contributes to dandruff. Products to avoid include hair sprays or regular shampoos with a high alcohol content.

If you have tried various dandruff shampoos for at least a month and your flakes persist, we recommend seeing a medical professional such as a dermatologist or a trichologist, a specialist who focuses on diseases or problems related to the hair and scalp.

We also recommend visiting a doctor if there is redness, pain, crusting, or pus.

Which antidandruff shampoo actually works?

A shampoo that has a mix of these ingredients should help rid the scalp of dandruff: ciclopirox, coal tar, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole.

How can I permanently get rid of dandruff?

Dandruff — or seborrheic dermatitis — is a chronic and relapsing condition of the scalp. Using medicated shampoos 2 to 3 times a week should help give some relief and temporary resolution, but chances are that the use of the shampoo will have to continue with scalp flare-ups.

How do I get rid of dandruff fast?

If your dandruff is mild, try brushing your scalp and shampooing more often. If your dandruff is more severe, switch to using a medicated dandruff shampoo.

Are there ingredients to avoid that cause dandruff?

Ingredients like parabens, silicones, sodium chloride, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances are unlikely to cause dandruff, but they can make existing flakes worse because they can be harsh and drying to the scalp.

What should I do if my dandruff is extreme?

If you’ve tried OTC dandruff shampoos that contain selenium or ketoconazole (following best practices for application, such as leaving the product on for at least 5 minutes before rinsing), you may need a prescription-strength medication. In that case, speak with your doctor about a topical corticosteroid.

For a significant number of people, OTC dandruff shampoos help treat symptoms.

If your dandruff is more severe, a dermatologist may need to prescribe stronger treatments to help you manage your dandruff. Talk with your doctor if OTC dandruff shampoos aren’t giving you the results you desire.