The 15 Best Dandruff Shampoos That Actually Work (2024)

It’s a known fact that a flaky, itchy, dandruff-ridden scalp is not the vibe. Whether your scalp acts up in the winter or your psoriasis seems to have made its way up to your head, there’s nothing worse than having white flakes on your clothing. The last thing we want is someone saying, “Is it snowing out?”…when it’s the middle of summer. Which is why, we are eternally grateful for dandruff shampoos. Unlike detox shampoos which mostly deeply clean, dandruff shampoos employ an array of ingredients like pyithione zinc and salicylic acid to rid your scalp of flakes and prevent them from coming back in the future. And there are a ton of options.

While we're getting down and dirty to treat dandruff, we also have other hair concerns at hand we want to attend to, like our oily scalp, color-treated hair, or dry strands. So whether you’re looking for an ultra-hydrating shampoo or a scalp scrub that gets down to business, we have you covered on the 15 best dandruff shampoos below for every hair type.

If you’ve been dealing with brittle, broken strands, this is the shampoo for you. It is formulated with elastin proteins to promote stronger and healthier hair. Plus, it works to detox your scalp for a dandruff-free head.

Many dandruff shampoos can be a bit stripping leading to dry and dull strands. But not this one! This Briogeo shampoo is packed with lactic acid to moisturize the scalp, while pulling out any buildup from products and oils. Salicylic acid works to prevent scalp irritation and reduce dandruff.

This product made its way into my Sunday routine after just one use. It is the perfect reset for your scalp to prep your hair so it looks fresh all week. For an even deeper clean, massage the scrub in with Ceremonia’s Scalp Masajeador.

Sometimes dandruff shampoos can just give off a sad vibe. Maybe they don’t have that luxury aesthetic you want for your shower. This product changes that. The Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo combines salicylic acid to treat flakes and the Oribe Signature Complex to nourish strands. Plus, the fruity scent is simply divine and reviewers note it will last all day.

For a routine that does it all, grab this set from Jupiter. The medicated shampoo includes 1% zinc pyrithione, an ingredient that is prescribed to treat dandruff. The conditioner includes colloidal oatmeal oils to nourish the hair, as well as probiotics to repair the scalp’s microbiome.

The Nexxus Clean & Pure Scalp Scrub is for anyone looking to remove everything on their scalp…and I mean everything: product, buildup, oil, and yes, flakes. And in typical Nexxus fashion, the formula is infused with proteins for healthier hair. Since this scrub means serious business, try using it once or twice a week so you’re not stripping away all of your healthy hair oils.

This formula from Dove includes pyrithione zinc to stop dandruff in its tracks, but also contains shea butter to soothe scalp irritation and hydrate your strands. Reviewers say this shampoo is perfect for anyone who suffers with an extra itchy scalp.

Act + Acre uses apple amino acids to cleanse the hair removing debris and preventing further flaking. It’s also packed with baobab oil and ylang ylang oil to add moisture back and promote healthy scalp functions in the future. The brand recommends to cleanse twice each wash session for best results.

This dandruff shampoo means serious business, so if you’re dealing with excessive flakes, look no further. It includes 1% ketoconozale, an ingredient clinically proven to fight dandruff. It also helps to prevent any strand fallout caused by dandruff.

With a bit of pyrithione zinc and silk peptides, this shampoo fights flaking, while adding moisture and strength to your hair. It also includes calendula, a flower that helps to treat inflammation and irritation, making it perfect for your angry scalp. Plus, it’s safe on color treated hair, so no fading here.

With a pyrithione zinc-filled formula, this shampoo is ready to attack dandruff. It is recommended to let it sit on your scalp for up to 2 minutes for best results. Reviewers noted it not only helped with their dandruff but helped to remove scabs and scales that had formed on the scalp without overly irritating them.

This shampoo is a great starting point because it is safe for color-treated hair and everyday use. Reviewers noted their scalp was extra clean after each wash, but never irritated.

This shampoo is formulated with all of the ingredients needed to tackle dandruff, as well as some extra oils to make sure you aren’t stripping your hair. If you have dryer strands, this is a great option for you. One reviewer calls it a holy grail, noting they saw results after just one use.

If you’re looking for that little tingling feeling you get when using a detox shampoo, look no further. With ginseng root extract, rosemary leaf extract, and sage leaf extract, this formula will wake up your scalp, while preventing dandruff.

This extra strength shampoo is formulated with coal tar, which treats several scalp conditions including psoriasis and of course, dandruff. Since this product is medicated and extra strength, it doesn’t smell the best but definitely gets the job done. It is great for more severe scalp issues.