14 Greatest Dandruff Shampoos 2024 to Soothe Itchy, Dry Scalp

Editor’s tip: If in case you have a delicate scalp, the Head & Shoulders Scientific Dandruff Protection Delicate Shampoo is a gentler but efficient possibility. The 2022 Attract Better of Magnificence winner targets dandruff with 1% selenium sulfide, whereas aloe vera works its soothing, irritation-calming powers.

Key elements: selenium sulfide, menthol | Perfume-free: no | Who it is for: folks with pronounced itchiness

Often Requested Questions

What’s dandruff?

Although dandruff is often mistaken for a dry scalp, the 2 circumstances are fairly totally different. “Dandruff is the results of elevated oil manufacturing and yeast overgrowth on the scalp,” Texas-based board-certified dermatologist Heidi Prather, MD, beforehand advised Attract. Accordingly, it is sensible that dandruff tends to develop on these with oily scalps quite than dry ones.

The yeast in query is named malassezia, and may be generally discovered within the pores and skin, in response to Dr. King. “It may possibly contribute to the inflammatory response in seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis [the scientific name for dandruff] and feeds on sebum, so it, due to this fact, thrives in oily areas,” she provides.

Dandruff is proscribed to the scalp and sometimes presents itself as free, white scales or plaques, as Dr. Prather defined, however it could actually evolve into seborrheic dermatitis. The latter can have an effect on different seborrheic areas (like your face, chest, and again à la fungal zits) and manifests as yellow, greasy scales coupled with redness, itching, and irritation.

Why do I’ve dandruff?

Dandruff can have various triggers, together with buildup-causing styling merchandise, stress, rare (or an excessive amount of) shampooing, overproduction of sweat, and dwelling in moist, humid, or heat climates. Stress and food regimen also can contribute to dandruff manufacturing, in response to Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut. “Elevated ranges of stress can set off dandruff,” she beforehand advised Attract. “When our cortisol, the stress hormone, rises, it triggers irritation and sebum manufacturing. If the sebum builds up on the scalp, that may result in dandruff.” Dr. Robinson added that each overly frequent and overly rare washing can each result in dandruff. “If you’re not washing your hair incessantly sufficient, sebum and useless pores and skin cells collectively can construct up and trigger dandruff,” she mentioned.

What elements are in dandruff shampoos?

Whereas Dr. King says we will not absolutely remedy seborrheic dermatitis, there are methods to handle it with the assistance of over-the-counter shampoo elements—that’s, outdoors of topical corticosteroids that your board-certified dermatologist can prescribe. Dr. King calls out a number of anti-fungal (and a few antimicrobial) elements like selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, coal tar, and tea tree oil that may lower malassezia, inhibit fungal progress, and calm an irritated, infected, and itchy scalp. Based on Dr. King, pyrithione zinc-infused formulations are particularly mild but efficient, making them nice for delicate scalps.