For many, dandruff can be incredibly frustrating, irritating and even embarrassing. Especially those of us with darker hair. Seeing those tiny white flakes on top of your head isn’t the best sight to behold, and can take a hit to your self confidence.
But dandruff sufferers are certainly not alone. In fact, one study revealed up to half of all adults have experienced dandruff at one point in their lives. So to help banish the flakes and itchy scalp, we’ve rounded up all the best anti-dandruff shampoos on the market right now.
What is dandruff?
So what causes dandruff? According to Associate Professor Lorraine Mackenzie and PhD Candidate Sean Mangion from the University of South Australia, dandruff is caused by the yeast Malassezia that lives on the surface or in the opening of the hair follicle.
“As the yeast grows, it releases molecules that irritate the skin and disrupts how the skin normally renews itself. This causes the cells to cluster together, appearing as white flakes. When there is excess sebum, this can mix with the cells and cause the dandruff to appear yellow.”
Does anti-dandruff shampoo work?
The right shampoo for the right hair and skin condition should work. Everyone is different so not all shampoos will be effective. Finding the right one for you might take a little trial, error and patience but if you’re suffering from dandruff and are determined to clear it up, it’s worth the effort.
The best overall shampoo for dandruff
Described by one as their “holy grail product to treat dandruff”, this 4.5 star-rated shampoo is loaded with rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid and ginger extract to soothe an irritated scalp. Combined with piroctone olamine and climbazole to remove dandruff flakes, it will leave you with clean hair and a nourished scalp.
The Straand is big on rebalancing the live bacteria (or microbes) on our heads to promote a healthy ecosystem where everyone does its thing to strengthen the skin and scalp. This prebiotic shampoo helps to reduce irritation and and remove dandruff flakes while hydrating and cleansing.
The secret to Ouai’s effective formulation is the 2% salicylic acid. This active ingredient targets flaking and dry scalps while soothing the skin. It’s also cruelty free, gluten free, paraben free, phthalate free and SLS & SLES free for good measure.
The best anti-dandruff shampoo for a dry and itchy scalp
Ideal for those with dry and sensitive skin, this one from Kérastase is silicone and sulphate free. The salicylic acid and Piroctone Olamine clears the scalp of dandruff without stripping, leaving your hair and head feeling moisturised, soothed and nourished.
For those looking for something gentle on the scalp, the Oribe shampoo is cruelty free, sulphate free, paraben free and completely vegan. It aims to relieve the skin of dandruff while soothing a dry, itchy and irritated scalp, while cleansing and purifying to encourage healthy hair growth.
After making the rounds of TikTok, this ginger shampoo gained cult-like status. The gentle vegan formulation is tough where it counts, washing away flakes and hydrating dry scalps. But it’s just for the scalp – the formulation contains a special vegan silk protein for luscious locks.
The best anti-dandruff shampoo for a flaky scalp
A favourite for its affordable price tag, the clean and plant-powered solution from Klorane soothes sensitive scalps while removing dandruff flakes. It works with the hair’s natural pH levels to restore balance.
Medically proven to treat dandruff, Selsun targets the potential causes like fungal dandruff, dry skin and contact dermatitis to prevent it from returning. It controls scaling, flaking and itchiness while even helping to relieve some conditions like Tinea Versicolor. Pick this one up from Chemist Warehouse.
Backed by over 10 clinical trials and shown to actually work almost 9 times out of 10, this medically-graded shampoo gets the job done. It not only treats dandruff but helps to address medically diagnosed seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp.
The best anti-dandruff hair masks
We had to give this an honourable mention. The Signature Hair Masque is the ultimate hair all-rounder. It’s designed to repair dry and damaged hair, detangles and reduces frizz and – of course – tackles dandruff and a flaky scalp thanks to its all-natural formulation nourishes.
Do shampoos cause dandruff?
You may be surprised to hear that some shampoos can actually cause dandruff. But it’s not just shampoos alone. Certain hair care products like condition, hair masks, scalp treatments or even hairspray and styling products can cause skin irritation. This in turn can cause dandruff. On the other side of the scale, when you don’t shampoo regularly or aren’t washing products out of your hair properly, a build-up of dead skin and oils can also cause dandruff.
If you’re finding your shampoo is causing dandruff, it’s time to switch things up and change products.
How do you get rid of dandruff without shampoo?
There are some home remedies floating around the internet that claim to get rid of dandruff naturally. Like shampoos, some may work and some may not as it’s all dependent on the person and their hair and scalp conditions. Some remedies include the use of baking soda, apple cider vinegar or coconut oil. Others claim changing up your diet or lowering your stress levels can help to relieve dandruff, too.
Does anti-dandruff shampoo strip hair dye?
Historically, it was common for anti-dandruff shampoos to strip and remove hair dye when used on coloured hair. This is due to some ingredients like sulphates present in the product. However, not all shampoos will have these ingredients so be sure to take a closer look at the product before committing to a brand if you have dye in your hair.
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