The Top 10 Best Dandruff Shampoos

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you've ever worn your favorite little black dress only to find tell-tale white flakes all over your shoulders, you know dandruff can be deeply inconvenient... and absolutely infuriating. Once dandruff gets started, it's like it doesn't want the party to be over. The more you try to brush it out of your hair, the more flakes appear, ruining your near-perfect blowout for that first date or crucial job interview. Other times, dandruff is sneakier, only making an appearance once you're already out the door, and somehow ending up all over your navy wool sweater by lunchtime. And it's not just about the looks. Having a flaky scalp is itchy, irritating, and can even burn.

While dandruff is seasonless for some, it can get worse in the colder fall and winter months, accumulating as white, oily flakes that are difficult to get rid of (via Healthline). Whether you've always been a dandruff-sufferer or are new to the (not fun) game, you might see flakes because of a scalp yeast called Malassezia, an irritating hair product, having a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, or simply not shampooing enough. If your problem seems like the latter, shampooing with the right product is paramount to getting rid of your snow-topped scalp and shoulders for good. 

We've researched the absolute best 10 dandruff shampoos to get rid of the issue at the root (literally), and they don't disappoint. Say goodbye to flakiness, and say welcome home to a glossy, healthy mane and a soothed scalp.

While we love the idea of salon-style dandruff shampoo, sometimes you need dermatologist-approved active ingredients to get the job done. If your flake won't quit no matter how hard you've tried, but you're not sure about going for prescription-grade dandruff medication yet, these shampoos might do the trick.

Neutrogena's T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo ($6.18) is a cult fave for a reason. It uses clinically proven 3% salicylic acid, is preservative- and fragrance-free, and it's recommended by dermatologists to beat psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and severe dandruff. It will break down "crusty build-up," with dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. telling Prevention that "salicylic acid is commonly used to help remove excess oil from the skin and flakes on the scalp." Per The Cut, this shampoo is "like a chemical peel for your scalp" and works just as well as prescription-medicated washes. Although it might dry out color-treated or brittle hair, this shampoo costs around the same as a cappuccino and can pull "double-duty as an acne facial cleanser, too."

Similarly therapeutic, Nizoral's Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($14.84) contains the anti-fungal ketoconazole 1%, an ingredient found in many prescription-only formulas. It relieves "flaking, scaling, and itching," while being salon-tested to be gentle for color-treated or processed hair. CNN named it the Best Overall Dandruff Shampoo, saying this over-the-counter wash is great for "severe cases." Prevention raves about its "thick lather" and "clean scent," while dermatologist Neil Sadick told Allure that it reduces "inflammation and fungal growth, which is the root cause of dandruff."

Although we tend to want it all, sometimes we have preferences: salty over sweet, summer over winter, strawberry ice cream over chocolate (divisive, we know). While deeply-hydrated strands are always a plus, some of us will take squeaky-clean, light-as-air locks over heavy moisture any day. Sure, we love both, but once in a while, it feels great to suds up with a purifying shampoo that leaves the scalp downright-tingly. If you need that clean, dandruff-free feeling stat, here are the shampoos to choose.

Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Special Shampoo ($14.00) fights flaky scalps with refreshing peppermint and tea tree oil, a "natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory... and antifungal" (via Medical News Today). Dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD told Health that tea tree oil shampoos are great for "inflamed" scalps, working as an antifungal to "prevent dandruff." The Cut raves about this shampoo's "tingle complex" and its "reviving properties," while Allure describes the cooling sensation as a "zingy, get-your-scalp-right kind of clean."

Christophe Robin is a French salon-fave, noted for being both effective and chic. This Purifying Shampoo ($38) will put a pep in your step every morning, using jujube bark to "fight off dandruff" and "regulate excess sebum." Allure says this is the quintessential "anti-dandruff, but make it bougie" shampoo, while dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, tells the outlet that this wash "is good for not only dandruff but anyone with scalp issues including oiliness, flakiness, and even itchiness." It will also help break down buildup and moisturize, balancing out your locks.