Dealing With a Dry Scalp? These Are the 11 Shampoos You Should Use, According to Testers (2024)

Our Top Picks

Why We Love It: A true multitasker, this exfoliating formula earned rave reviews for how thoroughly it cleansed our tester’s scalp and hair—without leaving either feeling stripped. The combination of salt and papaya enzymes provides dual physical and chemical exfoliation while still being gentle enough for daily use. Per the scalp part of things, we lauded it for helping to ward off itching and flakes; it also left the hair feeling less greasy, smoother, and softer. A whipped texture that was very easy to spread evenly across the scalp was another benefit, as was the subtle (not cloying) papaya scent.

Who It’s For: Those looking for a shampoo that helps slough off dead, dry skin should try this gem. It’s also nice for anyone who loves that “deep clean” feeling. And while it’s made for all hair types and textures, our tester noted that its thicker consistency worked especially well on her thick, coily hair.

Key Ingredients: Bolivian mountain salt, papaya enzymes, prickly pear extracts | Hair Type: All | Size: 8 oz

Chantia, tester with 4C hair: “It’s one of the best shampoos I’ve used. I used it after taking out a protective style that had started getting itchy and it soothed the itchiness.”

Why We Love It: Dryness and itchiness often go hand-in-hand, but this winner helped combat both. It left our tester’s scalp feeling completely clean while also knocking out dryness—credit to the hydrating glycerin in the formula—and irksome itch in the process. (FYI, they did notice some increased flaking after the first few uses, but that quickly dissipated.) And per the point of a healthy scalp equating to healthy hair, they also saw a huge improvement in their strands, specifically increased smoothness, shine, thickness, and less greasiness, allowing them to go longer between washes.

Who It’s For: This worked best as a weekly, rather than daily, shampoo, so consider adding it into your routine occasionally to help keep your scalp in tip-top shape. It’s great for those with an itchy scalp but also good for those whose scalp may be a bit more on the combination side and hover between dry and greasy. The formula has apple amino acids, which are effective for breaking down excess product buildup.

Key Ingredients: Apple amino acids, baobab oil, glycerin | Hair Type: All | Size: 3, 10 oz

Bryce, tester with 1C/2A hair: “I’m obsessed with this. My scalp gets quite itchy and dry, but now it rarely feels itchy. I use it once weekly, and my hair always feels the softest in the first few days after.”

Why We Love It: There was no shortage of things we absolutely loved about this exfoliating formula. As a general rule of thumb, sulfate-free formulas don’t lather great, which was part of the reason we were so happy with how lusciously this foamed up. Couple that with a minty scent, and using this truly felt like a spa-like experience. As far as scalp benefits go, this gently exfoliated while imparting plenty of moisture (there’s coconut oil in the mix, which makes it very hydrating) and stopped flaking as well. Plus, our tester’s hair was less frizzy and shiny. The only drawback? We wish this came in an easier-to-use pump rather than a jar.

Who It’s For: This makes washing your hair feel like a truly luxe experience, which is great for anyone who wants to upgrade their showering routine. It works well on all hair types and textures; try it if you want to combat dandruff or dry flakes. The addition of tea tree and peppermint oils also makes this equally soothing and refreshing.

Key Ingredients: Charcoal, coconut oil, tea tree oil | Hair Type: All | Size: 2, 8, 32 oz

Amanda, tester with 3C/4C hair: “My hair and scalp were exceptionally hydrated after using this because both my products and styles lasted longer. And my dandruff was nonexistent, too. This is a perfect shampoo.”

Why We Love It: Yes, if you’re using a shampoo for dry scalp you’re likely trying to address, well, scalp issues, but that doesn’t mean you need to forgo any hair benefits. Case in point: This pick, which left our tester’s hair so soft that she skipped conditioner after the fact. It was also more manageable and brushable, leaving her scalp feeling clean and not itchy. Plus, it both lathered and rinsed out beautifully.

Who It’s For: This is another top choice for daily hair washers, as it’s gentle enough to use regularly. While it left our tester’s scalp feeling clean and soothed, the additional hair benefits are really noteworthy; try it if your strands are dry, brittle, or otherwise straw-like. (To that point, it’s especially good for those whose hair has been damaged from chemical treatments such as color or perms.)

Key Ingredients: Tomato extract | Hair Type: Chemically treated and/or very dry | Size: 8.45 oz

Donna, tester with thick 2A hair: “This left my hair so soft that I didn’t need any conditioner.And my scalp felt clean and not itchy or irritated.”

Why We Love It: A shampoo that leaves your scalp refreshed and less flakey? Check. A shampoo that leaves your hair more voluminous, shinier, and smoother? Also, check. Point being, this did it all. Our tester raved about its effects on her scalp and strands, as well as how easy it was to use, lathering nicely and cleansing very effectively, too.

Who It’s For: While this is a bit pricier, we think it’s well worth the cost, thanks to its effectiveness. It combatted dryness and flakes but also left the hair with more body and luster. As the name suggests, there is Himalayan salt in the mix, which ensures that this also has an exfoliating effect, although our tester still found it gentle enough for daily use.

Key Ingredients: Himalayan salt, moringa oil, rosehip oil | Hair Type: All| Size: 6.7 oz

Kathleen, tester with 1A hair: “I cannot rave about this product enough. It targeted both my hair and scalp and left them feeling clean and looking incredible! My hair was shiny, and my scalp barely had any noticeable flakes.”

Why We Love It: First and foremost, this works fast. We’re talking one wash. After even just an initial use, our tester’s flakes were gone. Color us shocked (in the best way possible). It was also incredibly easy to use—the consistency is lightweight, spreads beautifully, and washes out without residue. Not to mention that, unlike many other dandruff shampoos that need to sit on the scalp for a few minutes to be effective, this can be rinsed out right away. That being said, our tester found that flakes did pop up in areas she didn’t thoroughly wash. Using a scalp scrubber to ensure the shampoo was well-distributed helped alleviate this issue.

Who It’s For: While this is an excellent pick for anyone dealing with a dry scalp, we found that it didn't significantly improve hair. Our tester’s hair looked and felt pretty much the same, although her scalp was slightly less greasy, which helped her go longer between washes. However, if you want an exfoliating shampoo that doesn't come in a jar (which many of the exfoliating formulas meant for dry scalp do), this one is super easy to use.

Key Ingredients: Xylitol, glycolic acid, coconut oil | Hair Type: Dry | Size: 8.5 oz

Sarah, tester with 1B/1C hair: “I was shocked at how my scalp looked after the first wash. I've dealt with dandruff all my life, and this had the same results as the much pricier dandruff shampoo I was using prior. The results were immediate. I didn't see any flaking, and the hair close to my scalp was light and bouncy.”

Why We Love It: Many of the shampoos on this list are sulfate-free (it’s one of the key things to look for in a shampoo for dry scalp—more on that point in a moment), but not all of them lathered as well as this one. It lathered beautifully and cleansed both the scalp and hair nicely. It did take a few washes, but it ultimately did help some minor scalp irritation, thanks to the moisturizing and calming aloe vera in the mix. The effects on our tester’s hair were more instantaneous, specifically increased softness and shine.

Who It’s For: This pick does have a fairly noticeable floral scent; we liked it, but it’s something to bear in mind if you are more sensitive to fragrance. However, the fragrance is allergen-free, a boon for easily irritated skin. Frequent shampooers will also appreciate that this comes in a variety of sizes (including a jumbo bottle), and it also has a proprietary complex to safeguard color for those who dye their hair.

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, vitamin E, peptides | Hair Type: All | Size: 3.4, 11.8, 33.8 oz

Jordan, tester with 1C/2A hair: “After the first wash, my hair was softer and shinier. This shampoo also soothed my scalp after just a couple of uses.”

Why We Love It: While it’s positioned as a dandruff fighter, the skin-calming prowess of this shampoo really won us over. Our tester raved about how well and quickly this soothed and quelled her perpetual scalp irritation, and it also suds nicely and distributes well, even through thicker hair. To the point of hair, this didn’t yield a ton of effects on her hair itself, but how it calmed a stressed-out scalp makes it worth the buy.

Who It’s For: This pick can't be beaten for those whose scalps are dry and irritated. Menthol and peppermint oil do the soothing duties and are also responsible for the fresh, herbaceous scent. And since it contains pyrithione zinc, an anti-dandruff ingredient, it’s also a good pick for those fighting flakes.

Key Ingredients: Pyrithione zinc, cucumber extract, menthol, peppermint oil | Hair Type: All | Size: 16.9 oz

Michelle, tester with 2B hair: “The soothing abilities are remarkable. This is the first time in many years that my scalp doesn’t feel irritated. It works so well that I no longer need to use other scalp treatments.”

Why We Love It: Work this into your routine as an occasional treatment for flakes. Our tester noticed a reduction in flaking after about two weeks, and it also helped calm itchiness. As an added bonus, it broke down excess product buildup, too. It left her strands feeling slightly softer, though not much shinier, but given that this is meant to be used as more of a treatment rather than a daily shampoo, it’s not a deal-breaker for us.

Who It’s For: This is more of a heavy hitter for dandruff sufferers and is meant to be used twice weekly rather than daily. In other words, you won’t want to rely on this for regular washing. With a 2 percent concentration of salicylic acid, it effectively breaks down flakes and soothes dry scalps.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Hair Type: All | Size: 10 oz

Emma, tester with 2A/2B hair: “I have occasional dandruff, but I’ve noticed that it’s now completely gone. And my scalp hasn’t been as itchy, either.”

Why We Love It: There’s no shortage of good-for-your-scalp ingredients in this shampoo, all of which work in tandem to help address scalp issues and generally keep it clean, balanced, hydrated, and healthy. Salicylic and lactic acids offer gentle exfoliation, breaking down dead, dry cells and unwanted product buildup (which, FYI, can contribute to general scalp irritation). Our tester was especially impressed with how this helped tame perpetual itch far more effectively than many other treatments she’d tried. She also loved how pleasant it smelled.

Who It’s For: Try this if you have excessive residue on your scalp and/or want to heal irritation and itch. FYI, if your hair is on the drier side, you may want to pair this with a more moisturizing conditioner than you would use otherwise. It’s also pricey, so be prepared to splurge, although we found that the impressive efficacy made it worth every penny.

Key Ingredients: Piroctone olamine, climbazole, rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid, lactic acid | Hair Type: All | Size: 8.4 oz

Sarah, tester with 1B hair: “The real results came a week into the test. My constantly itchy scalp finally stopped itching. My hairdresser wrote a book about natural hair and the scalp biome. I realized mine was very out of balance, and this shampoo was a game-changer.”

Why We Love It: This pick kept our tester’s color-treated hair and scalp super hydrated while she was testing it. The best thing about it was how amazing our tester’s strands looked and felt after using it; it noticeably brightened her color. While it didn’t fully alleviate flaking, it was still gentle, and our tester loved that it effectively removed product buildup.

Who It’s For: We recommend this pick if you have color-treated hair or a sensitive, easily irritated scalp. It’s fragrance-free and so gentle that it’s earned the seal of approval from the National Eczema Association. Plus, it yields very nice hair-smoothing effects, thanks to frizz-fighting hemisqualane (a plant-derived sugar).

Key Ingredients: Hemisqualane, bisabolol | Hair Type: All | Size: 2, 8.6, 32.5 oz

Allison, tester with 1B Hair: “My hair felt like I had had a professional salon wash after using this shampoo, but it was still very gentle, and there was no irritation. I have color treated hair and I thought the shampoo maintained my color and if anything i thought it enhanced the brightness of my hair. “