Struggling With Dry Scalp? These 12 Tester-Approved Shampoos Will Fight Flakes (2024)

Black Friday Deals

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Hair Type: Fine, medium | Scent: Apple, mint, white woods | Active Ingredients: Royal Sugar Kelp, Pacific Sea Kelp, and Green Microalgae | Size: 8.5, 33.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Bumble & Bumble’s Seaweed shampoo impressed us with its all-encompassing benefits for scalp and hair. The formula’s nourishing trio of seaweeds was “a game changer” for our tester’s hair care routine, imparting moisture from her scalp to the tips of her strands without any greasy residue. The result was smooth and soft hair “like a salon-quality finish” after every wash.

Not only were her itchy patches alleviated, but she noticed a big reduction in flakes, too. When the testing period was over, she didn’t have a bad word to say about this gentle, refreshing shampoo. It produced exceptional results across the board—cleansing, hydrating, repairing, and increasing shine with just a small dollop of product.

Lisa, a tester with hair type 2B: “I immediately noticed a reduction in flakiness, and any irritation I was experiencing seemed to be soothed and alleviated. It was like a breath of fresh air for my scalp.”

Hair Type: All | Scent: Fresh & clean | Active Ingredients: Piroctone Olamine, Climbazole, Rosemary oil, Menthol, Salicylic Acid, Ginger | Size: 8.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Before discovering Sachajuan’s Scalp Shampoo, our tester had been combating a dry, itchy, flaky scalp for years. This formula blew all the other natural shampoos and DIY remedies she’d tried out of the water. It’s packed with active ingredients, including dandruff-fighting piroctone olamine and climbazole, exfoliating salicylic acid, and invigorating rosemary oil, menthol, and ginger extract.

It took around a week for the shampoo to work its magic. Our tester noticed her scalp stopped itching entirely, and felt clean, clear, and hydrated. The formula lathered well and felt very gentle. Although it didn’t strip her hair she needed to use a rich conditioner on her strands afterward.

Sarah, a tester with hair type 1B: “It actually worked! My scalp isn't itching and I don't have embarrassing flakes anymore.”

Hair Type: Dandruff-prone | Scent: Coconut | Active Ingredients: Pyrithione Zinc | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For scalp care on a budget, reach for this shampoo from Dove. It contains dandruff-fighting pyrithione zinc to gradually eliminate flakes, plus coconut oil and shea butter to gently moisturize the scalp and hair.

We love the subtle scent and rich lather of this formula, which is gentle enough to use daily. Our tester noticed an immediate improvement in scalp hydration but the formula’s scalp-soothing abilities took a little longer to materialize. After three or four washes his scalp was less itchy and, following a month of regular use, flakes began to clear up. In general, he thought the formula was comparable to similar formulas by more expensive brands and appreciated that it was widely available at an affordable price point.

Daniel, a tester with hair type 1C: “This product definitely helped to hydrate my scalp, and I believe that my hair is more moisturized.”

Hair Type: All | Scent: Floral and musky | Active Ingredients: Apple Amino Acids, Baobab Oil, Glycerin | Size: 3, 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Designed as a precursor to your regular shampoo, Act+Acre’s Cold Processed Balancing Shampoo promises to remove buildup from the scalp and rebalance its moisture barrier, improving scalp and hair health over time. Despite its wildly impressive lather, the formula is free from sulfates (common haircare detergents that can cause irritation). The included apple amino acids actually help mitigate the stripping effects of sulfates you might be coming into contact with in other products.

The richly lathering formula made her scalp and hair feel squeaky clean, allowing her to go longer than usual between washes. Annoyingly, her flakes got worse before they got better. Before long, though, her scalp was clear and free from itchiness or irritation. Moreover, her hair seemed to become stronger, thicker, and more voluminous during the testing period, proving scalp care really can improve hair health.

Bryce, a tester with hair type 1C-2A: “This product has transformed the texture and volume of my hair. It feels so much healthier, and my scalp feels clean and not itchy.”

Hair Type: All | Scent: None | Active Ingredients: Micro exfoliators, tea tree oil, coconut oil, charcoal | Size: 8, 32 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re battling stubborn dandruff and nothing in your hair care arsenal seems to be working, it might be time to reach for this multitasking shampoo-meets-scrub. "This scalp scrub shampoo helps to reduce dryness and flaking by eliminating dead skin and product buildup, and it can be used on all hair types," explains New York-based Dermatologist, Dr. Garshick, M.D., FAAD. Micro-exfoliators do the sloughing, tea tree oil soothes irritation, and coconut oil hydrates.

Our tester raved about how effective this formula was, cleansing her scalp and hair without stripping them. Her scalp was “salon squeaky clean” and free from dandruff thanks to the micro-exfoliating beads, which were small enough to be gentle but large enough to be effective (we love those Goldilocks beads). The product was also super hydrating, leaving her hair soft and shiny, and giving more longevity to her styling efforts. The one thing she would change was the container because she kept dropping it while trying to scoop the shampoo out, wasting precious product.

Amanda, a tester with hair type 3C-4C: “It improved my hair texture, calmed my dandruff down to nearly nothing, and always left my hair very clean but not stripped. I can't say anything but positives about this product.”

Hair Type: Medium/thick | Scent: Fruity and floral | Active Ingredients: Bolivian Mountain Salt, Papaya Enzymes, Prickly Pear Extracts | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Whether your scalp is flaky or just burdened by buildup, regular scalp exfoliation can help clean things up. Ceramonia’s purifying whipped shampoo exfoliates and stimulates the scalp with papaya extract and Bolivian Mountain Salt, leaving it clean, calm, and noticeably healthier.

Our tester’s scalp felt clean and light after using this product, and although it didn’t foam up, the whipped texture made it easy to spread through her thick hair. The formula moisturized and calmed her scalp, especially after removing protective styles that tend to cause irritation and itchiness. Despite the scrub’s lightweight consistency, she appreciated it left her strands soft, hydrated, and less brittle.

Chantia, a tester with hair type 4C: “It really gives you that desired deep clean. Additionally, it is a match made in heaven for thick hair because the product is thick enough to have an impact.”

Hair Type: Processed/brittle | Scent: Fresh | Active Ingredients: Fiaschetto tomato extract, glycerin | Size: 8.45 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Although Davines Nounou Shampoo is designed for processed, brittle hair, it’s actually a solid everyday option for all hair types. Formulated with antioxidant and vitamin C-rich tomato extract, and packed with moisturizing heroes like glycerin and panthenol, it nourishes and moisturizes as it cleanses, restoring the hair’s natural softness.

The formula is so hydrating that our tester didn’t need to follow up with a conditioner. Her scalp was clean but not tight or tingly, and her hair was soft, shiny, and manageable. There was no hint of buildup or residue left behind after washing, and her scalp wasn’t irritated or itchy. The only downside: the bottle is smallish so you don’t get much product for your money, but the quality of the shampoo more than made up for that.

Donna, a tester with thick, wavy hair: “Some shampoos make my hair feel like a rope. Not this one. It left my hair soft and I did not need any conditioner.”

Hair Type: All | Scent: Rosemary, geranium, orange, and peppermint | Active Ingredients: Himalayan Pink Salt, Cold-pressed Moringa Oil, Pure Unfiltered Rosehip Oil | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Let’s face it, dealing with a dry scalp can be a long game, but if you need fast results, this scrub from Goop works like a charm. It lathers as you work the scrub into your scalp and hair, lifting away dirt, debris, and flakes with help from exfoliating Himalayan pink salt. Meanwhile, moringa and rosehip oils deliver a dose of fatty acids and vitamins to soften and nourish strands.

Our tester was a fan of this shampoo from the first rinse. It lathered well and her scalp felt perfectly exfoliated and cleansed. Flakes were eradicated and her scalp stayed clear through sweaty workouts and between washes. On top of that, her hair had a “post-blowout look” defined by volume, smoothness, and mirror-like shine.

Kathleen, a tester with hair type 1A: “I cannot rave about this product enough. It targeted both my hair and scalp health and left it feeling clean and looking incredible!”

Hair Type: All | Scent: Floral | Active Ingredients: Peony extract | Size: 13.5 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Constantly distracted by an itchy scalp? This pH-balancing formula aims to calm and soothe, providing 24/7 relief. It has a thick consistency making it somewhat challenging to spread, but our tester managed it by dividing her hair into sections. Lightweight and gentle, the formula was instantly soothing on her scalp. Dry patches cleared up within a week and the skin visible at her hair part appeared shinier and healthier. It excelled at providing moisture, too. Our tester’s hair was soft and hydrated, and her fine hair never felt weighed down.

Shannon, a tester with hair type 1A: “I liked how it actually did what it said it would—calm my scalp! It felt very soothing and helped with my dry spots and irritation.”

Hair Type: All | Scent: Pine | Active Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Xylitol, Glycolic Acid | Size: 8.5 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sometimes the small frictionless moments in your day make all the difference, like, say, a shampoo that not only does what it claims but is really easy to apply. Our tester says this one from LivSo “slipped directly onto the scalp” and lathered like a dream—especially when she added her scalp massager tool to the mix.

Formulated with xylitol to protect and strengthen the skin and glycolic acid to gently exfoliate, the shampoo left her scalp feeling fresh and clean. By far the biggest benefit, though, was a drastic reduction in dandruff; her hair was flake-free after the first wash. Although it didn’t make it particularly soft or hydrated it thoroughly cleansed it. She could go four days without washing and her hair didn’t appear greasy whatsoever. One thing to note: This shampoo seemed to fade our tester’s hair dye, so it’s not the best choice for those with fresh color.

Sarah, a tester with hair type 1B-1C: “The results were immediate. I didn't see any flaking and my hair close to my scalp was light and bouncy.”

Hair Type: All | Scent: Floral | Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, Vitamin E, Piroctone Olamine | Size: 3.4, 11.8, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re all about finding a shampoo that smells amazing (but won’t make you sneeze) give this one a whirl. Made with an allergen-free perfume, it emits a floral blend of white jasmine and linden blossom that’s sensitive skin-friendly. Our tester thought the scent was wonderfully soothing.

Formulated with aloe, vitamin E, and antibacterial piroctone olamine, the formula balances and calms the scalp. Our tester said her scalp looked and felt clean after washing, and the shampoo never irritated her skin or stripped natural oils.Her hair texture also improved, becoming soft and shiny from the first use.

Jordan, a tester with hair type 1C/2A: “This shampoo soothed my scalp after just a couple of uses. I wouldn't say that the changes in my hair texture were dramatic, but it definitely didn't hurt. I would recommend this shampoo as a great option for someone with a dry, sensitive scalp.”

Hair Type: All | Scent: Fragrance-free | Active Ingredients: Hemisqualane, Bisabolol | Size: 8.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Got a fresh head of color for the season and want to keep it vibrant as long as humanly possible? This sensitive skin-friendly shampoo is ultra-gentle, cleansing your scalp and hair while maintaining the integrity of your dye.

Our tester felt like she just got a salon wash after using the product. Her hair and scalp felt really clean and her color appeared brighter than before (big bonus). Although it didn’t completely eradicate dandruff, it reduced scalp buildup effectively, allowing her to delay washing by a day or two. Because the formula is designed for sensitive skin, it’s unscented and while this might be preferable for those whose skin is irritated by fragrance, it might make it less appealing to folks who love their shower products to smell amazing.

Allison, a tester with hair type 1B: “I really liked how my hair felt after using the shampoo; it felt like I had a professional salon wash. A little goes a long way with this shampoo, it lathers really nice and was easy to apply to my hair.”

Ingredients to Avoid

Sulfates (SLS/SLES) are cleansing agents that can be a bit too harsh, stripping away natural oils and exacerbating dryness. Fragrance, especially synthetic fragrances, can irritate a sensitive scalp. Alcohol, which is generally drying, can further dehydrate your scalp.

FAQ

• What are the benefits of shampoos for dry scalps?

  Shampoo for dry scalps can help to balance out the natural pH of the scalp and sometimes even help regulate sebum production so that the scalp produces more oils, says Danielle Priano, celebrity hairstylist.

• How often should you use shampoos for dry scalps?

  The answer varies based on your hair type and how dry your scalp is, says Priano. For example, fine hair clients tend to need to shampoo more frequently than those with thick hair. If you're dealing with actual dandruff, she recommends using one daily until you notice a change in your scalp. Otherwise, keep tabs on your hair and scalp—if they're starting to feel oily at the end of the day, cut back to using the shampoo for dry scalp every other time, she suggests.

• How long do shampoos for dry scalps take to work?

  According to Priano, you'll usually see at least some results immediately. "It will vary from person to person, but the symptoms of dry scalp, itching, and dandruff will typically subside right after the first wash. With more extreme cases, it may take a few washes to see results." And if you're still not seeing an improvement, that's when you'll want to go see a dermatologist, she points out.