We've all been there -your hair looks fresh and fab and then the dreaded white specs start appearing, making you wonder what dandruff shampoo you'll have to buy to solve your problems Talk about frustrating, especially when you thought you had been using the best shampoo and conditioner that you could find.
There's nothing to be ashamed of with dandruff because it's a lot more natural than we realise. But even though it is just a biological reaction, it is very annoying.
So that's why we've come together to find the best dandruff shampoos on the market - the ones that actually work in getting rid of those pesky specks and make your hair ridiculously glossy. From your high-end hair brands to the options you can get at any supermarket, there's something for everyone. You can even get dry shampoo for dandruff - we know, we're as shocked as you are.
heat's best dandruff shampoos at a glance:
Editor's choice: Percy And Reed Scalp Shampoo, £15.33 - View on Waitrose
Best trending dandruff shampoo: La Roche-Posay Kerium Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, £9.20 - View on Escentual
Best dandruff shampoo for flaky scalps: Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo, £27 - View on Cult Beauty
So, with all this in mind, the question is: what really is the best dandruff shampoo out there? We're sick of having shampoos with no results, so we've hunted down these shampoos to see which ones really work. Remember you can also invest in many anti-dandruff conditions and these options may even come in a pack.
SHOP: The best dandruff shampoos to buy RN
Editor's choice
If you're happy to splash out a little bit more to keep your scalp in check, this Percy & Reed anti-dandruff shampoo is dermatologically tested and will soothe your scalp. They rave about using gentle ingredients, perfect for anyone with sensitive skin. Not only does it rid of flakes, but it also prevents them from coming back with Piroctone Olamine. Wave bye-bye to dandruff for good.
Review: “I’ve had occasional folliculitis and eczema on my scalp since childhood and have tried so many shampoos - this soothed and calmed my scalp in one use. And it has completely cleared up my eczema. It is brilliant and soothes my scalp without drying out my hair. Really recommend it!”
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Dermatologically tested
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- May need to be replaced more often as it is a smaller tube
Best trending dandruff shampoo
LOOKFANTASTIC
La Roche-Posay has been taking over our feeds recently, so it's no surprise that it has a killer dandruff shampoo. An intensive formula that eliminates stubborn dandruff, it also has micro-exfoliating LHA with root targeting technology.
Review: “I’ve used it for two weeks now and it’s done the job! It’s super easy to use, very foamy and doesn’t smell pharmacy too much. It had visible results since the first use, I’m very happy with it, highly recommended.”
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben free
Cons
- Small bottle
Best dandruff shampoo for flaky scalps
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Cult Beautywww.cultbeauty.co.uk
This dandruff shampoo by 'hair doctor' Philip Kingsley is one of our more expensive options, but perfect if you're looking for high quality with high effectiveness. This was formulated for Sir Laurence Olivier and is multi-award winning. They must be doing something good.
Review: “Amazing. Does what it says on the tin. Instantly relieves itching scalp moisturises dry scalp and smells gorgeous too. Will be buying again.”
Pros
- Gentle formula
- Quick results
- Sensitive skin
Cons
- Not suitable for those sensitive to smell
Best sustainable dandruff shampoo
Holland & Barrettwww.hollandandbarrett.com
Faith in Nature is a great brand to go to for sustainability, with 99% natural origin and no SLS or parabens. Although this isn't specifically anti-dandruff, we recommend this shampoo because of its gentle, natural formula that works well with sensitive scalps.
Review: “The lemon and tea tree shampoo smells lovely and fresh. It leaves my hair so soft and shiny. I will definitely buy this again.”
Pros
- Natural fragrance
- Essential oils
- Vegan society approved
Cons
- Not suitable for dry hair
Best coffee dandruff shampoo
Holland and Barrettwww.hollandandbarrett.com
You read it right. It's anti-dandruff coffee shampoo. Not only can you get your daily dose of coffee that you drink, but now it can awaken your hair too. With the caffeine alongside natural ingredients, it's proven to tackle those dandruff problems you get.
Review: “After just a handful of uses I’ve gone from a scalp that itches at the slightest touch to no itching at all even after vigorous brushing. Amazing product, I love it.”
Pros
- Contains caffeine
- Anti-dandruff
Cons
- May have to use it for a while to see the results
Best itchy scalp dandruff shampoo
Ocadowww.boots.com
We couldn't have an anti-dandruff article without legendary Head & Shoulders. This shampoo tackles itchy scalps specifically, soothing and with up to 72 hours of protection from flakes and dryness. If you don't particularly suffer from itchy scalp, you can invest in the classic anti-dandruff Head & Shoulders.
Review: “Good shampoo which my husband uses regularly. Smells nice and leaves hair feeling fresh. Easy to use and rinses out well.”
Pros
- Easy to find in store
- Dermatologically tested
- PH balanced
Cons
- Not as good as high-end products
Best dermatological dandruff shampoo
Bootswww.boots.com
E45 is known for dealing with dry skincare and their dry scalp shampoo is a perfect option if you're getting frustrated with your scalp. It's really gentle and great for those who struggle with eczema. Soothing and subtle but effective.
Review: “I am very prone to eczema, especially in my hair and this shampoo has really helped me. I’ve tried a few shampoos for scalp conditions and this has proven to be the best for me as it alleviates my dry, itchy scalp!”
Pros
- Perfume-free
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Hair won't smell as 'nice' as it would with other perfumed shampoo
Best fairtrade dandruff shampoo
AmazonUrtekram has put together a formula with natural cane sugar, proven to provide extra moisture to the hair and have an anti-inflammatory effect. We love that it uses Fairtrade brown sugar and that it's certified by Ecocert.
Review: “A shampoo with a faint clean earthy aroma that would be suitable for men as well as the girls, advertised as nourishing and volumizing, it does seem to add volume and leaves hair manageable. An important thing for me is that it is not tested on animals - I would buy again and recommend.”
Pros
- Fairtrade
- Natural ingredients
Cons
- Not suitable for oily scalp (dry scalp specific)
Best dandruff shampoo for acne
Bootswww.superdrug.com
This shampoo has a great effect if you suffer from acne around your forehead and neck. Not only does it get rid of those flakes but it also treats skin sensitively, it will improve skin and you don't have to use it for long to see the effects.
Review: “Purchased this after seeing it on ‘This Morning’ recommending it for acne so I purchased this for my son who suffers from acne on his forehead and neck. We used this product for four weeks and his skin has dramatically improved. Definitely recommend.”
Pros
- Promotes scalp health
- Great for acne
Cons
- For more serious cases of dandruff
What causes dandruff in hair?
We spoke to Jessica Patching, Founder of Marla Hair, to get the total low-down on dandruff and how we can combat it. Here's what she had to say:
"Dandruff can be caused by many different medical conditions as well as stress, cold weather and product build-up. It could be something as simple as a product that's disagreeing with your scalp or added stress levels making dandruff more noticeable. Or, it may be a medical condition that has made an appearance over the scalp that is causing dandruff. Conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, contact dermatitis and psoriasis could possibly be the cause of your dandruff, too."
So, is there any way we can prevent dandruff?
"If it's to do with product build-up or a product that hasn't agreed with the scalp then using a clarifying or detox shampoo will help remove the product and any excess skin so reduce the dandruff levels. If the dandruff is being caused by a medical condition then a doctor may be able to prescribe a specific shampoo or scalp treatment to help."
Do I have dandruff or dry scalp?
There are a few differences between dandruff and dry scalp so it's worth noting down. Next time you have a flare-up in your hair, check closely because you may be looking at something entirely different.
The biggest factors which show that you will be suffering from dandruff is that they are larger flakes that are yellow or white and your skin is likely to be oily and red. On the other hand, dry scalp shows up with smaller, dry flakes and doesn't carry the inflamed look on your scalp. You may suffer from dry skin generally across your body and it's just appearing on your scalp now. As well as this, it's possible to have both dry skin AND dandruff at the same time. Talk about stressful.
These differences are subtle so it may be worth checking in with your GP to check what's really going on up there.
What anti-dandruff shampoo is best?
There are loads of options out there if you’re looking to tackle dandruff with shampoo. It depends on what you suffer with as a whole.
If you’re looking for vegan or sustainable options, we recommend Faith In Nature Lemon & Tea Tree Shampoo or The Body Shop Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. If you want a high-end dandruff shampoo Percy and Reed Anti-Dandruff I'm No Flake Shampoo or PHILIP KINGSLEY Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo. There are loads of options out there so just make sure you do your research. We have rated every shampoo above with specifications and features, so read into them before you decide.
If you have an oily scalp, you should check out the best shampoos for greasy hair that we found on the market right now. You can also check out the best shampoos for greasy hair if an oily scalp is more your concern.
Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.