One of the main issues men, women, and children alike face when it comes to hair care is dandruff. We all know dandruff is a scalp condition causing tiny skin flakes to appear. Itchiness and a constant feeling of dry skin usually accompany the flakes. This is why today we will look at the best dandruff shampoo varieties on the market and see which one works best for you.
While we do know plenty of things about dandruff, we still have to figure out a lot. What we know for sure, given today’s advanced research, is that men are more likely to develop dandruff than women are – an issue the specialists associate with male hormones imbalances.
Usually, when we feel we cannot take dandruff anymore, we begin to search for the best anti dandruff shampoo out there. The quest might not be as easy as it seems. Nevertheless, we have prepared here our top ten picks when it comes to the best over the counter dandruff shampoo you can get your hands on.
Dandruff is a very common condition but it is embarrassing and hard to treat. People with dry skin usually experience dandruff, but dandruff can appear in people with oily, irritated skin as well. Unfortunately, not all hair treatments prove to be effective in eliminating the dandruff or solving the underlying cause of this condition.
Speaking about causes, there is no conclusive theory yet. Doctors and scientists associate dandruff with a handful of causes and concomitant conditions, such as hormonal imbalances, seborrheic dermatitis, dry skin (as we mentioned above), eczema, psoriasis, weak immune system, mental stress and exhaustion, poor diet, and other medical conditions (such as Parkinson’s Disease).
While you should check out with your physician the possible causes of your dandruff, you should get ready to go shopping for the best dandruff shampoo. If you are ready to restore your hair’s looks and health, buckle up, as we have the best shampoo for dandruff top ten list right here!
Top 10 Best Dandruff Shampoo Picks of 2018
In the chart below, you will find my top 10 rated best dandruff shampoo on the market list. For a more in-depth review of each product, please click on the Read Review link.
Product Image |
(Product Name) |
My Review |
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Maple Holistics Anti Dandruff Thickening Shampoo with Cedarwood |
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Best Dandruff Shampoo Types
Before we begin, we have to mention a few things, so you can make an educated choice when it comes to the best dandruff shampoo for you. Some dandruff shampoos contain medicine and come from pharmaceutical companies or brands famous for their anti-dandruff research.
Other anti-dandruff shampoos are natural, many of them are sulfate-free, and many contain organic ingredients and so on.
Lastly, there are shampoos that have more than an anti-dandruff effect. They can help with hair thickening, hair growth, hair health and shine. In this category you can find both dermatologically recommended shampoos and the natural ones. You could also try a deep cleansing scalp scrub to try and soothe your scalp.
Let us see what everything is all about, shall we?
Type 1: Best Dermatological Dandruff Shampoo
If dandruff is really a huge problem for you, the first thing to do is talk to a dermatologist or your regular physician. You may suffer from associated conditions – and dandruff may be just a symptom of many, or the least of your problems. Dermatological dandruff shampoos come with tailored formulas meant to act as medicine does. There are pros and cons to using such shampoos. Generally, they prove efficient in helping you get rid of dandruff, but they also come with their share of drawbacks. Let us get into the details!
Pros
- plus Proven anti-dandruff efficiency
- plus Work for both men and women
- plus Recommended by doctors
Cons
- close Check with your doctor before using
- close Have little side positive effects
- close Few organic ingredients
Type 2: Best Natural Dandruff Shampoo
When it comes to hair care, dry, flaky, itchy scalp is a problem you need to solve with the highest priority. However, if you are taking hair care seriously, you should also focus on natural/organic shampoos that do more than just liberate you from dandruff. Natural shampoos come with plenty of essential oils, fruit, herbs, and nuts extracts, added vitamins and minerals, and so on. While they seem like a dream came true, we will still list the pros and cons of these products.
Pros
- plus Natural hair care
- plus Multiple hair health benefits
- plus Work well for both men and women
Cons
- close Results don’t happen right away
- close Not for all hair types
- close Scent may not be on your liking
Type 3: Best Multi-Purpose Dandruff Shampoo
Many dandruff shampoos also come with advertised positive side effects: better hair growth, hair thickening, hair nourishing, and hair protection and so on. In theory, they sound amazing. Who does not want a shampoo that solves all possible hair problems? The good thing about these shampoos is that they are packed with natural ingredients, essential oils, and herbs’ extracts known for their beneficial properties on your hair. This does not mean they do not come with their fair share of cons as well.
Pros
- plus Efficient
- plus Family and budget friendly
- plus Highly available on the market
Cons
- close Results may not be what is expected
- close Scent is not the best
- close See doctor before using
Common Features of the Best Dandruff Shampoo Picks
Upon testing each individual shampoo on this list, we factored in multiple parameters (beside the anti-dandruff effect, which is the main goal of our research): hair volumizing effect, scalp moisturizing, scalp dryness and itchiness control, hair softness and shine, hair color protection, natural/organic ingredients, other benefits, and more.
Before we begin listing the common features of these dandruff shampoos, we have to tell you that we also took into consideration the possible side effects of these products – albeit minor – and the smell/scent of these products. As we all know, not all people like all flavors, but all people want their hair to smell nice.
Summing up, these are the common features of all ten best dandruff shampoo entries on our list!
- check-circle-o Effectiveness: Either dermatologically formulated or containing natural ingredients, these shampoos did exactly what they promised they would: solve the dandruff problem, together with the itchy, dry, annoying scalp sensations. We found these shampoos to be mild with the skin and not cause irritations or trigger significant skin reactions.
- check-circle-o Multiple hair benefits: These shampoos had visible multiple positive effects on our hair. Besides helping with dandruff control, we found that these shampoos made our hair softer, smoother, with more body, volume, texture, and shine. We also had nice experiences with hair enhanced strength and natural growth.
- check-circle-o Enriched formulas: Besides the usual suspects in natural hair care (oils and fruit extracts), these shampoos also come with biotin or keratin, natural vitamin complexes and organic ingredients that stimulate and strengthen hair.
- check-circle-o Family Friendliness: Usually, dandruff shampoos for children are separately formulated products than the ones for adults. We found that the natural shampoos on the list are also child-friendly, since they are sulfate free and contain natural essential oils and organic ingredients. What is important to know is that these shampoos work well for women and men alike.
- check-circle-o Long-term results: One of the problems even with the best dandruff shampoo is that dandruff comes back once you stopped using the shampoo or changed the shampoo. We tested the shampoos on our list and found that you can take a pause from your dandruff treatment and feel free to show off your gorgeous hair, as the dandruff does not come back any time soon.
- check-circle-o Affordability: All these shampoos are incredibly affordable, presenting extremely good value for money. You will enjoy healthy beautiful hair together with the entire family without having to worry about your budget.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Dandruff Shampoo on the Market
As we said, dandruff can come from nowhere in some people. Others fight against it since childhood. Others have some health issues that trigger dandruff in the process. Before you go get the best dandruff shampoo you thinks will work miracles on you, do not underestimate your health. Sometimes, dandruff is just dandruff and you can make it go away with the correct shampoo.
Other times, you need to see your physician or dermatologist beforehand. You may also need a diet and lifestyle change to eliminate the dietary causes of dandruff. You may need some analyses and thorough check-ups to learn whether you suffer from a skin condition, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and so on.
You may also show signs of mental fatigue and high levels of stress that translate into dandruff and maybe other health issues you ignore.
Overall, a medical control will not hurt. On the contrary, it may help you take the best decisions about your life and hair care.
1. Is Dandruff a Standalone Problem or Do You need to see your Doctor?
As we said, dandruff can come from nowhere in some people. Others fight against it since childhood. Others have some health issues that trigger dandruff in the process. Before you go get the best dandruff shampoo you thinks will work miracles on you, do not underestimate your health. Sometimes, dandruff is just dandruff and you can make it go away with the correct shampoo.
Other times, you need to see your physician or dermatologist beforehand. You may also need a diet and lifestyle change to eliminate the dietary causes of dandruff. You may need some analyses and thorough check-ups to learn whether you suffer from a skin condition, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and so on.
You may also show signs of mental fatigue and high levels of stress that translate into dandruff and maybe other health issues you ignore.
Overall, a medical control will not hurt. On the contrary, it may help you take the best decisions about your life and hair care.
2. Dandruff Shampoo Side Effects
Just like sulfate free shampoos, dandruff shampoos come with little side effects – which does not mean you should dismiss them as non-existent. Some dermatological dandruff shampoos may contain substances you are allergic to without you even knowing.
Natural/organic dandruff shampoos can also contain essential oils and extracts or scents you are allergic to (almond oil for instance). Before using any of these shampoos, carefully read the label and try to identify the ingredients you are not comfortable with. Even if you do not find any, you should still do a skin allergy test – just as you do with hair dye.
Another side effect you should consider is the dandruff shampoo’s failure to help you with your dandruff fight. This can occur because you have a more complex condition that needs a specific treatment. This may also happen because you have a special type of hair that does not match the shampoo you bought. Depending on your hair type, you may feel that the anti-dandruff shampoo made your hair oily. Worse, you may feel that your scalp is even drier and itchier than before.
Before using any of these shampoos, make sure you are fully aware of your scalp and hair problems. It would be a shame to spend money on a product you will feel disappointed with simply because you had different expectations.
Read carefully each of our reviews, ask the manufacturer questions if you are not completely sure about the product, and check out what other people with similar problems have to say about each product.
3. Dandruff Shampoos Scent
Surely one single product cannot please the entire population. Different tastes also mean different expectations. Before jumping at the opportunity to buy the best dandruff shampoo on the market, make sure you will be comfortable with its scent. While many love vanilla, others may reject it. Some love cedar wood, others reject lavender.
Many natural/organic dandruff shampoos have pungent, strong or spicy scents, while others have vague and indefinite flavors. You should carefully read the label and learn what other people have to say about the products. As we said, it would be a pity to buy a shampoo, hate its smell, and throw it away, even if that shampoo is one of the best dandruff control ones on the market.
Questions to Ask Yourself before Buying the Best Dandruff Shampoo on the Market
We emphasized on many important things while we assessed and rated each individual shampoo, but you still need to ask yourself a few more questions before you start shopping. There are many FAQs answered on each of the reviews linked here, but let us resume some of the most important inquiries people have in relationship with these dandruff shampoos.
1. Q: Am I using only natural ingredients in this shampoo?
A: When you read the label, you will see dozens of ingredients. Some are natural and some are not. Dermatological shampoos also contain medicine and chemicals substances to actively fight against your dandruff problem. Natural shampoos are usually sulfate free and full of essential oils and herb extracts. You should not worry about the composition of these shampoos. They are mild, do not negatively influence dyed hair, and come with important ingredients, such as biotin.
2. Q: Am I going to get better hair after using these shampoos?
A: Simply put, yes. Of course, you should pick one or more shampoos that match your hair and skin type. You should also keep your expectations on the moderate side – not all anti-dandruff shampoos miraculously make your hair grow, while not all sulfate free shampoos for volume also help you with scalp eczema. When it comes to these shampoos, the multiple hair benefits will be visible in time. We are talking about better scalp and hair roots nourishment, itchiness alleviation, smoother, shinier hair, better texture, volume, and body.
3. Q: Are these shampoos fit for all genders?
A: Yes. We picked the best dandruff shampoos on the market that work well for both genders, even if men are more prone to dandruff than women are. Given their active ingredients, these shampoos have shown good results on both genders.
Why These Best Dandruff Shampoo Picks are Awesome/Valuable?
These dandruff shampoos are awesome and valuable for a great number of reasons. We mentioned such reasons on each individual product review, but we are more than glad to summarize our top favorite awesome reasons why everybody should give these shampoos a chance.
Psychological comfort
How many times did you avoid going out just because your dandruff make you felt like a pariah? How many times did you feel embarrassed because of the dandruff on your office suit’s shoulders? Besides being a health problem, dandruff comes with psychological issues one cannot ignore. You feel uncomfortable, you may get lower rates of self-esteem and self-confidence, you may begin avoiding social interactions and so on. To add insult to injury, dandruff hair means also itchy scalp – and scratching your head in public is never good personal PR. The best dandruff shampoo can restore the health of your scalp and hair, improve your looks and give you back your psychological comfort you wished for so long.
Multiple hair benefits for the entire family
Once you get rid of dandruff, you also get rid of the itchiness and the dry skin feeling. Moreover, you will get nourished scalp and hair, more moisture, more volume, texture, and shine – especially if you use the natural shampoos. Being gender-independent, your entire family will feel better and look better in no time.
Affordability
You know many hair treatments and professional hair care solutions are very expensive. Our best dandruff shampoo list contains products that are incredibly affordable and which offer incredible value for their money. You do not have to invest in hair masks, hair serums, shampoos, and conditioners anymore. Many of the shampoos on our list come with their own conditioner. The dermatological shampoos work great with the conditioner you already have and use. Besides helping your scalp and hair look and feel amazing, your personal/family budget will also thank you.
Should Men and Women Use Different Dandruff Shampoos?
Studies have shown that more men get dandruff than women. Men will need a dandruff shampoo that focuses on restoring the scalp, unlike women who need shampoo to provide smoothness, shine, and hair damage repair. There are many dandruff shampoos for men on the market. These anti-dandruff shampoos are made to get rid of dandruff, and stop dead skin cells from flaking your scalp. Another option for getting rid of dandruff is to use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil can be used with both men and women and will prevent a flaky scalp and itching.
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Signs That You May Have Dandruff
In most cases, dandruff symptoms are easy to notice. White flakes of dead skin will be in your hair, and sometimes on your shoulders. You may also have an itchy, scaly scalp. Keep in mind that your condition may worsen during the winter since the indoor heating will cause you to have a dry scalp. One cause of dandruff is not shampooing your hair enough. This can cause skin cells to build up, and therefore give you dandruff. Young babies, including newborns, often get a form of dandruff called cradle cap. If your child has a scaly, crusty scalp, most likely he has cradle cap.
Common Questions
Before reaching the conclusion of this best dandruff shampoo top ten list, we have to focus on three more questions that are common among customers. We noticed people are preoccupied with some issues. While we touches these subjects on each individual review, we feel it is important to summarize them here as well.
Q: Are these shampoos environmentally friendly?
A: They are, but in different grades. The natural/organic shampoos on this list contain botanical and natural ingredients. Not all these products are USDA certified as organic, but they do contain ingredients coming from controlled cultivations. You can always ask the manufacturers about the environmental friendliness of each individual product. From our experience, manufacturers are more than willing to answer to their clients’ inquiries.
Q: Are these shampoos cruelty free?
A: More and more people care a lot about animal testing when it comes to cosmetic products, hair care, and the beauty industry in general. This is why we found important to mention that the best dandruff shampoo varieties on this list are cruelty free. In case you are not sure about an individual product, you can ask the manufacturer. They usually respond fast to these types of questions.
Q: How much do expiration dates matter with these shampoos?
A: Expiration dates matter a lot in both dermatological and natural shampoos. Some of the products’ shelf life is long enough for you to use them with no worry. However, when you buy them, make sure you know their expiration date. Natural shampoos’ ingredients can oxidize and turn bad after a while. In the case of medically formulated shampoos, you need to make sure you use them before they expire to lower any risk of side effect.
Conclusion
This was our best dandruff shampoo top of 2018! If you want to get rid of dandruff once and for all, these are some excellent choices you should consider. Offer your scalp and hair the care, pampering, and protection it needs so they can look and feel amazing. You will certainly appreciate the multiple hair benefits these shampoos also offer: stronger thicker hair, volume, texture, shine, and health.
One of the biggest advantages of these shampoos are their mild and mindful formulas. They are meant to soothe itchy scalps and restore your hair’s natural balance and health. Many such shampoos come with enriched formulas containing biotin, vitamins complexes, natural extracts, herbs famous for their effects on skin and hair, essential oils, and organic ingredients.
Another interesting advantage is that many such dandruff shampoos come with their own conditioner. The ones that do not, work well with other available conditioners you are used to. Thus, these products save you a lot of time with hair care and plenty of money with your hair care products shopping cart.
These shampoos bring a lot of value from a quality-price balance point of view. You may find some cheaper than imagined – which does not mean that they are not good.
We also picked gender-independent shampoos. You do not need to worry anymore about the best dandruff shampoo for men or the best dandruff shampoo for women. Make sure you are fully aware of your scalp and hair type and problems and pick the shampoo that fits your needs!
Do you want to know what is the best dandruff shampoo on the market? Check out each individual review we offered for each of the products on the list! If you have more questions, concerns, suggestions or feedback to give us, do not be shy to leave us a comment in the comments section below!
External References & Citations
- chevron-circle-right See the Amazon best dandruff shampoo list according to customers’ reviews
- chevron-circle-rightMaple Holistics Sage Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Review
- chevron-circle-rightNizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Review
- chevron-circle-rightMaple Holistics Pure Tea Tree Oil Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Review
- chevron-circle-rightClear Shampoo Complete Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Review
- chevron-circle-rightPuriya Natural Dandruff Shampoo Review
- chevron-circle-rightArt Naturals Dandruff Shampoo Review
- chevron-circle-rightOm Botanical Dandruff Hair Loss Shampoo Review
- chevron-circle-rightMaple Holistics Anti Dandruff Thickening Shampoo with Cedarwood Review
- chevron-circle-rightRedken Dandruff Control Shampoo Review
- chevron-circle-rightThe Wonder Seed Hemp Shampoo Review
Last update on 2023-04-18 at 02:11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API