The 5 Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoos

If you’re an online beauty junkie like me, you probably get all or most of your drugstore products from Amazon Prime. I trust Amazon.com reviews almost as much as I trust recommendations from my friends, and when someone tells me they don’t use Amazon, I will typically ask them, “But where do you buy your shampoo?” As someone who has had some level of seborrheic dermatitis (commonly known as dandruff) for most of my life, I am pretty seasoned in the world of anti-dandruff shampoos. However, I was not willing to accept this until around the age of 25 when I finally buckled down and purchased my first bottle of medicated shampoo, and boy, am I glad I did. Once I surrendered to the fact that I had an almost-chronic flaky, itchy scalp, I was able to take care of the problem once and for all. Luckily, there are plenty of shampoos that are designed specifically for treating seborrheic dermatitis, and the best part is they actually work. Read on for the 5 best anti-dandruff shampoos available on Amazon.com.

The OG: Head & Shoulders

Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $9.49, Amazon

Are you at all surprised this is at the top of the list? The first time I used Head & Shoulders Shampoo, I experienced instant relief, and I’m happy to report that this was my gateway anti-dandruff shampoo into the world of flake-free bliss. Head & Shoulders Classic Clean contains pyrithione zinc, which is the active ingredient in most over-the-counter shampoos that treat seborrheic dermatitis. It’s the first anti-dandruff shampoo I purchased, but I’ve since dabbled with other brands. I like to switch back-and-forth or try a new one each time in order to keep my hair and scalp guessing.

The More Serious & Sophisticated Nizoral  

Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $14.10, Amazon

When it comes to finding a new beauty product on Amazon, I take the reviews very seriously. When a product has 4 and a half out of 5 stars with over 2,000 reviews, I can usually feel pretty confident that it does what it says. This is what first drew me to Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, and after my first use, I was all in. At $14.10 per bottle, it’s a little more spendy than other drugstore brands, but it definitely does what it claims. If you have severe dandruff or an extremely itchy scalp, this shampoo will provide you with the relief you crave.

The Simple, Wallet-Friendly Clear Shampoo

Clear Shampoo Complete Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff, $5.99, Amazon

I first read about Clear Shampoo on The Skinny Confidential, and when I saw that it’s only $5.99 on Amazon, I knew it would be the next anti-dandruff shampoo to add to my rotation. It’s thick in consistency, has a mild, fresh scent, and definitely does the trick when it comes to scalp relief. The Amazon.com reviews indicate that it works great for treating eczema on the scalp, dry roots, and chronic flaking. Clear Shampoo is a one-stop-shop for treating various levels of seborrheic dermatitis.

Honeydew: Not Just for Kids

Honeydew Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Kids, $9.95, Amazon

I am someone who uses kids or baby products from time to time for a couple reasons: 1) they work on adults, and 2) they are typically pretty gentle and contain natural ingredients that are great for sensitive skin. (I am currently working my way through a bottle of Coppertone Waterbabies SPF 50 Lotion.) Honeydew’s Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Kids is sulfite-free, contains lavender, tea tree, and jojoba oils, and is great for people of any age with sensitive skin.

Selsun Blue: Looks Like Motor Oil, Acts Like Shampoo

Selsun Blue Medicated Maximum Strength Dandruff Shampoo, $12.01, Amazon

I first heard about Selsun Blue as a solution for dry, patchy skin on the body that can appear with an eczema flare-up or after too much exposure to sun. This shampoo can be used as a body wash to combat these symptoms and works great to rid your scalp of dry flakes as well. The medicated formula is not messing around. If you’re looking for a serious anti-dandruff shampoo that will leave your hair squeaky clean and flake-free, Selsun Blue Medicated Dandruff Shampoo will deliver.

Dandruff and other symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis are nothing to be ashamed of, especially when there are so many great shampoo options for treating it. Anti-dandruff shampoo can clear a flaky scalp up after a single use, and I swear it makes your hair grow faster. A healthy scalp will grow healthy hair, right? Gone are the days when I avoided purchasing medicated shampoo or went out of my way to hide my bottle of Head & Shoulders when I knew someone else would be using my shower. It’s time to reclaim anti-dandruff shampoos and spread the word about their flake-free magic.  

This post was written by Theresa Holland, creator and author of the lifestyle blog The Taboo Textbook.