Dandruff is an itchy and flakey scalp that affects half of the population. It’s a common cause of embarrassment. The widespread belief that bad hygiene causes it may not be accurate, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Causes range from a dry scalp to Malassezia, a fungus. It’s a life-long condition some get prescriptions for, but many shampoos today may provide relief.

This article will provide a list of the best dandruff shampoo and conditioners:

1. Head & Shoulders
Head & Shoulders is probably the most well-known shampoo targeting dandruff with users spread throughout the world. In 1982 it was the “number one” brand of shampoo beating both traditional and medicated shampoos. The reason why it’s still popular to this day is because of selenium disulfide and piroctone olamine. They’re active ingredients in the shampoo that acts as an antifungal agent dealing with excess Malassezia. They are one of the few shampoos to have been clinically proven to work against dandruff by both dermatological and independent studies.

2. Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo
Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo is a medicated shampoo that deals greatly with not only dandruff but psoriasis too. The main ingredient of the shampoo is Coal Tar, which is a keratoplastic. It causes dead skin cells on the scalp to shed off and slows down the growth of skin cells. Abnormal growth of skin cells is another cause of dandruff. It comes either from stress or genetics. It’s one of the few shampoos to target this problem directly.

3. LOréal Paris Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
LOréal Paris Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is a type of Nizoral shampoo. Nizoral shampoos are used for their antifungal characteristics. They contain ketoconazole, which kills fungi by causing internal cell death. What makes this specific shampoo special is that it contains no sulfates, which can cause hair to be dry and brittle by stripping off their essential oils if used regularly. This shampoo is very safe for those with color-treated or unique hair textures.

4. Dermacare Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Dermacare Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is a shampoo by Dove. The shampoo contains Zinc pyrithione, which is effective against fungi and bacteria. It’s even been used for treating athlete’s foot, eczema, and vitiligo. It doesn’t damage hair like some other products and is safe to use on colored hair. It’s also known to balance pH levels in hair, which can keep hair bacteria and fungi-free.

5. EverFresh Anti-Dandruff Sulfate Free Shampoo
EverFresh Anti-Dandruff Sulfate Free Shampoo is a shampoo from L’Oreal Paris. It’s similar to the Nizoral, except it uses zinc pyrithione as an anti-dandruff agent. But just like L’Oreal Paris Nizoral shampoo, this shampoo contains no sulfate either, making it ideal for color-treated hair. This shampoo is ideal for those with soft and sensitive hair. It works especially well if used in conjunction with EverFresh Conditioner and EverFresh Micro-Exfoliating Scrub.

Dandruff may be a life-long problem for many of us, causing both embarrassment and irritation. However, with the right shampoos and usage, it’s still treatable to the point it’s no longer a worry when out in public.