10 Best Dandruff Shampoos We Tested 2026, According to Dermatologists

We tested dandruff shampoos by evaluating ingredients according to dermatologists. Glamour contributors applied shampoos over a period of TK and noted textures, how well they lathered and washed out, and whether they were really able to keep flaking and itching at bay. The best ones that met following criteria:

• Ingredients: Selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc, or exfoliating salicylic acid to help rid dead skin cells and give us a more clarified, clean scalp.
• Texture and Wash: Lightweight textures that easily lathered and washed out without leaving residue behind.
• Efficacy: Successfully got rid of flakes and itching over a span of days to weeks, and were effective in making our hair look clean and residue-free.

“I’ve used a lot of dandruff shampoos in my day,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary, “but I have to say that this one stood out to me as one of the best. It’s a very lightweight, fragrance-free formula that lathers exceptionally well to get into every nook and corner of your hair roots. It washes out easily without making my hair look or feel dry (thanks to the hyaluronic acid and ceramides in the formula), and I definitely noticed a difference in my flakes after just two uses. I also find that my scalp tends to get itchy around my ears and at my headline, and noticed that this sensation faded quickly after using this one for a week. It stands out against others on this list because of its price (at less than $10), efficacy and derm-recommended ingredients. 10/10 all around!”

• Ingredient highlights: Pyrithione zinc
• Smells like: Fragrance-free
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 12 fl. oz.
• Hair type: All hair and scalp types including oily and very dry

Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle has been using Nizoral shampoo for two months and noticed improvements on her scalp. “First, I tried a bunch of oily-hair shampoos but realized my scalp was the (hair) root of my problems. So far, Nizoral has been the only shampoo to give my scalp immediate relief. I like that I don’t need to use it for every hair wash. I simply add it to my rotation twice a week, and it keeps my scalp flake-free. It smells like any regular shampoo—fresh and soapy—and considering that my hair is very thick and coarse, it has a good amount of lather,” she says.

• Ingredient highlights: Ketoconazole
• Smells like: Fresh
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 7 fl. oz.
• Hair type: Best for all hair types

“I recently got a professional hair gloss so I’ve been switching over to color-safe products to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. One non-negotiable in my routine is anti-dandruff shampoo, so I was excited to test out this luxe formula that addresses flakes without stripping away my new hue. I love how well this formula lathered, and how smooth and silky my hair felt after application. My scalp felt flake-free, and my roots weren’t as greasy as usual by day two,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.

• Ingredient highlights: Salicylic acid
• Smells like: Fresh florals and fruit
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 8.5 fl oz.
• Hair type: All hair types; especially color-treated

“The Cécred Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub is one of my favorite products to use on my hair. The first time I used it, my hair instantly felt clean after the first wash. The combination of exfoliants with the calming nature of tea tree oil are a game changer in removing weeklong buildup from my curls. Sometimes when I use products, it feels as if my hair is being stripped of my natural oils. But the Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub clarifies my hair without overstripping, and it looks and feels soft post-wash. Plus, the nozzle applicator makes it so easy to apply the product. Every shampoo product needs it,” says Glamour editorial assistant Monique Wilson.

• Ingredient highlights: Tea tree oil
• Smells like: Tea tree and lemon
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 8 fl. oz.
• Hair type: Curly and coarse hair types

“A wash with this shampoo is nothing short of pleasant, and I found it to be very gentle on my oily roots. It has a very subtle smell that’s sweet and clean, and the salicylic acid did a nice job of exfoliating without irritating. I love that this one is paraben and sulfate-free as well—and the fact that you can use it on color-treated hair too,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.

• Ingredient highlights: Salicylic acid
• Smells like: Clean fig
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 10 fl. oz.
• Hair type: Dry hair and sensitive scalps

“This shampoo lathers beautifully—just a small amount gets my hair super clean without drying it out. I’m not in love with the scent (it smells kind of sterile), and I wish the bottle had a pump (it’s easy to go too heavy-handed). But the nourishing formula leaves my hair really soft and seems to help keep dandruff at bay longer than most shampoos I’ve tried. I can usually go a solid four days between washes when I use this,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley.

• Ingredient highlights: Roucou oil
• Smells like: Fresh
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 9.47 fl. oz.
• Hair type: Dull, dry strands

“If you’re looking for an OTC shampoo option that can help mitigate flakes and itch, try this oil-control shampoo with medicinal benefits,” says Katya Khayutin, a master esthetician and owner of BelVer Studio in Austin, Texas. “It has sebum-regulating ingredients like salicylic acid and selenium disulfide to help control oil production on the scalp and reduce greasiness over time.” This one is a great pick if you’re looking for lasting results, as it helps address root causes of dandruff and flakes.

“I was thoroughly impressed with this pick because of the powerful combination of exfoliants and anti-dandruff ingredients. While the formula itself does feel (and smell) a little medicinal, it did a great job of clarifying my hair and making it feel fresh, non-irritated, and scale-free. I’d especially recommend it, too, if you deal with an itchy scalp,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.

• Ingredient highlights: Selenium DS
• Smells like: Mint and menthol
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
• Hair type: All hair types including oily

“I’ve been using Dr. Groot’s thickening formula for a few weeks—it’s one of the few formulas a trichologist recommended for me when I got a scalp analysis. The ingredient list is clean and minimal, but my scalp already feels cleaner and more balanced. The orange‑geranium scent reads more masculine—and almost like eucalyptus to me—but it’s very spa-like. I do wish it would lather just a bit better, but the tiny exfoliating beads really do seem to help sweep away buildup and leave my hair feeling fuller at the roots. I also appreciate that it’s safe for color-treated hair (I single-process to keep grays at bay),” says Earley.

• Ingredient highlights: Salicylic acid
• Smells like: Fresh
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 10.1 fl. oz.
• Hair type: All hair types including fine and oily

“If you’re in the market for a deep clean, this exfoliating shampoo will do just the trick,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It’s almost a blend of a shampoo and a scrub, which makes for a really unique experience, and I’d highly recommend it for anyone who deals with flakiness, especially during seasonal transitions. After using this I noticed fewer flakes generally, and my scalp felt less irritated than it usually does. The only thing I’d note about this one is that you really have to make sure you wash it out, as some residue might be left behind.”

• Ingredient highlights: Charcoal, coconut oil
• Smells like: Peppermind
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 8 oz.
• Hair type: All hair types, especially those with an itchy scalp

• Ingredient highlights: Pyrithione zinc, aloe vera
• Smells like: Mint
• Safe for color-treated hair: Yes
• Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
• Hair type: All hair types, including oily