Head & Shoulders; Getty Show
Do you suffer from dandruff or a dry, itchy scalp? It can be overwhelming (and time consuming) to figure out the best course of action to combat these symptoms and get scalp relief fast. To cut through the clutter on the shampoo shelves, we tapped scalp health expert and master stylist Diane Stevens to get her take on the best shampoos for itchy scalps. It’s a common misconception that you shouldn’t wash your hair when you are experiencing a dry, itchy or flakey scalp, but Stevens disagrees. “The best way to encourage a healthy scalp and avoid a dry and itchy scalp is to keep your scalp clean and refreshed,” said Stevens. Ingredient selection is also key to getting rid of dry scalp. “Any product containing aloe, pyrithione zinc, or green tea will make the scalp feel much better,” she said. In terms of products to avoid, she recommends steering clear of scalp treatment shampoos with parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and formaldehyde, as well as anything with citrus. These types of ingredients have been known to dry the scalp out more and may cause more irritation and itching. But truly maintaining a healthy, itch-free scalp isn’t only about selecting the right dry scalp shampoo. It’s important to look at your lifestyle in a holistic way and make sure you’re eating right in addition to using the right hair and scalp products. Our scalp expert Stevens also recommends drinking plenty of water and maintaining a healthy diet, especially staying away from greasy and salty foods. Doing these things while using the right dry scalp shampoo for you will help you to avoid flakes, dandruff, itchiness, and other symptoms of unhealthy scalps. Ready to find the right scalp shampoo for you? Read on to learn more about the expert-recommended shampoos to soothe your scalp. Expert-Recommended Dry Scalp Shampoo NIOXIN Scalp Recovery System Kit with Pyrithione Zinc Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care Daily-Use Anti-Dandruff Yes To Naturals Tea Tree & Sage Oil Scalp Relief Shampoo for Dry & Itchy Scalp DERMA-E Scalp Relief Shampoo with Psorzema Herbal Blend Mustela Stelatopia Foam Shampoo Aveeno Scalp Soothing Shampoo, Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Philip Kingsley Flaky Scalp Cleansing Shampoo Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Matrix Biolage Cooling Mint Scalpsync Shampoo Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo The Body Shop Ginger Scalp Care Shampoo Neutrogena T/Gel Daily Control 2-in-1 Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner Dove Nourishing Secrets Shampoo Redken Scalp Relief Dandruff Control Shampoo Katie McBroom Beauty Editor Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and beauty/grooming expert. ITCHY scalps can be a source of embarrassment and irritation for sufferers but there are ways to tackle itchiness. Shampoo is the first step in fighting an itchy scalp and can help stop symptoms like dandruff and discomfort. What are the symptoms and causes of an itchy scalp?There are numerous causes of an itchy scalp from seasonal changes to hair coloring reactions. When it starts to get colder you may find your body, including your scalp, becomes itchier. Annoyingly this can also happen as it gets hotter in summer and you sweat more. Visibly you might see flakes of dandruff appearing in your hair. This can come from psoriasis or other skin conditions as well as general dryness. If you are suffering from red and inflamed skin patches with whitish plaques, cracking dry skin, and soreness, you may be suffering from psoriasis, and should consult a physician. How can you treat an itchy scalp?Itchy scalps can be treated easily depending on the cause. Shampoos are a great place to start because they can help ease symptoms and heal your scalp. Aveeno Farm-Fresh Oat Milk Sulfate-Free Shampoo15 Aveeno uses oats as its base product
Aveeno is well known for its skin-soothing products which are all made using an oatmeal base. This daily Aveeno shampoo will gently moisturize your skin to stop your scalp from itching and leave your hair looking shiny and healthy. Made with oat and almond milk, the shampoo is paraben- and fragrance-free so it won’t irritate your scalp any further. Vanicream Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo15 Vanicream is a medicated shampoo
This formula has 2% zinc pyrithione to fight any dandruff-causing sores or dry patches. Vanicream is unscented so there is no fragrance to irritate the skin further, and no oils that can clog the pores. If your scalp is incredibly sensitive to any kind of shampoo, this could be the perfect solution to bring itchiness back under control. Head and Shoulders Supreme Nourish & Smooth Shampoo15
Household anti-dandruff brand Head and Shoulders is often the first place people look when suffering from itchy scalps. The shampoo is pH balanced to prevent upsetting the natural acidic balance of your head but also has jojoba oil to help calm your skin. Dryness and itchiness will be soothed by this daily usage shampoo, and it’s one of the cheapest on the list. The Body Shop Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo15 The Body Shop Ginger Anti-Dandruff ShampooCredit: The Body Shop
No, this doesn’t turn you into a redhead — ginger is a great ingredient for your hair, helping thicken the strands and moisturize the scalp. Also, it means your hair will smell delicious rather than the clinical smell some shampoos can leave behind. With a combination of Sri Lankan ginger, birch bark, white willow extracts, and Community Trade Honey, your hair will thank you. JVN Hydrating Shampoo15 JVN is owned by stylist Jonathan Van Ness
Sometimes itchy scalps can come from repeatedly stripping moisture from your scalp — this hydrating shampoo is particularly aimed toward dry, frizzy hair. Jonathan Van Ness, of Queer Eye fame, launched the JVN brand in 2021 and it has been popular with fans. Although the JVN hydrating shampoo might not suit those with extreme dandruff, for those looking for a moisture boost to ease itching this could be perfect. Dove Dermacare Scalp Shampoo15 Dove is well known for moisturizing soap
Soap brand Dove is well-regarded for its caring skin products and this shampoo is no different. Like many strong anti-dandruff shampoos, this one has zinc pyrithione to fight itchiness and flakiness. It is soft enough for daily use, though, so it won’t upset your skin even more through regular usage; there’s a reason this is a best seller. Nioxin Scalp Recovery Cleanser Medicated Shampoo15 If you need a powerful shampoo Nioxin is the one
If you’ve tried all the soothing shampoos and are still struggling with an itchy scalp then a medicated shampoo is the next step. This shampoo from Nioxin has 1% zinc pyrithione to tackle symptoms of scalp conditions as well as green tea polyphenols to help soothe and moisturize. While it is a more expensive shampoo, you can use it a few times a week along with other anti-dandruff shampoos to tackle your symptoms. Philip B Anti-Flake Relief Shampoo15 The Philip B shampoo has some great ingredients
This shampoo has almost everything you can think of to tackle flakey scalps, including tea tree oil, aloe vera, sage, chamomile, and juniper extracts. Philip B works to soothe your scalp, calm inflammation, and over time improve the condition of your skin and hair. While this is a more expensive shampoo at a hefty $48, the reviews for this are positive — even those less positive say it still improved their hair somewhat. Ethique Heali Kiwi Solid Shampoo Bar for Itchy or Dry Scalps15 Shampoo bars leave no plastic waste
Finding a natural shampoo that fights itchy scalps is surprisingly easy as many irritation-fighting ingredients are naturally occurring. This solid shampoo bar has oatmeal and coconut oil to bring moisture back into your skin while neem and Karanja oils fight inflammation. With a kiwi scent, each bar equates to around three bottles of shampoo so you can save the planet while saving your scalp. Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconunt Oil Micro Exfoliating Shampoo15
Sometimes, cleansing isn’t enough and you can feel your scalp needs a good exfoliation. Charcoal in Briogeo's Scrub Shampoo unclogs your hair follicles while coconut oil brings moisture back to the skin. There are also ingredients such as peppermint and tea tree oil to calm any inflammation. This is not designed as a daily shampoo but as a weekly detox for your scalp. As I Am Dry and Itchy Shampoo15 As I Am uses tea tree oil to calm the scalp
Curly hair can easily become dry, leading to itchiness and flakiness, but you don’t want your moisturizing shampoo to weigh down your curls. This has an active ingredient of 1% zinc pyrithione to tackle stubborn itchiness without using heavy ingredients to moisturize. As I Am can be used on any hair type and has tea tree oil to soothe any inflammation on your scalp. Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo15
This award-winning formula from the famed trichological clinic has a lovely apple scent and rave reviews, with people claiming it banishes a flaky, itchy scalp even from the first use. The shampoo is designed for daily use so is mild on the hair but still able to tackle inflammation. Aloe vera is the main calming agent in this which is a super ingredient for your skin health. Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo15 Sachajuan comes in a smaller size to test out first
With an impressive four and a half stars on Amazon, the Sachajuan scalp shampoo is designed to rejuvenate your scalp. Key ingredients are piroctone olamine and climbazole, Rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid, and ginger — meaning it’ll shift old skin and soothe any inflammation. The inclusion of menthol and ginger encourages thicker hair growth so if you find your hair is looking a bit lackluster, this could help. Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo15
Not only does this bottle look calming, but the shampoo is also designed to soothe any irritations on your scalp for flake-free hair. The main active ingredient in this shampoo is salicylic acid which will help break down the build-up of skin irritants. This shampoo is free from parabens, sulfates, and sodium chloride and certified by PETA, meaning it's good for your scalp as well as cruelty-free. First Aid Beauty Anti-Dandruff Shampoo15 This has zinc to remove any flakiness
This sulfate-free shampoo also has 1% zinc pyrithione to clear all dandruff from your hair, leaving it shiny and healthy. Along with the main flake-busting ingredient, the shampoo also contains silk peptides to strengthen, moisturize, and smooth hair as well as Calendula and vitamin E for soothing. Designed for all hair types, this is included in the Clean at Sephora range, meaning it has no banned or restricted ingredients. What is the best shampoo for an itchy scalp?There are so many shampoos available that strive to relieve itchy scalps. You should look for ingredients such as tea tree oil, pyrithione zinc, glycerin, and antioxidants to give your hair a repairing cleanse. All of the brands on this list should help with an itchy scalp. Can dry shampoo cause an itchy scalp?Dry shampoo itself will probably not cause an itchy scalp, but the act of not washing your hair for weeks on end and using dry shampoo to disguise that could cause you to have an itchy scalp. If you use it for too long, dry shampoo can clog up your pores, creating dandruff, acne, and all the unwanted things that cause an itchy scalp. As a rule, only use dry shampoo when your hair really needs it and only use it for a couple of days in a row. Beyond a few days of use, your hair will probably need a wash again. What's the best conditioner for an itchy scalp?Most of the brands that we have featured also stock conditioners for itchy scalps. Switch your shampoo first and see how your hair copes, if your hair is still dry then go for the conditioner as well. What you don't want to do is over-moisturize your hair so it ends up looking oily. Where to buy shampoos for an itchy scalpAlmost every drugstore or beauty retailer stocks shampoos for an itchy scalp, because it is such a common problem for people. Whether you want to hit up Ulta or Sephora or order from Amazon or LookFantastic, the options are endless. You will even find great products in Walmart and Target, usually for a great price too. How much do they cost?The price of scalp-treatment shampoos can range vastly, from $5 all the way to nearly $100. Some of the more expensive formulas actually give you the same effects, so we recommend not judging shampoos on their price. Shop around for something that might tackle your specific issues rather than splurging on one because it looks expensive. What to look for in a shampoo?When shopping for shampoo, you should consider what you're trying to achieve with it. If your hair is dry and flat then you're going to want to opt for a moisturizing, volumizing product. Suffering from greasy hair the day after you've washed it? Look for shampoos that give you a deeper cleanse, ridding your scalp of excess oils. For those with curly hair, look for anything that can help your curls form and stay bouncy all day long. READ MORE ON THE SUNIf you're looking for beauty products, check out our list of where to buy activated charcoal - the super ingredient. Want a monthly treat for yourself? We've rounded up the 15 best subscription boxes for women. You can find all our favorite products on the Sun Selects homepage. Which shampoo is best for scalp itching?The Best Shampoos to Soothe Dry, Itchy Scalps, According to an.... Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. ... . The Body Shop Ginger Scalp Care Shampoo. ... . Neutrogena T/Gel Daily Control 2-in-1 Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner. ... . Dove Nourishing Secrets Shampoo. ... . Redken Scalp Relief Dandruff Control Shampoo.. What can I use for a very itchy scalp?There are multiple home remedies which may be effective for an itchy scalp that doesn't require medical treatment.. Apple cider vinegar. ... . Organic coconut oil. ... . Peppermint oil. ... . Meditation. ... . Tea tree oil. ... . Zinc pyrithione shampoo. ... . Salicylic acid. ... . Ketoconazole shampoo.. Why is my head itching so badly?Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis
These are the most common reasons for an itchy scalp. “Your body's inflammatory response to an overgrowth of yeast causes the itching and flaking associated with these conditions.
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