Best anti-dandruff shampoos 2026, according to scalp experts

All of us are likely to encounter or deal with dandruff during our lives. While you might feel slightly embarrassed by visible flakes on your scalp or clothes, “it’s very common and around half of all adults will experience it at some point,” says Dr. Amy Vowler, NHS GP and Hair Restoration Doctor at Hair GP.

And dandruff doesn’t just appear on its own as flakes or scales; you may also experience everything from an itchy or irritated scalp to tightness and redness. At the same time, “it’s not a hygiene problem; it’s your scalp overreacting to the yeast that lives on all of us.”

So, while it’s not necessarily anything to worry about in the long term, many of us will want to clear it up as quickly and effectively as we can, which is where the best anti-dandruff shampoo comes into play.

After testing out over 12 options over the past few months and selecting my top picks, I’ve also consulted with experts for tips on how to tackle the common scalp condition.

When testing each anti-dandruff shampoo, I noted how the formulation dealt with visible flakes, itching, irritation and any redness. I also made a point not to use any other in-shower hair products for the duration of around 14 days, to give each shampoo a fair test.

I also considered their value for money and how hydrating or drying they were, both on my scalp and my hair more generally. As with any anti-dandruff shampoo, you will need to get into the habit of leaving it on your scalp for around five minutes to allow it to get to work; otherwise, it won’t be as effective.

“In simple terms, dandruff presents as loose flakes of skin that shed from the scalp onto your shoulders,” says Eva Proudman, Leading Consultant Trichologist FIT IATF. “It can be caused by an overgrowth of the Malassezia yeast that is naturally present on the scalp and can be exacerbated by using leave-in products that sit on the scalp, trapping oil and sweat on the scalp. It isn’t infectious and can be cleared with daily washing and a shampoo with active ingredients that effectively clean the scalp.”

“Ketoconazole 2 per cent is a great one (often seen as Nizoral) and is the antifungal with the best evidence,” Dr. Vowler admits. “However, you need to leave it on your wet scalp for 3 minutes before washing it off (most people wash it straight off and this will not work). It can also dry out the scalp, so you shouldn’t use it too often. Piroctone Olamine is a modern anti-yeast ingredient that you’ll see in most UK supermarket anti-dandruff shampoos. Another good anti-fungal option is Selenium Sulphide and Salicylic Acid, which lifts and loosens the visible scale (I often use this alongside an antifungal rather than instead of).”

“You should see results in 2-4 weeks of regular use,” Dr Vowler explains. So, don’t necessarily expect to see an immediate or overnight improvement. It’s also worth noting that “dandruff can only be controlled, not cured, so once it’s settled, it’s worth integrating it into a regular maintenance regime (using the special shampoos less often), or it tends to return. If there is no meaningful improvement after 4-6 weeks, then it’s time to seek specialist advice.”