The best shampoos for a dry scalps can help with that urge to constantly scratch your head. If you have a flaky, itchy scalp, it can be tricky to pinpoint the root cause—the weather, washing too frequently, certain hair products, medical conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, or even changes in hormone levels are all possibilities. Keep in mind that a dry scalp is caused by lack of moisture, while dandruff is caused by excess oil. But, either way, incorporating one of these shampoos (plus the best scalp scrubs) into your routine can help.
To help you get the healthy scalp you’re after without weeding through teeny-tiny ingredient lists, we tapped dermatologists, plus our expert editorial team (myself—a long sufferer—included) to put the most widely recommended shampoos for dry scalp to the test. During evaluations, each tester reviewed ingredient lists and took notes on scent, and overall efficacy. Our top pick is Jupiter Balancing Shampoo, a gentle but highly conditioning formula that our testers said completely eradicated symptoms of a dry scalp without feeling like a medicated cleanser. But there were plenty of other great options—including OTC ketoconazole shampoos that experts say are dupes for prescription treatments and exfoliating scalp treatments—that worked very well too.
The best shampoos for dry scalps, at a glance
- Best Overall: Jupiter Balancing Shampoo, $27
- Best Drugstore: Selsun Blue Moisturizing Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $8
- Best Antifungal Shampoo: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $16
- Best for Seborrheic Dermatitis: Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo, $36
- Best Conditioning: Ouai Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, $38
What to look for in a shampoo for dry scalps?
Look for scalp moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, which helps to calm irritation and restore moisture, glycerin, which draws moisture from the air to the scalp, and hyaluronic acid, another powerful humectant that deeply hydrates both the hair and scalp,” says Roger Kapoor, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and senior VP of Beloit Memorial Hospital in Roscoe, Illinois. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, or argan oil are also beneficial, since they’re lightweight oils that closely mimic the natural oils of the scalp, helping to restore moisture without leaving a greasy residue, says Dr. Kapoor. He also recommends keeping an eye out for soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like tea tree oil, peppermint oil, chamomile, and oatmeal extract. “Shampoos with zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide (commonly found in dandruff shampoos) can also be beneficial if dryness is caused by dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.”
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