The 9 Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoos for Men in 2024, Tested by Editors and Dermatologists

Scalp maintenance is long-term and essential for healthy hair growth. “Unfortunately, there is no ‘cure’ for dandruff, but it can be effectively controlled so that it is barely, if at all, noticeable,” says dermatology resident Dr. Charles Puza . American Crew Anti-Dandruff & Sebum Control Shampoo is formulated with rosemary oil and zinc pyrithione to regulate flaking and sebum—the oily substance that the body releases on the skin. Sage leaf extract, peppermint and tea tree oil purify and invigorate the scalp.

Even if you don’t have dandruff, this shampoo controls itchiness, reduces oil and soothes scalp irritation with the help of botanical ingredients, which is why we gave it a 2023 Men’s Health Grooming Award .

Testing Notes: In addition to all that, our testers loved using this one because it smells like a regular shampoo and doesn’t have any of the medicinal jolt that some other anti-dandruff shampoos can have. It may seem like a small thing, but it makes it that much easier and more pleasant to use, which is exactly what you want when you need to wash your hair every day like, say, when you’re treating dandruff.

Read More: Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth

Regular hydration and scalp stimulation are key to preventing dandruff. The Royal Oils collection is specially developed to support the variety of natural, kinky, curly and coily textures. The Moisture Boost Shampoo features lightweight coconut oil that relieves the scalp, then locks in moisture. “The first step to effectively treat dandruff, is to cleanse the scalp to remove product buildup, dirt and oil,” says Dr. Wilkerson.

Testing Notes: Our testers with curly and textured hair had a hard time finding an anti-dandruff shampoo that didn’t leave their hair feeling dry and their curls frizzy. Until this one, that is. Because it’s sulfate-free and also contains apple cider vinegar, they said it effectively cleansed their scalps and helped control dandruff (it still contains pyrithione zinc), but the infusion of coconut oil helped keep their curls feeling and looking moisturized. We will say, however, that it may be too moisturizing for thin or fine hair. We found that those testers with finer hair felt it weighed it down a bit too much.

Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is one of the best non-prescription options—in fact, without a prescription, you’d be hard-pressed to find another treatment with the anti-fungal treatment, Ketoconazole 1%. “Preventing dandruff consists of moisturizing and conditioning your scalp regularly, avoiding hair care products you're sensitive to, and using shampoos that have either ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, zinc or tar,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre .

Testing Notes: Most of our editors who tested say it was incredibly strong, but that it worked on a variety of hair types, including gray hair. Though take note: you should only use this every three days for 2 to 4 weeks, and then once every 1 to 2 weeks once your scalp has cleared.

Read More : Best Scalp Treatments

First things first, the Selsun Blue commercials of the '90s are somehow burned into my memory. Arguably one of the best original shampoos for combatting tough dandruff, the maximum-strength formula features selenium sulfide 1%—a common anti-dandruff component—as the active ingredient. “Regardless of hair type, you should wash your hair every other day, and if that doesn’t help, bump your shampoo to a medicated version like T-Sal or Selsun Blue that will get rid of the build-up,” says celebrity cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank .

Testing Notes: There’s a reason Selsun Blue remains a classic (apart from the unforgettable commercials)—this stuff really works. Our testers were blown away by how well this shampoo treated and controlled their dandruff. It performs as well or better as other shampoos triple the price and since it contains the maximum dose of selenium sulfide for an over the counter shampoo, you can be sure that it’s packed with antifungal properties.

In terms of medicated shampoos, it doesn’t smell all that bad, but we will say that it’s clear it’s a medicated shampoo. The scent definitely doesn’t stack up as well against some of the more luxurious options on this list, but if you’re treating dandruff, especially severe cases, that’s a choice you’re going to have to make between efficacy and a more elevated experience. Frankly, we’d go for efficacy—and this one is top.

T/Gel is another one of those no-nonsense anti-dandruff shampoos that get the job done. Neutrogena uses coal tar extract to provide instant relief to common symptoms from dandruff, as well as relief to symptoms caused by other conditions like chronic scalp psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. While the formula is powerful it's still gentle enough for everyday use. You also can't beat the price point on this shampoo.

Testing notes: Washing your hair and scalp with coal tar sounds a little suspect, but it actually is an FDA-approved treatment for dandruff as well as other scalp issues. Our testers found that this shampoo really did help treat their dandruff very quickly and kept it at bay provided they used this a couple times a week. Not only that, it helped reduce scalp itchiness, oil production and other issues that made their scalps uncomfortable.

We will note that the scent is interesting but not entirely unpleasant. If you’re only going to use it a couple of times a week, you probably won’t notice it that much, but if you’re very sensitive to scent you might want to give it a whiff before you buy it. But we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, when you’re treating an issue like dandruff, sometimes you need to choose between efficacy and scent—and that’s a-ok.

Formulated with 11 botanical ingredients to target sweat-induced dandruff, KICK provides a solid shampoo solution for those who live highly active lifestyles. Even better is the fact that the shampoo is optimized to strengthen and thicken hair—making it especially ideal for guys with a thinner hair type.

Testing Notes: We get it–some people prefer using botanical ingredients and remedies, which is totally valid. Our testers were impressed by this botanical formula which contains ingredients like tea tree oil and aloe vera to help control dandruff. In addition, the rest of the botanical ingredients serve other purposes, like helping thicken and volumize hair and curb hair shedding.

Our testers loved how it made their hair feel after they used it–clean and healthy but not overly dry. Keep in mind, however, that this is a botanical formula, so it may not be strong enough for those with severe cases of dandruff. However, our testers felt that even in that case, once you used a more traditional dandruff shampoo to clear up your scalp, this would be great a option to maintain it.

Read More: Best Hair Thickening Shampoos

There’s a fine balance between cleansing the scalp versus stripping it of vital oil and moisture. That’s where the genius blend of shea butter and African Black soap gets to work. Prone to sensitive skin? Make sure your products work for your unique needs and opt for this gentler option. “The sulfur in African Black Soap contains antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that help to kill dandruff-causing yeast, and the oils help moisturize dry scalp,” says Dr. Patel.

Testing Notes: While this isn’t marketed as an anti-dandruff shampoo, our testers with milder cases of dandruff found that this was effective at controlling flakes and oiliness on their scalps and thus helped to control their dandruff. It may be easy to assume that sulfur is going to smell bad, but the combination of African Black Soap’s natural scent plus tea tree and mint and this shampoo makes it smell incredible.

In fact, it turned out to be one of our testers’ favorite scents out of the whole bunch. The richly lathering shampoo is a pleasure to use and the large bottle meant that it lasted way longer than some of the others on this list—a win-win.

“Dandruff is not curable since the combination of oil and normal microflora (bacteria) worsened by stress causes flare, but dandruff can be well-managed,” says Dr. Graf. But if you're looking for a shampoo that can manage dandruff, while also offering a spa-like experience, look no further than Oribe's bestselling formula. It's one of Dr. Draf's favorite shampoos, and it's not hard to see why. Key ingredients like pea sprout extract and salicylic acid help exfoliate excess sebum. Plus, it's especially formulated for color-treated hair.

Testing Notes: Our testers could not get enough of the experience of using this shampoo, especially the scent which smells more like a fancy cologne than your typical shampoo. It’s a luxury product after all, so along with the higher price tag comes a more elevated experience. It’s also highly effective at cleansing your hair while still leaving it feeling hydrated and healthy, even if it’s color treated. It’s designed to help maintain the health and balance of your scalp, which our testers loved.

Keep in mind that the active ingredient inside is salicylic acid which is incredibly effective at controlling oil production and exfoliating your scalp, however it’s not anti-fungal, so if you struggle with severe dandruff, you may want to choose a shampoo with an antifungal ingredient. But, our testes are confident that if your dandruff is mild or you just generally have an itchy or oily scalp, this is one of the best options.

Salicylic acid is the hero ingredient in this TikTok-favorite shampoo, which helps control oil and dandruff, as well as exfoliates dead skin and gunk from your scalp. Plus, it's gentle enough for everyday use.

Testing Notes: Our testers loved the fact that even though this shampoo contains 2% salicylic acid (the maximum amount you can have in an over-the-counter product), it didn’t feel harsh on their scalps. It was effective in helping control dandruff flakes and oily scalps, but also felt (and smelled) like your typical shampoo–albeit a very nice one.

We can see why this one has made a splash on TikTok. Not only is it made by one of the most popular haircare brands on social media, but it actually does work and is a pleasure to use. We would recommend it for milder cases of dandruff, but it’s also a great option for more severe cases after they’ve been cleared up, as a form of maintenance.

What Causes Dandruff?

Let's start with what dandruff actually is . Head shedding is a chronic skin condition caused by the buildup of yeast around the base of your hair follicles, says Dr. Nicole Rogers , M.D., a professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine.

“The fungus feeds off the skin’s sebum and excretes end products onto the scalp which can irritate the scalp skin, resulting in dandruff and its symptoms like dryness, itch, and flaking,” says Dr. Rolanda J. Wilkerson , Ph.D., a principal scientist for Procter and Gamble.

Can Dandruff Be Cured?

No, but it can be controlled. You’ll need to reserve a permanent space in your shower for specialized anti-dandruff shampoo containing zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide . These anti-dandruff ingredients can help slow the rate at which your skin cells die and slough off.

How Long Does It Take for Anti-Dandruff Shampoos to Work?

When used daily and left in for at least five minutes, these shampoo treatments can rid a good portion of white flakes in about a month, says Dr. Rogers.

Assuming you have any flare-ups under control, you can switch back to regular shampoo as long as you continue to rotate in dandruff-control stuff at least once or twice a week, says Marie Jhin , M.D., a San Carlos dermatologist.