You know there are plenty of shampoos on the market that can help you fight dandruff, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you are ready to select the best one. Everyone seems to have a favorite dandruff shampoo so there is no shortage of claims about which is the best dandruff shampoo for men. Actually finding the right product is a bit more challenging, especially if you aren’t sure what ingredients and other qualities to look for in your dandruff treatment. To make the process of finding the right shampoo better, find out what makes a great product and then discover dandruff shampoo for men that I recommend.
Table of Content
Comparison Chart of best dandruff shampoo for men
| Picture | Name | Weight | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Nizoral | 7 oz | $ | 4.5 |
 | Neutrogena T/Gel | 16 oz | $$ | 4.3 |
 | Art Naturals | 16 oz | $$$ | 4.1 |
 | Head & Shoulders | 13.5 oz (pack of 2) | $$ | 4.4 |
 | Dove | 12 oz | $ | 4.4 |
 | Selsun Blue | 11 oz | $ | 4.3 |
 | PURA D'OR | 16 oz | $$ | 3.6 |
 | Redken | 10.1 oz | $$ | 4.1 |
 | K + S Salon | 16 oz | $ | 4.5 |
 | Tea Tree | 8 oz | $ | 4.4 |
Detailed review of dandruff shampoos for men
Below is a detailed review of dandruff shampoos that I recommend especially to men.
#8 – Redken Dandruff Control Shampoo
This product from a popular shampoo company works to counter hair and scalp that is dry and flaking. The scalp will be clarified while your hair becomes airy, shiny, and light. The shampoo features an exclusive interbond scalp system along with a hydro-zone system to combine lavender extract with glycerin, soothing and hydrating your scalp. It also contains pyrithione zinc, one of the best dandruff-fighting ingredients.
#7 – Pura D’or Scalp And Dandruff Therapy Shampoo With Argan Oil And Tea Tree
If you want a shampoo that fights your dandruff with natural ingredients, consider this product which relies on tea tree oil to eliminate the flakes and other symptoms. The formula is all natural with an aloe vera base. It soothes the scalp, reduces dandruff, and relieves itching. It is hypo-allergenic and safe to use on colored hair. There are no harmful chemicals, parabens, or sulfates so you can count on it to make your hair healthy without drying it out. Just some of the natural ingredients include tea tree oil, biotin, aloe vera, argan oil, vitamin B, and vitamin E. Because it is natural, this formula is gentle enough to be used daily.
#6 – Selsun Blue Medicated Maximum Strength Dandruff Shampoo
Selsun Blue is among the top anti-dandruff brands available and this formula is maximum strength to ensure that it fights your dandruff. It has been formulated to reduce dandruff and its side effects, including itching as well as flaking. In addition, it will soften your hair so it is easier to manage and can prevent scalp seborrheic dermatitis, a common cause of dandruff. The medicated formula includes menthol and a one percent concentrate of selenium sulfite. This particular shampoo works best when used twice a week, although some people will want to use it more often.
#5 – Dove Men+Care 2 In 1 Shampoo and Conditioner Anti Dandruff
For those on a budget, this is one of the top shampoos to fight your dandruff. In addition to fighting dandruff, this is a fortifying shampoo, which means it can help you fight your hair loss or reduce the effects and appearance of thinning or fine hair. The product works to improve your scalp health while getting rid of flakes. The main dandruff-fighting ingredient is pyrithione zinc, which works with caffeine to also strengthen your hair, making it healthier, thicker, and more resilient.
You can choose from several different bottle sizes depending on whether you want to try out the product or would like to save money with a larger bottle. As it is a 2 in 1 product, the shampoo also includes conditioner to help moisturize your hair and ensure it recovers fully from the dandruff-fighting ingredients.
#4 – Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff And Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo
Head & Shoulders is among the best known and most-respected drug store brands when it comes to dandruff shampoo. This clinical strength formula is more powerful, helping it to be one of the best dandruff shampoos for men. It provides prescription-strength protection against flakes and the brand is the most recommended by dermatologists.
The shampoo contains selenium sulfide to help fight dandruff as well as seborrheic dermatitis. It prevents irritation, redness, scaling, itching, flaking, and other symptoms of dandruff. The one percent formula is extra strength to help fight even dandruff that doesn’t respond well to other formulas. This is actually the maximum strength you can find available without having to get a prescription. The shampoo is still gentle and pH balanced and will effectively get rid of all visible flakes in just a few uses.
#3 – Art Naturals Scalp18 Coal Tar Therapeutic Anti Dandruff Shampoo
As the name implies, this particular dandruff shampoo relies on coal tar to give you results that you are looking for. It is designed to help fight dandruff along with scaling, dry scalp, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and itchy scalp. Like many similar products, it is designed to be used once a week. It stands out from the other options on this list because it is completely natural, relying on oil extracts to help hydrate your hair. There are no parabens to dry out your hair and worsen your flakes. Meanwhile, the tar and coal will get rid of excess dead skin and flakes. To make you feel better about your purchase, the ingredients are certified as vegan and the packaging uses recycled materials. The product is also cruelty free.
#2 – Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Original Formula
This is a good dandruff shampoo if you want a product from a familiar company. The shampoo is designed to cleanse your scalp while relieving itching along with flaking. It can control dandruff, including when the condition is due to psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. It is formulated to be gentle enough for daily use so you don’t have to worry about choosing a shampoo to alternate it with and it is has been scientifically proven to be effective for hours.
If you prefer, you can also see results by using this shampoo about once a week in most cases, although suggested usage is twice a week. The shampoo is recommended by dermatologists and will leave your hair manageable and clean. The cleansing and anti-dandruff properties come from the coal tar and many people notice instant relief.
#1 – Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This is one of the top medicated shampoos to help fight dandruff outbreaks. It is designed to be used two times every week because of its strength. The active ingredient is ketoconazole in a one percent concentration, which helps control the flaking and scaling as well as itching. It lathers richly to give you a clean feeling and rinses off thoroughly. This shampoo is gentle so it can be used on hair that is chemically processed or colored along with gray hair. It has a nice, fresh scent.
What To Consider When Looking For Dandruff Shampoo
When searching for a dandruff shampoo, you need to look for a few things that aren’t necessary with regular shampoos, including medicated ingredients. The following are some of the most important considerations and thinking about them carefully will put you well on your way to discovering the best dandruff shampoo for men.
- Drug Store Brand Or Premium Brand
Start by figuring out whether you want to try a drug store brand of dandruff shampoo or go with a premium option. Some people see results with the more affordable drug store brands, while others need the higher strength of professional shampoos. If you can afford it, opt for a premium brand to guarantee results. If you are on a budget, consider a drug store brand at first and if for some reason it doesn’t work, move onto a more expensive option.
- Medicated
To actually fight dandruff, shampoo needs to have some sort of medicated ingredients, whether these are natural or chemical-based. Make sure that any shampoo you buy for dandruff says which ingredients fight the flakes.
- Chemicals Or Natural Treatments
You can choose between the shampoo for men that relies on chemicals to treat the flakes or those that rely on natural remedies. Many men see results with products featuring natural ingredients, but that is not always the case. These treatments also tend to be gentler on the hair and scalp, but more expensive.
- Ingredients To Look For
Some of the most common effective ingredients in dandruff shampoos include coal tar, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, and tea tree oil. Of these, tea tree oil is the most natural. Typically products with ketoconazole are ideal if you don’t see results from the other ones and you can even find a prescription-strength shampoo containing it.
Most of these ingredients work by slowing down the rate that your skin cells on your scalp die off, reducing dandruff. Some, like ketoconazole and zinc pyrithione, fight fungi and bacteria that can sometimes cause dandruff. Organic shampoos that contain tea tree oil may also have various extracts and essential oils like coconut, peppermint, aloe vera, rosemary, sage, and jojoba.
- Ingredients To Avoid
You should avoid sulfates and anionic surfactants. These will dry your scalp, making your dandruff worse.
- Treats Itchy Scalp
The vast majority of dandruff shampoos will also treat the itchy scalp associated with the flakes, but that is not always the case. Because of this, those with itching on their scalp should ensure the product they choose claims to treat this issue.
- Hair Type
Most men with dandruff will have dry hair and scalps since the dryness and flakes are closely related. If you are one of these people, you should be able to use nearly any dandruff product on the market. Those with oily hair and dandruff will need to pay close attention to make sure their shampoo is designed to work with oily hair. These shampoos should not add excess moisture to your locks, which would make the grease buildup worse.
- Colored Hair
If you dye your hair, then you will need to be very careful to choose a dandruff shampoo that is gentle enough so it will not fade your color. Look for a product that says it is safe on colored hair and read reviews to confirm.
- Harshness On Hair
Depending on the ingredients in a dandruff shampoo, it may be very harsh on your locks or scalp. This is sometimes necessary to effectively medicate the cause of the dandruff and provide a solution, but the best dandruff shampoo for men will be gentle on your hair. To get a feel for whether it is gentle, look at the description of the product as well as the reviews. Dandruff shampoos with salicylic acid are known for being effective, but also drying your scalp. Because of this, they are best used with a moisturizing conditioner. In reality, the harshness of nearly any dandruff shampoo can be countered with a quality conditioner.
- Frequency Of Use
Think about how often you want to be using your dandruff shampoo. Some products are more concentrated and designed to be used once or twice a week. Others will have lower concentrations and be ideal for daily use. If you have another shampoo that you love, you may want to opt for a product that is just used weekly. If, on the other hand, you have a small shower or don’t want to deal with alternating shampoos, opt for a formula that can be used daily without damaging your hair.
- Smell
Traditionally, dandruff shampoos were known for their not so great smell. This has changed over the years, but scent continues to be an important factor when it comes to the dandruff shampoo for men. If the product doesn’t say anything about its scent, then take a look at reviews to see what people say.
Conclusion
Now that you know the best dandruff shampoo for men, there is no excuse for putting up with annoying and unsightly dandruff. Choose a cleanser from the list and start enjoying flake-free hair in a matter of days. On a related note, check out our review of best hairspray for curly hair.