We love snowflakes, just not in our hair. But don’t panic… The flaky skin you sometimes see in your tresses can be treated with the best anti-dandruff shampoos.
Dandruff is caused by a naturally-occurring microbe on the scalp that produces oleic acid, which half of us are sensitive to. It can create a dry, itchy, irritated scalp that produces those pesky, small white flakes.
By using anti-dandruff shampoos, you can reduce redness, soothe an inflamed scalp, and efficiently fight the flakes.
We’ve rounded up the best picks for healthier-looking hair below… Because shiny, lustrous locks start with a happy scalp.
The best anti-dandruff shampoos
1. Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Clear and calm your scalp with this gentle yet effective anti-dandruff shampoo that will relieve itching for a more comfortable finish.
Packed with a potent anti-microbial ingredient, it works to soothe your scalp by clearing stubborn flakes and skin cell build-up. It will restore balance of your scalp, while also leaving your hair soft and silky. And there's a fresh apple scent for an added bonus.
Price: £10.20, Lookfantastic - buy here now
2. Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo
Keep white flakes at bay with this natural anti-dandruff shampoo that works to revitalise your scalp with every day use.
It will cleanse your hair to the root, and remove excess sebum and dead skin build-up. Soft and shiny hair all starts with a healthy scalp, so get slathering.
Price: £20.40, Feel Unique - buy here now
3. The Body Shop Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Ditch dull, flaky scalps with this energising anti-dandruff shampoo that harnesses the natural power of ginger to soothe dryness.
Birch bark extract, white willow bark extract and a dash of honey mix with the Sri Lankan ginger to create a clear scalp and look-at-me locks (for all the right reasons).
Price: £7.50, The Body Shop - buy here now
4. Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Treatment for Scalp Psoriasis, Itching Scalp and Dandruff
With over 5,000 reviews this redness-reducing, flake-fighting anti-dandruff shampoo is an Amazon bestseller.
It's formulated with high-potency coal tar to rejuvenate your scalp, and fights everything from stubborn dandruff to more serious conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis (a skin condition which causes scaly patches) and scalp psoriasis.
One customer said: "Within a couple of hours my head certainly felt calmer and within a day I was no longer seeing any flakes of skin and was not feeling any itching. Using it now every three or four days and I am really impressed."
Price: £6, Amazon - buy here now
5. Head & Shoulders Supreme Moisturising Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Argan Oil
The OG of anti-dandruff shampoos, you can't go wrong with an affordable yet effective Head & Shoulders formula.
Get super-silky strands and soothe your scalp with this nourishing shampoo, packed with argan oil for extra moisture. It will rebalance your scalp's natural oils thanks to hardworking antioxidants. Perfectly swishable hair at a great price point.
Price: £3, Amazon - buy here now
6. Alpecin Dandruff Killer Shampoo
A top choice on Amazon, this shampoo has four active ingredients to fight fungi, yeast and bacteria.
It will help to create a smooth and healthy scalp, and banish itching and dryness.
One very relieved (and flake-free) customer said: "I honestly can’t speak highly enough of this shampoo. I used to suffer from terrible dandruff which flaked everywhere. I’d tried multiple shampoos including prescriptions from my doctor and nothing worked - then I tried Alpecin and it was amazing!"
Price: £6.40, Amazon - buy here now
7. Dr Organic Coffee Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Move over morning cuppa, this organic coffee-infused anti-dandruff shampoo stimulating, purifying and energising.
Combined with ginger, peppermint, nettle and black pepper, it's like a scalp-soothing super-smoothie for your hair. Fight flakes and relieve irritation and dryness all at the same time to reveal healthy, clear hair.
Price: £7.99, Holland & Barrett - buy here now
8. Eclat Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Inflamed, itchy, dry scalp? Give it a deep cleanse with this dandruff-preventing shampoo that contains no nasties as well as being cruelty-free.
Lightweight and luxurious yet effective, it's packed with jojoba oil to nourish your scalp, and it reduces sebum production to prevent dryness and flaking.
Vitamins E and B, argan oil and castor oil, and zinc and copper all combine to create a lustrous shine that's free of the white stuff.
