The 15 Best Shampoos for Dry, Itchy Scalps

Do you suffer from dandruff or a dry, itchy scalp? It can be overwhelming (and time consuming) to figure out the best course of action to combat these symptoms and get scalp relief fast. To cut through the clutter on the shampoo shelves, we tapped scalp health expert and master stylist Diane Stevens to get her take on the best shampoos for itchy scalps.

It’s a common misconception that you shouldn’t wash your hair when you are experiencing a dry, itchy or flakey scalp, but Stevens disagrees. “The best way to encourage a healthy scalp and avoid a dry and itchy scalp is to keep your scalp clean and refreshed,” said Stevens.

Ingredient selection is also key to getting rid of dry scalp. “Any product containing aloe, pyrithione zinc, or green tea will make the scalp feel much better,” she said. In terms of products to avoid, she recommends steering clear of scalp treatment shampoos with parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and formaldehyde, as well as anything with citrus. These types of ingredients have been known to dry the scalp out more and may cause more irritation and itching.

But truly maintaining a healthy, itch-free scalp isn’t only about selecting the right dry scalp shampoo. It’s important to look at your lifestyle in a holistic way and make sure you’re eating right in addition to using the right hair and scalp products. Our scalp expert Stevens also recommends drinking plenty of water and maintaining a healthy diet, especially staying away from greasy and salty foods. Doing these things while using the right dry scalp shampoo for you will help you to avoid flakes, dandruff, itchiness, and other symptoms of unhealthy scalps.

Ready to find the right scalp shampoo for you? Read on to learn more about the expert-recommended shampoos to soothe your scalp.