The Inside Scoop on Anti-dandruff Shampoos
Dandruff is characterized by the tiny white flakes that are visible on your shoulders from time to time. Contrary to popular opinion, it is a scalp issue rather than a hair issue. It is thought to be caused by an immune system overreaction to a fungus called Malassezia, which is found in the scalp of most healthy people. Physical ailments, high levels of stress, and cold weather can trigger this problem. The good news is it is treatable.
A good quality anti-dandruff shampoo is your best weapon against dandruff. It is important to know which ingredients to look out for, how often to shampoo, and how to use the product to tackle the problem effectively. Anti-dandruff shampoos have failed only in cases of seborrhea (a skin disease that affects the scalp, face, ears, and chest). If your anti-dandruff shampoo does not produce results after a month of using it, then you should see a doctor to find out the underlying cause and treat it accordingly.
The first brand name that crosses your mind when you hear or read “anti-dandruff shampoo” is Head & Shoulders. There are, however, other brands of this product which deliver well on their promise of eliminating dandruff. Selsun Blue has earned a reputation as a reliable anti-dandruff shampoo among medical professionals. Dove is also catching up fast with its ingenious blend of dandruff-fighting ingredients and moisturizing capabilities.
Read on to know more about other brands of anti-dandruff shampoo available at your nearest drugstore as well as online.
What Are Some Anti-dandruff Shampoos You Can Rely on?
The key ingredient in an anti-dandruff shampoo is the one that will get rid of dandruff. There are 5 such ingredients: a) zinc pyrithione, b) salicylic acid, c) sulfur, d) selenium sulfide, and e) ketoconazole. When selecting an anti-dandruff shampoo, look for any one of these ingredients or a combination of them on the product label.
Most users of anti-dandruff shampoo complain about dry hair after a few weeks of using the product. Therefore, you should also look for ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree extract, eucalyptus oil, shea butter, etc. which are known to moisturize skin and hair.
The following anti-dandruff shampoos combine dandruff-fighting ingredients with moisturizing ingredients:
1. Master Anti-dandruff Shampoo
Available in 32-oz bottles, this product contains zinc pyrithione, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree extracts. It performs the dual role of fighting dandruff and restoring moisture lost in the process. It can be purchased online via the following link:
Master Anti-dandruff Shampoo – Check Current Prices On Amazon
2. Amplixin Scalp Therapy Shampoo
Available online, this brand of anti-dandruff shampoo is specially formulated for the treatment of itchy and flaky scalp. It is enriched with peppermint oil and tea tree extracts to reduce dryness of the hair. The best thing about this shampoo is it can be used on all hair types. It is also free from parabens and sulfates, making it one of the safest and most effective anti-dandruff shampoo on the market. Click on the following link to purchase yours:
Amplixin Scalp Therapy Shampoo – Check Current Prices On Amazon
3. Maple Holistics Tea Tree Special Formula Shampoo
As the name suggests, this anti-dandruff shampoo is made of a special formula that includes tea tree oil. It also includes lavender oil, jojoba oil, rosemary oil, and argan oil all of which are well-known for their moisturizing properties. It is free from sulfates and chemicals which can damage hair. It works as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial to get rid of lice and reverse thinning of the hair.
A brand to reckon with, Maple Holistics’ anti-dandruff shampoo is perfect for those with a sensitive scalp and can be purchased by going to this link:
Maple Holistics Tea Tree Special Formula Shampoo – Check Current Prices On Amazon
4. EcoCare Premium Dandruff Shampoo
Sold in 32-oz dispensing bottles, EcoCare is probably the most expensive brand of anti-dandruff shampoo available. However, you will find it is worth its asking price since its formula includes none of the ingredients that could damage your hair in the long run such as parabens, sulfates, silicones, urea, and artificial color.
Made with plant-based ingredients, EcoCare Premium Dandruff Shampoo helps to fight dandruff, reduce itchiness in the scalp, and curb thinning of the hair. You can check out price and shipping details via the link below:
EcoCare Premium Dandruff Shampoo – Check Current Prices On Amazon
5. Maple Holistics Sage Special Formula Shampoo
This product from Maple Holistics is also great for people with sensitive skin, scalp issues, and dandruff. Its sulfate-free formula is enriched with sage extracts, jojoba oil, tea tree extracts, and argan oil which give it its anti-fungal and hydrating capabilities. It comes in two sizes – 8oz and 16oz – and is suitable for chemically treated hair. Click on the following link to find out more about this anti-dandruff shampoo:
Maple Holistics Sage Special Formula Shampoo – Check Current Prices On Amazon
6. Tahe Botanic Anti-Dandruff Detox Shampoo
This product contains zinc pyrithione. It is, therefore, perfect as an anti-dandruff shampoo because it eliminates flakiness, redness, and itchiness. It also soothes the scalp with its refreshing combination of citrus fruit extracts. This particular brand may not be as widely known as Head & Shoulders or Redken, but it is worth a try. To purchase Tahe Botanic Anti-Dandruff Detox Shampoo, go to this link:
Tahe Botanic Anti-Dandruff Detox Shampoo – Check Current Prices On Amazon
Conclusion
An important aspect of maintaining straight hair or taking care of your curls is ensuring a healthy scalp. An unhealthy scalp is literally the root of many hair issues. Any scalp issues should be resolved quickly. Dandruff, the most common scalp issue, can escalate if neglected. Choose an anti-dandruff shampoo that not only fights dandruff but also replenishes moisture in the scalp and hair.
Regardless of which anti-dandruff shampoo you choose, a few rules of thumb will help you overcome the problem more efficiently. First, use the shampoo every day if you have a very greasy scalp. For a scalp that is not so greasy, a weekly shampoo will suffice. Second, allow the product to stay on your scalp for a few minutes. This will help the scalp to absorb all of its goodness. Third, for greater effectiveness, switch brands once in a while. Fourth, do not brush your hair often because it stimulates oil production in the scalp and this makes dandruff worse. Fifth, when you brush your hair, brush with long strokes. This will help to distribute the natural oils from the roots to the ends. The oils will not be concentrated in the scalp thus curbing the problem of scalp irritation.
If after a month of using the anti-dandruff shampoo, there is no significant improvement in your condition, you should consult a dermatologist immediately. He/she will thoroughly investigate the issue and prescribe suitable medications to treat the condition.
Sources
- Head & Shoulders, HOW ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO INGREDIENTS WORK
- Gan Rock, Benefits of Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, December 02, 2010
Hi there,
The idea of this article is just perfect. Only the person who suffers from dandruff understands the disadvantages of it. This annoying phenomenon not only looks bad but also makes your hair look unhealthy. But with this guide, I am hopeful that everyone out there would be able to get rid of this hair issue successfully. The way you listed and explained each anti-dandruff shampoo available in the market, it would be very easy for your readers to find the right one for them without much problem.
Thank you for such an amazing piece of writing.
Great work!
Keep it up!
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you very much for your sweet compliments. We are ecstatic with your response.
Hello girls,
Let me share something with you. For the past couple of years, I was suffering from extensive dandruff and flaky scalp. It was so serious that I had stopped wearing dark-colored clothes just to avoid the embarrassments of dandruff over my shoulders. Then one fine day I came across this piece of article, and I have to say that my hair game changed since then. Taking suggestions for this blog, I bought the Master Anti-dandruff Shampoo and Amplixin Scalp Therapy Shampoo just to see which works for me. And, by the grace of God, both these shampoos worked wonders for my manes. Now, there is not a bit of dandruff or flaky skin on my scalp, and hence, I flaunt my tresses proudly.
I have shared my experience here so that you girls can benefit from it.
Thank you.
Dear Andrea,
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. we are sure that it would help our readers a lot.