Nizoral vs. Selsun Blue vs. Head & Shoulders vs. Neutrogena : Who Wins the Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Showdown?
- Dandruff is a common problem and many people may suffer from it. And yYou’re likely more than ready to make a purchase thatworks (and works well), regardless of what your hair is going through.The best way to deal with it is to use an anti-dandruff shampoo. It will help you eliminate dandruff, combat flakes and irritation, and get rid of the problem altogether. Fortunately, it's easy to go to the drug store and pick up an over-the-counter shampoo. There are four most commonly used dandruff shampoos - Nizoral, Selsun Blue, Head & Shoulders and Neutrogena. However, which is the best Anti-Dandruff shampoo brand? How do you choose the one that’s right for you? Is Nizoral better than Head and Shoulders? Or is Selsun Blue shampoo better than Nizoral? Is Head and Shoulders better than Selsun Blue? Who should not use Nizoral shampoo?
- Read on and this article is complete with a brief history of four brands and how their popular Anti-Dandruff shampoo fare. You should have a fairly good idea about them after reading this article and then choosing either will likely be easier then.
What is Anti-Dandruff Shampoo?
If you are sometimes prone to flakes, a dandruff care shampoo can stop a stubborn case of flakes as well as help prevent future flaking.
Anti-dandruff shampoos work by killing the fungus that causes dandruff. They usually contain ingredients like ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or zinc pyrithione, which are all antifungal agents. These ingredients work to kill the fungus and prevent it from coming back.
Active Ingredients | How it works |
Ketoconazole | This works by slowing the growth of the Malassezia fungus, which is known to cause dandruff. While shampoos containing this ingredient are available commercially, they are too powerful to be sold over the counter and thus, require a doctor's prescription - typically for people with very severe fungal infections. |
selenium sulfide | This ingredient specifically targets Malassezia by slowing down your sebum production and drying out your scalp. |
Zinc pyrithione | Zinc pyrithione works by inhibiting the growth of the fungus, and also by keeping the scalp clean and free of oils. |
Salicylic Acid | Salicylic acid is a keratolytic (peeling) agent. This means it helps to soften and remove the dead skin cells from the scalp. It is thought to work by helping to dissolve the ‘glue’ that holds the dead skin cells together. This action can help to loosen and shed the cells from the surface of the scalp. |
Coal Tar | Coal tar works by reducing the amount of skin cell turnover, which in turn decreases the number of flakes that are shed from the surface of your skin. By reducing the number of flakes, coal tar may also help to decrease the colonization of your skin by fungi. |
Nizoral vs. Selsun Blue vs. Head & Shoulders vs. Neutrogena Overviews
Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo
About Nizoral
Nizoral contains ketoconazole, an antifungal. There’s both an over-the-counter and prescription version of Nizoral. Plan to use it up to three times a week or as often as the label recommends. You may need to do more to moisturize your hair when using ketoconazole as it can be drying, Daveluy says.
Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo Review
This award-winning shampoo by Nizoral has been a cult favorite among experts and shoppers for years, likely because it is clinically proven to control flaking, scaling and itching from dandruff, according to the brand.
The ketoconazole in this product decreases the yeast associated with seborrheic dermatitis,used long-term to prevent a return of flaking and scaling.
The active ingredient also serves as a potent antifungal agent, particularly effective against Malassezia [a fungus that causes dandruff].You only need to use it twice weekly to get relief; no wonder it’s also an Amazon bestseller with over 68,000 five-star ratings.
This flaky scalp shampoo is gentle enough to use on color-treated, chemically processed, and gray hair, and has a thick, rich lather that rinses clean and leaves your hair smelling fresh.
Key Specs: Key Ingredient: Ketoconazole | Scent: Unspecified scent | Size: 4, 7ounces| Usage: Twice per week
For Hair Type: All
Age Range: Adults and adolescents over 12 years.
Ingredients:
| Key ingredient | Ketoconazole |
Inactive Ingredients | Acrylic Acid Polymer (Carbomer 1342), Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Cocamide MEA, FD&C Blue #1, Fragrance, Glycol Distearate, Polyquaternium-15, Sodium Cholride, Sodium Cocoyl, Sarcosinate, Sodium Hydroxide and/or Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Water |
Key Benefits:
Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo contains ketoconazole 1% for dandruff relief
Powerful dandruff control shampoo relieves flaking and itching caused by dandruff
This shampoo is safe enough to be used on chemically processed and gray hair
Lathers well, rinses clean and leaves hair smelling fresh
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Price and Where to Buy Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo?
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Selsun Blue Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
About Selsun Blue
Selsun Blue is the expert in scalp health, offering high-quality, effective solutions that are tough on dandruff and great for hair to help you feel confident, poised and in control. Selsun Blue helps control dandruff by powerfully relieving symptoms like flaking and itching. Say "goodbye" to flakes and ditch your dandruff with Selsun Blue!
Selsun Blue Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Review
When your itchy, dry dandruff scalp and hair need moisture and relief, choose Selsun Blue Moisturizing Anti Dandruff Shampoo With Aloe. It's tough on dandruff like you expect from Selsun Blue with the extra benefit of Aloe to moisturize dry hair. It is a maximum strength formula with Selenium Sulfide 1% as the active ingredient to help prevent and eliminate itchy scalp and visible flakes associated with dandruff.
Medicated with menthol, this anti-dandruff shampoo is a max-strength formula that'll give your scalp a cooling and soothing sensation. It lathers up quickly on your scalp and helps to get rid of itchiness and visible flakes.
Selsun Blue contains selenium sulfide, which combats the overproduction of yeast on your scalp. Plus, this moisturizing formula contains calming aloe vera, which will help nourish your hair and soothe your dry, itchy scalp.
Pro tip: Make sure you do an extra thorough rinse if your hair is permed or colored. This will help retain its shape and hue.
Key Specs: Key Ingredient: Selenium sulfide | Scent: Eucalyptus | Size: 11 ounces | Usage: use at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor.
For Hair Type: All Hair Types
Age Range: Adult
Ingredients:
| Key ingredient | Selenium Sulfide 1%. |
Inactive Ingredients | water, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, TEA lauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, magnesium aluminum silicate, fragrance, menthol, cocamide MEA, DMDM hydantoin, citric acid, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium citrate, sodium chloride, blue 1, red 33 |
Key Benefits:
Maximum strength anti dandruff shampoo with Selenium Sulfide 1%.
Moisturizing shampoo with Aloe helps nourish and moisturize dry hair.
Lathers quickly.
Helps prevent and eliminate itchy scalp and visible flakes associated with dandruff.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Price and Where to Buy Selsun Blue Medicated Dandruff Shampoo?
Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
About Head & Shoulders
A well-known anti-dandruff brand, Head & Shoulders has several different formulations. The active dandruff-fighting ingredients in Head & Shoulders include selenium sulfide and pyrithione zinc, depending on the formulation. Two examples of Head & Shoulders' different versions: Royal Oils, geared toward those with Afro-textured hair; and Bare, which uses minimal ingredients.
Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Shampoo Review
Head & Shoulders has been one of the most well-recognized brands of dandruff shampoo for decades. For multi-symptom relief and prescription strength, we chose Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Shampoo as our best overall. This formula treats existing dandruff and helps prevent recurrences with the active ingredient selenium sulfide when used as directed.
This extra strength formula is dermatologist designed and tested to provide soothing relief from irritation caused by dryness, itch, and oil¹ with regular use. Gentle on sensitive skin and scalp, while effective at controlling dandruff, Clinical Dandruff Defense Sensitive Scalp Shampoo helps eliminate irritation and dryness² and provides calming relief to an irritated scalp. Plus, this formula is infused with aloe vera.
While it’s great at cleaning the hair and eliminating dandruff, you’ll want to use a conditioner with this shampoo as it doesn’t soften your hair. We also wish that the product produced more of a foamy lather, although this didn't lessen its effectiveness.
With regular use, the brand says you will see 100% protection against visible flakes. Thousands of Amazon shoppers are fans, with many reporting immediate results. Some didn't love the strong smell, though.
Key Specs: Key Ingredient: Selenium sulfide 1% | Scent: Citrus | Size: 13.50 ounces| Usage: Twice per week or as directed by a doctor
For Hair Type: All Hair Types
Age Range: Adult,Not for children under the age of 2 months
Ingredients:
| Key ingredient | Selenium Sulfide - 1 % (Anti-Dandruff, Anti-Seborrheic Dermatitis) |
Inactive Ingredients | Water, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycol Distearate, Cocamide MEA, Ammonium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Citrate, Dimethicone, Menthol, Cetyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Red 4 |
Key Benefits:
Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense + Intensive Itch Relief
Americas #1 dandruff shampoo brand (based on volume sales)
Protects against flakes, itch, oil and dryness with regular use (flakes and itch associated with dandruff; washes away oil and flakes)
Prescription strength formula provides powerful itch relief
Intense cooling menthol soothes scalp
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Price and Where to Buy Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Anti-Dandruff Shampoo?
Neutrogena Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
About Neutrogena
Neutrogena makes a dandruff shampoo with coal tar called T/Gel and one with salicylic acid called T/Sal. The coal tar can be effective but also has a stronger scent that may take some getting used to, says Dr. Anne Truitt, a board-certified dermatologist with Skin Surgery Medical Group in San Diego.
T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo Review
Treat scalp build-up with Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Build-Up Control Scalp Shampoo. After just one use, this scalp treatment begins to clear crusty scalp build-up, while relieving itching and flaking associated with severe scalp conditions like psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis.
This therapeutic shampoo even helps control the symptoms of common dandruff, clearing and helping prevent flakes and scalp build-up. This dandruff control shampoo contains 3% salicylic acid, a clinically proven active ingredient, and continues to work for hours even after shampoo is rinsed off.
Free of added color, preservatives and fragrance, the conditioning anti-dandruff and psoriasis scalp shampoo provides maximum relief for dry, itchy, flaky scalps and comes from Neutrogena, a dermatologist recommended brand.
People loved that this shampoo did not feel or smell medicinal or overpowering. It contains menthol, which aids in reducing itchiness and soothing the scalp. Overall, this product surpassed our expectations for its low price.
Key Specs: Key Ingredient: Salicylic acid | Scent: Unscented | Size: 4.5 ounces | Usage: At least twice a week or as directed by a doctor.
For Hair Type: All types especially those who experience extremely dry skin on the scalp
Age Range: Adult
Ingredients:
Key ingredient | Salicylic Acid 3% (Anti-dandruff, anti-seborrheic dermatitis, anti-psoriasis). |
Inactive Ingredients | Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-22, Sodium Citrate, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid |
Key Benefits:
Maximum relief of itchy, flaky scalp
Relieves itching and flaking associated with severe scalp conditions, like dandruff and psoriasis
Dermatologist recommended
Designed to clear crusty scalp build-up
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
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Price and Where to Buy T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo?
$9.49@cvs.com: up to 2% cashback
$7.32@walmart.com: up to 4% cashback
What is the Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoo?
Nizoral
Nizoral is currently the best treatment for chronic dandruff. Not surprisingly, it is also the most expensive. A small bottle can cost over $15. Nizoral not only works great, but it is also the most discreet.
If you’re looking for a shampoo that can relieve the flaking and itching associated with dandruff and is suitable for all hair types and textures, consider this Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.But unlike some stronger formulas, Nizoral is still gentle enough to use on color-treated hair and offers a thick lather that leaves a clean scent behind.
It doesn't have the "medicinal" feel of Selsun Blue, yet it is the strongest dandruff shampoo you can purchase over the counter. It was originally a prescription shampoo having 2% ketoconazole as the active ingredient, while the over-the-counter is 1%.
Selsun Blue
Selsun Blue is the more serious version of Head & Shoulders. Selsun Blue's active ingredient is selenium sulfide. Selsun Blue has been acclaimed for being more effective than Head & Shoulders in treating flakes and ranks second in the treatment of dandruff.
If you suffer from a super itchy scalp, We suggest trying this Selsun Blue option. Medicated with menthol, this anti-dandruff shampoo is a max-strength formula that'll give your scalp a cooling and soothing sensation. It lathers up quickly on your scalp and helps to get rid of itchiness and visible flakes.
First-time users will be overwhelmed by the strong scent but will be happy with the results compared to Head & Shoulders. If you have moderate dandruff, Selsun Blue may be right for you. It is available over the counter with 1% pyrithione zinc or with a prescription increasing the strength to 2.5%.
Head & Shoulders
Head & Shoulders is probably the most recognized dandruff treatment on the market.The active ingredient in Head & Shoulders is pyrithione zinc. Pyrithione zinc is an anti-fungal ingredient that treats mild dandruff well. If you've never had dandruff before, using pyrithione zinc is an easy and cost-effective way to control dandruff.
If you’re searching for a dandruff shampoo formula that is gentle and effective enough for regular, everyday use, you can find it in the Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Shampoo. It also includes menthol, which provides a cooling sensation to irritated scalps.
Head & Shoulders only seems to work for people with light dandruff. Using it is fairly pleasant. It has a distinct but light odor. It lathers moderately well too.
Neutrogena
Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo-Scalp Build-Up Control is free from fragrance, alcohol, color, and preservatives and is recommended by dermatologists. The active ingredient, salicylic acid, is commonly found in many skincare products and in this case, it works to treat dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis on the scalp.
This formula is gentle enough for everyday use to treat and prevent flakes without breaking the bank.
How to Use Anti-dandruff Shampoo?
The most effective way to apply anti-dandruff shampoo to your scalp is to massage it with your fingers thoroughly; so it gets into contact with your entire scalp.
Anti-dandruff shampoo usually needs to be left on for a few minutes (usually 2-3 minutes) before its active ingredient is released and comes into contact with your skin. Follow the manufacturer's time recommendations.
Following the application, thoroughly rinse your hair.
After washing with anti-dandruff shampoo, you can use a conditioner.
Initially, only use anti-dandruff shampoo until the problem is under control. Afterward, you can alternate this with your regular shampoo.
After rinsing your hair, lightly rub your hair with the towel all over and let it air dry.
let your hair dry naturally.
Here are some tips and precautions to keep in mind when using anti-dandruff shampoos.
Read the label to find out how often to use it. Some shampoos can be used daily if you wash your hair that often, while others are only recommended for use a couple of times a week.
If you wash your hair daily but can only use a dandruff shampoo a couple times a week, use your regular shampoo on the remaining days.
Aim to leave your dandruff shampoo on the scalp for five to ten minutes before rinsing it out unless otherwise instructed.
Avoid using a waxy hair conditioner or leave-in product. This can make dandruff worse.
FAQs
1.How does dandruff shampoo work?
Dandruff shampoo works to curb a flaky, itchy scalp. What they target depends on the ingredients. Dandruff shampoos usually contain antifungals or corticosteroids.Antifungals keep fungus from growing, which, in turn, reduces the fungi that cause dandruff.
2.What is the best shampoo to get rid of dandruff?
While shampoo might not permanently get rid of dandruff, the Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo is one of the best out there for targeting dandruff and keeping it under control.
The top pick for the best dandruff shampoo for everyday use, the Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Shampoo, includes potent anti-yeast ingredients such as selenium sulfide, which can also make a noticeable difference when combatting dandruff.
3.Is dandruff shampoo bad for your hair?
Some dandruff shampoos, such as tar-based shampoos and selenium sulfide shampoos can cause discoloration of the hair and scalp.
Read the instructions carefully to see how long (or short) the shampoo should stay in before rinsing thoroughly.
4.Can you use dandruff shampoo every day?
It depends. It’s always best to read the shampoo’s instructions for how often it should be used. It may be best to alternate regular shampoo with dandruff shampoo.
For example, try using a dandruff shampoo two or three times a week and a regular shampoo on the other days.
5.How long do you leave dandruff shampoo in your hair?
Leave dandruff shampoo in your hair for at least 3-5 minutes before rinsing it out. This will give the shampoo enough time to work its magic and help to get rid of any pesky dandruff flakes.
6.How can I permanently get rid of dandruff?
The best way to control dandruff is to be intentional about your haircare routine and wash strands regularly with a shampoo formulated for dandruff. At-home scalp treatments such as nourishing hair oils can also help keep it at bay.
7.Does anti dandruff shampoo work for dry scalp?
Anti-dandruff shampoo helps by treating the dryness and flakes, and it also prevents new flakes from forming. The shampoo works as a cleansing agent to get rid of the dry flakes, and it also re-moisturizes the scalp so that dandruff won't come back as easily.
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