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The Best Dandruff Shampoos for Men to Get Rid of Nasty Flakes

Beat that scalp itch with these products.

by Hudson Lindenberger
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
The Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo by Sachajuan on a blue background

Dandruff flakes are the follicular equivalent of murky yellow sweat stains: not something you ever want to showcase. Dandruff is the product an itchy, dry scalp condition marked by flaky skin and irritation that can leave you coated in unsightly white flecks, and it’s far more common in guys, possibly due to male hormones. Sounds grim, but the good news is that investing in the best dandruff shampoos for men can completely take care of this issue, making your hair glossy and your shoulders flake-free.

Effective dandruff shampoos work by addressing the causes of the condition. Per the Mayo Clinic, the four most common causes of dandruff are seborrheic dermatitis, otherwise known as irritated, oily skin, straight up dirty hair or dry skin, or a lovely fungus called Malassezia.

Not all dandruff shampoos are created equal, so it’s important to read the ingredients. The best dandruff shampoo strikes the right balance between attacking the problem while soothing and avoiding irritation. If your scalp shows any signs of redness or burning, stop washing your hair with the product in question. If you can’t find an over-the-counter shampoo that works, there are prescription options a dermatologist can describe.

Common ingredients in dandruff shampoos:
Pyrithione zinc shampoos can help eliminate the fungus on your scalp that can cause dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
Tar-based shampoos help conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis by slowing down how quickly skin cells on your scalp flake off.
Salicylic acid shampoos can help get rid of scaliness, but may dry out your scalp.
Selenium sulfide shampoos slow your skin cells from dying and may also combat malassezia.
Ketoconazole shampoos are made with an antifungal agent that may work when other shampoos fail.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men by Nizoral
Scalp Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoo by BosleyMD
Purifying Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men by Davines
Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo by Oribe
Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo by Sachajuan
Purifying Anti-Dandruff Shampoo With Jujube Bark Extract by Christophe Robin

French stylist Christophe Robin makes some of the absolute best hair products you can buy. This shampoo is no exception. Jujube bark helps regulate your sebum levels, and keeps your scalp from getting itchy. It's especially suitable if your hair tends to get greasy.

$38
Custom Men's Shampoo by Prose

It's a fairly genius yet simple concept: You get a shampoo customized to your hair needs, because no two scalps are the same. Just fill out a quick questionnaire and specify your hair issues. In this case, dandruff. And you'll get a formula that helps you keep the flakes under control.

$25
Balancing Shampoo for Men by Jupiter

This awesome shampoo gets the job done and then some. It's made with zinc pyrithione, which is used used in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis. Plus it smells fantastic: Think mint, vanilla, sage, and lavender.

$21
T/Gel Therapeutic Dandruff Shampoo by Neutrogena
Dandruff Shampoo for Men by CLn
Pramāsana Purifying Scalp Cleanser by Aveda

Here's a great product that you use before every shampoo, to purify your scalp and balance your sebum levels. Wintergreen-derived salicylic acid exfoliates the scalp, seaweed helps keep sebum in check, and tamanu oil protects your noggin from pollutants and irritants.

$36

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