How to Get Rid of Dandruff: Shampoo Ingredients, How to Use Them and When to See a Doctor
How to get rid of dandruff: which anti-dandruff shampoo ingredients to look for, how to use them for your hair type, and when to see a dermatologist.
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In this guide
To get rid of dandruff, switch to an anti-dandruff shampoo with an active ingredient, massage it into your scalp, leave it on as long as the bottle says, and use it as often as your hair type allows. For most people, that’s an over-the-counter fix from the drugstore.
The details matter: which ingredient to look for, how often to use it if your hair is fine or curly, what to do when it stops working and when flakes mean it’s time to see a doctor. This guide follows what the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends.
What is dandruff, and why do you have it?
Dandruff is small flakes of dry skin that shed from your scalp. It can itch, and you’ll notice it more on dark hair or dark clothes. According to the AAD, it can be caused by medical conditions, hair care habits or oily skin. It often comes and goes, and the AAD links it to seborrheic dermatitis, which it connects to yeast on the skin, stress, cold weather or your overall health.
It’s super common, and it doesn’t mean you’re dirty. Plenty of people with squeaky-clean hair get it.
Dandruff or dry scalp?
They look alike, but the fix is different. The AAD explains in its dry scalp guide:
- Dandruff: flakes from the scalp, sometimes itchy, that come and go. A dandruff shampoo usually helps.
- Dry scalp: the skin loses too much moisture, from harsh hair products or cold, dry weather. It causes itch and flakes too. A gentle, non-medicated shampoo usually helps.
Not sure which one you have? Try a dandruff shampoo as directed. If it doesn’t help, see the “when to see a doctor” section below. If your hair is also very oily, our guide on why your hair is so greasy might explain part of it.
Dandruff shampoo ingredients to look for
The AAD says over-the-counter dandruff shampoos often contain one of these active ingredients: zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole or coal tar. If one stops working, the AAD suggests alternating between dandruff shampoos with different active ingredients.
Here are three common ones, from the brands’ own websites in October 2026. We haven’t tested them, so the descriptions are the brands’ claims. We left out prices, since they vary by store.
Why we like it: the active ingredient is pyrithione zinc 1%, which the brand describes as an antifungal that targets the Malassezia fungus linked to dandruff. It’s a widely sold, familiar starting point.
Why we like it: the active ingredient is selenium sulfide 1%. The brand’s directions say to wet your hair, massage the shampoo onto your scalp and rinse, and to use it at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor.
Why we like it: the active ingredient is ketoconazole 1%, which the brand says controls the fungus that can cause dandruff. Read the Drug Facts label on the pack for directions and age limits.
Whichever you pick, read the label. These are medicated products, and the directions on the bottle come first.
How to use dandruff shampoo
- Wet your hair and put the shampoo on your scalp, not just the lengths. The AAD says it has to be applied to and lathered on the scalp.
- Massage it in with your fingertips (not your nails).
- Leave it on as long as the bottle says. The AAD notes some dandruff shampoos need to sit for up to 5 to 10 minutes before you rinse. Check your product, because timing varies.
- Rinse well, then use your normal conditioner on the lengths of your hair.
How often should you use it?
It depends on your hair. The AAD gives these guidelines:
| Hair type | Washing | Dandruff shampoo |
|---|---|---|
| Fine, straight or oily | Wash often, possibly daily | About twice a week |
| Coarse, curly or coily | Wash only as needed | About once a week, if your hair tolerates it |
With curly or coily hair, put the dandruff shampoo only on your scalp. The ingredients can dry out hair, so follow up with your usual conditioner. For more on washing schedules, see how often you should wash your hair, and if your hair gets dry or fluffy, read why your hair is so frizzy.
A simple weekly routine to try
Here’s what the AAD’s frequency guide looks like in real life. Adjust it to your bottle’s label.
- Fine, straight or oily hair, washed most days: use your regular shampoo on most wash days and swap in the dandruff shampoo twice a week, for example Monday and Thursday. Leave it on your scalp for the time on the label, then rinse well.
- Coarse, curly or coily hair, washed once a week or so: use the dandruff shampoo on your scalp on wash day. Skip the lengths of your hair, then condition them as usual.
Keep going on that schedule, even once the flakes calm down, since dandruff often comes back. If it clears, you can check with your dermatologist or the label about how much to cut back. If you wear protective styles, braids or a wig cap and your scalp gets itchy, a doctor or stylist who works with your hair type can help with a plan that fits your hair.
Other things that help
- Protect your scalp from the sun. The AAD says some dandruff shampoos, especially ones with coal tar, can make your scalp more sensitive to UV rays, and a scalp sunburn can make flaking worse. Wear a hat or stay in the shade.
- Be consistent. One wash won’t fix it. Use the shampoo on the schedule above rather than only when flakes show up.
- Don’t scratch or pick at flakes. It can make your scalp sore. If itching keeps you up, that’s a reason to see a doctor.
- Brush your hair and clothes off before you leave. Flakes show more on dark clothes, so a quick brush helps while the shampoo does its job.
When to see a doctor about dandruff
The AAD says to see a board-certified dermatologist if:
- Your dandruff doesn’t go away after you try these tips.
- Your dandruff is severe. A dermatologist can prescribe a stronger shampoo or medication.
- You think the flaking may be a sign of another condition. The AAD says it could be seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, a fungal infection of the scalp or eczema, which a doctor can tell apart.
Pay special attention to these signs from the AAD’s dry scalp guide: reddish or dark-red raised plaques with silvery scale can be psoriasis. Scaly patches with hair loss or broken hair can be scalp ringworm (tinea capitis), which is contagious and needs a prescription antifungal. Both are reasons to get checked promptly.
Tell a parent and book a visit. If you’ve never done it before, here’s how to make a doctor’s appointment.
