The 21 Best Shampoos for a Dry Scalp, According to Dermatologists, Hair Stylists and Reviewers

• Promising Review: "First, I love the pump dispenser. [It's] one of the easiest to use products with a reliable pump! The shampoo itself is light and clean (as it is intended) so I like that it leaves my hair soft and clean." — Matthew, a Harlinikken reviewer

Created by a Scandinavian haircare brand that treats hair loss and thinning, their mild shampoo gently removes excess oils and dead skin cells from your scalp, while balancing the pH, so it feels nourished and clean. Tip: After massaging the shampoo into your scalp, leave it in for 30 seconds before rinsing it out; repeat with a second shampoo for best results.

• Promising Review: "This shampoo is perfect for a dry scalp. It doesn’t cost a fortune and works perfectly. My scalp literally says thank you when I use it as my regular shampoo. Dove has a whole line of scalp shampoos but this particular one is the only one that works for my scalp." — TT, an Amazon reviewer

Oftentimes, a dry scalp is accompanied by dandruff, and many dandruff shampoos that clear up flakes can also be drying on your strands. Luckily, the team at Dove cracked the code with this shampoo. It features pyrithione zinc, which effectively tackles dandruff and reduces flakes. The blend also has coconut oil and shea butter to hydrate the scalp. Plus, this flake fighter claims to be surprisingly mild and moisturizing on the rest of your hair.

• Promising Review: "If you struggle with buildup in your hair and also don't like fragrance, you should definitely try this shampoo from Briogeo! It's very gentle, even for the driest hair AKA me. I have dry thick curls so a shampoo that can both detox my curls and keep the moisture is a winner!" — Jessica, an Ulta reviewer

If your skin is easily irritated, you may appreciate this hypoallergenic and dermatologist-approved shampoo that was formulated for people with sensitivities to fragrance, essential oils, lactose, soy and gluten. With scalp soothing aloe vera and oat milk, it reduces dryness, itchiness or tightness. (Note: Reviewers have reported that this formula works best on fine hair, so if you have thicker strands, maybe skip to one of the others on the list.)

• Promising Review: "This will now be my new go-to for my curls. I love that it's sulfate-free, it's gentle on my hair and scalp and it smells amazing. It leaves my hair very soft & manageable." — A Sephora reviewer

This creamy shampoo gently cleanses your scalp of any residue or product buildup, while adding back moisture with manuka honey and ceramides. The rich formula is especially forgiving on dry, frizzy hair, and the warm tuberose and jasmine scent lingers until your next wash.

• Promising Review: "This shampoo was very good. My hair was soft the next day. Did the job it was supposed to. Easy to comb through the next day. Smell is not overwhelming and very pleasant." — A Method Reviewer

If you crave a deliciously scented shampoo, we raise you this nourishing wash from Method. Infused with coconut, rice milk and shea butter, it gently clears away buildup and extra oils from your scalp, while hydrating dry ends and leaving your hair smelling like a coconutty dream for up to 12 hours.

• Promising Review: "I have severe scalp psoriasis and always thought a clarifying shampoo would be too harsh on my scalp but after just one use, the build up, flakes and discomfort cleared up so much. I recommend this to anyone suffering [from] build up, especially with a sensitive scalp!" — Jordan, an Ulta reviewer

Reviews aside, this shampoo by Fekkai is a favorite among one of our experts—and we can tell by the ingredients list alone. "This is ideal for anyone struggling with dry scalp as it’s powered by ginger extract, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and apple cider vinegar, which gently clarifies, resets and balances your scalp microbiome," explains Hayasaka. "Bonus: it doesn’t smell like vinegar at all, but instead leaves your shower smelling of delicious green apples!"

• Promising Review: "I noticed after the first wash that I wasn’t compulsively scratching my head or picking bumps. My scalp has been breaking out for months and I’ve had no success clearing it up or keeping it clear. But now I don’t have my hands all in my hair because my scalp feels calm and it’s made all the difference in the world." — April, an Amazon reviewer

Like its name suggests, this sensorially-pleasing shampoo is made with—and thus, smells like—peonies. Shoppers say it's fresh, bright and lovely on their hair. Plus, the pH-balanced formula helps soothe irritated and sensitive scalps, while being gentle enough to use on color-treated hair.

• Promising Review: "My hair felt very clean and not dry whatsoever. My scalp feels like it can breathe for the first time. No more flakes on my shirts (thankfully). I realize how much build up product I had in my hair and scalp but after using this product it felt a lot lighter." — Dilliana, a Sephora reviewer

Shu Uemura’s clarifying oil shampoo is a fan favorite. As its name implies, it deeply cleanses the scalp and remove any product buildup, dirt and excess oil. In short, reviewers say it has a nice slip and believes to be incredibly gentle on the scalp. With a subtle citrus scent and loaded with hydrating plant and fruit oils, it leaves your scalp and strands in a state of blissful equilibrium.

• Promising Review: "Ive been using this shampoo for over a year and it made my dandruff go away like a charm! It's also gentle on the scalp and hair. I've been coloring my hair with purple and blue dyes, and the dyes don't wash out quickly as compared to other shampoos I've used. No more itchy scalp!" — Maggie, an Amazon reviewer

Formulated with a potent duo of sulfur and salicylic acid, this clarifying shampoo soothes itchy scalps, while clearing up any surface flakes. Add rosemary oil, which helps to rebalance your skin, and olive and jojoba oils to condition the lengths, and we never want to be without it.

• Promising Review: "My natural curls stylist put me on to this when I got my first silk press and it is amazing. It gives my hair so much hydration and after every wash my hair feels super light, soft and [it provides] more volume [for my] fine baby hair. The smell is light and floral; not overwhelming at all. I also have sensitive skin and eczema and I have no irritation whatsoever." — Vannah, an Ulta reviewer

Who doesn’t want to indulge in a hydrating hairbath from time to time? This rich cream wash is packed with essential oils like sage and tamanu to balance your scalp, while emollients like avocado oil and shea butter smooth the cuticle of parched strands. Shoppers say the clean formula is hydrating, yet lightweight, and gets rid of grease without stripping hair dry.

• Promising Review: "I'm on my second tub of this G.Tox [scrub]. I love how it feels as it goes from a grainy scrub for your scalp to a wash. I suffer from a flakey scalp at times so this is a wonderful addition to my routine. [It also] helps with any build up too!" — A Sephora reviewer

Does one actually need a scalp scrub? Why yes, it turns out we do. This one has a whipped texture that lathers nicely as you massage it into your scalp. With Himalayan pink salt, cold-pressed moringa oil and unfiltered rosehip oil (this is GP, after all), it promises to make our hair feel shiny and new.

• Promising Review: "I have been using T-Sal for at least 30 years now for dry scalp. It works great and I use it now to maintain my condition." — Jason, an Amazon reviewer  

With over 900 five-star reviews, this shampoo was made for scalp relief. Featuring three percent salicylic acid, the formula promises to cleanse the scalp and soothe common conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. As Kobets explains,"In cases with a lot of scalp buildup and scaling, you should add on an exfoliating (or clarifying) ingredient such as salicylic acid or tea tree oil. This shampoo happens to have this key ingredient, which can help exfoliate dead skin."

• Promising Review: "My hair was thin after growing it out post chemo about 4 years ago. I’ve been using this shampoo for several months. I have short hairs sprouting all over my head. This is my third bottle ( and of course my husband has starting to use it too!)" — Cathie, an Amazon reviewer

Avid reviewers on Amazon (there are over 15,00o 5-star reviews as of writing) claim this shampoo reduces hair shedding and improves volume with continued use. Upon closer inspection of the ingredients, we see it includes biotin, vitamins, amino acids and over 17 DHT herbs that nourish, cleanse and protect your scalp with every wash.

• Promising Review: "I have struggled with dandruff on and off for years and this is the only shampoo that has given me a flake-free scalp without drying my hair out or giving me an oily scalp. My hair is literally able to be combed before any conditioner is used and [it’s] left looking amazing." — An Amazon reviewer

For those with chemically-treated strands and a perpetually dry scalp, this balancing shampoo will become your shower MVP. Zinc pyrithione tackles dandruff, while squalane and coconut oil softens and strengthens the mid-lengths and ends. FYI: We don’t mind the minty fresh aroma either.

• Promising Review: "I have honestly never used a shampoo bar like this before. I have heavily color-treated hair, and I'm super particular on what products I use in my hair. I decided to give this product a chance and I am so happy that I did. It smells incredible, it’s eco friendly, and my hair looks and feels healthier than ever." — A Sephora reviewer

If you’re really looking to cut down on space and waste, you’ll love this shampoo bar from Superzero. It's formulated with Brazilian ziziphus joaxerio extract to soothe the scalp and reduce flakes. Rosemary and tea tree oil further protect your scalp, while shea butter and avocado oil add moisture to your strands. The brand really (ahem) raised the bar with this plastic-free option.

• Promising Review: "This is the absolute best baby wash I've seen! It has amazing natural ingredients, it doesn't irritate my baby's skin and it will last a long time. (I only use a pea size every time I bathe my baby.) I even use it on my face and it cleans really well without drying my skin out!" — An iHerb reviewer

Sometimes a dry scalp is caused by certain skin conditions like eczema. And as anyone with eczema knows, the key to preventing and treating flare-ups can be to pare down the number of potentially irritating ingredients that you encounter. This gentle formula has plant-based ingredients (like colloidal oatmeal, shea butter and cocoa butter) so you can cleanse your scalp (and your kiddo's) without worry.

• Promising Review: "If you suffer from dermatitis this is an excellent fragrance-free shampoo as it doesn’t cause any irritation to the scalp or skin. It doesn’t strip natural oils so it keeps skin and scalp hydrated." — Gerrilin, an Amazon reviewer

If you’re looking for a simple shampoo that is free of pretty much every possible irritant (from fragrance, parabens, sulfates and formaldehyde), this dermatologist-tested product promises to cleanse your scalp and strands sufficiently. A helpful tip: Shampoo twice, and really work it into your scalp, as the formula does not lather like conventional formulas do.

• Promising Review: "This shampoo is my favorite product from Act + Acre! It doesn't leave any heavy feeling on my fine hair, and it makes my hair more wavy! Not only that but my scalp feels moisturized after the shampoo alone." — Sophie, an Act+Acre reviewer

Whether you have straight, wavy or curly locks, this balancing shampoo promises to restore moisture and balance out a dry scalp. It's formulated with baobab oil for hydration, glycerin for balance and two percent of apple amino acids to cleanse and condition the scalp. "It's one of my absolute favorites since it strikes the perfect balance of cleansing without disrupting the hair’s natural moisture balance," adds Reavey.

• Promising Review: "I have a medical condition that results in broken and irritated skin on the scalp, and this shampoo helps to clear it up beautifully! Hair feels clear of product, soft and manageable. But the main benefit is the scalp care." — Dayna, an Amazon reviewer

We’re suckers for packaging, so when a product is as effective as it is good-looking, it’s a win-win. This salon-quality shampoo features gentle salicylic acid to slough away flakes, plus soothing active ingredients (like orange and lemon extract) to keep them from coming back. But the real game changer is the addition of botanicals like bilberry fruit and sugar maple extract, which maintain moisture and protect against free radicals when we lather up. (It’s like an anti-aging treatment for your scalp.)

• Promising Review: "I've always had thin hair. I've been experimenting with shampoos for decades and I've tried quite a few that claim to make your hair thicker, to add body, etc. They usually don't perform as advertised, at least for me. I would describe the result this Aveeno shampoo delivered as increasing the volume of my hair, and [there's] a noticeable difference and a definite improvement in how my hair looks." — Mike, an Amazon reviewer

This budget-friendly shampoo is dermatologist-approved and we can definitely get behind it, too. Its hydrating blend of rosemary, peppermint and cucumber refreshes and restores your scalp. Plus, the core ingredient—colloidal oat extract—soothes and moisturizes your hair. "It's also sulfate-free and free of parabens, making it a good option for those with dry or sensitive skin, as well as those with color-treated hair," adds Dr. Garshick.

• Promising Review: "My scalp suffers from psoriasis, so it's always itchy and very dry, especially during the wintertime. I put [this] on my scalp after my shower and I'm so in love with it. My scalp is not dry and itchy. Finally got some relief." — Jan, an Amazon reviewer

Whether you have curly hair or color-treated locks, this sulfate-free shampoo is great for all hair types. It's enriched with coconut oil to add moisture back to the scalp, while glycolic acid deeply cleans and removes flakes, and xylitol strengthens strands. The calming lemongrass scent adds to the whole in-shower experience.