The 11 Best Shampoos to Treat and Prevent Scalp Acne, According to Derms

Best Overall

Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo

$9

$8 at Amazon $8 at Target $10 at CVS

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 4.5 oz  | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No | Suggested Use: At least twice a week

Both dermatologists we spoke with include this pick from Neutrogena on their list of top recommendations. Dr. Garshick says it’s a particularly good choice for those dealing with both an oily scalp and breakouts. “It contains 3% salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid exfoliant that gets rid of dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and reduces oil. The shampoo can also help reduce itching and dryness, and is helpful for other scalp conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and dandruff,” she explains. On top of that, it’s super affordable and available at most drugstore chains.

Best Budget

Sulfur8 Deep Cleaning Shampoo

$6 at Sallybeauty.com View on 4thavemarket.com View on Walmart

Active Ingredients: Benzyl benzoate | Size: 7.5 oz | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Suggested Use: At least twice a week

Despite it being one of the least expensive options we’ve found, Dr. Jackson approves of this pick, too. Affordable and effective, it relies on benzyl benzoate, a solvent and preservative that helps combat scalp pimples and dandruff with its antimicrobial properties. It is a common allergen, though, so it’s best to test it on your skin before applying it all over to avoid a reaction. Make sure to pair it with a moisturizing conditioner, as it can be fairly stripping, particularly if your hair is on the drier side.

Best With Salicylic Acid

Ouai Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

$38 at Amazon $38 at Sephora $38 at Ulta

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 10 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Suggested Use: At least twice a week

Salicylic acid is often recommended for face and body acne, and the same holds true for your scalp. Dr. Garshick says salicylic acid is one of the best ingredients to look for because it can both eliminate excess oil and unclog pores. You get a 2% concentration with this pick, but in a shampoo that smells so sophisticated (and a bottle that looks so fancy) you’d never guess it was made for addressing scalp issues. We just wish we got more product for the price.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Vanicream Free & Clear Shampoo

$12

$11 at Amazon $13 at Target $13 at Target

Active Ingredients: N/A | Size: 12 oz  | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Suggested Use: Can be used daily

Dealing with both sensitive skin and uncomfortable breakouts on your scalp is no fun. Thankfully, this formula is the perfect option if you have both, says Dr. Garshick. “It’s fragrance-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and dye-free, but still helps remove buildup without leaving your hair feeling stripped or scalp irritated,” she says. It’s also a smart choice for deep cleaning the hair between intense medicated shampoo washes. However, it’s not strictly designed to treat scalp acne, but it certainly can help. 

Best for Dandruff

Jupiter Balancing Shampoo

$30

$28 at Amazon $30 at Dermstore $17 at Target

Active Ingredients: Zinc pyrithione | Size: 9.5 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Suggested Use: 3-4 times per week

The bad news: Dandruff and scalp breakouts often go hand-in-hand since flaking and buildup can contribute to breakouts, says Dr. Garshick. The good news: This shampoo will help nip all of that in the bud. The medicated formula relies on zinc pyrithione, an anti-dandruff ingredient but also includes coconut oil and squalane for hydration so it won’t be too drying. It’s also a delight to use, thanks to its scent of mint, vanilla, sage, and lavender. The only downside we came across is that some reviewers found it left an oily residue behind. 

Best Exfoliating

The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

$16

$14 at Amazon $16 at Sephora $16 at Kohls.com

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid | Size: 5 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Suggested Use: Use weekly

As is the case with face and body acne, exfoliating can help prevent the buildup that leads to breakouts on the scalp…so long as it’s done correctly. Dr. Garshick says glycolic acid is one of the best exfoliating ingredients to seek out since it’s gentle yet effective at clearing out clogged pores. It’s the star of the show in this formula, which technically isn’t a shampoo but does work beautifully as a weekly treatment to keep breakouts and flakes at bay.

Best for Color-Treated Hair

John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Special Shampoo

$30 at Amazon View on Sephora $20 at Ulta

Active Ingredients: Tea tree oil | Size: 2.5, 10.14, 16.9, 33.8 oz | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Suggested Use: Can be used daily

Medicated shampoos can pose a tricky conundrum for color-treated hair as many can be too harsh and strip hair dye. While this shampoo does contain sulfates, it is still safe for color-treated hair. Dr. Garshick likes it because it contains tea tree oil, which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties—essential if you’re dealing with any kind of breakouts on your scalp. And the minty fresh scent is a nice bonus, especially since it’s not artificial.

Best Antifungal

Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

$17 at Amazon $17 at Target

$17

$20 at IHerb

Active Ingredients: Ketoconazole | Size: 4 oz | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Suggested Use: Twice a week for up to 8 weeks

Along with the different types of scalp “acne” mentioned earlier, there’s another potential culprit behind the bumps on your scalp. “Pityrosporum folliculitis happens when a yeast that’s naturally occurring on the skin multiplies and infects the hair follicles,” says Dr. Jackson. You need an antifungal ingredient to target that, such as the ketoconazole in this shampoo. It’s great for mitigating dandruff, too, hence the name. We don’t love that it contains BHT, though, a controversial preservative that the Environmental Working Group says poses a moderate risk for cancer and a high risk for allergies and immunotoxicity.

Best for Folliculitis

CLn Healthy Scalp Shampoo

$36 at Amazon $36 at Walmart $36 at Clnwash.com

Active Ingredients: Sodium hypochlorite, salicylic acid | Size: 8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No | Suggested Use: 1-3 times per week

Another expert recommendation: this is an especially good choice for dealing with folliculitis. Credit sodium hypochlorite in the formula, a do-it-all ingredient that’s antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory, yet still super gentle on even sensitive skin. It’s paired with salicylic acid to cleanse, disinfect the scalp, and unclog pores effectively, says Dr. Garshick. She also appreciates the addition of hydrating glycerin, which helps keep your hair or skin from overdrying.

Best Preventive

SEEN Skin-Caring Fragrance-Free Shampoo

$32 at Amazon $12 at Ulta $29 at Dermstore

Active Ingredients: N/A | Size: 8.6 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Suggested Use: Can be used daily

This shampoo is more of a preventative product rather than a scalp acne treatment. It doesn’t contain any active ingredients, but it also has no common culprits that will make it worse, such as heavy, pore-clogging oils that can contribute to breakouts. Instead, the noncomedogenic formula contains hemi-squalane, a plant-sugar-derived silicone alternative that adds moisture, and bisabolol, a skin-soothing ingredient to reduce irritation. We think it’s an ideal ‘poo for days you don’t use medicated shampoo to treat acne and should ultimately help keep blemishes from returning over time.

Best for a Luxe Experience

Oribe Serene Scalp Shampoo

$52 at Amazon $52 at Sephora $52 at Bluemercury.com

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 8.5, 33.8 oz | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Suggested Use: Can be used daily

There’s nothing sexy about a medicated shampoo…or is there? This splurge-worthy option may be intended for addressing dandruff (it’s also good for breakouts, thanks to a 2% concentration of salicylic acid), but using it also feels super special and spa-worthy. Everything from the gorgeous pink bottle to the luscious lather to the lovely scent makes it a far cry from most other medicated shampoos we’ve tried. It can be drying, though, so follow with a hydrating conditioner.