We Tested the Best Shampoos for Dry Scalp—These 13 Soothe and Hydrate in a Flash

Best Overall

Innersense Hair Renew Scalp Hairbath

$32

$28 at Amazon $32 at Ulta $32 at Innersensebeauty.com

Hair Type: All | Scent: Peppermint, sage, rosemary | Key Ingredients: Fermented Willow bark, pumpkin seed oil, green coffee bean extract | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our overall favorite shampoo for dry scalps was a true all-star. Formulated with flake-fighting fermented willow bark, volumizing pumpkin seed oil, and hydrating and smoothing green coffee bean extract, it checks all the scalp- and hair-health boxes in one fell swoop. Our tester loved that it lathered like “whipped cream” but rinsed out effortlessly, leaving her scalp clean, invigorated, and moisturized after the very first use. The results accelerated from there; her scalp was less irritated and flaky after one week of regular application, and her hair felt silky soft. The formula was gentle and nourishing on color-treated strands, and the scent—a soothing blend of peppermint, sage, and rosemary—created a spa-like experience. Our tester noted that the shampoo worked best when used frequently, which is something to be aware of if you’re a weekly-wash kind of person. 

Heidi, tester with fine-medium, wavy hair: “My scalp felt clean and moisturized after the very first use, and I noticed it felt less irritated and flaky after one week of use. My hair was incredibly soft after drying and styling.”

Best for Fine Hair

Act+Acre Hydro Hydrating Shampoo

$38 at Sephora $38 at Dermstore

$38

$31 at Actandacre.com

Hair Type: All | Scent: Cedarwood, bergamot, violet leaf, and sandalwood | Key Ingredients: Tilicine 5%, hyaluronic acid complex | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re dealing with fine hair and flakes, this is the shampoo for you. It calls on tilicine—an extract from the buds of the silver linden tree—to intensely moisturize the hair and scalp, then doubles down on hydration with a hyaluronic acid complex. Our tester noted that the formula has a thick consistency—which can make it hard to dispense from the bottle—and a light lather. To get the best outcome, she needed a double cleanse, but the results were worth it: her scalp felt less itchy and dry and her fine hair felt thicker. She was even able to stretch the time between washes, so her bouncy blowouts lasted longer.

Chelsea, tester with fine, wavy hair: “This product actually brought fullness to my strands, and it kept my scalp clean for more than three days.”

Best for Wavy Hair

Pattern Hydration Shampoo

$12 at Amazon $12 at Ulta $45 at Target

Hair Type: All | Scent: Light, subtle | Key Ingredients: Aloe, honey, coconut oil | Size: 9.8, 25 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Wavy and curly hair tends to need more moisture (its coily shape makes it difficult for sebum to travel down the hair shaft, imparting natural hydration as it goes). Add a dry scalp to the mix and you’re going to need something ultra gentle and hydrating. Enter, Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Hydration Shampoo—a creamy formula enriched with soothing aloe, moisturizing honey, and coconut oil, which promises to remove buildup and dirt without stripping natural oils. The shampoo’s lather is on the lighter side, and our tester always needed to double cleanse, but after rinsing she noticed it helped eliminate the tightness and dryness she’d been experiencing. Using the product regularly for three weeks, her scalp felt more balanced and looked less flaky, and her waves were defined, soft, and manageable. 

Karla, tester with type 2B hair: “My scalp felt less itchy and tight. It also felt more balanced and slightly more hydrated. Immediately my waves were much easier to control, and they didn’t get as poofy as usual.”

Best Budget

Dove DermaCare Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

View on Amazon $10 at Target

$13

$10 at Walgreens

Hair Type: Dandruff-prone | Scent: Coconut | Key Ingredients: Pyrithione zinc | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For budget-friendly scalp care, reach for Dove shampoo. It contains dandruff-fighting pyrithione zinc to gradually eliminate flakes, along with coconut oil and shea butter, which gently moisturize the scalp and hair.

We love this formula’s subtle scent and rich lather, which is gentle enough to use daily. Our tester noticed an immediate improvement in scalp hydration, but the formula’s scalp-soothing abilities took a little longer to materialize. After three washes, her scalp was less itchy, and her flakes and dandruff cleared up gradually. She thought the lather and formula were comparable to similar formulas by more expensive brands and appreciated that it was widely available at an affordable price.

Mary, tester with coarse, wavy hair: “This shampoo left my scalp and hair feeling very clean. After about a week, I noticed less flakiness on my scalp and along my part.”

Best for Flaky Scalp

Crown Affair The Hydrating Shampoo

$42 at Sephora $42 at Crownaffair.com

Hair Type: All | Scent: Yuzu, green tea, bergamot, and sandalwood | Key Ingredients: Tsubaki meadows, red algae extract, coconut-based surfactants | Size: 2.7, 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you find yourself obsessing over a flaky scalp, this gentle-yet-effective shampoo from Crown Affair—which uses gentle coconut-based surfactants to gently cleanse without stripping natural oils—might help. Our tester says the light consistency and foamy lather did an amazing job of cleaning her scalp, removing oil, dirt, product buildup, and pesky flakes. The longer she used the formula, the better the results. Three weeks later, her scalp felt comfortable and healthy, and her hair was noticeably softer and bouncier.  

Candice, tester with straight hair and a flaky scalp: “After a month of use, I did notice a decrease in flakiness and itchiness. This shampoo works better the more and longer it’s in my routine. My hair feels softer and bouncier with continued use.”

Best for Dandruff

Moroccanoil Scalp Balancing Shampoo

$84 at Amazon $30 at Sephora $30 at Dermstore

Hair Type: All | Scent: Lavender, tea tree, and bergamot | Key Ingredients: Argan oil, salicylic acid, niacinamide | Size: 2.4, 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dandruff can be annoyingly stubborn, but before you turn to medicated options, try this scalp-balancing shampoo from Moroccanoil. The formula gently exfoliates the scalp using salicylic acid, then calms with niacinamide and hydrates with silky argan oil. For the first two weeks, our tester did a double cleanse to help remove flakes, but by week three, she noticed a significant reduction in dandruff and switched to a single cleanse per wash. The shampoo also improved her hair health, leaving her strands soft and hydrated. Her only complaint was that it’s easy to over-dispense—a very gentle pour is needed to avoid wasting this liquidy product. 

Kelsey, tester with fine, dandruff-prone hair: “I noticed a true reduction in flakiness while using this product. I would also say my hair looked more hydrated and softer.”

Best Hydrating

Cécred Hydrating Shampoo

$16 at Ulta

$31

$15 at Cecred.com

Hair Type: All | Scent: Oud, Australian sandalwood, warm musk, jasmine, Haitian vetiver, and violet leaves | Key ingredients: African oil blend, keratin ferment, hyaluronic acid, and Phyto-Collagen Complex | Size: 2.5, 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Parched strands and scalps will appreciate this ultra-hydrating shampoo from Beyoncé’s brand Cécred, which is enriched with a luscious combination of African oils, hyaluronic acid, and a phyto-collagen complex. According to our enamored tester, the formula is so moisturizing it left her hair feeling soft and manageable even before applying conditioner. Her scalp also felt more hydrated—itchiness decreased and she noticed fewer flakes. The bottle made the formula tricky to dispense, but once our tester applied the product, she loved how well it lathered: soapy and efficient without being thick and overly foamy. 

Shannon Stubbs, associate editor with 4B/C natural hair and a dry scalp: “My scalp felt clean and hydrated, and my hair felt soft. I was impressed because many shampoos leave my hair feeling dry and straw-like, but I didn’t experience that with this one. My hair felt soft and manageable before I used conditioner, which is rare.”

Best Balancing

Bondi Boost Heavenly Hydration Shampoo

$34 at Sephora

$34

$17 at Ulta

Hair Type: All | Scent: Coconut cream | Key Ingredients: Aquaxyl, sodium hyaluronate, coconut acid, aloe | Size: 16.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

After just a couple of washes, this balancing shampoo became our tester’s new favorite. It left her scalp noticeably more hydrated, with moisturized and soft strands. She deals with a frequently itchy scalp and saw a difference after her first use of the shampoo. It has an excellent lather without using sulfates—instead, it contains coconut acids to create satisfying suds. It removed any product buildup and rinsed out well without residue, leaving her scalp and hair feeling clean and balanced. There has been a reduction in flakes and dry patches since she started using it, and she has noted that she will be using only this shampoo from now on.

Amanda, tester with wavy hair: “I loved everything about this product—from the lather to the texture to the balancing impact it had on my scalp. I haven’t experienced my usual flaking or extra dry patches since I started using this shampoo.”

Best Gentle

Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo

$37 at Amazon $37 at Dermstore

$30

$26 at Simon.com

Hair Type: All | Scent: Fresh & clean | Key Ingredients: Piroctone olamine, climbazole, rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid, ginger | Size: 8.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Before discovering Sachajuan’s Scalp Shampoo, our tester had been combating a dry, itchy, flaky scalp for years. This formula blew all the other natural shampoos and DIY remedies she’d tried out of the water. It’s packed with active ingredients, including dandruff-fighting piroctone olamine and climbazole, exfoliating salicylic acid, and invigorating rosemary oil, menthol, and ginger extract.

It took the shampoo around a week to work its magic. Our tester noticed her scalp stopped itching entirely and felt clean, clear, and hydrated. The formula lathered well and was very gentle. Although it didn’t strip her hair, she needed to use a rich conditioner on her strands afterward.

Sarah, tester with 1B hair: “It actually worked! My scalp isn’t itching, and I don’t have embarrassing flakes anymore.”

Best Exfoliating

Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

$15 at Amazon $42 at Ulta $134 at Nordstrom

Hair Type: All | Scent: None | Key Ingredients: Micro exfoliators, tea tree oil, coconut oil, charcoal | Size: 8, 32 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re battling stubborn dandruff and nothing in your hair care arsenal seems to be working, it might be time to reach for this multitasking shampoo-meets-scrub. “This scalp scrub shampoo helps to reduce dryness and flaking by eliminating dead skin and product buildup, and it can be used on all hair types,” explains New York-based dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD. Micro-exfoliators do the sloughing, tea tree oil soothes irritation, and coconut oil hydrates.

Our tester raved about how effective this formula was, cleansing her scalp and hair without stripping them. Her scalp was “salon squeaky-clean” and free from dandruff thanks to the micro-exfoliating beads, which were small enough to be gentle but large enough to be effective. The product was also super hydrating, leaving her hair soft and shiny and giving more longevity to her styling efforts. The one thing she would change was the container because she kept dropping it while trying to scoop the shampoo out, wasting precious product.

Amanda, tester with 3C/4C hair: “It improved my hair texture, calmed my dandruff down to nearly nothing, and always left my hair very clean but not stripped. I can’t say anything but positives about this product.”

Best Quick Fix

Goop G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scrub Shampoo

$55 at Amazon $55 at Ulta $55 at Credo Beauty

Hair Type: All | Scent: Rosemary, geranium, orange, and peppermint | Key Ingredients: Himalayan pink salt, cold-pressed moringa oil, pure unfiltered rosehip oil | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Let’s face it: Dealing with a dry scalp can be a long game, but if you need fast results, this scrub from Goop works like a charm. It lathers as you work the scrub into your scalp and hair, lifting away dirt, debris, and flakes with help from exfoliating Himalayan pink salt. Meanwhile, moringa and rosehip oils deliver a dose of fatty acids and vitamins to soften and nourish strands.

Our tester was a fan of this shampoo from the first rinse. It lathered well, and her scalp felt perfectly exfoliated and cleansed. Flakes were eradicated, and her scalp stayed clear through sweaty workouts and between washes. On top of that, her hair had a “post-blowout look” defined by volume, smoothness, and mirror-like shine.

Kathleen, tester with 1A hair: “I cannot rave about this product enough. It targeted my hair and scalp health, leaving it feeling clean and looking incredible!”

Best Scent

Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Shampoo

$37 at Amazon $37 at Nordstrom $36 at Lovelyskin.com

Hair Type: All | Scent: Floral | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, vitamin E, piroctone olamine | Size: 3.4, 11.8, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re all about finding a shampoo that smells amazing (but won’t make you sneeze), give this one a whirl. Made with an allergen-free perfume, it emits a floral blend of white jasmine and linden blossom that’s sensitive-skin-friendly. Our tester thought the scent was wonderfully soothing.

Formulated with aloe, vitamin E, and antibacterial piroctone olamine, the formula balances and calms the scalp. Our tester said her scalp looked and felt clean after washing, and the shampoo never irritated her skin or stripped its natural oils. Her hair texture also improved, becoming soft and shiny from the first use.

Jordan, tester with 1C/2A hair: “This shampoo soothed my scalp after a couple of uses. I wouldn’t say that the changes in my hair texture were dramatic, but it definitely didn’t hurt. I would recommend this shampoo as a great option for someone with a dry, sensitive scalp.”

Best for Buildup

Ouai Detox Shampoo

$34 at Amazon $68 at Sephora $34 at Ulta

Hair Type: All | Scent: Bergamot, lychee, white musk, champagne | Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, hydrolyzed keratin, chelating agents | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

In need of a total scalp reset? This shampoo will get the job done. It left our tester’s scalp thoroughly cleansed and refreshed without stripping the hair. It efficiently removed any product buildup, and she found that she had less dryness and flakiness with continued use. The strong, foamy lather gently exfoliates and cleanses while hydrating the scalp for hair that feels soft and clarified. While it takes a second to rinse out completely, we think it’s worth it for the amazing results.

Nicolette, tester with 2A hair: “I’ve tried other dry scalp shampoos, but they haven’t been as effective as this one. It also feels more luxurious than other targeted shampoos.”