My colleague, Matt, has always had great-looking hair which he maintains so well. He knows the best products to use and has a routine that he follows religiously. One of the things that he likes sharing with guys is how to choose the best men’s shampoo for a dry scalp.
This is because he once had a very dry scalp that led to a lot of itching.
I’d see him scratching his head every few minutes. He later informed me that the constant scratching led to his scalp becoming more irritated and sore.
At first, I thought he was suffering from dandruff because of all the itching, but that was not the case.
Apparently, it all has to do with how often you wash your hair.
If you wash it frequently, you could dry out your scalp. If you go for long without washing it, the scalp’s natural oils can build up.
When the oils combine with the dirt on your hair, this accumulation can cause the scalp to get itchy.
There needs to be a balance on how often you cleanse your hair. Matt was shampooing his hair daily!
Here are my top three picks for the best men’s shampoo for a dry scalp:
Table of Contents
Best men’s shampoo for a dry scalp comparison table
| Brand | Image | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tea Tree Special Shampoo |   | . Reduces flaking . Stops the itching . A little goes a long way |
| Davines Purifying Shampoo |   | . Clears up flaking . Creates a healthy environment for hair growth . Doesn't affect curls |
| Biolage Scalpsync Anti-Dandruff Shampoo |   | . Eliminates dandruff . Relieves dryness and itchiness . Reduces the appearance of visible flakes |
| Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo |   | . Gets rid of the dryness . Reduces inflammation . Color-safe |
| Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo |   | . Eliminates dandruff . Can stop scalp acne . Great if you have an oily scalp |
| Dove Dermacare Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo |   | . Eliminates flakes . Adds moisture . Soothes inflammation |
| Honeydew Maximum Strength Dandruff Shampoo |   | . Hypoallergenic . Gets rid of flakes . Works on all hair types |
Other causes of a dry scalp
Apart from the shampooing frequency, there are a few other reasons why you may be having a dry scalp.
Hair products
Some of the products that you use on your hair may be causing your scalp to itch.
For instance, if you use dry shampoo frequently, it can end up really drying out out your scalp.
Dry shampoo works by soaking up the natural oils to prevent the hair from becoming greasy.
Remember that most dry shampoos contain alcohol that can really dry your hair and scalp.
You need to know how often you should use dry shampoo to avoid drying out your hair and scalp.
Other products such as sprays, creams, and gels can build up on your scalp and end up forming flakes.
This results in a lot of irritation and itching.
Poor moisturizing
Poor moisturizing is another common cause of a dry, itchy scalp.
A dry scalp ends up flaking and white stuff comes off the hair when you comb it.
This all means that even men need a hair care routine to avoid ending up with a dry scalp that itches and gets flaky.
Always use the right moisturizing products that have water as one of the ingredients.
Dandruff
Although Matt didn’t have dandruff, it’s one of the most common causes of dry, itchy scalps.
Apparently, men are more prone to dandruff than women.
This is because men have larger sebaceous glands that produce sebum (natural oils) which makes the scalp oily.
It’s not the dry scalp and itchiness that cause dandruff. Those are symptoms to watch out for.
Some of the causes of dandruff include a weakened immune system, hormonal fluctuations, infrequent shampooing, and a fungus called Malassezia that is in the oil secretion on the skin.
Ingredients to look out for in an anti-dandruff shampoo
If the cause of your dry scalp is dandruff, you may want to look for an anti-dandruff shampoo.
There are certain kinds of ingredients should you look for in an anti-dandruff shampoo.
Most anti-dandruff shampoos contain some ingredients not found in regular shampoos.
Some of these key ingredients include:
Ketoconazole
This ingredient is a fungicide that you use to treat fungal infections on the scalp that result in dandruff.
You can use shampoos with this ingredient once or twice a week for two months.
Coal tar
The shampoos that contain this active ingredient are meant to not only offer relief from dandruff but treat eczema and psoriasis as well.
These are referred to as ‘Thick Crust’ ailments characterized by the hardening of parts of the skin. These parts are very itchy and prone to irritation.
Salicylic acid
This active ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos eliminates all build-up and flakes.
It helps to effectively treat dandruff, offering much-needed relief.
Zinc pyrithione
This active ingredient works to treat fungal infections and also eliminate dead cells from the scalp.
You can use a shampoo with this ingredient daily because it’s very mild.
Selenium sulfide
This ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoo works to remove all the yeast on your scalp which becomes the perfect breeding ground for dandruff.
It’s not ideal for use on color-treated hair because it can cause fading.
Ciclopirox olamine
The shampoos with this active ingredient work as an antifungal to treat fungal infections on the scalp.
The fungal infection is responsible for dandruff forming on the scalp.
Best men’s shampoo for dry scalp
There are several shampoos that can come in handy if you are suffering from a dry, flaky scalp.
I’ve reviewed six shampoos that are highly recommended for men with dry, itchy scalps.
Tea Tree Special Shampoo
This product works great for dry, itchy scalps. It’s also perfect for use as an anti-dandruff shampoo.
It has tea tree oil as the main ingredient that works to restore the health of your hair while reversing the effect flaking or dandruff has had on it.
The shampoo removes all the impurities on your head that might be causing and exacerbating this condition.
It not only contains tea tree oil, but it also has ingredients such as peppermint and lavender.
These ingredients work together and leave you with a nice tingling sensation on your scalp. They also leave your hair smelling great.
For the best results, apply a small amount of shampoo to damp hair. Lather, massage into the scalp and rinse off.
This product is vegan and is free from parabens.
Pros
- Refreshes your scalp
- Reduces flaking
- Stops the itching
- Deeply cleanses your hair
- Suitable for all hair types
- It’s color-safe
- Great for oily hair
- A little goes a long way
- Restores the hair’s luster and body
Cons
- Can dry out some hair types
Davines Purifying Shampoo
This shampoo can be used to deal with dandruff or severely imbalanced scalps.
The best way to deal with dandruff is to use a special shampoo that’s made to address this condition.
This is a very intensive anti-dandruff shampoo that helps restore your scalp and hair.
It fights the microbial attacks and gets rid of the annoying irritation.
This shampoo contains an active ingredient called Selenium Sulfide which works to treat dandruff.
You can use it regardless of whether you are suffering from mild or excess dandruff.
The shampoo comes in an amber bottle with a tight cap to prevent light from degrading the product inside it.
For the best results, apply about a tablespoon of the shampoo to the scalp and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out.
You can also massage it gently into the scalp before rinsing it out.
If you want a deeper kind of treatment, you can use the shampoo twice a week for a maximum of three weeks.
For maintenance, use this product once a week for a period of six weeks.
Pros
- Clears up flaking
- Creates a healthy environment for hair growth
- Doesn’t dry out your hair
- Hair stays cleaner longer
- Keeps scalp calm and clear
- Doesn’t affect curls
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Reduces scalp inflammation
Cons
- It’s not color-safe
- Doesn’t lather easily
Biolage Scalpsync Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
When you have dandruff on your hair, you need a shampoo that not only eliminates it but soothes your irritated scalp in the process.
The active ingredient in this shampoo is Pyrithione Zinc which works to eliminate all dandruff.
It also contains mint leaf that works to soothe the scalp, effectively reducing inflammation on the irritated parts of the scalp.
Apart from eliminating dandruff, this product also reduces the appearance of visible flakes.
The best way to use it is on wet hair. Lather it all over covering every inch of hair and scalp.
Massage it into the scalp for a few minutes and then rinse it out.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Eliminates dandruff
- Relieves dryness and itchiness
- Helps to balance the scalp
- Deeply cleans your hair
- Reduces the appearance of visible flakes
- A little goes a long way
- It’s color-safe
Cons
- Contains sulfates and parabens
Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This anti-dandruff shampoo soothes dry, itchy, and irritated skin.
It contains salicylic acid as the active ingredient that eliminates dandruff flakes while alleviating itchiness and irritation on the scalp.
This calms and refreshes the scalp.
Another key ingredient is caffeine which works to rejuvenate the follicles of your hair while energizing the scalp.
The bilberry fruit & sugar maple extracts contained in this product help to soothe the scalp while protecting against free radical damage.
Not only does this shampoo hydrate and nourish the hair and scalp, but it also restores elasticity to prevent breakage.
For the best results, wet your hair and then lather a small amount of the shampoo.
Massage into the scalp and hair. Leave it for a few minutes then rinse it out.
This product is dermatologist-tested and is free from parabens, sulfates, or sodium chloride.
Pros
- Eliminates dandruff
- Gets rid of the dryness
- Reduces inflammation
- Maintains moisture balance of scalp and hair
- It’s color-safe
- Safe for keratin-treated hair
- Soothes scalp itchiness and irritation
- Leaves scalp feeling thoroughly cleansed
Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo
As the name suggests, this is a shampoo that works on the scalp – to counter the effects dry, itchy scalps and dandruff.
The formulation of this shampoo helps to eliminate dryness and dandruff from your scalp.
It’s also great at eliminating the annoying irritation that is brought about by dandruff.
Some of the key ingredients in Piroctone Olamine and Climbazole that help to fight Malassezia – the fungus that causes dandruff.
Salicylic acid – another ingredient – is responsible for shedding off the dead skin leaving your scalp healed and refreshed.
This leads to the growth of new skin that is healthy.
The lactic acid contained in this product helps to regulate oil production.
Rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid, and ginger extracts help to maintain a healthy moisture balance of hair and scalp.
For the best results, massage the shampoo into your scalp and cover all the hair. Leave it on for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly.
This product is free from parabens and phthalates.
Pros
- Eliminates dandruff from the scalp
- Calms and refreshes the scalp
- Suitable for daily use
- Reduces itchiness and irritation
- Can stop scalp acne
- Great if you have an oily scalp
- Clears product build-up
- Leaves the hair clean and fresh
Cons
- Can dry out some hair types
Dove Dermacare Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
What better way to treat a super dry scalp than by feeding it nourishing, much-needed moisture?
This Dove shampoo kills dandruff and rehydrates your hair so you can kiss that dry scalp goodbye.
It’s formulated with pyrithione zinc to keep your dandruff-prone scalp itch and flake-free for as long as possible.
The product is also loaded with rich, nourishing oils to replenish your hair with the moisture it desperately needs.
It has coconut oil, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil that hydrate the hair but also restore and repair it.
They transform your damaged hair from dull and dry to shiny and vivid.
Pros
- Pyrithione zinc keeps dandruff-prone scalps flake-free
- Coconut oil, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil add moisture and shine to hair
- Soothes inflammation and itchiness on your scalp
- Tames frizz to make your hair silky smooth
Cons
- Can leave your hair limp because of the heavy oils and butters
Honeydew Maximum Strength Dandruff Shampoo
This Honeydew shampoo isn’t labeled “Maximum Strength” for no reason.
It combines powerhouse ingredients that can kill flaky dandruff on your scalp and nourish your hair deeply.
Zinc and tea tree oil are the main stars of this shampoo.
They work to get rid of the fungus responsible for making your hair itchy and flaky in the first place and zap it away.
Jojoba, coconut, and olive oils are super rich, so they deliver fantastic moisture levels for your dry, damaged hair.
Meanwhile, biotin strengthens the hair and adds beautiful shine, along with the oils.
Pros
- Zinc and tea tree work together to get rid of your flaky scalp
- Jojoba, coconut, and olive oils add moisture and glossy shine to the hair
- Has a hypoallergenic formula that doesn’t have sulfates and parabens
- Works on all hair types, from natural to chemically-treated locks
- Makes the hair silky smooth
Cons
- You can feel a tingly, burning sensation if you’re not used to the active ingredients yet
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that you could be suffering from a dry, itchy scalp; but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have dandruff.
The products reviewed in this post as the best men’s shampoo for dry scalp are perfect for dealing with both scalp dryness as well as dandruff.
The best shampoos for treating hair and scalp with dandruff are those with the recommended active ingredients that I discussed above.
Take action as soon as you begin to experience dryness or get flakes. It’s best to get ahead of it before it gets worse and causes more irritation on the scalp that can lead to infection.
You need to use these shampoos for a couple of weeks to see the best results.
There are also home remedies that you can try to reduce dandruff, although you need to be patient if you take this route.
In case your dandruff or scalp dryness keeps getting worse, please consult a dermatologist for the best professional advice.