It may sound silly, but I always like to treat my scalp the same way I treat my skin care routine. Believe it or not, scalps are dry, oily or combination, which is why it’s best to use the right shampoo and conditioner for your specific scalp type. Fortunately, many brands understand the importance of a healthy, balanced scalp when it comes to overall healthy hair, so there are now many products available to suit your individual preferences. I mean, you can even get facials these days to keep everything feeling fresh.
I’ve suffered from a combination of headaches over the years, but today I’m here to focus on dryness in particular. If you have a dry scalp, you may experience itching, flaking or overall dry hair, and one way to relieve these symptoms is to use the best shampoos for dry scalp. However, what does this shampoo look like? With so many options on the market, it can be really hard to know what to buy.
So, I reached out to Dr. Pyaldermatology GP and Head and Shoulders ambassadorto find out more about dry hair in general and help me create a comprehensive roundup of the best shampoos for dry scalp. Keep scrolling…
What Causes Dry Skin?
First things first, let’s get to the root of the problem. It’s like dry skin, Dr. Pyal it tells me that a dry scalp can be caused by a blocked skin barrier. “[This is] usually caused by cold weather, indoor heat, harsh products or excessive washing, leading to moisture loss and irritation.” Yes, not only does our skin become dry in winter due to the cold weather and moderate heat, but our scalp can also be affected.
How Can Shampoo Help With Dry Skin?
You might be thinking, how can my shampoo help with this? Using a shampoo with proven ingredients like piroctone olamine [can help to] to support the microbiome of the scalp and prevent flakes,” Dr. Pyal explains. “Pairing this with a leave-on scalp moisturizer between washes helps maintain comfort and moisture. Your scalp benefits from microbiome-supporting ingredients and a little moisture. Piroctone olamine shampoos, like those from Head and Shoulders, work to keep the scalp calm and flawless, and the scalp moderately moisturized in the winter. Dryness and stiffness.”
What to Look for in a Dry Scalp Shampoo
As mentioned above, you want to look for active ingredients like piroctone olamine. “I [also] look for ceramides, salicylic acid and niacinamide,” it says Dr. Pyal. In accordance with Dr. Pyalmaking this a routine can help protect the skin barrier.
Now that you know all that, check out my ranking of the best shampoos for dry scalp below.
I have reviewed some of the best shampoos for dry scalp.
Best Shampoos for Dry Scalp
1. Aveeno Daily Moisture+ Oat Milk Blend Shampoo
Hello
Daily Moisture + Oat Milk Blend Shampoo
Main ingredients: Colloidal oats
First up, a shampoo from one of my favorite skincare brands, Aveeno. Made with colloidal oats, this soothing formula gently cleanses the scalp while helping to relieve itching and dryness. Although excessive washing can lead to a dry scalp, this shampoo is gentle enough for daily use.
Editor’s update: “I have a dry and itchy scalp, and I find this refreshing and leaves my hair moist,” she said. Who What Wear UK copy copy, Georgia Seago. “Many itchy scalp shampoos can strip the hair of moisture, but not this one.”
Benefits
- It is affordable
- Cool formula
Evil
- You may want to avoid washing your hair every single day if you suffer from a very dry scalp
2. Head & Shoulders Dermaxpro Shampoo
Head and Shoulders
Dermaxpro Shampoo
Main ingredients: Aloe vera extract, piroctone olamine, ceramides
Next, a recommended affordable shampoo Dr. Pyal. Dermaxpro shampoo from Head & Shoulders is infused with aloe vera and ceramide complex to restore ceramide levels in the skin and help fight dryness. It also works to reduce itching, making it a great all-rounder. For just over a fiver, you can’t go wrong.
Benefits
- It is affordable
- It is full of skin-loving ingredients
Evil
- Not the most luxurious packaging
3. Oribe Gold Lust Repair Restore Shampoo
Oribe
Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo
Main ingredients: Argan, maracuja and cypress extracts
Are you looking for something more luxurious? Oribe’s hair care range looks like a piece of beauty, but the formulas are also second to none. This particular shampoo is full of hydrating oils to strengthen both skin and hair.
My review: This is my favorite shampoo that I use when my hair is dry and lackluster. It cleans the scalp without that feeling, and it looks great in my shower. If you’re looking for a balancing formula, I also recommend the brand’s Serene Scalp Balancing Shampoo (£50), which is formulated with salicylic acid to help tackle dry, irritated hair.
Benefits
- A nutritious formula
- Leaves hair looking shiny
Evil
- It’s expensive
- It may be more difficult for finer hair types
- It’s not the best thing to remove a lot of makeup
4. Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Vichy
Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Main ingredients: Piroctone olamine, salicylic acid, bisabolol
If you have a sensitive scalp, then I highly recommend you check out this formula from Vichy. It is packed with active ingredients such as piroctone olamine and salicylic acid to cleanse and condition the scalp, while bisabolol adds a soothing effect. It lathers into an exfoliating foam in the shower to help remove any visible looseness.
Benefits
- It moisturizes and conditions the scalp
- It works to remove visible flakiness
Evil
- Not everyone will like the exfoliating texture
5. Necessaire Rosemary Shampoo
Necessaire
Rosemary Shampoo
Main ingredients: Rosemary oil, plant proteins, ceramides
Next up, an incredibly stylish option from cool girl beauty brand, Necessaire. This shampoo has a creamy gel texture, making it a good choice for fine hair types, and restores the scalp barrier with its formula of essential ceramides.
My review: Although I don’t get this shampoo everything time, when I do, I am reminded why I love you. The combination of rosemary, mandarin, jasmine and cedarwood makes this scent incredibly fresh, and my scalp always feels amazing after washing my hair with this stuff.
Benefits
- It smells amazing
- Restores the skin barrier
Evil
- The smell may be too strong for some
- The packaging may be a little messy
6. Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Skin Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Philip Kingsley
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Damaged/Itchy Scalp
Main ingredients: Piroctone olamine
Another great option for dry skin is from Philip Kingsley. This formula can be used as often as you like to gently remove buildup and moisturize the scalp. Due to the addition of piroctone olamine, it also provides quick relief from itching.
My review: I found this shampoo a little difficult to work with at first, but once I got the hang of it (double cleansing worked best for me), I was really impressed. It left my roots feeling clean yet soft and moisturized, and as someone with a combination head, I know how difficult this can be to achieve.
Benefits
- Gently removes buildup
- It softens the scalp
Evil
- It’s a bit expensive
- I personally find that double cleansing works best for a very clean feeling
7. E45 Dry Skin Relief Shampoo
E45
Dry Scalp Relief Shampoo
Main ingredients: Pro vitamin B5
Finally, if you’re looking for something simple yet effective, you can’t go wrong with the good old E45. This shampoo is specially designed with dry scalp in mind. It gently cleanses and soothes the scalp, relieving itching and visible rashes. It is soap-free, suitable for all hair types and can be used daily. It may not be as pretty as the other shampoos in this roundup, but it certainly does the job.
Benefits
- It is affordable
- Suitable for all hair types
- It can be used every day
Why Trust Us?
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty is not equal. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—skin care, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, curated and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether it’s affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on visual effects, ingredient information and what we would actually recommend to a friend.
