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One of the biggest challenges of curly hair is dandruff. After all, you need more styling products and curly hair doesn’t wick away moisture. The best solution is to find the best dandruff shampoo for curly hair.
What’s the Best Dandruff Shampoo for Curly Hair?
The best dandruff shampoo for curly hair is designed particularly to cleanse your scalp without disrupting the natural oils and moisture that prevents flaking. You can dandruff shampoos that reduce dandruff, are gentle on your scalp, and have nourishing properties.
You will want to experiment with different regimens, and you might find that it is best to use your standard shampoo daily and the dandruff shampoo between one and three days a week. Take a look at the best dandruff shampoos for curly hair.
Our Top Picks: Best Dandruff Shampoo for Curly Hair
- Best Overall: Tea Tree Special Shampoo
- Best for Mild Dandruff: Wow Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
- Best for Severe Dandruff: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- Best for Flaking Scalp: Head and Shoulders Shampoo
- Best for Scalp Build-Up: Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
- Best for Frizzy Hair: Jason Dandruff Relief Treatment
- Best for Oily Scalp: Dove Dermacare Scalp Anti-Dandruff
No matter what your hair needs are, you can find a great dandruff shampoo option for your curly hair.
You may want to lock moisture into your scalp, prevent flaking, or prevent scalp buildup for your hair. Most people choose a dandruff shampoo and alternate it with their daily shampoo.
Why You Need Dandruff Shampoo for Curly Hair
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When you have curly hair, you probably use more styling products. Curly hair is curly because of the shape of the follicle where the hair exits the scalp. They are asymmetrical, shaped like a “J” rather than an “O.”
As a result, proteins clump on the inner side, and natural oils from your scalp have trouble making it down the shaft of the hairs.
In addition, it is easy for styling products and oils to get trapped on your scalp, particularly because people with curly hair often avoid shampooing daily. Dandruff is caused by a microbe called Malassezia globosa, and it digests natural scalp oils.
This is what leads to the flakiness and itchiness of dandruff. The solution is to moisturize your hair and scalp, remove excess oil, and get rid of the flakes, which are the goals of the best shampoo for curly hair.
Best Dandruff Shampoo for Curly Hair: Top 7 Picks
There are many ways that dandruff impacts people with curly hair, but you don’t want to use this shampoo every day.
You will want to use a daily shampoo, and then you can use dandruff shampoo between one and three days a week, depending on what is best for your hair. Take a look at our picks for the best dandruff shampoo for curly hair.
1. Best Overall: Tea Tree Special Shampoo
- Made with all-natural, safe ingredients
- Contains Tea Tree Oil and Peppermint
- Nourishes curly hair while eliminating dandruff
- Best for mild dandruff
- Not recommended for daily use
There are many reasons to love this dandruff shampoo by TeaTree. It is made using gentle plant-based ingredients that are designed to lock moisture in.
It is a cleansing shampoo for your dry scalp, and it has hydrating ingredients to protect while it moisturizes. People who use this product love the natural oils, as it is free of parabens and sulfates.
It is safe for all hair types, and it uses tea tree essential oil. This product beats out the competition because it is all natural, and it hydrates your scalp by feeding it natural oils.
It purifies, clarifies, and helps eliminate dandruff and its causes. It is vegan, color safe, paraben free, and helps to get rid of the impurities in your hair without stripping it of its natural oils that your scalp needs. Take than dandruff!
2. Best for Mild Dandruff: Wow Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
- Cleanses scalp without stripping it of natural moisture
- Contains DHT blockers to stop hair loss
- Detoxes your hair, repairs damage, and leaves hair soft
- Not great for fine, straight hair
- Some say that it has a strong scent
If you have mild dandruff, this shampoo offers you strong nourishment. The key to treating dandruff is to treat the cause of dandruff, and this shampoo does just that. You can use it twice a week to nourish your hair, leave it soft and silky, and reduce hair breakage.
It also helps to reduce hair loss and makes your hair feel softer and thicker with the apple cider vinegar hair rinse. It lets you detox your hair and scalp and stimulates the hair follicles so that your hair grows.
By removing build up, it cleans away dead scalp cells and styling products to leave your hair soft and free of product. In addition, this is an environmentally responsible product, and it is free of parabens and sulfates.
It is also vegan and cruelty-free, and it uses all natural products. You can feel good knowing that you are using shampoo that is good for your hair and good for the environment.
3. Best for Severe Dandruff: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- Contains ketoconazole 1% to remove dandruff
- Is great for people with severe dermatitis and psoriasis
- Helps soothe scalp inflammation
- Can be harsh on sensitive scalps
- Contains sulfates, which strip hair color and dry out hair
This is a powerful dandruff control shampoo that is made with ketoconazole 1%, which is known to fight severe dandruff. It can relieve scaling, itching, and flaking, and it works on all hair types. You do need to be careful not to get it in your eyes because it can burn.
This shampoo gives you a thick, rich lather that will thoroughly clean your hair as it soothes your scalp, and it starts working from the first time you use it.
It is the only over-the-counter dandruff shampoo with ketoconazole 1%. It has proven to be 10X more effective at fighting the fungus that causes dandruff. Another benefit is that it smells fresh and clean, not medicinal.
In addition to helping eliminate dandruff, it helps control hair loss as well. You can use it twice a week, and use your daily shampoo on the other days.
4. Best for Flaking Scalp: Head and Shoulders Shampoo
- Great at removing excess oils from your hair
- Controls dandruff and flaking
- Helps remove crusty residue from your scalp
- It does contain sulfates
- Some say that it dries out curly hair
Head and Shoulders offers a great opportunity to eliminate dandruff on a budget, as it is made with an antifungal agent, 1% selenium sulfide. This antifungal will remove all of the dandruff flakes from your scalp.
The nice thing is that it resolves all of the symptoms that come with dandruff, including itching, flakes, and dryness. It also nourishes your scalp while cleaning your hair. It is affordable, so you can get several bottles at the same time and never run out.
When you use this shampoo, it is a two-in-one formula that nourishes your hair and scalp as it cleans it and hydrates it. It has a light scent that smells clean and fresh, and it is ideal for people who have flaking scalps.
5. Best for Scalp Buildup: Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
- Unclogs your hair follicles and removes buildup
- Works well for curly hair with scalp conditions
- Also treats seborrheic dermatitis while removing crust
- Chemicals in the formula can dry hair out
- Not as effective as Nizoral, but does the job
This shampoo by Neutrogena is made with salicylic acid to help clear and control buildup on your scalp. This ingredient is proven to treat symptoms from scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff.
One thing that people love is that it works for hours after you rinse the shampoo because it contains a conditioning formula that is free of added colors, preservatives, and fragrances.
It is recommended by dermatologists to give you relief when you have a dry, itchy, flaky scalp. You will notice the results after your first use.
If you have buildup and flakiness or inflammation, this formula is therapeutic and works well. It has been recommended by dermatologists for more than ten years, and it controls three different conditions including dandruff, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
6. Best for Frizzy Hair: Jason Dandruff Relief Treatment
- Mild, plant-based shampoo
- Contains jojoba and olive oils that nourish the scalp
- Rosemary oil smells good and promotes healthy hair
- Can be a little more expensive than other products
- Might need to use shampoo and conditioner combo
The Jason anti-dandruff scalp care shampoo is all natural, and it is free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. It isn’t tested on animals, and it cleanses and nourishes your hair.
If you want to use a shampoo for dandruff that is natural and can control frizz, this is a great option. Many people say that the shampoo works well for moderate to severe dandruff, and it helps to heal your scalp.
It allows your curly hair to look great and retain its moisture, but you may need to use a conditioning product. This shampoo works well when people use it two or three times a week.
It is a mild shampoo that solves the causes of dandruff, which helps to keep it away. By treating the underlying psoriasis, scalp dermatitis, and dry skin, it does what your scalp needs so that the dandruff lifts off and doesn’t return.
7. Best for Oily Scalp: Dove Dermacare Scalp Anti-Dandruff
- Is a gentle shampoo with natural ingredients
- Peppermint and tea tree extract refreshes scalp
- Contains pyrithione zinc formula for irritated scalps
- May not be strong enough for super oily scalp
- Some people wish that the scent was better
If you want to avoid a harsh dandruff shampoo for curly hair, this is a great option. It can remove dandruff and reduce oil buildup without stripping your natural oils and the moisture balance in your scalp.
In addition to treating dandruff, it helps your scalp recover its natural balance. This shampoo leaves your scalp tingling with a fresh mint sensation, and it is invigorating as the pyrithione zinc treats your scalp and your dandruff but renews moisture balance at the same time.
The formula is pH balanced so it will hydrate and care for your hair. People who are looking for a gentle shampoo with natural ingredients love this shampoo because it is effective, refreshing, and moisturizing.
It helps reduce excess oiliness while restoring balance to your scalp, and it will control dandruff and nourish your scalp at the same time.
Finding the Best Dandruff Shampoo for Curly Hair
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When you are looking for the best dandruff shampoo for curly hair, you need to consider different factors. Dandruff can be caused by different conditions, so make sure that you choose the shampoo that is best for your situation.
Dandruff Control
No matter which shampoo you choose, it should be able to reduce dandruff, clear up any flakes, and prevent them from returning. The active ingredients are important as there are a number of them that help reduce dandruff.
Look for pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, salicylic acid, or coal tar. Dandruff has several different causes, including seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or a fungus.
It is important to know what is causing your dandruff so that you can choose the best shampoo for your hair. You might have dry hair or a buildup of styling products. Either way, you will want to choose the right product to treat your hair.
Gentleness
Another factor is to consider how gentle the shampoo is. Some medicated dandruff shampoos are going to be more harsh than others, and they might be too much for people who have a sensitive scalp.
You can find shampoos that are made with all natural products, and you should use them less frequently. If you use dandruff shampoos every day, some will remove the natural moisture in your scalp.
Others allow you to use it every day, so you need to check the ingredients to make sure that it isn’t too harsh. It is important for it to be gentle. Some people believe that shampooing every day causes dandruff, but this isn’t the case.
Nourishment
Although it is important for dandruff shampoo to have ingredients that eliminate dandruff, it also is important to make sure that it can nourish your hair and give it what it needs.
If you need moisture in your hair, make sure that it moisturizes and nourishes your scalp. Products that are free of parabens and sulfates are going to be gentler on your scalp, and they often contain ingredients that help keep your skin nourished.
The key to controlling dandruff is to make sure that your scalp and your skin has the moisture it needs without leaving residue that causes dandruff.
Affordability
Shampoos for dandruff for curly hair can range in price, and it is important to balance value with effectiveness. You want a quality product, and it is important to choose the one that is best for you and your specific condition.
Look for a product that has active ingredients to treat the cause of your dandruff, and then make sure that it is recommended and has good reviews. Some products are worth paying a little more for as long as they do what they say they will do.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What causes dandruff?
Dandruff is considered a chronic condition, and it is often the result of seborrheic dermatitis. It is also associated with excessive oil production and the growth of a fungus called Malassezia. The hair follicles produce sebum, which is oily and creates an environment where this fungus can grow. The result is white flakes, itching, and irritation.
How can you tell the difference between a dry scalp and dandruff?
The biggest difference between a dry scalp and dandruff is that dandruff is actually a medical condition. If you have a dry scalp, you can use a moisturizing shampoo to improve it, while dandruff needs to be treated. You can have both conditions, but they are different.
How often do you use dandruff shampoo?
It depends on the reason for your dandruff and the type of dandruff shampoo you choose. Most of the time, people use dandruff shampoo between one and three times each week, and they use daily shampoo on the other days.
Does curly hair get dandruff more often?
Curly hair is more likely to get dandruff because the natural oils from your scalp have trouble making their way up the shaft of the hairs. This leads to a buildup of sebum, which can cause dandruff. In addition, people with curly hair tend to use a lot of products, and they are often advised not to wash their hair as often. This can lead to inflammation, flaking, and dandruff.
What is the best way to get rid of dandruff in curly hair?
The best way to get rid of dandruff in your curly hair is to choose a shampoo that treats the cause of your dandruff. Make sure that the shampoo is made for your condition, your hair texture, and your hair type. It should have ingredients that nourish and condition your hair as well.
So, What’s the Best Dandruff Shampoo for Curly Hair?
It is important to treat your curly hair with a dandruff shampoo to get rid of itchiness and flaking. Choose a product that treats your condition but still nourishes your hair.
Our top pick is the Tea Tree Special Shampoo. This shampoo uses all-natural ingredients and nourishes your hair as it treats dandruff.