Dandruff

Dandruff is one of the most common scalp complaints — the British Association of Dermatologists says it affects almost half of all adults. It's linked to a yeast that lives on everyone's skin, and it can be made worse by stress and cold weather. It is not caused by poor hygiene, although flakes show more if hair isn't washed regularly (NHS).

The good news: an anti-dandruff shampoo used properly for a few weeks usually helps, and carrying on once a week or so keeps flakes away.

Common signs

• White or greyish flakes in the hair and on your shoulders, more noticeable on dark hair
• An itchy or tight-feeling scalp
• Flakes that come back when you stop treatment

What usually helps

• Use an anti-dandruff shampoo with ketoconazole, coal tar or salicylic acid. Massage it into the scalp and leave it for a few minutes before rinsing (NHS).
• Give a medicated shampoo up to 4 weeks to work; you may need to try more than one type (NHS).
• Once flakes settle, keep them away by using the medicated shampoo every 1–2 weeks (NHS, ketoconazole).
• Put conditioner on the lengths and ends, not the scalp.

Washing: Wash often enough that flakes and oil don't build up — use your medicated shampoo on the days the pack recommends and a gentle shampoo in between.

Build your routine with this concern →

Read the full guides

• Dandruff: causes, shampoos that help and when to see a GPDandruff is common, harmless and not catching — and it isn't caused by poor hygiene. Here's what the NHS and dermatologists say helps, how to use anti-dandruff shampoo p…
• Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalpRed, flaky, sometimes greasy scaling on the scalp, eyebrows or sides of the nose. It can't be cured, but it can usually be controlled with antifungal shampoo — and a GP…
• Dry or itchy scalp: common causes and gentle fixesAn itchy scalp is usually nothing serious, but it has lots of possible causes — from dandruff and product reactions to psoriasis and head lice. How to narrow it down, wh…

Ingredients worth knowing

• Ketoconazole Evidence: StrongAntifungal medicine in shampoos for dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis
• Selenium sulfide Evidence: LimitedAnti-dandruff ingredient that targets the yeast linked to flaking
• Zinc pyrithione Evidence: LimitedFormer anti-dandruff staple — banned from cosmetics in Great Britain since October 2022
• Piroctone olamine Evidence: LimitedAnti-dandruff ingredient now common in UK supermarket shampoos
• Salicylic acid Evidence: LimitedLoosens and lifts scale in anti-dandruff shampoos and scalp treatments
• Coal tar Evidence: LimitedLong-established medicine for scaling in dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and mild scalp psoriasis

Not medical advice. This guide is general information from the sources listed, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist. If you are worried, or symptoms are severe or not improving, get advice. Read our health information policy.

Sources

1. NHS – Dandruff nhs.uk
2. NHS – Ketoconazole: how and when to use it nhs.uk
3. British Association of Dermatologists – Seborrhoeic dermatitis bad.org.uk