The best dandruff shampoo targets the primary causes of dandruff – flakes, itchiness, and excess oil, while soothing irritation and inflammation. Controlling flaking and itching are the primary duties of a restorative shampoo, yet alleviating the causes help eliminate future symptoms and restore scalp health.
Major Symptoms
Dandruff symptoms are caused by several factors – excessive oil production by sebaceous glands, scalp and skin allergies due to paraben preservatives or harsh surfactants, product build-up, or inflammation.
A primary cause of dandruff is an oily scalp. Excessive oil clogs pores, traps dirt, and inflames scalp tissue. As irritation worsens, flakes form. White or yellow flaking and scaling can become severe if oil is not controlled. The best dandruff shampoo controls oils while "clarifying" and irrigating pores of dirt, oil, bacteria and fungus.
Harsh preservatives and surfactants are also considered “suspect #1”. Many shampoos use cleansers that get your hair clean, but irritate the scalp – causing itching. Same applies to preservatives. Paraben-free free preservatives are gentle on the scalp, while still providing maximum preservation of the product without interfering with deep-cleaning action.
As an important note, severe dryness can also cause scalp itch and flakes. Though this is a rare occurrence, it produces dandruff-like symptoms and requires a moisturizing shampoo for treatment. Using Emu Oil, Jojoba Oil, or as topical applications will reduce dryness while an Emu shampoo will provide daily relief and add moisture to the scalp and hair.
What to look for in the best Dandruff Shampoo
Zinc PCA is one of the most effective active ingredients used in shampoos for dandruff. Zinc PCA is a naturally-derived compound used extensively (and proven) to regulate oil production from sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are associated with follicle pores and produce sebum. Sebum protects the follicle shaft, adds moisture, and helps infuse nutrients.
Zinc PCA helps control over-active glands and reduces sebum. For most, this dramatically reduces itching and flaking.
As a manufacturer, we recommend shampoos that are paraben-free and contain botanical extracts. Many inexpensive shampoos are harsh and use surfactants (the foaming action) to clean. While cleaning is good, the result can often be scalp irritation or slight allergic reactions...just enough to get the dandruff "engine" started.
Botanical extracts such as Sage, Ivy Burdock, or Thyme have been shown to work very well at cleaning while soothing irritation and reducing inflammation. They reduce itchiness, clean product build-up from styling aids, and work well for dandruff control.
The best dandruff shampoo addresses the primary causes of flaking and irritation and leaves your hair and scalp clean and refreshed.
