If you’re wondering how to get rid of dandruff, know that you’re not alone in the fight against flakes. Not only is the scalp condition incredibly common for all hair types, but it also has a variety of potential causes. That doesn’t make dealing with constant white flakes of dead skin cells all over your clothes any less frustrating, but at least you’re in good company.
What is dandruff actually? Also known as seborrheic dermatitis, it’s an inflammatory response to an imbalance in the scalp microbiome. “This causes the overgrowth of Malassezia, a normal yeast found on the scalp,” says Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. “This overgrowth causes an inflammatory reaction, which leads to scalp flaking and itching.” Fun!
While there is no known cure for dandruff, there are plenty of treatment options. Ahead, everything you need to know about how to get rid of dandruff.
What causes dandruff in the first place?
According to Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD, a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist, there isn’t one clearly defined cause for the scalp condition. “While we do not completely understand all of the causes of dandruff, we do know that the oils on our skin [sebum], a friendly yeast that lives there [Malassezia], and our sensitivity to the interaction between the two can all play a role in how likely we are to get dandruff,” she says. “Areas of high sebum production such as the scalp, parts of the face, and the center of the chest are the most common areas where we see dandruff.”
If that wasn’t enough, there may be other contributing factors, such as medical conditions and environmental causes. “Flares are common when the weather turns cold and dry, and stress can also trigger a flare,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. This type of dermatitis can also affect other areas of the body, such as the ears, eyebrows, center of the face, eyelids, upper chest, upper back, armpits, and groin area.
What’s the difference between dry scalp and dandruff?
There’s a common misconception that if you have dandruff, your scalp must be dry—when really, these are two different diagnoses, according to Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm. “Dandruff is primarily fungal in nature, caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia yeasts rather than bacteria. These lipophilic (lipid-loving) yeasts are part of the normal scalp microbiome but can proliferate excessively in certain individuals, leading to the inflammatory response that characterizes dandruff,” she says.
How to tell the difference? Dandruff typically causes thicker, oilier, and sometimes yellow flakes. Dry scalp, on the other hand, has thinner, smaller white flakes. Both are signals of a compromised skin barrier on the scalp, and a board-certified dermatologist can help you determine the best treatment path for you.
Scalp psoriasis and scalp eczema are other common skin disorders that cause skin cells to grow extremely fast and become patches of dry, itchy, flaky skin, according to Dr. Robinson. “Psoriasis (or eczema) often requires management with prescription therapy, which is why I recommend speaking to your dermatologist if you suspect that you might have this.”
What ingredients fight dandruff?
“For dryness and flaking caused by seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff shampoos—which include ingredients such as ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, or zinc pyrithione—can be a big help,” says Iris Rubin, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Seen Hair Care.
Dr. King adds that you’ll want to look for the following antifungal ingredients to fight overproduction of yeast.
- Selenium sulfide: Has antifungal properties; can decrease irritation, itching, and flakiness
- Pyrithione zinc: Has antimicrobial and antifungal properties; also helpful with inflammation and itchy scalp
- Salicylic acid: Helps to reduce scaling and excess oil on the scalp
- Ketoconazole: Is an antifungal with mild anti-inflammatory properties
- Coal tar: Suppresses fungus; decreases inflammation; may reduce sebum production
- Tea tree oil: Has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties
How to treat dandruff
First, Dr. Robinson recommends washing your hair with an over-the-counter shampoo formulated with exfoliating acids as an easy first step. “I often recommend starting with a shampoo with salicylic acid formulas to effectively help with flakes and control many of the symptoms of dandruff,” she says.
If dandruff shampoo doesn’t help, Dr. Robinson suggests visiting a health care provider like a board-certified dermatologist for medicated shampoo and topicals. “I will often treat my patients with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, a more severe form of dandruff, with prescription topical anti-inflammatory solutions and prescription shampoos to gain control,” she says.
Dr. King agrees, adding that she may prescribe dandruff treatments such as a topical cortisone for the scalp and affected areas. A ketoconazole shampoo is a medicated option that you might be prescribed, according to Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “Ketoconazole shampoos contain ingredients that are active against natural microflora of the scalp, including yeast. The yeast, although not dangerous, can cause inflammation on the skin, leading to the classic [symptoms] of seborrheic dermatitis: flaking, itching, and dandruff,” she says. You can also try an OTC option like the Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, which features the ingredient.
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Jupiter Balancing Shampoo
CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo
Sachajuan Anti-Dandruff Scalp Shampoo
Is it better to wash your hair more or less when you have dandruff?
If you’re experiencing dandruff, the more exposure to the active ingredients you have in these shampoos, the quicker symptoms will resolve, says Dr. Nazarian, who says that washing your hair daily is completely fine and encouraged. If you have color-treated strands or prefer not to constantly wash your hair every day, there are treatments available that can help extend the benefits for a few days without having to lather up. Enter: an apple cider vinegar (ACV) hair rinse, which can be used as a shampoo alternative to clarify and detox the scalp, or a dry scalp treatment, which can be applied post-wash to help get your hair through a few days before your next cleanse.
DP Hue Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
Living Proof Scalp Care Dry Scalp Treatment
Can scalp serums help with dandruff?
A scalp serum can absolutely help with dandruff, according to the experts we spoke with. “Serums that address the yeast growth, like those with salicylic acid or tea tree oil, are great for this,” says Dr. Nazarian. If you have itchy symptoms along with dandruff, look for serums that feature calming niacinamide and hydrating hyaluronic acid to soothe and soften the scalp.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
Original video from Jenifer Calle testing Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment Serum
What should you avoid doing if you have dandruff?
There are a few things you should absolutely avoid doing if you have dandruff. “First, avoid certain products that might cause buildup, like dry shampoo, which can accumulate on the scalp and also increase the need for clarifying shampoos,” says Dr. Nazarian. Second, stop touching your scalp. “If you pick or scratch, this can worsen inflammation, damage the scalp’s barrier, and even lead to secondary bacterial infections,” says Dr. Rambhia. Other things to skip: olive oil hair treatments, harsh chemical treatments like frequent bleaching, and aggressive styling, as these can all trigger flare-ups.
Home remedies for dandruff
Coconut oil
Did you know coconut oil has great benefits for both scalp and hair health? It’s also a common ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos like Jupiter Balancing Shampoo, Re-fresh Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, and Dove Beauty Derma Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. “It helps reduce frizz, heal breakage, protect bacteria from damaging your scalp, increase shine, and reduce dandruff and dryness,” says Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
However, those with oily scalps should be careful. “Coconut oil is comedogenic, so it may exacerbate acne breakouts and clogged pores,” says Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Rose Dermatology & Laser Center. “Despite antimicrobial properties, the occlusive properties of coconut oil may cause or worsen dandruff on the scalp.”
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory benefits that can reduce itchiness and overall improve scalp health. According to Adam Bennett, a certified trichologist at IHS Hair Replacement in London, it “boasts natural acidity that balances the scalp’s pH levels, creating an optimal environment for healthy hair growth while warding off dandruff and itchiness.”
Celebrity hairstylist and Pura D’Or partner Clyde Haygood says, “Not only does ACV clarify the hair to get rid of any residual product buildup in our strands, but it also helps promote a healthy scalp because it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It clarifies the scalp to help achieve proper pH balance, reducing flakes.”
Does dandruff ever fully go away?
While there’s no cure for dandruff because it’s the result of the natural flora that lives on our skin, you can control it with medication and proper scalp care, according to the derms we spoke with. “With appropriate medicated shampoos and consistent care, the scalp microbiome can be rebalanced and healthy function restored. Dandruff is a manageable condition, not a sign of overall scalp disease,” Dr. Rambhia adds.
Meet the experts
- Adam Bennett, certified trichologist at IHS Hair Replacement in London
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Rose Dermatology & Laser Center
- Carmen Castilla, MD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD, board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist
- Clyde Haygood, celebrity hairstylist
- Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC
- Iris Rubin, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Seen Hair Care
- Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
