The best shampoo for itchy scalp is one that cleans your hair gently, removes buildup or dandruff, and soothes irritation without harsh chemicals.
An itchy scalp can be from dryness, dandruff, yeast, buildup, sensitive skin, or irritation. Look for shampoos with anti-itching ingredients like tea tree oil, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, salicylic acid, aloe, or natural calming extracts. Use as directed — most should be massaged into the scalp, left on for a few minutes, then rinsed well. Consistent use usually brings relief within a few washes.
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20 Shampoos for Itchy Scalp
- Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This shampoo uses ketoconazole to fight yeast that can cause itching and dandruff. It calms redness and stops flakes from coming back. It works best if you massage it into a wet scalp, leave it on for 3–5 minutes, then rinse well. Use 1–3 times a week. Nizoral is strong, so you don’t need it every day. It can make a big difference if your scalp feels irritated and very flaky. - Virtue Scalp Remedy Shampoo
This shampoo helps rebalance the scalp by removing buildup and soothing irritation. It has salicylic acid to clear flakes and plant extracts that calm the skin. Use it on wet hair, massage into the scalp, then rinse. You can use it every wash if your scalp is itchy from buildup or dryness. It also helps hair feel clean if you use dry shampoo often. - Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
This is a clarifying shampoo that gently lifts away buildup from oils and products that make your scalp itch. It has bond-building technology to protect hair while cleansing. Apply to wet hair, massage into the scalp, leave on a few minutes, then rinse. Use once or twice a week if you use a lot of styling products. This helps keep your scalp fresh and clean without stripping moisture. - Kérastase Specifique Bain Divalent Shampoo
This shampoo balances oil and buildup that can cause itchiness. It uses gentle amino acids and vitamin B6 to help rebalance the scalp. Apply to wet hair, lather gently at the roots, then rinse. You can use it daily if your scalp is oily and itchy. It does not strip natural oils too much, so it helps reduce irritation over time. - Vichy Dercos Selenium Sulfide Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This shampoo uses selenium sulfide to target yeast and deep cleanse the scalp. It also has salicylic acid to help lift scales and niacinamide to soothe irritation. Massage it into wet hair, let sit a few minutes, then rinse. Use it 2–3 times weekly. It is good for itchy scalp with visible flakes and redness. - Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Clarifying Shampoo
This clarifying shampoo helps remove heavy buildup from products and minerals that can irritate the scalp. It creates a strong lather to deep clean without being overly harsh. Use this once or twice a month rather than every wash. Apply to wet hair, massage, rinse well. This helps your scalp feel cleaner and prevents itchiness from product residue. - Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal Shampoo
This shampoo combines charcoal to draw out buildup and salicylic and lactic acids to gently exfoliate the scalp. It also refreshes with peppermint oil. Apply to wet hair, massage into the scalp, leave on a minute, then rinse. Use 2–3 times a week. It helps with dry, itchy, and flaky scalp while leaving hair feeling fresh and light. - SEEN Shampoo (Fragrance-Free)
This gentle shampoo is made for sensitive scalp and uses bisabolol and squalane to soothe irritation. It’s fragrance-free, so less likely to cause irritation. Massage into wet hair, then rinse. You can use it daily. It cleans gently while calming itchiness and is ideal if your scalp reacts to scents or strong formulas. - Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
This shampoo contains salicylic acid which helps remove excess skin buildup that can cause itching. It is good for psoriasis, dandruff, and severe flaking. Apply to wet hair, massage the scalp, and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing. It may dry hair, so follow with a mild conditioner on ends. Use 2–3 times weekly. - Selsun Blue 2-in-1 Anti-Dandruff Shampoo & Conditioner
This shampoo has selenium sulfide to fight dandruff and itching while also adding conditioning agents. Lather into wet hair, leave for a couple of minutes, then rinse. This is good if you want itch relief plus some softness without a separate conditioner step. Use 2–3 times per week. - E45 Dry Scalp Shampoo
This gentle shampoo is free from common irritants and uses pro-vitamin B5 to nourish the scalp. It’s good for dry, itchy scalps without strong medicated scents. Apply to wet hair, massage, rinse. Use every wash. It helps restore moisture and reduce itchiness while keeping hair clean. - Polytar Scalp Shampoo
This medicated tar shampoo helps treat psoriasis, seborrhea, eczema, and itchiness. Apply to wet hair, massage into scalp, leave on a few minutes, and rinse. Use once or twice weekly. Tar has anti-inflammatory effects that cool and calm the scalp. - Alphosyl 2-in-1 Medicated Shampoo
This shampoo contains coal tar extract to relieve itching and inflammation. Massage into wet hair, let sit a few minutes, then rinse. Use weekly or as directed. It’s good for itchy scalp from skin conditions and leaves a cool, refreshed feeling. - Oilatum Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This uses ciclopirox to treat underlying causes of flaking and itchiness. Apply to wet hair, massage scalp, rinse. Use as directed. This gentle formula suits sensitive scalp and helps reduce itch and flaking without harsh cleansers. - Alpecin Dandruff Killer Shampoo
This shampoo has multiple active ingredients to remove dandruff and help relieve irritation. Massage into wet hair, leave on a few minutes, then rinse. You can use it daily if your scalp is very itchy. It also supports healthy scalp balance. - Mamaearth Tea Tree Anti Dandruff Shampoo
This shampoo uses tea tree oil and ginger oil to cleanse and soothe the scalp. Massage into wet hair, leave for a minute, rinse. Use regularly to help reduce itchiness and dandruff. Tea tree oil helps calm irritation and fight buildup. - Love Beauty & Planet Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
This sulfate-free shampoo uses apple cider vinegar to gently cleanse and restore scalp balance. Massage into wet hair, work into a lather, then rinse. Use every wash. The vinegar helps remove buildup that can cause itchiness and improves hair shine. - OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo
This shampoo has tea tree oil, peppermint, and witch hazel to refresh and calm the scalp. Massage into wet hair, rinse. Use several times weekly. It leaves a cool, invigorating feel and helps reduce irritation and itchiness. - Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This classic anti-dandruff shampoo uses pyrithione zinc to kill dandruff-causing microbes and soothe itchiness. Apply to wet hair, leave on 1–3 minutes, then rinse. Use regularly for ongoing relief. Many people find it quickly reduces flakes and itch. - Dove DermaCare Scalp Soothing Moisture Shampoo
This gentle shampoo helps moisturize the scalp while fighting dandruff. Massage into wet hair, leave for a few minutes, then rinse. Use every wash. It’s good for itchy, dry scalp that needs hydration and gentle cleansing.
Shampoo for Itchy Scalp
An itchy scalp is a very common problem. Many people feel itching on their head every day. It can be small itching or very strong itching. Sometimes the scalp feels dry, red, or flaky. Sometimes there is dandruff. An itchy scalp can make you feel uncomfortable and embarrassed, especially when you scratch your head in public. One of the best ways to reduce this problem is by using the right shampoo for itchy scalp.
There are many reasons why the scalp becomes itchy. One common reason is dryness. When the scalp does not have enough moisture, it becomes dry and itchy. Another reason is dandruff. Dandruff is caused by a fungus that lives on the scalp. This fungus makes the skin shed faster, which causes white flakes and itching. Some people also get itchy scalp because of sweat, dirt, or product buildup. Using harsh shampoos can also cause itching.
A good shampoo for itchy scalp helps to calm the skin and remove dirt without causing more dryness. It should clean the scalp gently. Strong shampoos with too many chemicals can make the itching worse. That is why choosing the right shampoo is very important.
Shampoo for itchy scalp usually contains soothing ingredients. These ingredients help to reduce itching and redness. Some common ingredients are tea tree oil, aloe vera, peppermint, and zinc. Tea tree oil helps fight fungus and bacteria on the scalp. Aloe vera helps to calm and moisturize the skin. Peppermint gives a cooling feeling that reduces itching. Zinc helps control dandruff and keeps the scalp healthy.
If you have dry itchy scalp, you should use a moisturizing shampoo. This type of shampoo adds moisture to your scalp and prevents dryness. Look for shampoos that say “hydrating” or “moisturizing.” Avoid shampoos with alcohol, because alcohol can dry the scalp more.
If your itchy scalp comes with dandruff, you need an anti-dandruff shampoo. These shampoos help control flakes and itching. They usually contain ingredients like zinc pyrithione or ketoconazole. Use the shampoo regularly, but do not overuse it. Washing your hair too often can also cause dryness.
How you use shampoo also matters. When washing your hair, use a small amount of shampoo. Massage it gently into your scalp with your fingertips. Do not use your nails, because nails can hurt the scalp and cause more itching. Leave the shampoo on your scalp for a few minutes before rinsing. This gives the ingredients time to work.
Rinse your hair very well. Shampoo left on the scalp can cause irritation. After washing, you can use a light conditioner, but try not to apply conditioner directly on your scalp unless it is made for the scalp.
It is also important to wash your hair with clean water. Very hot water can dry out the scalp and make itching worse. Use warm or cool water instead. This helps keep the scalp calm and healthy.
Sometimes itchy scalp is caused by allergy to hair products. If you notice itching after using a new shampoo, stop using it. Try a gentle shampoo made for sensitive scalp. These shampoos are free from strong fragrance and harsh chemicals.
Natural shampoos can also be good for itchy scalp. They usually contain plant-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin. However, natural does not always mean safe for everyone. Always check how your scalp reacts.
If your itchy scalp does not improve after using special shampoo, it is better to see a doctor. Sometimes itching is caused by skin problems like eczema or psoriasis. These conditions need medical treatment.