"The Top 10 Shampoos for Dry Scalps, Recommended by Trichologists"

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Among life's many annoyances — traffic, spam calls, chafing — a dry scalp goes relatively unmatched for the title of most treacherous irritations. The condition is relentless, popping up during the worst moments like the day of dates, the week of a big meeting at work, or basically any month you're going on vacation and want to feel good. Turns out, having a dry scalp is different than having dandruff. And the secret to treating the condition might very well lie in the shampoo you use.

'Dry scalp and dandruff are commonly confused but they are completely different conditions that need very different treatments,' says Jenna Binette, a trichologist and hair loss and scalp specialist. 'Dry scalp is caused by lack of moisture, dry weather, harsh shampoos, or dehydration. It can feel tight, itchy and can [result in] dust-size white flakes.'

To soothe dry scalps, experts like Binette recommend implementing treatment shampoos into your shower routine. The best shampoos for dry scalps are moisturizing and sulfate-free, says Binette. To determine which scalp shampoos on the market are the best, the Shape team tested out more than a dozen brands for 12 weeks and judged them on cleansing capabilities, effectiveness at taking away irritation, hydration, and application process.

Below, find the 10 best shampoos for dry scalps, tested by Shape editors and approved by scalp experts.

For every scalp woe out there, it seems like Act+Acre has an answer. The brand's beloved cleansing shampoo is no exception. Free from sulfates, the cleanser gently gets rid of build-up and soothes dry, flaky scalps after just one use. It leaves the scalp feeling super clean but not dry and shields off oil build-up to allow for a longer time in between washes.

'This product has transformed the texture and volume of my hair,' says one Shape tester. 'It feels so much healthier, and my scalp feels clean and not itchy.'

The moisturizing shampoo has some all-star ingredients that scalp experts love, such as glycerin (a humectant that attracts moisture to the scalp, per Binette) and baobab oil, a nourishing blend of omega fatty acids known for its ability to soothe sensitive or inflamed skin. In addition to soothing dry scalps, this shampoo builds volume and makes hair appear thicker after just one use. What more could you want?

Notable Ingredients: Apple amino acids, baobab oil, glycerin Use: Apply to wet scalp and double cleanse

More often than not, hair and scalp treatments can be expensive. That's why we love LivSo for its affordable moisturizing shampoo that works wonders on dry scalps. The unique formula uses the powers of glycolic acid, a chemical exfoliant known as AHA, xylitol, a plant humectant that keeps skin hydrated, and coconut oil, which 'provides deep hydration and helps maintain the scalp's natural oils,' says Binette.

Shape testers say they saw results immediately upon implementing this shampoo into their routine. 'I didn't see any flaking and my hair close to my scalp was light and bouncy,' says one Shape tester who added: 'my scalp absolutely benefited from this shampoo.' If you're looking for a scalp product that also nourishes hair, this might be one to skip, though, as our team noted that they didn't see much change in strand health overall.

Notable Ingredients: Coconut oil, glycolic acid, xylitol Use: Apply at least weekly to wet scalp and hair, lather and rinse

If you're looking for the best shampoo for dry scalps that mimics the oooo and ahhhhh sensation you get at a spa, this might very well be it. The cooling shampoo features gorgeously aromatic ingredients like peppermint and spearmint that awaken your senses while they treat your scalp. It smells like peace and will hopefully give you that once your scalp stops itching after use.

'It honestly feels like a luxury product experience,' says one Shape tester. 'The scent is gentle and relaxing, but didn't linger which I really liked.'

The vegan and cruelty-free formula uses plant-derived crystals as physical exfoliants instead of salts and sugars, so if you've been scarred from previous exfoliators and their harsh feeling, this one is worth another go as it's much more gentle on the skin. Shape testers say these crystals are 'small enough to be gentle but big enough to be effective.' Additionally, the formula includes tea tree oil, an ingredient hair experts cherish.

'Tea tree oil is another ingredient found in dandruff shampoos,' says Dr. Hadley King, MD., a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology, cherish. 'It has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Notable Ingredients: Binchotan charcoal, coconut oil, peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oil complex Use: Apply to wet hair and massage directly into scalp

A whipped scrub designed for every hair texture, the Ceremonia papaya scrub is a favorite among Shape editors and testers alike. One tester who has 4c hair with tight coils says it's 'one of the best shampoos I've used because of how it feels and how it minimizes my number of shampoo applications.' They added that after one use, their scalp was significantly more hydrated and felt less brittle and dry.

Made with salt, papaya enzymes, and fruit extracts, the treatment is designed for people who suffer from oily scalps, dry scalps, itchy scalps, and dandruff. Even better? It takes one application a week to start working. Talk about minimal lift.

Notable Ingredients: Bolivian mountain salt, papaya enzymes, prickly pear extracts Use: Once a week, replace shampoo with this and lather on wet hair

If, on top of a dry scalp, you have dry or brittle hair, you'll want to add this shampoo to cart ASAP. The supremely nourishing formula conditions skin and hair follicles all at once, leaving locks glistening and rejuvenated. Unlike other formulas, this one is gentle enough to use daily and doesn't strip away color from processed hair. Shape testers say it relieves dryness and irritation in just one wash.

'I immediately noticed a reduction in flakiness, and any irritation I was experiencing seemed to be soothed and alleviated,' says one Shape tester. 'It was like a breath of fresh air for my scalp, effectively combating any itchiness I had been dealing with ... It worked wonders with my hair type and texture, leaving it feeling soft, manageable, and incredibly nourished.'

Formula-wise, you can't get much better than a combination of nourishing and hydrating glycerin and cleansing zinc, a favorite of Dr. King who notes that the ingredient has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties and it also helps with inflammation and itch.

Notable Ingredients: Zinc-sulfate, glycerin, Use: Lather throughout damp hair

Dryness paired with flaky skin makes for a zero-fun combination nobody deserves. Shape testers found this mousse-whipped shampoo from Goop to be the flake-fighter they needed to fully wash away build-up without stripping their strands. The salt scrub includes several nourishing oils to hydrate skin and hair while the Himalayan salt gently exfoliates dry skin. It doesn't take long to notice a difference when using this shampoo for dry scalps.

'After the first wash, I could feel and see a difference immediately,' says one Shape tester. 'My hair had a post-blow-out look — volume, shiny, and smooth. The next morning after an intense workout, I also noticed that my scalp had minimal flakiness. Usually the day following a wash and sweaty workout, my scalp has noticeable flakiness.'

Notable Ingredients: Rosehip oil, moringa oil, Himalayan pink sale Use: Apply to wet hair and use as needed

You might be familiar with how great salicylic acid is at treating acne, but the ingredient is also fabulous for loosening dry skin and cleansing away excess buildup on the scalp. As one of the powerhouse ingredients in this formula, you can expect to say goodbye to dandruff when using the shampoo. One Shape tester called this shampoo a 'game changer,' for their dryness adding: 'The real results came a week into the test. My constantly itchy scalp finally stopped itching. I've been combatting dry, itchy, flaky scalp for years and have tried so many natural shampoos and even home remedies.'

Notable Ingredients: Salicylic acid, rosemary oil, menthol, ginger extract Use: Massage into wet hair, leave in for 1-2 minutes

Dr. King dubs this his favorite shampoo for dry scalps because of its stellar ingredients list. 'It is sulfate free, [has] no harsh detergents that can strip the scalp, but still thoroughly cleanses with gentle surfactants,' she says. 'It also contains lipids that support the skin barrier, and niacinamide, which helps to improve skin texture.' The expert also recommends using the brand's scalp clarifying rinse prior to the shampoo for best results.

Notable Ingredients: Proprietary rootbiomic ferment, bio-peptides, yuzu ceamide Use: Use regularly on wet hair

Summer Cartwright is Shape's senior commerce editor who is an expert in testing, evaluating, and reporting on products. She has 6+ years in the commerce industry and has held editing and writing positions at beauty and skincare magazines such as InStyle, StyleCaster, and Cosmopolitan. For this article, she evaluated test results, interviewed experts, and tested products herself.

Jenna Binette is a certified trichologist, hair and scalp expert, and hair-cutting specialist in Maine. Jenna has spent the past 8 years specializing in cutting hair. She has taken classes with the Vidal Sassoon Academy, Kerastase, L' Oreal Professionnel, and many nationally acclaimed artists. Throughout the years, she has developed her signature style combining her love of easy-to-wear haircuts with up-to-date trends. Jenna Prides herself on her thorough consultations to help achieve client expectations.

Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. King graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in biochemistry. She received her MD from Columbia University. She trained in medicine at Greenwich Hospital, affiliated with the Yale University School of Medicine, and completed her dermatology residency at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.