Which are the Best Shampoos to help Relieve Dry Scalp

Post last updated: 14/03/2023

Finding the best shampoo for dry scalp can be difficult, especially if you also have other hair concerns such as lack of volume or hair loss that also need targeting.

What Causes Dry Scalp?

Dry scalp can be caused by a number of factors, but medication, genetics, the environment and product choice all play a huge part. If you have dandruff, flaky and itchy skin or red scalp, chances are it's irritated and needs some attention.

If you live in a built-up polluted city, or are frequently exposed to smoke or the sun[1], external aggressors can cause your hair to become dry and irritated, which in turn has a big impact on your scalp health. Similarly, certain medications can cause scalp dryness[2], and using the wrong haircare products can cause major irritation. It's important to isolate which of these factors are causing your dry scalp, but using a shampoo specially made for the issue will help relieve and calm down any flare-ups.

Advice

Here's why you need to start looking after your scalp

Great hair starts at the scalp. We caught up with the experts at NIOXIN who gave us the lowdown on what, why and how of great scalp care

16/08/2021 By Alice Macfarlane

Our Picks of the Best Shampoos for Dry Scalp

1. Kérastase Specifique Dermo-Calm Bain Riche Shampoo
2. Leonor Greyl Creme Aux Fleurs Cream Shampoo
3. L'Oréal Professionel Serie Expert Sensi Balance Shampoo
4. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo for Dry Scalp
5. L'Oréal Professionnel Source Essentielle Sensitive Scalp Shampoo
6. Philip Kingsley Shampoo for Flaky & Itchy Scalps
7. Redken Scalp Relief Soothing Balance Shampoo
8. Aveda Scalp Benefits Shampoo
9. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo
10. System Professional Balance Shampoo

We have put our top picks of the best shampoos for flaky, itchy scalps to help you choose the right one for your hair type and individual needs.

1. Kérastase Specifique Dermo-Calm Bain Vital Shampoo 250ml

Kérastase Specifique Dermo-Calm Bain Vital Shampoo 250ml

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64

RRP: £28.25Current price: £25.43

QUICK BUY

Perfect for sensitive scalps and dehydrated hair, the Kérastase Specifique Dermo-Calm Bain Vital Shampoo helps to completely cleanse without causing irritation or dryness. The hypoallergenic formula is enriched with calophyllum oil to soothe irritated scalps, alongside glycerin to nourish, piroctone olamine to hydrate and menthol to refresh.

• Best for: Sensitive Scalps
• Why we love it: Free from silicone, it doesn't cause product build-up in the hair so is great to use as an everyday shampoo to keep your scalp healthy and calm.
• What LF Customers say: "Recommended by my dermatologist, this has had the best calming effect to my sensitive scalp." Read all reviews here

 

3. L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Sensi Balance Shampoo 300ml

L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Sensi Balance Shampoo 300ml

7

RRP: £18.99Current price: £17.09

COMING SOON

One of the best shampoos for dry scalp at a lower price point, the L'Oréal Professionel Serie Expert Sensi Balance Shampoo helps to remedy dryness and irritation. Gently lifting away impurities and excess oil from the roots, the shampoo doesn't disrupt the natural moisture balance of your scalp, and instead contains nourishing extracts to keep the hair beautifully healthy and hydrated.

• Why we love it: One of the best dry scalp shampoos for a budget price!

     

4. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo for Dry Scalp (400ml)

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo for Dry Scalp (400ml)

7

RRP: £39.90Current price: £35.91

COMING SOON

If you love to use cleansing oils but find that their formulas can leave the hair feeling greasy instead of nourished, you will love Shu Uemura's Cleansing Oil Shampoo. Specially made for those with dry scalps, the formula contains neroli essential oil to balance moisture levels and keep the scalp soothed and well hydrated.

• Why we love it: Safe for those with highlighted or colour-treated hair, the shampoo is also free from silicones so won't cause product build-up.

5. L'Oréal Professionnel Source Essentielle Sensitive Scalp Shampoo 300ml

L'Oréal Professionnel Source Essentielle Sensitive Scalp Shampoo 300ml

3

£18.90

COMING SOON

If you prefer to use predominantly natural beauty products, you will love L'Oréal Professionnel's Source Essentielle Sensitive Scalp Shampoo. Made from a blend of 80% naturally-derived ingredients including calendula, chamomile, citrus and jasmine, the shampoo helps to reduce the appearance of flaky skin and dandruff; soothing irritated scalps as it goes.

• Why we love it: The bottle has also been created to hold as much product using the least amount of plastic; making this one of the most environmentally-friendly haircare options.

6. Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 250ml

Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 250ml

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157

£30.00

250ml

QUICK BUY

Philip Kingsley was a renowned trichologist, meaning all products were created using the best research and technology. Today, the brand lives by the same values and every shampoo, conditioner and hair treatment has been formulated to target very specific haircare concerns. Their Shampoo for Flaky & Itchy Scalps has been created to soothe irritated scalps and leave the hair beautifully soft, hydrated and flake-free.

• Best for: Flaky and Itchy Scalps
• Why we love it: A trial by the brand resulted in 99% of participants confirming that the shampoo helped to clear their flaky scalp and leave it conditioned and soothed.
• What LF Customers say: "This is the best dry scalp shampoo I have found - it seems to clear up my dry scalp after only a couple of uses - it is also extremely gentle and non drying on my colour treated hair " Read all reviews here

7. Redken Scalp Relief Soothing Balance Shampoo (250ml)

Redken Scalp Relief Soothing Balance Shampoo (250ml)

93

£17.00

COMING SOON

Redken's Scalp Relief Soothing Balance Shampoo has been specially formulated to remove impurities from the hair and balance excess oil production, while simultaneously calming irritated scalps.

• Why we love it: Rich in liquorice and eucalyptus, the shampoo helps to relieve scalp tension, balance out flakiness and gently cleanse without disrupting the hair or scalps natural balance.

 

8. Aveda Scalp Benefits Shampoo 250ml

Aveda Scalp Benefits Shampoo 250ml

15

£21.50

COMING SOON

Aveda's Scalp Benefits Shampoo is perfect for anyone looking for a revitalising formula made from natural ingredients. Packed with botanical extracts such as burdock root, rosemary, cinnamon, sage and echinacea, the shampoo removes product build-up from the roots while soothing irritated scalps to leave the hair looking revitalised, soft and healthy.

• Why we love it: The shampoo is also sulphate-free, which is great for anyone with sensitive scalps as sulphates have been widely discussed as the culprits behind dryness and dehydration.

9. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo 300ml

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo 300ml

4

£25.65

COMING SOON

If you have a sensitive scalp but also want to add body and fullness to hair, you will love Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo. It contains the brands exclusive and unique Regeniplex® blend, which combines pea peptides, kakaku plum and ginseng to energise the hair fibres and stimulate the scalp to encourage hair growth.

• Best for: Thinning hair
• Why we love it: Formulated to thicken each strand for fuller looking hair while also helping to soothe and calm irritated and itchy scalps.
• What LF Cusotmers say: "300ml bottle last quite a while - smell is more natural tea tree , leathers well , scalp is in better condition more moisturised and balanced"

10. System Professional Balance Shampoo 250ml

System Professional Balance Shampoo 250ml

32

RRP: £24.75Current price: £12.38

COMING SOON

System Professional's Balance Shampoo has been specially created for anyone with hair loss or thinning hair and struggling with a sensitive scalp. Infused with the brand's unique Zinc Pyriothon Complex, the shampoo soothes scalp tension, dehydration and irritation to leave both hair and scalp soft, healthy and nourished.

• Best for: Oily, Greasy Scalps
• Why we love it: This shampoo has been formulated to help with hair loss or thinning as well as to calm sensitive scalps.
• What LF Customers say: "What a game changer ! I am using it for a week , and already I can see huge improvements in my hair condition. My hair and my scalp are a bit greasy , so the shampoo is so good to balance the oiliness without drying it " Read all reviews here