Itchy, Irritated Scalp? These Are The Treatments Dermatologists Say Really Work. (2024)

A dry, itchy scalp is more than an annoying affliction. Sure, it can leave your hair studded with embarrassing dandruff, but it can also lead to hair loss and may be a sign of a serious scalp condition like seborrheic dermatitis. And, unfortunately, it's not always easy to pinpoint the root cause of the problem. "A dry scalp can result from a variety of factors, including over-washing, using harsh hair products, cold weather, or underlying eczema or psoriasis," says Neil Sadick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "All of these factors can strip scalp sebum, leading to dryness and flaking."

Best Itchy Scalp Treatments

Sometimes a dry, itchy scalp is better treated with a prescription like Zoryve, a medication for seborrheic dermatitis, but there are plenty of home remedies and over-the-counter products that can help soothe symptoms. "To effectively moisturize a dry scalp, it's important to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo (two to three times per week), avoid hot water, and incorporate hydrating treatments like scalp oils or moisturizing masks," says Dr. Sadick.

But you have other options when shopping for the best itchy scalp treatments.

What to consider

From shampoos to scrubs to scalp serums, there is not shortage of options when it comes to products that treat an itchy, irritation scalp. Here are some shopping pointers to keep in mind.

Type

If you opt for the at-home route, there are hair products abound to treat a dry scalp: serums, masks, scrubs, shampoos, and more. Masks, scrubs, and shampoos are great for intensive treatments once or twice per week—max. "Overuse can disrupt the scalp’s microbiome, leading to irritation or imbalance," says Kiran Mian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery. Serums and other leave-in treatments may not be quite as targeted, but can be used more frequently to alleviate symptoms of a dry scalp.

Key ingredients

If you're gravitating towards a mask, scrub, or shampoo, look for ingredients like sugar, caffeine, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, coconut oil, and sea salt, says Mian. "The key is to make sure the product has not only exfoliating ingredients, but moisturizing ingredients as well to balance the scalp, leaving it clean and hydrated." For serums, she recommends humectants like glycerin, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil.

How we chose

To help you find the best products to banish the itch and stop dandruff in its tracks, the Women's Health beauty team, including contributor Brigitt Earley, asked five top dermatologists what products they recommend to their patients and even use on their own scalps. Then, we put each one to the test, evaluating ingredient lists and important attributes like ease of use, scent, and—of course—overall efficacy.

And now, shop our best dermatologist-recommended treatments for an itchy scalp.

If you’re dealing with major scalp itch, our experts recommend that you don't shampoo too often, which can strip the skin of its protective oils and lead to more dryness. When you do lather up, a medicated shampoo is probably the easiest solution you can incorporate into your routine, says David Bank, MD, director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic, and Laser Surgery in Mount Kisco, New York. Bank recommends this DHS Zinc Shampoo because of zinc’s anti-inflammatory and slightly exfoliating effects. It's also has known antifungal and antibacterial properties to help target the root of the problem, calm the itch, and simultaneously knock out flakes—a major win all around.

You use this shampoo slightly differently than others in that you'll want to let it sit on your scalp for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing. In tests, we found the formula works into a great lather, so you can really work it into your scalp for maximum effect. "The scent isn't great, but it's not terrible either—what you'd expect from a medicated shampoo," says WH contributor Brigitt Earley. It does, however, really work to combat the urge to scratch. "My scalp is distractingly itchy on a regular basis—I think due to product buildup—but when I use this shampoo, I can go two to three days before feeling all scratchy," says Earley.

Read more: Best Shampoos For Thinning Hair

There are a lot of great scalp moisturizers out there, but if you have very dry skin that is leading to scalp itch, we think it's hard to beat this serum from The Ordinary. The budget-friendly pick offers exceptional value, and is often recommended by dermatologists, including Ross Kopelman, MD, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration in New York City. "It's great because it uses hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate without being greasy," says Dr Kopelman, who notes that it's also suitable for all hair types, making it a very versatile option, too.

After just a few days of use, our tester's itchiness went away almost entirely. And, as an added bonus, her thick, wavy hair looked shinier and felt softer and less frizzy—even during a seaside wedding on a warm day. We also like that this formula is a leave-in treatment, so you can use it between washes too.

If moisturizing shampoos aren’t cutting it and you're dealing with extreme flakiness, try incorporating a scalp scrub a few times a week to aid in removing any buildup on the scalp. Christophe Robin's purifying scrub is unique because it exfoliates the scalp without stripping it of the natural oils it needs. It harnesses the power of large sea salt crystals to slough off dead skin cells and product buildup, but also contains ingredients with moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties like bisabolol.

Our testers love the creamy consistency of the product, noting it feels and looks more hydrating than other options. Still, they say it lathers very well and doubles as a shampoo—you don't need to cleanse afterwards. It stopped itchiness in its tracks, too. "I have psoriasis, which means that my skin—and especially my scalp—can become painfully itchy and inflamed," says WH Senior Deputy Digital Editor Maridel Reyes. "Once a week, I use this scrub to sweep away dry flakes without irritating my sensitive skin. The scrub lathers up like shampoo and smells like the spa. It's expensive, but the tub lasts for months—a little goes a long way."

Hair masks can moisturize your hair while providing extra-soothing action to your scalp, too. WH editors have tested dozens of hair masks over the years, and this is—hands down—the best option for a dry scalp. The leave-in treatment is hyaluronic acid-based, which means you get lightweight but intense hydration that won't leave hair looks greasy. The formula also contains vitamin B3 for overall scalp health.

Testers appreciated how easy it was to use, thanks to a precise applicator tip that allows you to get right up to the skin. There's no rinsing required, either, saving you the extra step. During evaluations, we found it began to work immediately, but almost completely eradicated any itchiness and flakes in about two weeks. And, as a nice bonus, it has a great beach-like scent.

Serums aren't just great for frizzy hair—the right ones can target both scalp and hair health. We're big fans of this one from Ouai (a brand we frequently stand behind), because it's light enough for all hair types, including fine hair. Derms approve, too. "It doesn't make your hair greasy, because it has glycerin and hyaluronic acid for moisture delivery," says Kiran Mian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery.

And if you have a highly reactive scalp that gets sensitized at the drop of a hat (pardon the pun), this is the product for you. The ingredient list boasts red clover flower extract, which has soothing properties, and adaptogens and hyaluronic acid to strengthen your scalp's skin barrier. Oh, and users say it has a "heavenly" scent, too.

Meet Our Experts

• Neil Sadick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
• Ross Kopelman, MD, is a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration in New York City.
• David Bank, MD. is the director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic, and Laser Surgery in Mount Kisco, New York.
• Kiran Mian, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery.

Shop more of the best products for hair and scalp

Best Scalp Moisturizers | Best Shampoos For Dry Scalp | Best Scalp Sunscreens | Best Fragrance-Free Shampoos | Best Volumizing Hair Products | Best Hair Growth Oils