For the nearly 50% of people who experience dandruff, Head & Shoulders provides shampoos with either 1% selenium sulfide for maximum dandruff control or 1% zinc pyrithione for proven long-term scalp benefits, offering the best dandruff shampoos.

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- What is the best over-the-counter treatment for dandruff? Scientists from Head & Shoulders and dermatology experts reviewed evidence at the September 2026 Science of Skin Summit in Austin, TX, suggesting the best treatments must go beyond anti-fungal benefits to reduce scalp irritation and improve scalp’s health – providing sustained dandruff control over time.

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These three holistic benefits are uniquely found in Head & Shoulders’ proprietary shampoo collections, which are designed to break the cycle of dandruff over time through patented zinc pyrithione and proprietary selenium sulfide formulations. This supports why Head & Shoulders is the #1 dermatologist recommended anti-dandruff brand.

The review of available clinical evidence concludes:

• A well-formulated shampoo containing 1% selenium sulfide has the strongest evidence-based case for maximum OTC dandruff control over 1% ketoconazole
• A well-formulated shampoo pairing 1% zinc pyrithione with barrier-building and antioxidant ingredients – like Head & Shoulders’ HydraZinc complex – shows clinically meaningful improvements in dandruff symptoms, scalp barrier quality, underlying irritation and long-term dandruff management.

“Therapies that address multiple dimensions of scalp health and irritation may provide advantages over reliance on antifungal potency alone,” said Dr. Divya Shokeen, board-certified dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon. “When considering currently available OTC evidence, a well-formulated product with 1% selenium sulfide has the strongest efficacy data for maximum dandruff control, while zinc pyrithione demonstrates important benefits in reducing scalp irritation and maintaining scalp health over time.”

While visible flakes remain the most recognizable symptom of dandruff, research increasingly shows that affected scalps exhibit measurable changes in barrier integrity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. A new Viewpoint article published in JAMA Dermatology in August 2026 highlights the complex interaction of scalp microbiome imbalance, barrier dysfunction, irritation, and inflammation that leads to dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that both selenium sulfide- and zinc pyrithione-based shampoos provide anti-fungal benefits, reduce scalp irritation, and improve scalp health.

Strongest Available Evidence Supports 1% Selenium Sulfide for Maximum OTC Dandruff Control

A series of randomized clinical studies provides a consistent evidence chain supporting selenium sulfide as the strongest evidence-based OTC option for dandruff control:

• A 350-participant randomized, double-blind study found that a tested 1% selenium sulfide shampoo reduced adherent scalp flaking more than a tested 2% ketoconazole shampoo after 4 and 6 weeks of treatment.
• A separate randomized study involving individuals with severe dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis found 2% ketoconazole significantly outperformed 1% ketoconazole for reducing flaking severity. No identified published study has directly compared 1% selenium sulfide and 1% ketoconazole shampoos under identical conditions.
• Additional clinical evidence demonstrated that an OTC selenium sulfide shampoo achieved efficacy comparable to prescription-strength ketoconazole for reducing scaling and irritation severity.

Taken together, the available evidence suggests that well-formulated 1% selenium sulfide shampoos represent the strongest evidence-based OTC option when maximum dandruff control is the primary treatment objective.

Zinc Pyrithione Offers Proven Performance for Long-Term Management

Dandruff is generally a chronic, recurring condition, so sustained performance matters.

A 48-week randomized controlled study demonstrated that a 1% zinc pyrithione shampoo maintained significant efficacy versus placebo throughout the full study period with no evidence of diminished response over time. Additional research has shown benefits for scalp barrier quality and scalp health biomarkers during ongoing use.

“The best dandruff shampoo is one that people will use consistently over time,” said Dr. KC Locker, Head & Shoulders Senior Scientist. “That is why evaluating products, rather than active ingredients in isolation, is so important. Effective dandruff management requires comprehensive scalp treatment and a product experience that supports continued use.”

What Consumers Should Know

• For maximum OTC dandruff control: Available data supports a well-formulated 1% selenium sulfide shampoo, such as Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength, as the strongest evidence-based OTC option.
• For long-term scalp maintenance: Across multiple clinical studies, zinc pyrithione-based Head & Shoulders products, now with the patent-pending HydraZinc ™ technology, have demonstrated sustained efficacy in reducing scalp irritation, hydrating the scalp barrier, and eliminating visible flakes – breaking the cycle of dandruff.
• For overall scalp health: Effective treatment should address visible flakes, scalp barrier quality, irritation, and ongoing symptom management. Dandruff and scalp flaking are generally chronic conditions, and Head & Shoulders is well-tolerated and safe to use as directed every day over time.
• For real-world results: Consumers should use products according to label directions and consider the complete formulation, not only the active ingredient. Consistent use remains a critical factor in treatment success.

Consumers should consult a healthcare professional when symptoms are severe, persistent, markedly inflamed, or fail to improve with appropriate OTC treatment.

About Head & Shoulders
With more than 60 years of trailblazing innovation in scalp care, Head & Shoulders is the world’s #1 anti-dandruff shampoo, #1 dermatologist-recommended anti-dandruff brand, and the most-awarded scalp care brand** with a broad portfolio of products with cosmetic benefits and solutions for different hair types and scalp concerns. For more information, visit www.headandshoulders.com or follow Head & Shoulders on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at https://www.pg.com/news.

References

• Barbieri JS, Berna R, Caplan AS. Rethinking Antifungal Therapy in Seborrheic Dermatitis. JAMA Dermatology. Published online August 19, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2026.2869.
• Neumann PB, et al. Clinical Investigation Comparing 1% Selenium Sulfide and 2% Ketoconazole Shampoos for Dandruff Control. Cosmetic Dermatology. 1996;9(12).
• Piérard-Franchimont C, et al. Effect of Ketoconazole 1% and 2% Shampoos on Severe Dandruff and Seborrhoeic Dermatitis. Dermatology. 2001;202:171-176. doi:10.1159/000051628.
• Schwartz JR, Rocchetta H, Asawanonda P, Luo F, Thomas JH. Does tachyphylaxis occur in long-term management of scalp seborrheic dermatitis with pyrithione zinc-based treatments? International Journal of Dermatology. 2009;48:79-85.
• Draelos ZD, Kenneally DC, Hodges LT, Billhimer W, Copas M, Margraf C. A comparison of hair quality and cosmetic acceptance following the use of two anti-dandruff shampoos. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2005 Dec;10(3):201-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1087-0024.2005.10127.x.
• Warner RR, Schwartz JR, Boissy Y, Dawson TL. Dandruff has an altered stratum corneum ultrastructure that is improved with zinc pyrithione shampoo. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2001;45(6):897-903.
• Locker KCS, Bacon RA, Caterino TL, et al. Understanding the dandruff flare-up: A cascade of measurable and perceptible changes to scalp health. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2025;47(4):703-717. doi:10.1111/ics.13067.
• Pople JE, Bhogal RK, Moore AE, Jenkins G. Changes in epidermal morphology associated with dandruff. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2019;41:357-363. doi:10.1111/ics.12539.
• Schwartz JR, Messenger AG, Tosti A, et al. A comprehensive pathophysiology of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis: towards a more precise definition of scalp health. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 2013;93:131-137. doi:10.2340/00015555-1382.
• The effect of a novel zinc pyrithione hair care system on female scalp condition. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2013;68(4 Suppl 1):AB109.
• Barbosa V, Fernandes Melo D, Vañó-Galván S, et al. A comparative randomized clinical study assessing the efficacy of a 1% selenium disulfide-based shampoo versus 2% ketoconazole shampoo in subjects with moderate to severe scalp seborrheic dermatitis. Skin Appendage Disorders. 2024;10(6):497-504. doi:10.1159/000539209.
• Jiang W, Zhang R, Wang L, Xu Y, Tan Y. Clinical effects of a 0.5% selenium sulfide shampoo on dandruff and scalp microbiota in adolescents: a prospective single-arm clinical study. Frontiers in Medicine. 2026;13:1866777. doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1866777.

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Source: Procter & Gamble