The Best Anti Dandruff Shampoos In Australia For 2024

The effectiveness of any anti-dandruff shampoo can vary depending on the individual and the underlying cause. That’s the first thing you should always keep in mind when shopping around for best dandruff shampoos in Australia.

And it is your scalp. Remember that. It’s often hard to reconcile the number of anti-dandruff shampoos out there, and the specific ingredients they use, with what your skin needs to combat this very common scalp condition.

The other thing you should always keep in mind is that dandruff is nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t mean you’re unclean or inferior, given it’s a very common scalp condition that can cause flaking, itching and inflammation on your top. This is not only annoying, but it can often indicate an underlying cause ranging from dry skin and oily skin to a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia.

If you have persistent or severe dandruff then the best approach is to always consult with a dermatologist who can pinpoint issues like oily hair and scalp irritation. Lists like the following, which are simply designed to guide you towards the best anti dandruff shampoos out there, are only the start if you want to treat this condition.

REIN Shampoo

Hero Ingredients: 1% Piroctone Olamine, menthol, seaweed extract, mandarin extract, cedarwood extract

Stress and anxiety are known to be key causes of dandruff, which is why REIN developed an anti-dandruff treatment with a focus on discretion.

Once the minimalist bottle is free of its packaging, there’s no mention of ‘dandruff’, it’s very much IYKYK. REIN Shampoo is made in Australia and utilises 1% Piroctone Olamine and menthol alongside natural extracts of seaweed, mandarin and cedarwood to cleanse the scalp, followed by a luscious conditioner that will leave your hair buttery soft and full of volume.

There’s a lot of value in aesthetics when it comes to something as stigmatised as dandruff and we’ve found that REIN, a brand started by one of the Boss Hunting boys, tackles this well with a bottle that, as above, doesn’t signpost the fact that it’s an anti dandruff shampoo. Use it as a duo with the REIN Conditioner for a full complementary effect.

However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of any dandruff shampoo can vary depending on the individual and the underlying cause of the dandruff. If you have persistent or severe dandruff, it’s always best to consult with a dermatologist.

Oribe Serene Scalp

Hero Ingredients: Salicylic acid, watermelon, lychee and edelweiss flower blend

Oribe Serene Scalp is an anti dandruff shampoo made to address a common complaint. That is, there are many anti dandruff shampoos out there that also erode essential natural oils and irritate the scalp. Not this dandruff shampoo, according to online reviews.

You want an anti dandruff shampoo that is hydrating throughout the day, which is where Oribe’s signature complex comes in use. The blend of watermelon, lychee and edelweiss flower is said to defend hair from oxidative stress and deterioration of natural keratin, which is necessary to balance getting rid of excess oil and severe dandruff without dumping out any of the good stuff.

Aside from the signature blend, Oribe Serene Scalp also includes the necessary salicylic acid, which as above is a fake fighting exfoliating ingredient, caffeine to help energise the scalp and bilberry fruit and sugar maple extract, which soothes a dry scalp.

BondiBoost Dandruff Repair Shampoo

Hero Ingredients: Argan oil, flaxweed oil

Formulated with an itchy scalp in mind, the BondiBoost Dandruff Repair Shampoo primarily uses argan oil and flaxseed oil to help nourish the hair while getting rid of those flakes.

Rosemary and peppermint are used to help soothe the scalp during the process, keeping hydration front and centre and using ingredients that have been shown to be high in necessary nutrients.

This one has been consistently pulling in five-star reviews, with most commentators referencing that the formula is very gentle on the hair, leaving it feeling very soft and clean.

Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo

Hero Ingredients: Prioctone Olamine, Climbazole, rosmary oil, ginger extract

This beautifully designed Scandinavian shampoo takes a fairly modern approach, combining different active ingredients to tackle a broad range of scalp concerns. Piroctone Olamine and Climbazole are both used to target Malassezia yeast specifically while maintaining a healthy moisture balance and softening flakes with salicylic acid.

Rosemary oil and ginger extract are soothing ingredients and help this feel really clean and lightweight, mirroring the less-is-more approach of Swedish minimalism and presenting an anti dandruff shampoo that’s nothing if not super reliable for a wider range of users.

Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo

Hero Ingredients: Piroctone Olamine, Laurel Betaine

This award-winning anti dandruff shampoo from Philip Kingsley is one of the most popular on the market and takes a fairly minimal approach to its formula.

The two main active ingredients are Piroctone Olamine and Laurul Betaine, working together to relieve itchy skin while also cleansing the scalp and eliminating oil buildup. If you’re in the market for an anti dandruff shampoo that won’t completely dry out your hair, then it seems Philip Kingsley is one of the most reliable names out there.

Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo

Hero Ingredients: Thermal mud, red algae, kaolin clay

Thermal mud has been used in the Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo to give the hair a burst of minerals to purify, balance and protect the scalp. That’s the hero ingredient in this formula but there’s also red algae sourced from the Baltic Sea to help balance PH and kaolin clay to balance oil production, offering a gentle formula for sensitive skin.

American Crew Anti-Dandruff + Dry Scalp Shampoo

Hero Ingredients: Rosmary extract, sage leaf, peppermint, tea tree oil

American Crew Anti-Dandruff + Dry Scalp Shampoo has been formulated to cleanse the hair while also eliminating dandruff, acting as a reliable 2-in-1 that saves men time, money and a whole lot of frustration as they fight dandruff.

There aren’t many active ingredients in American Crew’s formula that are all too different from the other anti dandruff shampoos on this list but they are complemented by a very light rosemary extract. This is in conjunction with sage leaf, peppermint and tea tree oil to help clean, soothe and refresh the scalp.

What Is Dandruff?

If you’re looking for an anti dandruff shampoo then it pays to have at least a surface-level understanding of the very thing you want to treat.

Dandruff is essentially a very common condition that causes the skin to flake off the scalp, leading to all sorts of symptoms including dryness, itching, redness and oiliness. It’s a medical condition and should be viewed as such. Yes, it can be caused by a fungal overgrowth or having skin that’s too dry, oil or inflamed but that doesn’t necessarily imply that a sufferer is not hygienic or “unclean.”

The common stigma against dandruff often leads to people denying the issue and not treating it properly.

Anti Dandruff Shampoo: Ingredients & Other Things To Keep In Mind

As with any formula, it’s the active ingredients that matter. If you’re serious about making the formula work for you then you need to be aware of them and how they work with your individual skin. Just like the best skincare products out there, you’ll need to think carefully about anti dandruff shampoos and what you’re putting on your skin.

It could mean the difference between a healthy head of hair and a drab, distracting and frustrating scalp with issues that won’t resolve on their own.

Different shampoos have different ingredients, which is why there are so many out there. It’s important to understand each so you can find the best dandruff shampoo for your specific needs.

Some of the more common active ingredients found in anti-dandruff shampoos are as follows. Note that a lot of these are helpful while some, like coal tar, are known for side effects (1). As with a lot of these products, it’s hard to come to a definitive conclusion about some of these ingredients. There are studies for and studies against.

Several effective ingredients most common in anti-dandruff shampoos include:

Salicylic Acid: This is one of the most common active ingredients in premium dandruff shampoos on the market, widely considered reliable and effective with a coveted listing on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. It essentially allows the epidermis to shed more easily which is essential to remove dry and flaky skin, so in anti dandruff shampoos Salicylic Acid would be included to help remove buildup and refresh the scalp (2)

Zinc Pyrithione: You’ll often find that Zinc Pyrithione is used to complement Salicylic Acid (3). The latter helps remove any existing buildup of dead skin cells so the Zinc Pyrithione can better penetrate the scalp and control the growth of yeast, which is one of the main contributors to dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Note that sometimes you may see this ingredient written as Pyrithione Zinc in a medicated dandruff shampoo.

Ketoconazole: This is an antifungal medication and a very commonly used at that. You’ll find that many anti dandruff shampoos include Ketoconazole to help control the growth of any fungus which in turn can help diminish and reduce the incidence of dandruff. Some also believe that Ketoconazole may slow hair loss by blocking the action of 5AR which helps lower DHT levels in a similar manner to finasteride. This is because high 5AR levels mean more testosterone is converted into DHT, which leads to greater hair loss (4).

Coal Tar: This is one of the most controversial ingredients in medicated shampoo (5) and you’ll find studies both for and against the use of coal tar. I’ve personally read more bad than good about the ingredient, but it’s still been used for many years to help target the symptoms of dandruff such as itching and scaling. The ingredient works by causing your skin to shed dead cells from its top layer, which slows down the growth of skin cells.

Selenium Sulfide: Commonly used in antifungal dandruff shampoo, Selenium Sulfide is an agent that is said to relieve itching and a flaky scalp (6), helping to remove those dry, scaly particles that define dandruff.

Tea Tree Oil: This natural ingredient is probably best known for unblocking pores (7), which is why it’s so commonly found in just about every bathroom cabinet around the world. Many shampoos use Tea Tree Oil because it also has antifungal and antimicrobial properties, helping to wash away oil – so it’s great for an oily scalp – while also helping get rid of dead skin and chemical buildup.

It’s important to note that some of these ingredients may be more effective for certain individuals, depending on the underlying cause of their dandruff. It’s also important to follow the instructions on the product label and use the shampoo as directed for the best results. If you have persistent or severe dandruff, it’s always best to consult with a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Aside from active ingredients like the above, you’ll often see other complementary ingredients designed to nourish the scalp from coconut oil and aloe vera to ginger and rosemary.

How Boss Hunting Chose The Best Anti Dandruff Shampoos In Australia

Success takes trial and error here but you don’t want to be messing around with anti dandruff shampoos that can cause more harm than good for your skin. The following anti dandruff shampoos have been chosen based on use within the Boss Hunting office and compared with online reviews.

Hopefully, there are at least a few on this list that will help you tackle a pervasive issue with dandruff without leaving you with an irritated scalp and those pesky little dandruff flakes that no doubt have you feeling annoyed and embarrassed.

We’ve done our best to ignore any explicitly biased studies, or any reviews that seem disingenuous in our research – in an attempt to help you find the right anti dandruff shampoo for you.

The Best Anti Dandruff Shampoos In Australia – Frequently Asked Questions

Citations

1. Side Effects of Coal Tar, NHS, September 2022
2. What is Shampoo with Salicylic Acid Used For? Healthline, March 2020
3. How Pyrithione Zinc Is Used in Skin Care, Healthline, March 2020
4. Ketoconazole – Uses & Side Effects, WebMD, Undated
5. Anti Dandruff Shampoo – Coal Tar, WebMD, Undated
6. Selenium Sulfide (Topical Route), Mayo Clinic, February 2023
7. Tea Tree Oil, Mayo Clinic, November 2020