Heads Up: You're Probably Using Dandruff Shampoo Wrong

Collective groan: There's no current "cure" for dandruff. You can, however, mitigate some of the symptoms (itching, scaling, a sprinkling of flakes), with a designated shampoo—these lathers are potent enough to reduce buildup while easing inflammation on your scalp. Considering seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp (aka dandruff) affects almost half the adult population worldwide1, you might have a bottle or two of your own within reach. 

You don't want to use OTC medicated shampoos just like any other rinse—that's because their main gig is to help with scaling and itching, not to simultaneously cleanse and infuse the strands with nutrients. Ingredients like ketoconazole and selenium sulfide (common lab-derived players in dandruff shampoos) are potent antifungals, sure, but they're not particularly good for the hairs themselves. "[They] can be pretty drying, stripping, and not great for all hair textures," says Landriscina. 

Even natural-leaning dandruff shampoos with clarifying agents like tea tree, salicylic acid, and apple cider vinegar can dry out the strands when used too often. The bottom line? "You're not really meant to wash your hair with these," Landriscina continues. "Dandruff shampoo is for your scalp." 

"The next time you use dandruff shampoo, do this: Massage it onto the scalp, leave it on for two to three minutes, then wash the rest of your hair with whatever shampoo you like," says Landriscina. Especially if you notice some stray flakes sprinkled within the lengths of your hair, a good wash with your usual lather may do the trick—you don't necessarily need to scrub the ends with the same antifungal shampoo.