While there are many beauty products formulated with sensitive skin in mind, especially for the face and body, narrowing down the best shampoos for sensitive scalp can be tricky. For one, there just aren't as many options. But people with sensitivities must consider gentle scalp treatments — shampoo included — to avoid any sort of irritation or reaction.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Nécessaire The Shampoo, $28
- Best Sulfate-Free: Kristin Ess Extra Gentle Shampoo for Sensitive Skin + Scalp, $11
- Best for Dandruff: Head & Shoulders Shea Butter Shampoo, $6
- Best Fragrance-Free: Vanicream Shampoo, $11
- Best for Dry Hair: Serge Normant Meta Silk Shampoo, $20
- Best for Dry Scalp: DHS Clear Shampoo, $17
- Best for Curls: SheaMoisture Wash 'N Go Shampoo, $9
According to Michele Farber, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Philadelphia, PA, "sensitive scalp is an umbrella term to describe stinging, burning, itching, and other similar symptoms on the scalp." This can encompass a broad range of conditions, such as contact dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and certain types of alopecia, she says — not to mention a red or flaky scalp. And even headaches, nerve damage, and physical and emotional distress can contribute to sensitive skin on the scalp. "Common causes of irritation on the scalp include fragrances, as well as detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate," Dr. Farber adds.
With all this in mind, Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Branford, CT and professor at Yale School of Medicine, says that those with sensitive scalps should avoid "sulfates and other harsh surfactants that can strip the skin of natural oils and compromise skin health." As such, she recommends shopping for shampoos formulated with anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as coconut oil. She also recommends "humectants such as glycerin to pull in hydration and shea butter to enhance scalp and [hair] cuticle health."
To help you maintain a healthy scalp-care routine, we've rounded up the best shampoos for sensitive scalp, including derm recommendations and favorites from Allure editors.
Best Overall: Nécessaire The Shampoo
Why It's Worth It: Nécessaire is known for its nourishing body-care products, but don't sleep on the brand's signature shampoo. It's both hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic (meaning it won't block pores) and has an impressive ingredient list, which includes moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid, niacinamide (which has been shown to help with hair thickness and fullness), strengthening vitamin B5 (a.k.a. panthenol, and hydrating aloe extract.
Editor Tip: The shampoo has been awarded a Seal of Approval from the National Eczema Association and a 2022 Allure Best of Beauty Award, along with The Conditioner.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3, vitamin B5 | Who It's For: All hair types
Best for Dandruff: Head & Shoulders Shea Butter Shampoo
Why It's Worth It: You don't have to sacrifice healthy, hydrated hair to treat an itchy scalp. This 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner (which won for its ability to defeat dandruff, along with its complementary conditioner) pairs pyrithione zinc, which calms scalp irritation and reduces redness and itchiness, with shea butter to nourish curls at the same time. The payoff? Soft, smooth hair even before you get to conditioner.
Editor Tip: This anti-dandruff shampoo does contain sulfates and fragrance, in case you have a known sensitivity.
Key Ingredients: Pyrithione zinc, shea butter | Who It's For: People with dandruff
Best Fragrance-Free: Vanicream Shampoo
Why It's Worth It: "Vanicream Shampoo is free of fragrances and other common irritants that can contribute to sensitive scalp[s]," says Dr. Farber. Although the formula is lanolin-, paraben-, phthalate-, and sulfate-free, it is enriched with glycerin for added hydration, making it ideal for dry scalps.
Editor Tip: The matching conditioner also contains “gentle ingredients that work as an emollient to condition the hair and prevent tangles,” says New York City board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol | Who It's For: People sensitive to fragrance and other potential allergens
Best Scented: Kristin Ess Extra Gentle Shampoo
Why It's Worth It: While it does have a subtle scent, this gentle cleanser is best suited for — you guessed it — people with sensitive skin. Its formula, which is both color- and keratin-safe, helps moisturize, soften, and smooth the hair. Ingredient highlights include glycerin, fatty acid-packed avocado and castor seed oils, and mango seed butter, the latter of which is rich in vitamins A, C, and E.
Editor Tip: Pair it with the conditioner for the brand's signature Zip-Up Technology, which is described by the company as a "proprietary strengthening complex" that targets split ends, weak areas, and damaged cuticles.
Key Ingredients: Castor seed oil, mango butter, avocado oil | Who It's For: People who want a scented option
Best for Dry Hair: Serge Normant Meta Silk Shampoo
Why It's Worth It: Diane Madfes, MD, a New York City board-certified dermatologist and professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, recommends the Serge Normant Meta Silk Shampoo to support scalp health. According to the dermatologist, its formula — enriched with glycerin and camellia seed oil, which is high in vitamins A and C — "clean[s] the scalp and hairs while maintaining moisture."
Editor Tip: Unlike some sulfate-free formulas, this one builds to a satisfying foam.
Key Ingredients: Phospholipids, tsubaki oil, cedar bark extract | Who It's For: People who get chemical or color services
Best for Dry Scalp: DHS Clear Shampoo
Why It's Worth It: According to Dr. Farber, the DHS Clear Shampoo “gently cleanses” while being pH-balanced, meaning it can help balance your scalp's pH levels. (Put simply, when your skin deviates from its natural pH, it could trigger inflammation and skin conditions like eczema.) This scalp shampoo's fragrance-free formula helps eliminate flakes, product buildup, and other impurities, leaving your hair soft, clean, and shiny.
Editor Tip: It's not necessarily color-safe, so you might want to avoid it if you don't want fading.
Key Ingredients: Sodium laureth sulfate, cocomidoprooul betaine | Who It's For: People prone to flaking and build-up
Best for Curls: SheaMoisture Wash 'N Go Shampoo
According to Dr. Gohara, the SheaMoisture Wash 'N Go Shampoo has "all the right actives" to keep hair "healthy but also looking good." Its ultra-hydrating formula — which features smoothing and moisturizing shea butter and a blend of coconut, baobab, and sweet almond oils — is especially ideal for folks with curly hair.
Editor Tip: You can also buy the Wash 'No Go Shampoo and Conditioner duo.
Key Ingredients: Coconut milk, plant peptides | Who It's For: People with curls and coils
Best for Natural Hair: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra-Soothing Shampoo
The Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, which means it's suitable for even the most sensitive scalps. Its nourishing formula features soothing aloe vera, fatty acid-rich oat milk, and antioxidant-spiked green tea — on top of some mainstay hydrating ingredients we love, like glycerin, panthenol, and meadowfoam. It's also free of essential oils to avoid any chance of irritation on that front.
Editor Tip: The ingredients have antimicrobial benefits to deep-clean the scalp.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, oat milk, green tea extract | Who It's For: People with natural or textured hair
Best for Damaged Hair: Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Gentle Shampoo
Those with easily irritated scalps should incorporate The Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Gentle Shampoo into their hair-care routine, stat. This fragrance-, dye-, and paraben-free shampoo is even suitable for use on keratin-treated hair. It also contains exfoliating salicylic acid, which can help with an oily scalp. Plus, with ingredients like amodimethicone and hydrolyzed elastin – which cosmetic chemist Ginger King notes are conditioning and moisture-boosting, respectively — it's gentle enough for people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
Editor Tip: Kingsley originally formulated this for his wife while she battled breast cancer and endured chemotherapy sessions.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea extract, piroctone olamine | Who It's For: People with damaged hair and sensitized scalps
Best for Frizz: The Honest Company Purely Sensitive Shampoo + Body Wash
The Honest Company Purely Sensitive Shampoo is gentle enough for the whole family (babies, too!). Featuring a slew of key moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, aloe, shea butter, and glycerin, this fragrance-free, hypoallergenic shampoo is specially formulated to soften hair while simultaneously taming frizz.
Editor Tip: This moisturizing shampoo is also tear-free, making it great for kids.
Key Ingredients: Aloe, chamomile extract | Who It's For: People who need frizz control, or want something for the whole family
Best for Fine Hair: Klorane Ultra-Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk
For lightweight, shiny-looking hair, look no further than the Klorane Ultra-Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk. The formula's hero ingredient, oat milk, is known for its skin-soothing properties. Plus, according to Dr. Gohara, "oats can reduce inflammation and also be cooling." It's also gentle enough to use on babies.
Editor Tip: Simply lather it on, leave for two to three minutes, and rinse.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, oat extract | Who It's For: People with fine or thinning hair, as well as kids
Best for Oily Scalp: Bumble and Bumble Gentle Shampoo
Why It's Worth It: This hydrating shampoo cleanses without stripping hair of essential moisture — in fact, it proactively delivers moisture with a combination of avocado oil and glycerin. Nettle extract serves as an astringent, removing excess oil from the scalp without causing irritation. However, it does contain sulfates and fragrance, which is worth keeping in mind if you're sensitive to those ingredients.
Editor Tip: You can use it daily without risking hair or scalp dryness.
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, nettle leaf extract, glycerin | Who It's For: People with oily hair and scalps
Best for Colored Hair: Pureology Strength Cure Sulfate Free Shampoo
Why It's Worth It: This won a 2023 Best of Beauty Award for its ability to protect hair against fading and breakage, thanks to its antioxidants and UV filters. It builds to a rich lather and repairs damaged hair as it cleanses, leaving it soft and strong. It's also free of sulfates, and won't leave your scalp feeling tight or dry.
Editor Tip: Because of its fortifying properties, it's a great option for chemically treated hair, too.
Key Ingredients: Keravis, astaxanthin, arginine | Who It's For: People who regularly color or chemically treat their hair
Read more on our favorite hair-care treatments:
- TikTok-Favorite K18 Just Launched Shampoos, and Yes, They're Just as Good as the Mask
- The Best Hair Masks for Repairing Damage, According to Allure Editors
- This $34 Hair Oiling Treatment Gave Me the Shiniest Hair of My Life
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