5 Best Dandruff Shampoos for Men to Ditch the Flakes

Dandruff is just plain embarrassing, no matter how much or how little you’re dealing with. Here at MASC, we know that it’s hard to focus on anything when you have a dry, itchy scalp that seems to leave a flaky trail on your shoulders.

Unlike home remedies or lifestyle tweaks, dandruff shampoos contain active ingredients that work fast and effectively, making them a more reliable and convenient choice.

However, with so many options in the market, the last thing you want is a trial-and-error experience. In this guide, we review 5 of the best dandruff shampoos for men that actually deliver fast results. Recommendations are rounded up with the help of our in-house experts and customer feedback.

Best Dandruff Shampoos for Men: Top 5 Products That Actually Work

The best anti-dandruff shampoos for men should have powerful antimicrobial formulations to help eliminate flaking and also be safe for the scalp. That’s where these products shine:

DS Laboratories Dandrene High‑Performance Anti‑Dandruff Shampoo: Best for fast-acting, clinical-strength relief
Recipe For Men Anti‑Dandruff Shampoo: Best for soothing relief and flake control with refreshing cooling
Brickell Relieving Dandruff Shampoo: Best for natural, organic dandruff control
Jack Black Double‑Header Shampoo + Conditioner: Best for combined cleansing and conditioning
Triumph Disaster Shampoo: Best for deep cleansing and rebalancing a sensitive or oily scalp

These products remove flakes from your scalp, resolve redness and itchiness, and provide maximum hydration.

However, you would ultimately want to settle for a particular product. Therefore, you should consider your hair type, skin sensitivity, and specific dandruff symptoms. Factors like fragrance and texture should also be considered.

That’s why you should know about each of these shampoos in more detail so you can make a more informed decision.

1. DS Laboratories Dandrene High‑Performance Anti‑Dandruff Shampoo

Price: $45
Size: 180ml
Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%, Activated Charcoal, Arginine, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (AZELAIC ACID), 5α-Avocuta® T, Piroctone Olamine, Vitamin E, and Keranat (Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract) among others.

Buy If…

The DS Laboratories Dandrene is one of our bestselling dandruff shampoos for good reasons. Buy if you have persistent, itchy, or stubborn flakes and want fast, medicated relief.

Paired with Dandrene Conditioner, this effective combination guarantees superior control over the flaking, scaling, and irritation caused by dandruff, Psoriasis, and Seborrheic Dermatitis.

It’s ideal for men who want clinical results while still prioritizing premium grooming. The formula’s packed with anti-fungal and exfoliating ingredients, which are perfect for oily or irritated scalps.

2. Recipe For Men Anti‑Dandruff Shampoo

Price: $30
Size: 250ml
Key Ingredients: Prioctone Olamine, Peppermint oil.

Buy If…

This Recipe For Men Anti‑Dandruff Shampoo smells nice and is especially helpful for drier climates, like Calgary.

This dandruff shampoo is best suited for men with dandruff who have an easily irritated or dry and tight scalp, particularly during cold or stressful periods. This one cools and soothes while clearing flakes. So, this shampoo is great for those who wash their hair daily and need a gentler fix for their dandruff.

3. Brickell Relieving Dandruff Shampoo

Price: $30
Size: 237ml and 59ml
Key Ingredients: Ziziphus Joazeiro Bark Extract, Jojoba, Aloe Vera

Buy If…

Brickell Relieving Dandruff Shampoo is ideal for men who are natural grooming enthusiasts or have allergies to synthetic products. It’s packed with aloe, tea tree, and peppermint oils.

Ziziphus Joazeiro Bark Extract is the hero ingredient, rich in vitamins and containing natural antibacterial and antifungal compounds that calm and soften the scalp, relieving itching and flaking associated with dandruff.

Pick this product if you have mild dandruff and still want your haircare to be clean, green, and effective.

4. Jack Black Double‑Header Shampoo + Conditioner

Price: $44
Size: 473ml
Key Ingredients: Creatine, Coconut oil, Rice Seed and White Lupine Protein, Sage Leaf and Peppermint Oil, Organic Kelp, Organic Basil Leaf, and green tea leaves.

Buy If…

The unique thing about the Jack Black Double‑Header Shampoo + Conditioner is that you get the best of both worlds. It hydrates and conditions to improve the overall health of the hair.

Men who prefer a low-maintenance approach and want a single product to do it all will benefit from this shampoo. This is perfect if you want to treat dandruff and condition your hair without an extra step.

5. Triumph & Disaster Shampoo

Price: $48
Size: 500ml
Key Ingredients: Hydrolysed Keratin, Argan Oil, Acacia Concinna, Desert Date, and Gypsophila Root Extract.

Buy If…

If you’ve got a greasy scalp and prefer a deep cleanse with botanical ingredients, Triumph & Disaster Shampoo is a sure bet. It’s ideal for men who sweat profusely or frequently use hair products.

The formula is enhanced with fresh peppermint notes while tazmen pepper actively treats the scalp, the keratin-rich formula ensures volume and structure are kept in balance, and provides damaged hair the chance to recover and rebuild.

How to Use Dandruff Shampoo the Right Way

Before applying the shampoo, soak your hair thoroughly with warm (not hot) water. This opens up your scalp pores and loosens up flakes and oil. It also helps the active ingredients in the shampoo bind better to your scalp.

That said, these tips will help you, especially if you’re new to treating dandruff with shampoos:

Use Enough, Target the Scalp: Many men use too little. Use about a nickel- to quarter-sized amount, depending on your hair length. Focus the application directly on the scalp, not just the hair strands. That’s where the flakes and fungal buildup live.
Massage Gently, But Thoroughly: Use your fingertips (nope, not nails) to massage the shampoo into the scalp. Aim for 60–90 seconds of massage. This helps the active ingredients (such as ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione) penetrate and break down dead skin or yeast.
Let it Sit: Leave the shampoo in for at least 2–3 minutes. Treat it like a scalp mask. Don’t rinse immediately; this contact time is where the medicine actually works.
Rinse With Lukewarm Water: Rinse thoroughly. Any residue left behind can irritate or dry your scalp further. Warm water helps break down oils without stripping too much moisture.
Frequency Matters: Start with 2–3 times per week. If flakes are heavy or chronic, go up to 4–5 times a week for the first two weeks. Avoid overusing the product unless it is specifically labeled as gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Stick With It for at Least 4 Weeks: Depending on the product, you may not see total results in a few days. Most clinical shampoos take 2–4 weeks of consistent use to really reset your scalp.

NOTE: If you notice burning, tightness, or worse flakes, you might be reacting to an ingredient. That’s when you scale back or try a gentler formula.

By the way, our men’s hair products offer the perfect dandruff treatment to restore your confidence and moisturize your scalp. Before checking out, be sure to look through our catalog to find the men’s grooming products you need to look and feel your best. From men’s shaving products to body wash and hair pomade, we have it all.

What Causes Dandruff in Men's Hair? (And Prevention Tips)

As a dermatologist, I see men with dandruff almost every week. One case that stands out is a 27-year-old client who worked in banking. He wore a cap daily on his bike commute and used heavy pomades for slick styles. Within weeks, he developed stubborn flakes and an itchy scalp.

His issue wasn’t poor hygiene. It was a combination of an occluded scalp (from the cap), excess oil, and product buildup that triggered a flare of seborrheic dermatitis.

The main cause of dandruff in men’s hair is a yeast called Malassezia globosa. It’s naturally present on the scalp, but when it feeds on scalp oils (sebum), it releases oleic acid, which irritates the skin, causing inflammation and flaking.

A 2020 study published in the Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology confirmed that Malassezia plays a central role in dandruff by increasing scalp cell turnover and inflammation.

Other common triggers include:

Poor rinsing after shampoo
Using too many hair products
Overwashing
Stress-related hormone changes that affect oil production.

To prevent future outbreaks, keep your scalp clean and balanced. Avoid heavy products, don’t overwash, and give your scalp a breather, literally.

The Bottom Line

There’s a school of thought that any shampoo with ketoconazole as a main ingredient, particularly at a 2% concentration, will work effectively for treating dandruff. While that is partly correct, it goes beyond this ingredient.

The shampoos we reviewed in this guide have powerful antimicrobial formulations to help eliminate flaking and are also safe for the scalp.

The best part is that they are all available for straightforward carting on the MASC store, and you receive free shipping on orders over $ 125 if you’re in Canada or the U.S.

FAQs

How to tell if dandruff is oily or dry?

Oily dandruff flakes are large, greasy, and stick to your scalp or hair; dry dandruff flakes are small, white, and fall off like dust.

Can I use conditioner after dandruff shampoo?

Yes, you can use conditioner after dandruff shampoo. It helps to counteract the drying effects of the shampoo and improve hair manageability. However, apply it only to the ends of your hair, not the scalp, to avoid buildup that can worsen flakes.