Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that can cause a scaly rash anywhere on your body, including your scalp. There are a few different types of psoriasis, but plaque psoriasis is the most common. Psoriasis shampoos are designed to target the tell-tale symptoms such as redness, itching, scaling, flaking, and inflammation. People with severe scalp psoriasis often need prescription-strength scalp treatments, but people with mild to moderate psoriasis may get a lot of symptom relief from working a medicated shampoo into their daily or weekly routine. When shopping for a psoriasis shampoo, you want to look for exfoliating ingredients, like salicylic acid or coal tar, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal ingredients, like ketoconazole and selenium sulfide. You also want to look for products that are fragrance-free and non-irritating. However, we already did the work for you—we interviewed multiple dermatologists and researched more than two dozen shampoos designed to manage your scalp psoriasis. There are multiple ingredients that can effectively treat and prevent scalp psoriasis. These include: Our Top Picks Best for Buildup: Best with Coal Tar: Best for Sensitive Skin: Best Shampoo and Conditioner: Best Fragrance-Free: Best with Salicylic Acid: Best for Dandruff: Pros Recommended by many dermatologists Treats psoriasis fast Inexpensive Cons Scent may be off-putting for some Coal tar can stain clothing Active Ingredients: 3% coal tar| Scented: Yes | Best For: Mild to moderate psoriasis When it comes to shampoos for scalp psoriasis, MG217 Psoriasis Medicated Conditioning Shampoo is one of the most popular ones around. Not only does the brand come expert-recommended by the dermatologists we spoke to, but its products have received the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Seal of Recognition for being safe and beneficial, too. This pick is a medicated shampoo with a 3% concentration of coal tar and it gets our best overall award because it's incredibly effective at reducing the worst symptoms of scalp psoriasis. According to Dr. Palm, psoriasis causes the skin cells to grow quickly, resulting in buildup that can turn into dry, itchy, scaly patches that are inflamed. Coal tar helps to minimize scaling by slowing down the growth of skin cells on your scalp and reducing itchiness and discomfort. You can expect reduced itchiness and flaking when using this product, and we like that you only have to use it a few times a week to start seeing results. Plus, it’s pretty affordable. Like most coal tar-based products, this formula does not smell great. It smells a little bit like moth balls, but we think the less-than-pleasing odor is worth enduring a few times per week for a flake-free, non-irritated scalp. It’s also important to note that coal tar can stain clothing and towels, so keep that in mind during application. Pros 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition Inexpensive Cons Not super moisturizing Could be drying for certain hair types Active Ingredients: 3% salicylic acid | Scented: No | Best For: Mild to moderate psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis Our best budget option is from Dermarest because, at under $10 per bottle, we like that it’s a shampoo and conditioner in one. The 3% salicylic acid concentration is balanced out by soothing, nourishing ingredients like green tea extract and kukui nut oil (which has a reputation for being highly moisturizing, too). This means you don’t need to spend a ton to reap Dermarest’s benefits, nor do you have to invest as much in heavy-duty conditioners to repair hair damage, either. Dermarest helps reduce itching and buildup when used at least twice weekly. It has received the National Psoriasis Foundation's Seal of Recognition. Plus, it’s relatively fragrance-free and shouldn’t further irritate your scalp. Like many 2-in-1 shampoos and conditioners, this formula isn’t the most hydrating. Some folks might find this formula to be drying to the hair and scalp, so it’s probably best not to use it every time you wash your strands. Pros Breaks down scaling and buildup National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition Safe for color-treated hair Cons Difficult to lather May leave residue on hair Can be drying Active Ingredients: 3% salicylic acid | Scented: No | Best For: Psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff Breaking up thick, tough plaque on your scalp when you have psoriasis is not an easy task, but our experts recommend Neutrogena’s T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo for anyone with super stubborn buildup. Its 3% salicylic acid concentration helps clear up pesky scaling, and continues to work even after you’ve rinsed it out. Plus, it may even prevent future buildup, too. Also a favorite product of the National Psoriasis Foundation, T/Sal is fragrance-, dye-, and preservative-free and can be used at least twice per week. We love that it doesn’t have a bad smell, and it’s safer for color-treated hair compared to some of its competitors. While it might be slightly drying to some hair types, it’s safer for color-treated hair than some of its competitors. You don’t get a ton of product here (only 4.5 oz.), but it’s inexpensive and doesn’t have a particularly strong or offensive odor. Pros Non-medicated for gentle relief Can be used daily Protects skin barrier Cons Not effective for moderate scalp psoriasis Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, manuka honey, coconut oil | Scented: No | Best For: Mild psoriasis, itchy scalp, mild dandruff Don’t let Wild Naturals’ lack of medicated ingredients in its Eczema Psoriasis Shampoo fool you. It’s loaded with naturally beneficial ingredients and is void of any harsh or irritating ones, making it a solid contender for treating mild cases of scalp psoriasis. It includes ingredients like manuka honey, aloe vera, and coconut oil, which Dr. Ilyas says has gained a lot of attention in skin and hair care products recently. This shampoo has proven emollients that can effectively hydrate the skin, and it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for dry, flaky scalps. Meanwhile, this Wild Naturals shampoo contains no fragrances, sulfates, parabens, dyes, or preservatives, making it relatively safe for people of all ages to use as often as needed. This shampoo will probably not be as strong and effective as other shampoos on this list, as it doesn’t have any active, flake-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, coal tar, or ketoconazole. We think this pick is best for mild psoriasis. Pros Keeps working after you rinse Can be used daily Targets itching and flaking Cons Can be drying to scalp Strong, unpleasant smell Active Ingredients: 1% coal tar | Scented: Yes | Best For: Psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff Neutrogena’s T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo is like the sibling to its T/Sal Shampoo (also featured on this list!), except it’s formulated with coal tar instead of salicylic acid. This means it can really tackle psoriasis symptoms like itching, flaking, redness, and irritation. And while it looks, at first, like it has a lower concentration of coal tar than our best overall pick, MG217, there’s a little bit of a twist. While T/Gel only has a 1% concentration of coal tar, it has a 4% concentration of coal tar extract, which Neutrogena says helps it continue working to fight your symptoms even after you rinse it out of your hair. Unlike its competitors, this pick can be used daily without damaging your hair. If you’ve found that salicylic acid doesn’t do much for your scalp psoriasis, consider trying this formula with coal tar instead. Richard Bottiglione, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermatologist’s Choice Skincare, recommends this pick to his patients often. He likes that this is a milder tar shampoo that works for mild thickening psoriasis and mild dandruff. It’s smelly, can be drying to the hair, and might temporarily darken blonde hair a bit after application. Pros Reduces itching and buildup Formulated for sensitive skin Safe for color- and chemically-treated hair Cons Can be drying to hair Doesn’t lather well Active Ingredients: 3% salicylic acid | Scented: Yes | Best For: Sensitive scalps We chose DHS Sal Shampoo for our sensitive skin pick because it’s free of dyes, fragrances, and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), an ingredient that may cause allergic dermatitis and photosensitivity. It’s formulated to be safe for both skin allergies and people with color- or chemically-treated hair. This 3% salicylic acid concentration helps reduce dryness, itching, inflammation, and scalp buildup. We also love that you don’t have to use it every day; one to three times a week should be enough to see the effects. With just seven ingredients and almost nothing in the way of common allergy irritants, we think DHS Sal Shampoo is a good fit for people with scalp psoriasis and sensitive skin. Similar to other shampoos for psoriasis, this formula is pretty drying on hair and might even cause frizz in some. Additionally, the lather isn’t as impressive as some of the others on this list, so it might take some getting used to when first applying and rubbing into your scalp. Pros Contains salicylic acid and natural ingredients 2-in-1 formula cleanses and conditions Starts working right away Cons Can be drying to hair and scalp Active Ingredients: 3% salicylic acid | Scented: Yes | Best For: Psoriasis, dry scalp, dry hair Another dermatologist-favorite brand, Nizoral is a popular choice when it comes to choosing a psoriasis-friendly shampoo. But what we like about the Nizoral Scalp Psoriasis Shampoo & Conditioner is that it includes all the benefits of a salicylic acid shampoo with all the nourishing benefits of a quality conditioner. Dr. Bottiglione says that he likes this antifungal shampoo because not only is it highly praised by many, but it’s considered to work really well for folks with dandruff or thick psoriasis. We also like that this shampoo-conditioner combination is free from all the major irritants, like sulfates, dyes, alcohol, preservatives, and parabens. Salicylic acid and tea tree oil work together to reduce redness, irritation, and flaking while also soothing the scalp. This Shampoo & Conditioner also contains green tea and a vitamin blend, which boost the product’s conditioning properties. Plus, it starts working right away, relieving some symptoms after the first use. It has a nice, light smell that’s pleasant to use and doesn’t smell medicated or stinky. Although we find this 2-in-1 to be more hydrating than other shampoos for psoriasis, it probably won’t be as moisturizing as your standard conditioner. If you have really dry hair, you might want to add your conditioner to the ends of your hair after using this pick. Pros Reduces itching and buildup No strong odor Safe for color- and chemically-treated hair Cons Difficult to lather Active Ingredients: 3% salicylic acid | Scented: No | Best For: Mild to moderate psoriasis If you have sensitive skin or just don't want to deal with scented products, we like Kenkoderm's Psoriasis Therapeutic Shampoo. Its salicylic acid formula is completely free from any fragrance and is gentle enough for color and chemically treated hair. This shampoo calms itching and dandruff and removes thick, crusty plaque buildup. Dr. Bottiglione recommends this pick for folks with mild psoriasis, dandruff, itchy scalps, and oily scalps. Due to its mild and fragrance-free formulation, it’s a great option for those who may have some sensitivity to the other products. It can be used about twice per week and isn’t as drying as some other psoriasis shampoos. If you really can’t stand the smell of other hair care products, this fragrance-free option works. Not only is this formula a bit difficult to lather, but the bottle is so small. Pros Highest concentration of salicylic acid Easy to apply Cons Salicylic acid concentration may be irritating to some Works better when left on for several minutes Active Ingredients: 5% salicylic acid | Scented: Yes | Best For: Mild to moderate psoriasis High concentrations of salicylic acid can be irritating for some people, but if you’ve got a tolerant scalp and want the most salicylic acid you can find in a shampoo, look no further than Keralyt 5 Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. With a 5% concentration of salicylic acid, Keralyt is designed to smooth and exfoliate rough, scaly, crusty patches of scalp buildup. Keralyt can be used in the shower as a shampoo or applied several minutes before you shower to dry hair as a pre-shampoo treatment. It typically needs to be left on for a while to see the maximum benefits; Keralyt suggests starting with 5 minutes and then working your way up to an hour if your dermatologist approves. It can also be used daily until you see improvement, at which point you may be able to reduce usage. You really need to leave this on for five minutes or longer to actually see results, which some might find annoying. Also, because this formula is made with 5% salicylic acid, it is pretty drying to the hair. We recommend applying it to the scalp and then using a non-medicated shampoo to wash the rest of your hair. Pros Hydrating for your hair and scalp Treats dandruff and psoriasis Cons Might leave hair feeling greasy Active Ingredients: Zinc pyrithione, coconut oil, squalane, sugar kelp extract | Scented: No | Best For: Dry and itchy scalp, dandruff We’re not sure we’ve ever tried a dandruff shampoo that’s as hydrating and luxe-feeling as this one from Jupiter. Unlike some other dandruff or psoriasis shampoos that tend to really dry out your hair, this pick hydrates hair while stopping dandruff in its tracks. It contains 1% zinc pyrithione to reduce dandruff and flakes, as well as squalane, coconut oil, and sugar kelp extract to thoroughly hydrate the hair and scalp. Along with dandruff, zinc pyrithione has been proven to treat psoriasis as well. We love that this formula is safe for color-treated hair and has a nice, subtle fragrance to it, too. It’s gentle enough to use on sensitive skin and won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. Because this formula has a lot of hydrating ingredients, it might leave your hair feeling a tad bit greasy after just a few days. We probably wouldn’t recommend this to anyone with super oily strands. To find the best shampoos for psoriasis, we consulted with multiple dermatologists and searched the web for products that factored in the below: Picking the best psoriasis shampoo for your scalp will depend on a couple of factors, including: We interviewed multiple experts to get their recommendations on the best shampoos for psoriasis, what to look for when shopping for a psoriasis shampoo, how to use them, what to avoid, and what to consider. These dermatologists include: Does psoriasis shampoo work? Psoriasis shampoos can help dislodge scale and reduce inflammation in the scalp as part of an overall management routine, according to Dr. Ilyas. They often work best when used to maintain symptoms that have already been treated with other methods. Regular use of a psoriasis shampoo may improve your symptoms if they are mild, but if they’re more severe, these shampoos on their own may not be as effective in addressing your inflammation and scaling. What shampoos should you avoid if you have psoriasis? Dr. Palm says it’s important to avoid unnecessary irritants like sulfates, fragrances, dyes, and alcohol. When your scalp is already inflamed, cutting down on the amount of added ingredients—especially ones that tend to increase irritation—can make a big difference in the improvement you see when using these products. Daley Quinn is a freelance journalist, specializing in beauty and health, who has contributed to numerous publications, such as Elle, Real Simple, Allure, The Cut, WWD, and more. She also writes for her blog, The Daley Dose. She used recommendations from dermatologists, as well as her own longtime experience dealing with eczema and seborrheic dermatitis, to determine the best shampoos for psoriasis on the market.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwh-best-psoriasis-shampoos-tout-bb9fd627e01840968327190c36d415b5.jpg "Psoriasis Relief Starts Here: These 10 Shampoos Are Dermatologist-Approved to Soothe Your Scalp (1)")
Active Ingredients to Look for in a Psoriasis Shampoo
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Best for Buildup
Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
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Best with Coal Tar
Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo
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Best Shampoo and Conditioner
Nizoral Psoriasis Shampoo & Conditioner
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Kenkoderm Psoriasis Therapeutic Shampoo
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Keralyt Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
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Jupiter Balancing Shampoo
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