We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Haircare Products The 10 Best Shampoos for Psoriasis to Calm Your Itchy, Flaky Scalp Based on testing and dermatologist recommendations, these are the best soothing, moisturizing, and dandruff-fighting shampoos for people with scalp psoriasis. By Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley Sarah Bradley is a writer with six years of experience creating personal essays, reported features, and content related to health and parenting topics. health's editorial guidelines Updated on December 4, 2024 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified general and procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Health.com. He is a seasoned journalist and editor with over two decades of experience, he has held several leadership roles at major publications. health's fact checking process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Know When Shopping for Shampoo If You Have Psoriasis Types of Psoriasis Shampoos Our Testing Process Our Experts Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Health While less common than other scalp conditions like dandruff, psoriasis causes significant discomfort and distress to the roughly 2% of Americans that have it. Many people with scalp psoriasis have difficulty managing its notoriously challenging scales and flaking, but fortunately, there are a number of over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos that effectively combat itching, flaking, and irritation caused by the condition. The severity of your psoriasis will determine how intense your shampoo treatment needs to be, but whether you have mild, moderate, or severe psoriasis, chances are you’ll have to consider the ingredients in any shampoo before you use it. Some shampoos are medicated with ingredients like salicylic acid or coal tar to treat scaly patches and dandruff, while others focus more on emollients (oils) and gentle cleansers, helping you strike the right balance between daily moisturizing and degreasing without irritation. To help you find the best shampoo for your scalp condition, we spoke to board-certified dermatologists and skin specialists, reviewed the National Psoriasis Foundation's approved product list and tested popular shampoo brands at home. Additionally, this story was reviewed by a dermatologist on our Medical Expert Board for accuracy. Here are the products we recommend. Our Top Picks Best Overall: LivSo Moisturizing Shampoo at Amazon $19 Jump to Review Best Budget: Dove DermaCare Anti-Dandruff Shampoo at Amazon $5 Jump to Review Best Coal Tar: Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo at Amazon $70 Jump to Review Best Salicylic Acid: MG217 Psoriasis Scalp Shampoo + Conditioner at Amazon $15 Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Sphagnum Botanicals Psoriasis Shampoo with Peat Mud and Salicylic Acid 3% at Amazon $35 Jump to Review Best Anti-Dandruff: SALE Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo at Amazon $42 $33 Jump to Review Best Moisturizing: Bumble and bumble Seaweed Shampoo at Target $37 Jump to Review Best for Colored or Chemically-Treated Hair: Davines Nounou Shampoo at Amazon $34 Jump to Review Best for Dry Scalp: Klorane Soothing Shampoo with Peony at Amazon $24 Jump to Review Best for Irritation: Mizani Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo at Amazon $31 Jump to Review Best Overall LivSo Moisturizing Shampoo PHOTO: Health $19 at Amazon View on Livso.com Why We Like It We almost chose a medicated shampoo as our best overall pick, but ultimately decided the LivSo Moisturizing Scalp Shampoo was a better choice since not everyone with psoriasis wants or needs a medicated shampoo. But pretty much everyone with psoriasis does need a shampoo that can gently cleanse while nourishing the scalp and combating dryness, itching, and flakes, which is exactly how our tester described the LivSo Moisturizing Scalp Shampoo. Not only did she see immediate improvements to flaking and hair volume after just the first wash, she continued seeing major dandruff relief as long as she used this shampoo correctly. On top of its dandruff-fighting benefits, the LivSo shampoo was easy to lather, had a pleasantly mild scent, and didn’t leave behind any greasy residue or strip the hair of its natural oils too much. Our tester noted that a little goes a long way, which is a nice bonus for a shampoo that’s already pretty budget-friendly, and also appreciated that you don’t have to leave this shampoo in for any length of time—just scrub it in and rinse. It was a breeze to use, left our tester with clean and bouncy hair, and gently improved the overall health of her scalp, making it an all-around reliable choice for people with mild psoriasis who need a daily shampoo. It’s Worth Noting Our tester thought this shampoo would work best for someone who really wants to focus on scalp health or has been battling dandruff; she didn’t notice a lot of improvements to her hair, necessarily, so if your strands are dry or damaged, you might need to look elsewhere. Product Details: Best For: Mild psoriasis Active ingredients: None Health Best Budget Dove DermaCare Anti-Dandruff Shampoo PHOTO: Health $5 at Amazon $5 at Target $7 at Walgreens Why We Like It It’s often recommended that people with psoriasis limit the number of times they wash their hair per week, but that doesn’t work for everyone—and the cost of specialty shampoos can really add up if you’re washing frequently. Dove Dermacare Scalp Dryness and Itch Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is an affordable way to get a clean, healthy, and dandruff-free scalp that performed well in our testing, impressing us with its mild scent, easy lather, and super-moisturizing results. After three or four uses, our tester noticed significantly less scalp itchiness, and between two and four weeks later, he saw a marked decrease in dandruff and flaking. He also felt that the shampoo left his scalp clean and moisturized, and gave his hair a boost of softness and hydration. Overall, this is a budget-friendly and accessible pick (you can find it at most pharmacy chains and big box stores) that works surprisingly well on dry, itchy, flaking scalps. It’s Worth Noting You have to be patient: our tester didn’t notice any immediate results, but saw improvements after a few weeks of use. Product Details: Best For: Mild psoriasis Active ingredients: Pyrithione zinc 1% PHOTO: Health PHOTO: Health Best Coal Tar Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo PHOTO: Walmart $70 at Amazon $25 at Walmart View on Herbspro.com Why We Like It Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Original Formula is formulated with coal tar, a byproduct of coal that helps control scaling, redness, and inflammation. It's been used to treat skin conditions for decades and is also one of only two OTC active ingredients approved by the FDA for psoriasis. We didn’t test this shampoo ourselves, but we chose to include the original formula as our pick for best coal tar shampoo after significant research into similar options. We like that it’s suitable for all hair types and can be used daily or as needed to control flare-ups. If you’ve never used a coal tar shampoo before, it does have a distinct smell that some people find unpleasant, but if you need medicated relief of your psoriasis symptoms, we think the odor is worth it: the T/Gel shampoo is a dermatologist-recommended favorite that provides quick relief and is approved by the National Psoriasis Foundation thanks to its effectiveness in controlling psoriasis symptoms. It’s Worth Noting While it's effective, we recommend caution with use since coal tar can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wearing SPF sunscreen and limiting your time in the sun when using this shampoo is vital. Product Details: Best for: Mild to moderate psoriasisActive ingredients: 0.5% coal tar Best Salicylic Acid MG217 Psoriasis Scalp Shampoo + Conditioner PHOTO: Amazon $15 at Amazon $18 $12 at Walmart View on Walgreens Why We Like It We mentioned that coal tar is one of only two FDA-approved ingredients for psoriasis, but what’s the second one? Salicylic acid, the active ingredient in MG217 Psoriasis Scalp Shampoo + Conditioner. Best known for its use in dozens of OTC acne treatments, salicylic acid can also help break down hard, scaly skin and promote the shedding of psoriasis flakes when used on the scalp. We didn’t test this shampoo, but based on our research we recommend it for mild to moderate psoriasis symptoms. It not only contains a 3% concentration of salicylic acid strong enough to whip your scalp health back into shape, it’s also formulated to soothe and treat dryness and itching thanks to inclusion of chamomile and panthenol, a form of vitamin B5. That means it’s suitable for all hair types and won’t strip your scalp’s natural oils. (FYI, the manufacturer recommends pairing this shampoo with a coal tar-based product for the best results.) It’s Worth Noting Salicylic acid can cause dryness and irritation for some people, so consider starting with a smaller amount and increasing as your body adjusts. Product Details: Best for: Mild to moderate psoriasisActive ingredients: 3% salicylic acid Best for Sensitive Skin Sphagnum Botanicals Psoriasis Shampoo with Peat Mud and Salicylic Acid 3% PHOTO: Amazon $35 at Amazon View on Sphagnumbotanicals.com Why We Like It Not only is Sphagnum Botanicals Psoriasis Shampoo with Peat Mud and Salicylic Acid 3% packed with botanical ingredients, it's also recognized by the National Psoriasis Foundation for its superior efficacy in relieving psoriasis symptoms. It contains a 3% salicylic acid concentration to improve the texture of your scalp, but because it also includes several natural ingredients, it offsets the potential irritation that can happen with salicylic acid shampoos, making it a sensitive skin-friendly way to combat psoriasis. What types of natural ingredients? A high concentration of peat mud to soothe and nourish tender skin, fulvic and humic acids to exfoliate away dead skin cells, and argan and olive oils to increase hydration and reduce irritation. Though we didn’t test this shampoo ourselves, we appreciate that it’s free from sulfates and other harsh chemicals, adding to its potential as a strong candidate for people with sensitive skin. We also like that it works quickly to address itching and flaking, since it does take some time to break down plaques and heal intense irritation or swelling. It’s Worth Noting This shampoo is a bit pricey compared to other items on our list, though we think the price tag is worth it if you're interested in an eco-friendly, nature-inspired solution. However, if your scalp is very sensitive, you may need to choose a product with no salicylic acid at all. Product Details: Best for: Moderate to severe psoriasisActive ingredients: 3% salicylic acid, 10% peat mud Best Anti-Dandruff Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo PHOTO: Health $42 $33 at Amazon $31 at Dermstore View on Sachajuan.com Why We Like It Most of the time, medicated shampoos for psoriasis only contain one active ingredient, but Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo contains several different ingredients—two antifungals, piroctone olamine and climbazole, as well as salicylic acid—to fight dandruff and break down buildup. It’s also packed with botanical ingredients like rosemary oil, menthol, and ginger to cleanse and heal the scalp even further. In testing, we were impressed by how well this shampoo treated years of constant dryness, itching, and flaking just one week into the test period. It lathers nicely, smelled great, and got rid of buildup without stripping away the hair’s natural oils. On top of being gentle but effective, our tester also noticed that her hair quality improved, appearing fuller and shedding less after showering. The combination of Sachajuan’s medicated and botanical ingredients blends well and leaves both scalp and hair in better condition. It’s Worth Noting This shampoo is a bit of splurge and comes in a fairly small bottle, but we were so impressed by its effectiveness we think the splurge is worth it… for most people. Some of its active ingredients are antifungal, i.e. designed to fight dandruff, so it may not be worth the splurge for you if dandruff isn’t your main concern. Product Details: Best For: Mild psoriasisActive ingredients: Piroctone olamine, climbazole, salicylic acid PHOTO: Health / Sarah Roberts PHOTO: Health The 13 Best Dandruff Shampoos to Keep Flakes and Itching at Bay Best Moisturizing Bumble and bumble Seaweed Shampoo PHOTO: Sephora $37 at Target $37 at Ulta $34 $26 at Walmart Why We Like It Featuring three different kinds of seaweed for an ultra-balancing and hydrating effect, the Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Shampoo stood out among some of the other shampoos we tested for just how easy it was to use on top of its nourishing benefits. Our tester’s naturally wavy hair was often dry and her scalp had some dry, itchy spots, but after using the seaweed shampoo four times per week for the test period, her hair felt perfectly clean: not too stripped and not too greasy, plus soft, shiny, and manageable. It repaired damage and smoothed frizz, boosting her hair’s hydration with every wash. As for scalp benefits, our tester noticed those right away, too; her scalp felt refreshed and free of irritation or flaking. In fact, she called the shampoo a breath of fresh air for her scalp and said it was a total game-changer for her wash routine. It’s Worth Noting Our tester didn’t have much to say about what she didn’t like about this shampoo, but we think it might work best for someone who needs just as much hair repair as scalp repair, since it’s technically not designed to treat psoriasis or even dandruff. That said, a little bit of this shampoo goes a long way, making it an affordable option for people who wash their hair multiple times per week. Product Details: Best For: Mild psoriasis Active ingredients: None Health Best for Colored or Chemically-Treated Hair Davines Nounou Shampoo PHOTO: Health $34 at Amazon $34 $16 at Sephora $34 at Nordstrom Why We Like It It can be a challenge to find a psoriasis-friendly shampoo that addresses your symptoms, but it’s especially tough if you also have color- or chemically-treated hair that shouldn’t be exposed to certain ingredients. We love that Davines NOUNOU Shampoo is designed to restore brittle hair and dry scalps back to health while also being safe for all types of treated hair, including bleached, permed, and relaxed. In testing, we found this shampoo to be a gentle but effective way to cleanse hair and hydrate the scalp, lathering easily into a foam and rinsing out with any residue. Our tester was confident this shampoo could be used every day, if necessary, and specifically noted that it had no impact on her colored roots. It left her hair bouncier, shinier, and easier to manage and brush out. As for her scalp, our tester said it always felt freshly washed but not overly stripped down, and was never itchy or irritated. It’s Worth Noting This shampoo probably works best for people with mild psoriasis only, since it isn’t formulated specifically with any scalp concerns in mind. But if you have a dry, itchy scalp and treated hair, it’s one of the best everyday options around for hydrating your scalp, preserving your hair treatment, and improving the overall health of your hair. Product Details: Best For: Mild psoriasis Active ingredients: None Health Best for Dry Scalp Klorane Soothing Shampoo with Peony PHOTO: Health $24 at Amazon $24 at Dermstore View on Kloraneusa.com Why We Like It If your scalp is dry but the idea of using a heavy, occlusive moisturizing shampoo makes you worry about buildup, Klorane Soothing Shampoo with Peony is formulated to help you achieve the perfect pH scalp balance. Peony extract works to provide immediate scalp relief that lasts for up to 24 hours, while the absence of any sulfates, parabens, or silicones goes a long way toward preventing irritation. Our tester vouched for the gentle but powerful cleansing abilities of this peony shampoo, noting that her scalp looked healthier along her hair part after just one use. From there, she noticed even more improvements to her scalp health, seeing dry, itchy spots and areas of buildup literally disappear within the first week of testing. She also observed a few minor improvements to her hair as well, finding it soft and smooth. It’s Worth Noting Our tester reported that this shampoo is thick and doesn’t lather very well, so she needed to apply it in sections and used more product than she normally would to shampoo her whole head. Product Details: Best For: Mild psoriasis Active ingredients: None Health Best for Irritation Mizani Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo PHOTO: Health $31 at Amazon $31 at Sephora View on Mizani.com Why We Like It Blending botanical ingredients with the active ingredient pyrithione zinc, the Mizani Scalp Care Dandruff Shampoo gets rid of flaking while restoring necessary moisture to the scalp and soothing itching. We appreciate that it contains a dedicated anti-dandruff ingredient but takes care—through the use of cucumber and peppermint—to improve the overall health of the scalp and prevent future irritation. In fact, a calmer scalp was exactly what our tester reported when she tried the Mizani Scalp Care Shampoo, saying that not only did her scalp feel healthier after the first wash, it continued to feel that way for the length of the testing process. The shampoo soothed itching and reduced irritation, relieving the scalp problems our tester had experienced for years. Her hair felt softer and looked shinier, too, and she had zero issue lathering up her thick curls or rinsing this shampoo out without residue. It’s Worth Noting Our tester mentioned that her hair felt a bit “squeaky clean” after using this shampoo, though the use of a conditioner helped it feel soft and smooth. If you’re hoping to avoid using a conditioner, you might find this one somewhat too cleansing. It also needs to be left on for a few minutes in the shower for best results. Product Details: Best For: Mild psoriasis, dandruffActive ingredients: Pyrithione zinc 1% What to Know When Shopping for Shampoo If You Have Psoriasis The exact cause of scalp psoriasis is unknown, but the condition is believed to be an autoimmune disorder where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. Over-the-counter shampoos can’t cure the condition but they can help manage scalp psoriasis symptoms in mild to moderate cases, but it’s important to know what to look for and avoid when shopping for one. Active Ingredients: Some people need to use a psoriasis shampoo with medicated ingredients like salicylic acid or coal tar, which help reduce thick, scaly patches, ease itching and irritation, and reduce inflammation and flaking. Some need to focus exclusively on fighting dandruff, and might benefit from a shampoo with selenium sulfide or piroctone olamine. Other people simply need to soothe a dry, itchy scalp or avoid harsh products that cause psoriasis flares; shampoos containing lactic acid, vitamin E, or emollients like coconut oil can nourish hair follicles, cutting down on flaking and scaling, while preventing further damage. Severity of Symptoms: The severity of your scalp psoriasis symptoms will help determine which shampoo you should use. Mild psoriasis (sections of scales or plaques with little or no inflammation) can be treated with a gentle cleansing formula containing soothing emollients and, if necessary, low concentrations of salicylic acid. Moderate psoriasis (scaly plaques with moderate inflammation) responds well to shampoos with at least 2% salicylic acid or a combination of salicylic acid and coal tar. Severe psoriasis (thick, inflamed scaly plaques that can cause serious discomfort) is best treated by a dermatologist because it may require prescription medications. Hair Type: Your hair type also plays a role in your psoriasis shampoo selection. People with oily or greasy scalps should look for products designed specifically to address these issues while targeting psoriasis symptoms: this can include shampoos with tea tree oil, menthol, and coal tar to reduce grease while treating the psoriasis scales. People with dry or sensitive scalps should look for shampoos with emollients to soothe and moisturize while avoiding harsh chemical ingredients like sulfates and parabens; stick with natural oils and vitamins, like coconut oil, vitamin C, vitamin E, or aloe vera. Health Types of Psoriasis Shampoos While medicated shampoos are a top pick for many people with psoriasis, they can’t address the scalp care needs of everyone with psoriasis. Some people have only mild psoriasis, or have a hair type that’s not compatible with medicated shampoos. Plus, some medicated shampoos should only be used once per week, so you may need to find other gentler, psoriasis-friendly shampoos to use in between medicated treatments. Medicated: These shampoos contain an OTC ingredient designed to break up scales or plaques, reduce dandruff or flaking, or decrease inflammation. Two common ingredients found in psoriasis shampoos are FDA-approved for the condition: salicylic acid and coal tar.Anti-dandruff: Many people with psoriasis experience flaking, or dandruff, and utilize anti-dandruff shampoos to improve the overall health of their scalp. Typical anti-dandruff ingredients include selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc, piroctone olamine, and natural ingredients like tea tree oil.Soothing: Sometimes, all that’s needed to soothe the itchiness, dryness, and flaking of scalp psoriasis is a shampoo with rich, nourishing, and hydrating ingredients that soothe irritation and return needed moisture to the scalp. Emollients like coconut, argan, and almond oil can soothe and hydrate, while botanical ingredients like seaweed, aloe vera, and peat mud calm and balance inflamed scalps. Our Testing Process Our testers used 16 different shampoos designed to relieve dry scalp and symptoms of psoriasis at home for three months, washing their hair with these products at least once or twice per week. These are the attributes we tested for over three months of use with each shampoo. Cleansing: All of our testers evaluated the cleansing ability of each shampoo, considering how their hair felt after shampooing (i.e. greasy, stripped down, perfectly clean), and whether it was gentle or harsh, causing irritation. Our testers with color-treated hair also made note of whether the shampoo caused their color to fade prematurely.Effectiveness: Our testers assessed each shampoo’s effectiveness both right away—after the first use—and after several weeks of use, paying special attention to a product’s effect on inflammation, irritation, flaking, and itching. We also asked our testers to note if they experienced any changes to the texture of their hair during the testing period.Hydration: We assessed how moisturized and nourished each shampoo left our scalp and hair feeling after each use, making note of any damage repaired, brittleness, dryness, or softness observed, and any decrease in frizz.Application: Our testers evaluated how easy it was to lather and work each shampoo into their hair, how much they needed to use in order to get their hair clean, and the strength of the scent profile. They also noted whether they thought each shampoo could be gentle enough for daily use. Our Experts In addition to reviewing numerous psoriasis shampoos, testing several products at home, and comparing our top picks with the list of products approved by the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition, we also spoke to expert dermatologists to make our final determination about which products were worth recommending. Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York Melinda Asfaw, PA-C, a physician assistant at Novant Health’s Northlake Dermatology in Huntersville, North Carolina Alain Michon, MD, CCFP-EM, the medical director at the Ottawa Skin Clinic, a medical aesthetics and skincare clinic in Ottawa, Ontario Quynh-Giao Sartor, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Houston, Texas Health Your Questions, Answered What shampoos should you avoid if you have psoriasis? There's no one particular shampoo a person with psoriasis should avoid, according to Quynh-Giao Sartor, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Houston, Texas. Dr. Sartor recommends avoiding shampoos with harsh chemical ingredients, such as sulfates and parabens, because they can trigger or worsen existing scalp inflammation. Shampoos with ketoconazole, fragrances, or alcohol should also be avoided since they can be overly drying for some people. How often should you wash your hair if you have psoriasis? While wash frequency depends on your hair type and lifestyle, people with psoriasis should not shampoo more often than every other day because frequent washing can strip the scalp of its natural oils and cause dryness and irritation. Dr. Sartor recommends washing every two to three days. Frequent washing can strip the scalp of its natural oils and cause dryness and irritation. Who We Are Sarah Bradley is a writer for Health with experience writing shopping guides on everything from dry skin moisturizers and wart removers to menstrual cups and toothbrushes. She frequently covers skin health and sensitive skin products, and understands how important it is for people with chronic conditions to have access to safe, reliable, and well-vetted product recommendations. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 1 Source Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Psoriasis Statistics. National Psoriasis Foundation.