Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength: Ingredients and How It’s Different
Clinical Strength uses 1% selenium sulfide, not the zinc pyrithione in regular Head & Shoulders. Here's what that changes and which variant to pick.
Category: Flakes & Dandruff
Flaking has more than one cause. Dandruff is linked to an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast and usually responds to antifungal actives such as ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide, while a dry scalp needs moisture rather than medication. Telling the two apart is the first step.This section explains dry scalp versus dandruff, itchy scalp, the main anti-dandruff actives and how to use medicated shampoos properly. Start with dry scalp vs dandruff and the ketoconazole shampoo guide, then compare options in our dandruff shampoo guide. Persistent or severe symptoms are worth showing to a dermatologist.
Head & Shoulders: Does It Actually Work? (Zinc Pyrithione Explained)
Head & Shoulders is the default dandruff shampoo, but does it actually work — and is the reformulated version still effective? Here's the ingredient science.
Scalp Care for Curly and Textured Hair: What’s Actually Different
Curly and textured hair changes how sebum, product buildup, and dryness behave at the scalp. Here's what a scalp routine actually needs to account for.
Ketoconazole Shampoo for Dandruff: How It Works and When to Use It
Ketoconazole is the active ingredient in Nizoral and is one of the most evidence-supported topical treatments for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis available without a prescription. Unlike cosmetic anti-dandruff shampoos that reduce visible flaking through mechanical or mild antibacterial action, ketoconazole works by targeting the underlying mechanism of seborrheic dermatitis: the Malassezia yeast that colonizes the […]
Dry Scalp vs Dandruff: 6 Telltale Differences (2026)
Dry scalp vs dandruff: learn 6 telltale differences in flakes, oil, and itch, how to tell which you have, and what often helps each. Informational, not medical advice.
Itchy Scalp: 7 Research-Backed Causes (and Fixes)
Wondering about itchy scalp causes? Explore 7 common, research-backed reasons your scalp itches, gentle ways to soothe it, and when to see a dermatologist.