Pharmacological active
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is an azole antifungal used in medicated scalp products; it has useful evidence for dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, but formula strength and directions matter.
Ingredient explainers · Dandruff cluster
Six ingredients. Six different jobs and evidence limits.
Start with the plain-language role, then inspect the evidence, product context, cautions and unanswered questions.
Cosmetic ingredient
Piroctone olamine
Piroctone olamine is a cosmetic anti-dandruff ingredient used in rinse-off formulas; product-level evidence depends on the blend, concentration, directions and complete vehicle.
Pharmacological active
Selenium sulfide
Selenium sulfide is a medicated anti-dandruff active with controlled-trial support, but strength, suspension vehicle, contact directions and precautions are product-specific.
Ingredient profile
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic ingredient that helps loosen scale. It can make flakes easier to remove, but it does not identify or treat every cause of a flaky scalp.
Cosmetic ingredient
Climbazole
Climbazole is a cosmetic anti-dandruff ingredient commonly used in rinse-off shampoos, often as part of a blend rather than as an isolated active.
Ingredient profile
Zinc pyrithione
Zinc pyrithione is an anti-dandruff ingredient with finished-formula evidence and materially different regulatory treatment across markets.