No matter which way you slice it, dandruff is embarrassing. Never mind that around 50% of people will experience dandruff at some point in their lives; when it happens, it feels like there's a spotlight on you all the time. You're constantly itching your scalp, it can feel hot and inflamed and, wait, why does your scalp look oily and dry? That's saying nothing about the flakes that seem to follow you everywhere and accumulate on your shoulders.

Dandruff can look gnarly and the cause is even gnarlier: a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia that can become overgrown on your scalp (we all have it, people with dandruff just have more). But this all isn't to say that when you notice dandruff you have to resign yourself to a fungus-filled life like a character in The Last of Us. Don't panic and reach for a dandruff shampoo.

Dandruff shampoos are your best tool in controlling dandruff. They'll usually have ingredients like pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole, all of which are FDA-approved for treating dandruff because they target and kill Malassezia. You'll also sometimes find exfoliating ingredients to help reduce buildup, skin barrier- and microbiome-supporting ingredients to help prevent future fungus overgrowth, and soothing ingredients to calm irritation. While dandruff is an incurable ailment, using a dandruff several times a week can quickly reverse the symptoms and keep everything balanced and dandruff free. As for which dandruff shampoo to use? Well, that's another question -- one we've set out to answer for you here. Remember, a dandruff shampoo might be great, but if you don't want to use it, it won't do you any good. That means everything on this list not only works, but also, you know, cleans your hair and makes it look good like a shampoo should. No matter what kind of hair or dandruff you have, read on to find your best option.