CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 24, 2026--
What is the best over-the-counter treatment for dandruff? Scientists from Head & Shoulders and dermatology experts reviewed evidence at the September 2026 Science of Skin Summit in Austin, TX, suggesting the best treatments must go beyond anti-fungal benefits to reduce scalp irritation and improve scalp’s health – providing sustained dandruff control over time.
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These three holistic benefits are uniquely found in Head & Shoulders’ proprietary shampoo collections, which are designed to break the cycle of dandruff over time through patented zinc pyrithione and proprietary selenium sulfide formulations. This supports why Head & Shoulders is the #1 dermatologist recommended anti-dandruff brand.
The review of available clinical evidence concludes:
“Therapies that address multiple dimensions of scalp health and irritation may provide advantages over reliance on antifungal potency alone,” said Dr. Divya Shokeen, board-certified dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon. “When considering currently available OTC evidence, a well-formulated product with 1% selenium sulfide has the strongest efficacy data for maximum dandruff control, while zinc pyrithione demonstrates important benefits in reducing scalp irritation and maintaining scalp health over time.”
While visible flakes remain the most recognizable symptom of dandruff, research increasingly shows that affected scalps exhibit measurable changes in barrier integrity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. A new Viewpoint article published in JAMA Dermatology in August 2026 highlights the complex interaction of scalp microbiome imbalance, barrier dysfunction, irritation, and inflammation that leads to dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that both selenium sulfide- and zinc pyrithione-based shampoos provide anti-fungal benefits, reduce scalp irritation, and improve scalp health.
Strongest Available Evidence Supports 1% Selenium Sulfide for Maximum OTC Dandruff Control
A series of randomized clinical studies provides a consistent evidence chain supporting selenium sulfide as the strongest evidence-based OTC option for dandruff control:
Taken together, the available evidence suggests that well-formulated 1% selenium sulfide shampoos represent the strongest evidence-based OTC option when maximum dandruff control is the primary treatment objective.
Zinc Pyrithione Offers Proven Performance for Long-Term Management
Dandruff is generally a chronic, recurring condition, so sustained performance matters.
A 48-week randomized controlled study demonstrated that a 1% zinc pyrithione shampoo maintained significant efficacy versus placebo throughout the full study period with no evidence of diminished response over time. Additional research has shown benefits for scalp barrier quality and scalp health biomarkers during ongoing use.
“The best dandruff shampoo is one that people will use consistently over time,” said Dr. KC Locker, Head & Shoulders Senior Scientist. “That is why evaluating products, rather than active ingredients in isolation, is so important. Effective dandruff management requires comprehensive scalp treatment and a product experience that supports continued use.”
What Consumers Should Know
Consumers should consult a healthcare professional when symptoms are severe, persistent, markedly inflamed, or fail to improve with appropriate OTC treatment.
About Head & Shoulders
With more than 60 years of trailblazing innovation in scalp care, Head & Shoulders is the world’s #1 anti-dandruff shampoo, #1 dermatologist-recommended anti-dandruff brand, and the most-awarded scalp care brand** with a broad portfolio of products with cosmetic benefits and solutions for different hair types and scalp concerns. For more information, visit www.headandshoulders.com or follow Head & Shoulders on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at https://www.pg.com/news.
References
Scientific Review Finds Ingredients in Head & Shoulders Shampoos – 1% Selenium Sulfide and 1% Zinc Pyrithione – As the Strongest Evidence-Based Option for Best Over-the-Counter Dandruff Control
Kimi Antonelli insists the Formula 1 title race is “not over” as he takes a vast 81-point lead into this week's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
It looks as good as over, but Baku has sprung surprises before and the 20-year-old Italian was beaten by teammate George Russell in both of Thursday's practice sessions.
A year ago, Baku was where Oscar Piastri's title shot began to fall apart. The Australian was leading the standings when he almost stalled on the grid, dropped to last and crashed, all in the space of about a minute on the opening lap.
That kicked off a run of six races without a podium finish for Piastri, who had to watch the title race become a fight between eventual champion Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.
Antonelli — whose practice was hampered by car problems Thursday — is sounding cautious as he aims to become F1's youngest-ever champion.
“Until you cross that finish line, it’s not over. It’s like tennis, one point at a time, here one race at a time," he said. “The sooner it’s over, the better it is. Still a long way and it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be intense but I’m ready to give my best and to keep having fun.”
There are key differences this year. For one thing, Antonelli’s lead is more than double the biggest advantage Piastri had last year. He’s coming off back-to-back wins, not the team orders controversy which was dogging Piastri and Norris a year ago.
As for Piastri, he says it's “love-hate in some ways” as he returns to a venue where he won in 2024 and endured a nightmare 2025.
“I think probably my best race ever has been at this track and probably my worst race ever has been at this track, so always eventful,” Piastri said.
Antonelli’s teammate George Russell was dominant in both practice sessions Thursday, heading the first by 0.4 seconds and beating second-place Antonelli by 0.552 in the other.
Max Verstappen was best of the non-Mercedes drivers as he went second-fastest in the first session and third-fastest in the second, with the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton close behind in both.
Antonelli's day was disrupted by a hydraulic failure which left his car smoking at the side of the track in the first session. Arvid Lindblad hit a barrier in second practice, causing a red-flag stoppage.
The three British drivers behind Antonelli are all trying to recover from disappointing races at the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago.
Russell all but ruled himself out of the title race after an uncompetitive run to fifth in Madrid, while Norris was left ruing a badly-timed virtual safety car which cost him the win. Hamilton retired, making it five races off the podium for the Ferrari driver.
“I’m going to keep fighting every single race until it’s mathematically impossible, but it doesn’t change how I go about my job," Russell said Wednesday. "There’s obviously a huge deficit, but it’s not even really a consideration right now.”
Red Bull is backing Isack Hadjar's health and his potential in the hope the young French driver develops into one of F1's top talents.
It was a tough day for Hadjar as an engine failure in first practice cost him valuable time to readjust to F1. He went ninth-fastest in the second session.
Hadjar returns for Baku despite saying he still feels pain from the wrist fracture which ruled him out of the last three races. And he has a contract extension to partner Max Verstappen for 2027, too.
Wrist injuries can have long-term consequences. Lance Stroll rushed back from wrist fractures sustained in a preseason cycling crash in 2023 but ended up missing a race after all in 2025 when he needed a follow-up operation to deal with lingering pain.
It's an unusual race week in a very unusual F1 season, as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is held on a Saturday to make way for a national day of remembrance on Sunday. That means Thursday practice and Friday qualifying.
This starts a run of three races in three weeks because of the extra round next week in Malaysia, still carrying branding of the called-off Bahrain Grand Prix.
See AP’s full auto racing coverage here
Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad of Britain walks away after hitting a wall during the second free practice ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
People watch from a balcony as Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad of Britain steers his car during the first free practice ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Williams driver Carlos Sainz of Spain steers his car during the first free practice ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy sits in his car during the first free practice ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia attends a news conference ahead of the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy talks to media ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks through the paddock ahead of the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
