10 Best Sensitive Scalp Shampoos of 2019

Many men suffer from a sensitive scalp. Not only can it be difficult to find relief from the itch and dry skin, a sensitive scalp that isn’t soothed and cared for can even lead to hair loss if you aren’t careful. The best shampoo for sensitive scalp can help keep both your scalp and your hair healthy.

If you have no idea how to find the best shampoo for sensitive scalp designed for men, we just made it a little easier. From shampoo and conditioner combinations, 2-in-1 formulas, strong but gentle shampoos, or even conditioners meant to accompany your daily shampoo regimen… we cover it all here.

But what makes the best shampoo for sensitive scalp? Take a look at our top 10 choices compared here, then scroll down to see what factors and features we used to determine which were the best out of the hundreds of products out there.

Buying Guide

The best shampoo for sensitive scalp, especially one designed specifically for men, is going to have several similar features. Additional features may help you see more dramatic results or result more quickly, but these are the basics that all sensitive scalp men’s shampoos should have.

Natural Moisture: Many synthetic ingredients added to shampoos and other bath and body products cause more dryness than they claim to get rid of. Be sure to look for a shampoo that has natural oils and botanical extracts. This natural moisture works much better because as a natural product, your skin can more readily absorb and use it.

If you are looking for the right oils and extracts, try looking for tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus extract at the very least. Other ingredients can help provide nutrients for your hair, such as coconut oil.

Hair Type: Many shampoo and conditioner products are designed for use by those with nearly any hair type imaginable. Do you have long, oily hair? Short, dry hair? Somewhere in the middle of both? While choosing a shampoo that is designed for everyone seems ideal, it’s important to realize that the shampoo made for “everyone” may not work for you. However, they are a great place to start.

If you are choosing a men’s shampoo specifically designed for a sensitive scalp, be sure to research if it is best for a certain hair type. Someone with dry hair shouldn’t use one made for oily hair as it will strip even more moisture out of your scalp. If you don’t know what kind of hair you have, stick with the “everybody” option.

Size: Do you usually buy shampoo and conditioner in small, travel-friendly packaging? Do you buy in bulk so you don’t have to buy very often or so you can share with others in the house? Do you want to purchase a large enough size of shampoo so you can truly find out if it helps you or not?

Men’s shampoos, especially those for a sensitive scalp, can come in literally any size packaging. It’s important to stick with what you’re comfortable with trying if you’ve never used it before, make it easier for travel, or save by buying in bulk.

Budget vs. Value: Honestly, it would be hard for a company to promote a product that was out of the range of affordability. The top 10 best shampoos for sensitive scalp that we’ve featured here are ones we consider affordable. However, everyone’s idea of “expensive” when it comes to shampoo is different. When it comes to price, it should be more about the value you get for the price instead of the lowest price.

10 Best Shampoos for a Sensitive Scalp Comparison Table

10 Best Shampoos for Sensitive Scalp: Detailed Review

1. Nizoral A-D Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

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Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is designed to be strong enough to combat itchy and uncomfortable scalp as well as the dandruff that usually accompanies it. Because this itching that causes sensitive scalp is usually caused by an excess of the P. ovale bacteria that is usually found on the scalp, the 1% ketoconazole in this shampoo fights the itchiness and dandruff where it starts.

While having a shampoo or shampoo and conditioner combination that you use every day and adding an addition hair product might seem a tad annoying, this is one hair product you’ll want to invest in if you’re combatting a red, itchy scalp that is sensitive to most products. Because the ketoconazole is fairly strong, if it’s irritating your scalp using it twice a week, feel free to try using it only once per week.

One of the great things about the Nizoral A-D Shampoo is that once you’ve used it often enough to keep the P. ovale bacteria to a reasonable level, you only need to use it as necessary to keep seeing the same great results.

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2. K + S Salon Quality Men’s Shampoo (Top Pick)

Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5.0

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K + S, also known as Krieger + Sohne, is a brand specially designed to help awaken, but also tame, the lion in every man. If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, the K + S Salon Quality Men’s Shampoo is right up your alley. Not only does the tea tree oil it contains help to soothe and nurture a sensitive scalp, the aroma of it naturally awakens your senses.

While not every man will enjoy the light tingling sensation that this salon quality shampoo provides, many will. It helps to make you feel that the shampoo is doing its job while also making you feel both physically and mentally invigorated.

Tea tree oil has many natural benefits, such as reducing inflammation and promoting the healing process with increased blood circulation. This can help to soothe a sensitive scalp while also preventing other items, such as hair styling products, from irritating it. The K + S Men’s Shampoo is cruelty-free and also contains no additives.

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3. KICK Men’s Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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This KICK Active Men’s Shampoo is designed to give you a powerful clean in a gentle way. With natural botanical ingredients like tea tree oil, peppermint, and even rosemary, your scalp gets the deep clean it needs without aggravating your already sensitive scalp.

It’s quite common for some men to see hair loss that is completely preventable. A dry scalp and dry hair can lead to breakage and hair fall. While KICK kicks dryness to the curb it also helps to promote healthy hair growth so you can experience stronger and thicker hair.

If thinning hair isn’t a problem for you, this probably isn’t the best choice. However, if you suffer from a very sensitive scalp and need a deep, dandruff-reducing clean this shampoo can do all of that and help you to improve the overall health of your hair. Plus, you can do it with a color-safe and cruelty-free men’s shampoo.

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4. Dove Men+CareDermacare Scalp A-D 2-in-1 (Best Value)

Editor’s Rating: ?/5.0

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The Men+Care Line from Dove offers men an affordable but manly way to take care of their own bath and body needs such as with body wash, shower scrubbers designed for men, and even hair care products. The Dove Men+CareDermacare Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is specifically designed for men who suffer from a sensitive, dry scalp.

Because a dry, itchy scalp often means dry, unhealthy hair, this formula can give you the strong, thick hair you’re looking for all while soothing your sensitive and irritated scalp. This men’s shampoo is gentle enough to use every day and with the 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner formula, it makes taking care of your hair that much easier.

Even though the Dermacare Scalp shampoo is designed for scalp care, some men may find it’s a little too gentle, meaning that it doesn’t irritate their scalp further, but it may not be strong enough to get rid of the itch and dandruff fully. It’s recommended to give it a try through an entire bottle before trying something stronger, however.

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5. Dr. Witch Naturals RELIEF Shampoo & Conditioner

Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5.0

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If you are tired of living with a dry and itchy scalp, the RELIEF formula shampoo and conditioner from Dr. Witch Naturals can help. Over time, it will help to reduce the redness and bumps that are often signs of a sensitive scalp. Its pH balanced formula helps to improve the health of your scalp without harsh chemicals and other additives.

This shampoo and conditioner, even though it is designed to help soothe an irritated, sensitive scalp, can also lead to thicker, longer hair over time. If your hair is already thick, and already long, but you just need to soothe your scalp, you may not find the most benefit from this particular Dr. Witch Naturals shampoo and conditioner set.

While the shampoo and conditioner products are vegan-friendly, so are the bottled they come in. Dr. Witch Naturals focuses on the all-natural way to provide the best experience. Coconut oil and orange peel oil provide nutrient-rich products while Aloe Vera and other natural botanicals reduce irritation and inflammation.

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6. Proper Invigorating Mint Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

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With both tea tree oil and peppermint oil extracts, the Proper Invigorating Men’s Mint Shampoo works in a completely different way than most others. It’s ideal for most hair types, especially normal or oily types. Plus, the gentle mint scent is clean and fresh.

How does this men’s mint shampoo work differently? The natural tea tree oil acts as a gentle exfoliant. This means that it can clean away build-up from styling products and naturally-occurring oils to help balance the moisture of your scalp. The combination of both tea tree and peppermint extracts can soothe and irritated, sensitive scalp and this can also help to relieve itching and dryness.

This shampoo is ideal for men with a dry, itchy, and sensitive scalp but it also benefits those with thin or thinning hair. With a healthier scalp, you can grow healthier, thicker hair naturally. The Proper brand Men’s Shampoo is also safe for colored hair and contains UV-protectants which are great for those who keep their hair short and need to protect their scalp from sun damage.

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7. Neutrogena T/Gel Daily Control A-D 2-in-1 (Best Budget)

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

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Neutrogena has long been known as a brand that can give your skin, and also scalp, the treatment it needs to look and feel healthy. This T-Gel Daily Control Anti-Dandruff shampoo and conditioner combo help to give prompt relief of the irritating itch of a sensitive scalp.

Pyrithione Zinc is used to relieve the itch and dryness quickly. While it can work effectively when quick relief is necessary, long-term use may not be ideal for everyone as it can lead to dryness. However, the vitamin E in this Neutrogena 2-in-1 formula helps to create a healthier moisture balance in the scalp while wheat proteins provide necessary nutrients and protect hair and scalp from further irritation.

This T/Gel Daily Control formula has a clean, fresh scent that isn’t overpowering while it’s also safe for color-treated hair. If you’re looking for a fast-acting, sensitive scalp shampoo and conditioner, this can help give you the quick results you are looking for.

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8. Jack Black Nourishing Hair & Scalp Conditioner

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

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Sometimes those with a sensitive scalp need a power-hitter of a conditioner to help restore the damage done by harsh styling products and even weather conditions. That’s when it’s time to turn to Jack Black. The Jack Black Nourishing Hair & Scalp Conditioner contains natural and extremely healthy oils, proteins, and vitamins that condition the hair and scalp without weighing it down.

There are no synthetic ingredients in this hair and scalp conditioner, but it does contain vitamin B5, Biotin, silk protein, jojoba oil, peppermint oil, sea kelp extract, basil extract, and even green tea extract. Using this conditioner just once or twice per week can help restore a healthy scalp that’s more resistant to irritating products.

While this hair and scalp conditioner is only a conditioner, it leaves open many options for the shampoo you’d like to pair with it. Many of the best shampoos for men with a sensitive scalp that we’ve featured here will work very well when combined with this conditioner. While this conditioner adds an extra step in the showering routine, it may be exactly what your sensitive scalp needs.

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9. Tame the Beast Eucalyptus Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

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The Tame the Beast company is a relatively new, startup company located in Tennessee. They’ve taken the men’s grooming products industry by storm with effective, natural options. This Eucalyptus Shampoo for men is ideal for those with a sensitive scalp due to the enormous number of nourishing vitamins, proteins, oils, and extracts.

Enormous amount? Yes, an enormous amount. To keep the list short, here are a few of the ingredients used in the Tame the Beast Men’s Eucalyptus Shampoo: tea tree oil, peppermint, oil, Vitamin B & C, caffeine, lavender, guarana, menthol, ginseng. We could go on but there’s not enough room. It’s easy to see how this shampoo can help to soothe a sensitive scalp while also allowing for mental clarity with the aromatherapy scents.

This larger size is helpful especially when you will be sharing it with others. While this Tame the Beast Eucalyptus Shampoo is designed for me, it can just as easily be used by women and the unisex who suffer from the itch and discomfort of a dry, sensitive scalp. The natural tingle gives a fresh, clean feeling with a scent to match.

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10. The Well-Groomed Guy Men’s Dry Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Not all well-groomed men are ready to jump out of bed in the morning and head straight for the office, and important business meeting, or even a day out. This is where The Well-Groomed Guy Men’s Dry Shampoo comes in. With natural and organic ingredients, this lightweight powder easily makes messy, oily hair look like you just spent 30 minutes styling it.

The Men’s Dry Shampoo from The Well-Groomed Guy is made up of a proprietary blend of kaolin clay, rice powder, horsetail powder, and eucalyptus essential oil. The essential oil not only helps to soothe a sensitive and irritated scalp but gives it a fresh, clean scent.

It’s never recommended to use a dry shampoo regularly if you have a sensitive scalp. However, this dry shampoo powder works much differently than spray dry shampoo, a healthier option for both you and the environment. However, we know how helpful dry shampoo can be, so if you’re going to use it why not use one specifically designed for men?

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Tips for Using the Best Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp

Now that you’ve picked out the best sensitive scalp shampoo for you, or even a great shampoo and conditioner combo, it’s important to know how to get the most out of your new investment.

Know the Cause: Believe it or not, a sensitive scalp isn’t only hereditary. While many people do suffer from a sensitive scalp because of bad genes, did you know that your hormones, your diet, and even everyday stress can affect it as well? If you take some time to jot down notes as to what’s going on when your scalp is most irritated, you may find new ways to help reduce the discomfort.

Use a Shampoo Brush: Most people have no idea what a hair scalp massager shampoo brush is, let alone how to use it or why they would want to. A shampoo brush resembles a massager you’d use on your back, only made of soft silicone and much smaller. Place the shampoo brush securely in your hand and use it to work the shampoo into a lather throughout your hair while also massaging away dead skin, oils, dirt, grime, and even built-up styling products.

Conclusion

Using the right men’s shampoo for sensitive scalp won’t just help soothe the irritation and itch you experience. The right shampoo can also help to make hair healthier, thicker, or longer. Some may even help reduce the look of thinning hair or prevent it altogether, at least for a little while.

Each of the 10 best shampoos for sensitive scalp that we’ve featured here offers different benefits with different ingredients. Which is the best for you? Give another look at those reviews to make the best choice.