After vehemently denying I have dandruff for a long time, I’ve decided to put my mind at ease and gradually come to terms with the fact that I naturally have an oily- and dandruff-prone scalp. Since getting a chemical treatment as a treat for my frizzy, damaged strands and reeling from hair fall, I’ve noticed that my scalp has somehow become even greasier. Oil, sweat, and product build-up happen in quick succession, resulting in an unwelcome feeling of itching and flakiness. All these indicators finally led me down a pathway to finding effective, mild shampoos that I can use twice a week or daily to keep my scalp clean without drying out my already dry and frizzy strands. So, I’ve rounded up 10 of the best mild shampoos that can be used daily.
1. Moisture & Volume
It’s said that using a moisturiser is equally important for oily skin type. Similarly, using a moisturising shampoo ensures that the scalp and hair stay hydrated while gently removing impurities and excess oil or build-up. Sebamed’s Everyday Shampoo is made with plant-based cleansing agents and has a pH balance of 5.5 which protects the scalp and hair’s natural moisture barrier while lifting away sweat and dirt. It also has a mild, pleasant fragrance.
2. Clarifying & Refreshing
Itchiness comes with the territory of having a greasy, sweaty scalp which propels it into the irritation zone. That’s why I love Love Beauty and Planet’s Tea Tree, Peppermint, and Vetiver clarifying shampoo, especially for summer. It has Australian tea tree oil that has antimicrobial properties to lift away bacteria, dirt, and dandruff. The peppermint and Haitian vetiver extracts give the scalp a cooling effect which soothes itchiness, and I also like the subtle earthy, minty scent it leaves behind.
3. Bye Bye, Build-up
Since I cannot part ways with my post-wash hair care products like dry shampoo, hair growth tonic, and shine serums, the cakey build-up of residue and dirt is inevitable. Anomaly’s Gentle Shampoo has a clear gel consistency that works into a rich foam to lift away build-up. It has grapefruit extract which is rich in antioxidants to revive dull strands and rosemary extract to stimulate the scalp, and remove dirt. This shampoo also scores points for sustainability as the shampoo bottle is made of recycled plastic.
4. Hydration Boost
If you’re not a fan of pre-wash oil massages or have dry, frizzy strands, the Shea Moisture Daily Hydration Shampoo is all you need for a boost of moisture and hydration. It’s made with pure virgin coconut oil to stimulate the scalp, coconut milk, which is rich in fatty acids, to repair damage and frizz, and Acacia Senegal to deeply moisturise the scalp and hair. Though this shampoo is good for all hair types, I find it to be excellent if you have curly or wavy hair.
5. Dermatologist-Recommended Dandruff Solution
If you’re way past spending time picking away at flakes from the scalp, then Scalpe’s Pro Anti Dandruff Shampoo will mitigate the urge to keep assessing your dandruff in the mirror every time you comb your hair. This dermatologist-recommended shampoo has anti-fungal properties like ZPTO and climbazole that target dandruff-causing fungi, relieve itching, and prevent flakes. It also has piroctone olamine to improve the hair shaft and reduce breakage.
6. Protein Care
I love budget buys, and when they’re from household brands, it makes the experience all the better. That’s why I recommend Himalaya’s Gentle Daily Care Protein shampoo. It’s a rich cleansing formula that has protein-rich chickpea extract to smoothen and nourish hair cuticles and liquorice to restore the hair’s moisture barrier. It’s great for all scalp and hair types. Moreover, this shampoo also comes in four different sizes, making the 80ml and 180ml travel-friendly options.
7. Keratin-Enriched
If your hair hasn’t completely recovered from chemical treatments and stubborn frizz, it can be intimidating to wash your hair frequently. However, Dr. Batra’s PRO+ Daily Care Shampoo is a great option. It has keratin to repair the hair shaft and reduce frizz, aloe vera to hydrate and moisturise the scalp and hair, and thuja to improve hair growth.
8. Sensitive-Scalp Friendly
To be honest, part of me wanted to try this shampoo because of the brand’s name. Though it was done in jest, I ended up liking the shampoo. I’m on a hair regrowth journey which entails subjecting my scalp to different treatments and scalp-reviving tools. Needless to say, it all left my scalp inflamed and irritated (blame desperation). So, I decided to take a break from it and opted for the Milkshake Daily Frequent Shampoo. This SLS-free shampoo is loaded with milk protein and apple and sunflower extracts to revive dull strands and gently cleanse the scalp.
9. Travel-Friendly Pick
I’m a fan of Juicy Chemistry’s haircare products. Naturally, I had to give the Moisturising Daily Use Shampoo which is also wavy hair-friendly. This vegan composition has rice water to strengthen the hair follicles, oat milk to provide moisture, and fatty-rich argan oil to smoothen the hair and give it a healthy shine. What I also love about this shampoo is that it comes in a 30ml bottle which has become a must-have in my travel and gym kit.
10. With The Goodness Of Salicylic Acid
If you’re a fellow struggler of scalp acne, raise your hand. We know salicylic acid to be an amazing ingredient for the skin for a pimple-free, clear complexion but this chemical exfoliant is equally amazing for the scalp. Salicylic acid deeply penetrates the scalp skin to unclog pores and remove build-up, oil, sweat and acne-causing bacteria. It’s also formulated with Bare Flake Reduction Technology to reduce dandruff and biotin to prevent hair loss.
Be it profuse sweating from the blazing summer sun or the unrelenting humidity during monsoon, our scalp is bound to battle odour, itchiness, and build-up. With these daily-use shampoo recommendations, though, you (and your scalp) can rest assured.
