When it comes to acne, nowhere on your body is safe — breakouts can appear on your scalp or hairline, felt, but not seen. As its name suggests, scalp acne consists of whiteheads and blemishes directly on the scalp caused by excess sebum, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Steven Shapiro, founder of Shapiro MD hair care line.
We interviewed dermatologists and hair experts about the best ways to treat and prevent scalp acne, including which ingredients to look out for and avoid, along with our go-to product recommendations.
SKIP AHEAD Best scalp acne shampoos and treatments in 2025 | How to shop for scalp acne shampoo| Why trust NBC Select?
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The best scalp acne shampoos and treatments in 2025
These eight products are made with common pimple-fighting ingredients, including salicylic acid and glycolic acid, and come recommended by the doctors and hair experts we consulted. Regardless of which product you use, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessie Cheung, MD says that you may notice a drying effect “immediately,” but don’t worry — scalp acne can take a few days to heal.
Best overall: Dove Dermacare Shampoo
- Very affordable
- pH-balancing formula
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Not unscented
When board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner suggests Dove Dermacare for his patients who want to address scalp acne. It contains zinc pyrithione, which lowers yeast on the scalp, reduces inflammation and decreases the number of scalp bumps, pimples and flakes, according to Zeichner. He suggests letting it sit on the scalp for five minutes before rinsing to “allow it enough contact time for it to do its job.” It also comes recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, who lauds its “mild” formula that “can decrease yeast on the skin without causing irritation.”
Active ingredients: zinc pyrithione
Best splurge scalp acne shampoo: CLn Shampoo
- Skin-balancing formula
- More expensive than other options
Cheung recommends CLn’s shampoo because it has salicylic acid, a common hair and skin care ingredient that helps to unclogs hair follicles and remove excess sebum. Though this shampoo is more expensive than the drugstore options on this list, Cheung feels its gentle lather that cleanses your scalp without over-drying makes it a worthy investment. Plus, it has a 4.3-star average rating from 4,678 reviews on Amazon.
Active ingredients: salicylic acid
Best scalp acne shampoo for oily hair: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo
- Gentle on hair
- Can leave scalp feeling dry
For those with oily hair, King also likes Garnier’s Pure Clean Shampoo, which has a 4.5-star average rating from 20,073 reviews on Amazon. Salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the scalp and remove residue, she says, and it also contains niacinamide, which helps support scalp health. It’s also formulated with glycerin and aloe, which King says hydrates and soothes the scalp.
Active ingredients: salicylic acid, niacinamide
Best scalp acne shampoo for dry scalps: Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
- Works after a single use
- Formula can be drying
Jaliman recommends Neutrogena’s T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo due to its salicylic acid formula and 4.5-star average rating from 11,612 reviews on Amazon. T/Sal is also dermatologist Dr. Rina Allawh’s favorite shampoo option for dandruff in our guide to the best shampoos for every scalp and hair type, because it’s “a powerful keratolytic, meaning it helps to remove the thick scale from the scalp,” she says.
Active ingredients: salicylic acid
Best color-safe scalp acne shampoo: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
- Relieves general scalp irritation
- Treats and softens hair
- Has a strong scent
Certified trichologist (hair health expert) William Gaunitz calls this highly rated shampoo — it has a 4.7-star average rating from 59,703 reviews on Amazon— a “go-to” for scalp acne. The paraben-free, color-safe shampoo relies on tea tree oil, which Cheung also notes decreases surface bacteria, to rid hair of impurities and soothe the scalp, according to the brand.
Active ingredients: tea tree oil
Best scalp acne dry shampoo: Carter + Jane
Carter + Jane Scalpfix
- Quick and easy to use
- Can also be used as a toner
- Not as effective for severe cases
Zeichner recommends using Carter + Jane’s Scalp Fix dry shampoo if you’re unable to shampoo your hair frequently. Witch hazel and peppermint oil help soothe the scalp and remove excess oil, according to Zeichner, which can improve both flakes and scalp acne. It’s also formulated with rosemary oil, which he says has astringent benefits. Plus, it has a 4.5-star average rating from 155 reviews on Carter + Jane.
Active ingredients: witch hazel, peppermint oil, rosemary oil
Best scalp acne treatment gel: Differin
Differin Acne Gel
- Safe for sensitive skin and all skin types
- Helps to treat scarring left behind by acne as well
- May take longer to see results
- Messy application process
Before you ask — yes, you can use acne spot treatments formulated for your face on your scalp. Cheung notes that these treatments might be “messy,” because they likely won’t blend into your hair, but says they’re still functional against scalp acne “in a pinch.” Differin, which has a 4.5-star average rating from 83,010 reviews on Amazon, utilizes adapalene, a popular retinoid known for treating blackheads, teen acne and adult acne. The brand says results are not immediate, but can take up to twelve weeks for acne to be significantly reduced.
Active ingredients: adapalene
Best tea tree oil scalp acne shampoo: Ovante
Ovante Folliculit Solution Shampoo
- Can help with scalp pain relief
- Very strong smell
- More expensive than other options
This shampoo is great for treating scalp acne because it is formulated with tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman. It also has lactic acid, a popular type of alpha hydroxy acid, that helps unclog pores, she says. Ovante advises using one to two tablespoons of shampoo on your wet hair and scalp and letting it soak for up to five minutes before rinsing. This option has a 4.0-star average rating from 1,768 reviews on Amazon.
Active ingredients: lactic acid, sulfur, tea tree oil
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How to shop for scalp acne shampoo
Clarifying shampoos help to remove buildup on your scalp, says Cheung. She and other dermatologists recommend focusing on specific ingredients when shopping for shampoos, gels, sprays and other scalp acne treatments.
Ingredients to look for
King says that salicylic acid is key: “It penetrates into pores to gently exfoliate and remove excess oils,” and is an “excellent comedolytic,” meaning it inhibits the formation of blemishes. “If you are prone to acne on the scalp and/or body areas adjacent to the scalp, then try a shampoo that contains salicylic acid.”
Cheung is also a fan of hair care products that utilize tea tree oil, sulfur and benzoyl peroxide, all of which “decrease surface bacteria.” Shampoo made with coal tar “decreases inflammation while exfoliating the scalp” and dandruff shampoos will minimize oil production, adds Cheung.
Lastly, Zeichner recommends keeping an eye out for zinc pyrithione, which he says “helps lower levels of yeast on the scalp that contribute to pimples to begin with.”
Ingredients to avoid
As for the worst ingredients in acne shampoos, Cheung cautions against:
- Sulfates, which produce lather to clean the scalp but “can cause excessive drying which leads to irritation,” she says.
- Dimethicone, which smoothes dry hair but can cause build up on the scalp.
- Triclosan, a “controversial antimicrobial” because it can act as a hormone disruptor, says Cheung.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Steven Shapiro is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Shapiro MD hair care line.
- Dr. Jessie Cheungis a board-certified dermatologist with practices in Chicago, Illinois and New York City. She has also offered her guidance in Select’s guides to the best clarifying shampoos and scalp scrubs.
- Dr. Hadley Kingis a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She has also offered her guidance in Select’s guides to the best drugstore shampoos and razor burn treatments.
- Dr. Joshua Zeichner is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He has also offered his guidance in Select’s articles on treating razor burn and preventing adult acne.
- Dr. Debra Jaliman is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She offered her guidance in Select’s guide to the best shampoos for dry scalp.
- William Gaunitz is a certified trichologist (hair health expert). He has also offered his guidance in Select’s guide to the best drugstore shampoos.
- Dr. Lindsey Bordone is a board-certified dermatologist in the Department of Dermatology of Columbia University Medical Center.
Why trust NBC Select?
Nicole Saunders is a former associate commerce editor for Select on NBC News, covering wellness and lifestyle.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter covering skin care, wellness, and more for NBC Select. For this piece, they spoke to experts — including trichologists and board-certified dermatologists — to find out everything you need to know about scalp acne shampoos and treatments.
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