CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Dandruff and flaky scalp6 experts

“It's great for those that have mild dandruff.”

Dr. Jenny Liu, watch at 6:24

Skin barrier support5 experts

“It also has ceramides which [...] help to restore and maintain your skin barrier.”

Tea with MD, watch at 11:41

Excess oil and shine2 experts

“This one's perfect because it has no fragrance, it will not irritate anyone, has the pyrithione zinc which will help minimize the yeast and minimize the oil.”

Dr. Aleksandra Brown, watch at 7:13

Eczema1 expert

“If you have a sensitive scalp, eczema prone scalp, or want a shampoo that can cleanse without stripping your scalp and hair, this is so good.”

Dr. Jenny Liu, watch at 3:50

Flaky dry patches1 expert

“It's best for dry, flaky scalp needing extra hydration.”

Dr. Aleksandra Brown, watch at 7:33

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

208SkinDoc

2.11M subs

✓Yay

"The CeraVe hydrating anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner contains pyrithione zinc, and it's my favorite pyrithione zinc option. This one is really gentle and it's a really solid maintenance option, and it can also be great during a flare, using it two to three times a week, applying it, scrubbing it into the affected area, and waiting five minutes before you rinse it out. I'm such a big fan of the CeraVe, I actually appeared in a commercial with them."

Top Pick: pyrithione zinc shampoo

All 3 takes from 208SkinDoc

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"Over the counter you can get pyrithione zinc shampoos. My favorite to recommend is the CeraVe anti-dandruff hydrating shampoo and conditioner. They complement and work really well with each other."

Why Beard Dandruff Keeps Coming Back (Dermatologist Explains Bruff)

"The CeraVe hydrating anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner contains pyrithione zinc, and it's my favorite pyrithione zinc option. This one is really gentle and it's a really solid maintenance option, and it can also be great during a flare, using it two to three times a week, applying it, scrubbing it into the affected area, and waiting five minutes before you rinse it out. I'm such a big fan of the CeraVe, I actually appeared in a commercial with them."

Scalp Check — Dandruff, Psoriasis & What’s Actually Going On

"I do really like the CeraVe brand because it's fragrance free, which is hard to find in a lot of shampoos. [...] If you have a scalp issue where your skin barrier is compromised, you don't want fragrance up there, you're more likely to become allergic to it. We want to share with you guys the CeraVe hydrating anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner, we've had great results with it from our patients, and I use the CeraVe ones pretty frequently myself."

Dr. Jenny Liu

324k subs

✓Yay

"I love CeraVe anti-dandruff shampoo with active ingredients like zinc pyrithione, but it's going to be way more gentle on your hair."

All 5 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu

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"I love CeraVe anti-dandruff shampoo with active ingredients like zinc pyrithione, but it's going to be way more gentle on your hair."

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"If you have dandruff, that is another contributor [...] of oxidative stress, so you definitely want to make sure you're using anti-dandruff shampoo. [...] Even if you don't struggle with dandruff, incorporating an anti-dandruff shampoo is the best thing you can do to support a healthy hair environment. Studies have shown that anti-dandruff shampoos alone, whether you have dandruff or not, can support hair regrowth, namely zinc pyrithione and ketoconazole."

Dermatologist Favorite Haircare Products of 2024 | Dr. Jenny Liu

"It's great for those that have mild dandruff. [...] If you have mild dandruff with kind of intermittent itching and flaking here and there, I think this one would be a great one to use. [...] It contains 1% zinc pyrithione along with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, all wonderful ingredients to support the skin of your scalp. [...] After rinsing it off, it does not cause dryness of your hair."

Dermatologist-Approved: The Best Drugstore Haircare You NEED to Try | Dr. Jenny Liu

"Works great at controlling mild dandruff without overdrying your hair. If you have a sensitive scalp, eczema prone scalp, or want a shampoo that can cleanse without stripping your scalp and hair, this is so good. [...] It really helps to cleanse but without making your hair feel dry and your skin also is being hydrated while it's being cleansed. It contains [...] three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, [...] and niacinamide. It's also safe for dry and color-treated hair too."

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"CeraVe hydrating Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione is definitely more hydrating and I find that zinc is great on hair. It's more gentle on scalp and it's great if you have dandruff, but for psoriasis I don't find it to be as effective alone. But certainly it can be a great one to rotate between the other shampoos."

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

✓Yay

"They really brought a full package here with their anti-dandruff line, the zinc pyrithione. If you dose conditioner up by your roots, [...] they recommend coming in with the conditioner that has zinc pyrithione. According to Proctor and Gamble, when [...] you put conditioner up there after you've rinsed the zinc pyrithione shampoo out and let it incubate before rinsing, you [...] end up removing some of that initial zinc pyrithione from the shampoo."

All 5 takes from Dr Dray

Dermatologist Shops Walmart Skincare: What to Buy and Avoid

"They really brought a full package here with their anti-dandruff line, the zinc pyrithione. If you dose conditioner up by your roots, [...] they recommend coming in with the conditioner that has zinc pyrithione. According to Proctor and Gamble, when [...] you put conditioner up there after you've rinsed the zinc pyrithione shampoo out and let it incubate before rinsing, you [...] end up removing some of that initial zinc pyrithione from the shampoo."

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"The anti-dandruff stuff with zinc pyrithione is not only good for dandruff because it helps reduce the malassezia yeast on the scalp that is responsible for dandruff, but zinc pyrithione also shows promise for androgenetic alopecia. So it's helpful for supporting scalp needs for healthy hair growth. I finished the shampoo that went with this."

*NEW* CeraVe Haircare Products Review

"I really saw a visible difference in my hair. The 2-in-1 product worked well for me and I liked how my hair was the following day, but it wasn't quite as impressive as using the shampoo and the conditioner separately. Remember, shampoo is a scalp-directed product, especially when treating dandruff. You want to direct the lather to your scalp, not the ends of your hair. Conditioner [...] is meant for the hair strands to make them more manageable and cut down on tangling."

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"They came out with a 2-in-1 shampoo conditioner with 1% zinc pyrithione, there's also a zinc pyrithione conditioner and then a zinc pyrithione shampoo as well as a gentle hydrating shampoo and gentle hydrating conditioner. I'm [...] really excited to have fragrance-free hair care because the options are sparse when it comes to fragrance-free hair care."

You Asked, A Derm Answered! Skincare Q&A

"Just finished up the CeraVe hydrating shampoo and I'm almost finished with the CeraVe anti-dandruff hydrating conditioner as well."

Doctorly

3.59M subs

✓Yay

"They also have a hydrating shampoo, which is fragrance-free and available at Walmart and Target, so it's a good option if [...] you have sensitive skin or a sensitive scalp. [...] I can't speak highly enough about it. [...] The more I use it, the more I appreciate how effective it is for dandruff and flaky skin, and the quality it leaves my hair, it feels like a deep clean but it's not stripping. [...] It's kind of hard to find that combination, and I think they nailed it."

All 3 takes from Doctorly

Products We HATE and LOVE from CeraVe | Doctorly Reviews

"So to have something that is for people who have that more gentle, more sensitive skin is really critical. [...] It's so hard to make a recommendation for normal or medicated shampoos even the ones I recommend all the time like Nioxin or Head and Shoulders, all of these functional but have a ton of potential allergens in them. That's why this is so groundbreaking."

How to Treat Cradle Cap like a Dermatologist | Doctorly Dads

"I would try this first especially if you have mild sebic dermatitis. [...] I would simply just use a regular non-medicated shampoo at first because for some people with mild sebic dermatitis or mild cradle cap, [...] I'm doing for my daughter which is using this simple gentle cleanser from CeraVe. This is their wash and shampoo. I basically just massage it into her scalp and then I wash it out."

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"They also have a hydrating shampoo, which is fragrance-free and available at Walmart and Target, so it's a good option if [...] you have sensitive skin or a sensitive scalp. [...] I can't speak highly enough about it. [...] The more I use it, the more I appreciate how effective it is for dandruff and flaky skin, and the quality it leaves my hair, it feels like a deep clean but it's not stripping. [...] It's kind of hard to find that combination, and I think they nailed it."

DV

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

✓Yay

"Again, it's fragrance-free. It contains ceramides. Not much else for hair growth, but it's affordable"

AY

Abbey Yung

887k subs

✓Yay

"One of my top recommendations for drier scalps is this anti-dandruff shampoo."

All 3 takes from Abbey Yung

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"This still gives you a nice clean but is a little gentler and probably better suited for you if you have a normal to dry scalp. The texture [...] is a little milky, but not to the point of being so heavy that it weighs down the hair on my scalp, so it's something I can still use and enjoy. [...] I think this is a really nice option too."

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"Out of my three medicated shampoo picks, I think you'll enjoy this most if you have a normal to dry scalp. [...] It has a bit more of a milky creamy texture than the other two options and is [...] more of a normal cleanse versus something [...] for heavy duty oil removal."

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"One of my top recommendations for drier scalps is this anti-dandruff shampoo."

DD

Dr. Daniel Sugai

723k subs

✓Yay

"[CeraVe] has entered the shampoo game and they have made some great products with zinc pyrithione anti-dandruff shampoo or their two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. Great products."

All 4 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai

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"CeraVe has joined the shampoo game. It came out with the zinc pyrithione shampoo for dandruff with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Very affordable and no fragrance."

Fine Lines, Clogged Pores & Dandruff: What Dermatologists Really Recommend

"[CeraVe] has entered the shampoo game and they have made some great products with zinc pyrithione anti-dandruff shampoo or their two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. Great products."

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"I've been using that every other day alternating with my prescription [ketoconazole] shampoo for dandruff and it's really nice. I like that it has hyaluronic acid in addition to their ceramides to help hydrate the scalp but also repair the skin barrier, plus adding in niacinamide which is one of my favorite skincare ingredients but so great to put in your hair care products to help with the skin barrier of your scalp and regulate sebum production."

Dermatologist Explains: How to Manage an Itchy and Flaky Scalp

"What I like about CeraVe is that it's free of fragrance if you are sensitive to fragrance and also they have their three essential ceramides hyaluronic acid to hydrate the scalp but also niacinamide which is soothing helps repair the skin barrier and also helps regulate sebum production and that's why we like it in our skincare but I love seeing it in our shampoos as well. They both have 1% zinc pyrithione."

Tea with MD

115k subs

✓Yay

"The zinc pyrithione formula CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Hydrating Shampoo is very affordable and by a very reputable brand. [...] This helps to treat flakes and itching while maintaining your scalp barrier, and it's a great option if you're dealing with dandruff but also noticing that you have dry, irritated, or itchy scalp. It has zinc pyrithione 1% which helps reduce yeast on the scalp. It also has ceramides which [...] help to restore and maintain your skin barrier."

James Welsh

1.58M subs

✓Yay

"Cerave decided to venture into haircare by launching anti dandruff shampoo and conditioner line. These products were formulated with ceramides and pyrithione zinc [...] to improve scalp health while maintaining the skin barrier. [...] The collection is getting mostly positive reviews, with many praising the same things people like about the rest of their products: efficacy, affordability and simplicity."

Dr. Aleksandra Brown

153k subs

✓Yay

"One newer CeraVe product that has become one of my favorites is their anti-dandruff hydrating shampoo. It contains 1% pyrithione zinc, an effective anti-dandruff ingredient, and I think it's a really nice option for mild dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. I [...] love that it's fragrance-free, because fragrance can be an issue for people with sensitive skin or an irritated scalp."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.

Source: DermNet

Ceramides

Ceramides are part of the skin's own barrier, and moisturisers built around them have evidence for holding water in and settling the tightness and flaking that come with a damaged barrier.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione?

A fragrance-free anti-dandruff shampoo containing zinc pyrithione, ceramides and niacinamide, designed to treat flakes and itching while supporting the scalp barrier.

Is CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione worth it?

Yes. All 10 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 85%.

What is CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione's Guru Score?

CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione holds a Guru Score of 85%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 10 expert reviewers we have collected. It is also Guru Certified, our mark for products that hold broad approval across many expert reviewers.

What is CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione good for, according to the experts?

In their reviews, experts say CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione is good for dandruff and flaky scalp (6 experts), skin barrier support (5 experts), excess oil and shine (2 experts), eczema (1 expert) and flaky dry patches (1 expert).

Is CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione good for dandruff and flaky scalp?

6 experts who reviewed CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Zinc Pyrithione say it is. Dr. Jenny Liu put it this way: “It's great for those that have mild dandruff.”