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Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo.

About this product

A medicated shampoo containing 3% salicylic acid designed to exfoliate the scalp and remove buildup, flakes, and dandruff.

Full ingredients

Salicylic Acid (3%), Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Polyquaternium-22, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate

More from Neutrogena 66 products · Guru Score 91% →

Guru Score

84%

Yay

7 experts · Strong agreement

What they liked

  • Fragrance-free
  • Breaks down flakes and scalp buildup
  • Helps with oily scalp prone to flaking

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    What the gurus are saying

    This 3% salicylic acid shampoo earns consistent praise for breaking down scalp buildup and flakes, making it a go-to for dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp psoriasis. Dermatologists and scalp specialists highlight its exfoliating power and note it works well for oily scalps, inflamed follicles from sweat, and even certain types of scalp folliculitis. The main how-to: leave it on the scalp for three to five minutes before rinsing, and use it two to three times per week as a medicated treatment rather than a daily cleanser.
    Synthesized from 7 expert reviews · most recent take February 2026

    Type

    HaircareLiquid

    Key actives

    Formula notes

    Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

    Where to buy

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    Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

    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
    ✓Yay
    "There's the classic Neutrogena T/Sal. Sal stands for salicylic acid and you can absolutely use this as well for your clogged pores in order to minimize their overall appearance."
    All 2 takes from Dr. Shereene Idriss
    Top 5 Ingredients for Large Pores! | Carpool Karaoke (PillowtalkDerm Edition) | Dr. Shereene Idriss
    "There's the classic Neutrogena T/Sal. Sal stands for salicylic acid and you can absolutely use this as well for your clogged pores in order to minimize their overall appearance."
    Can Healing Your Gut Really Transform Your Skin? Dermatologist Explains Gut Health | Dr. Idriss
    "With psoriasis, [coal tar] can help topically a lot. [...] Neutrogena had a salicylic acid shampoo that can also work great for the scalp."
    ✓Yay
    "This is the classic Neutrogena T-Cell shampoo probably your grandfather used. It contains salicylic acid but no antifungal, no menthol, and no fragrance. [...] One small difference from the new version is the presence of sodium chloride, but that doesn't make a huge difference. It's just a subtle formulation tweak."
    All 3 takes from Dr Dray
    Which Neutrogena Dandruff Shampoo Should You Use?
    "This is the classic Neutrogena T-Cell shampoo probably your grandfather used. It contains salicylic acid but no antifungal, no menthol, and no fragrance. [...] One small difference from the new version is the presence of sodium chloride, but that doesn't make a huge difference. It's just a subtle formulation tweak."
    How To Remove Scalp Pimples | Folliculitis Explained
    "A salicylic acid anti-dandruff shampoo like Neutrogena T/Sal, that's the one I recommend. I like, I've used it myself, it's good, it's free of fragrance. [...] Salicylic acid shampoo can be helpful if you deal with deodex [folliculitis] because it may cut down on some scalp buildup that ultimately fuels more deodex proliferation. Salicylic acid shampoo may also to a certain extent be somewhat useful for malesia [folliculitis] as well."
    5 TIPS TO REMOVE SCALP BUILD UP | DERMATOLOGIST @DrDrayzday
    "The salicylic acid shampoo I always recommend is the Neutrogena T/Sal shampoo. It's a great option, free of fragrance."
    ✓Yay
    "I rather have salicylic acid in my shampoos like Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo"
    All 2 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai
    Fine Lines, Clogged Pores & Dandruff: What Dermatologists Really Recommend
    "Another thing you can consider would be a salicylic acid only shampoo like T/Sal by Neutrogena. That's a great one to consider for exfoliating the scalp."
    Overhyped Skincare Ingredients for Collagen Boosting- Dermatologist Reviews
    "I rather have salicylic acid in my shampoos like Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo"
    ✓Yay
    "T/Sal is also made by Neutrogena. It doesn't have the tar in it, but it's more of a salicylic acid base to really help break up scale, so it would be effective for psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis."
    ✓Yay
    "Because of the inflammation and the buildup of thick scale, we really want a shampoo that has keratolytic properties, so helping to exfoliate and remove that dead skin buildup. One of my absolute favorite is actually Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo with salicylic acid."
    All 3 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu
    Amazon Prime Day 2024| BEST OF SKIN & HAIRCARE Dermatologist top picks
    "This is one I actually frequently recommend. The Neutrogena T/Sal line I actually really love for those that struggle with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis and even scalp psoriasis. This whole line has various different concentrations of salicylic acid. This one contains 3% salicylic acid which is great at breaking down and removing that thick buildup, flaking, and itching."
    Dermatologist-Approved: The Best Drugstore Haircare You NEED to Try | Dr. Jenny Liu
    "If you want something almost like an exfoliant shampoo for your scalp or if you have maybe just more flaky scalp or have dandruff, [...] this one Neutrogena T/Sal with 3% salicylic acid is really nice because the salicylic acid helps remove that dead skin buildup and is great for flaky dry scalp."
    How to treat scalp psoriasis | Tips from Dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu
    "Because of the inflammation and the buildup of thick scale, we really want a shampoo that has keratolytic properties, so helping to exfoliate and remove that dead skin buildup. One of my absolute favorite is actually Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo with salicylic acid."
    ✓Yay
    "Salicylic acid is an active ingredient that helps exfoliate the top layer of the scalp so it will eliminate any flakes and dead skin cells that you have. Neutrogena salicylic acid shampoo with 3% salicylic acid is a perfect example. I always recommend using medicated shampoo at least 2 to 3 times per week. It's important to leave it on your scalp for about 3 to 5 minutes before you rinse it off."
    All 2 takes from Dr. Aleksandra Brown
    Dermatologist’s Haircare Routine For Healthy Scalp & Strong Hair | Dr. Aleksandra Brown
    "This one has 3% salicylic acid so it helps break down any flakes and scalp buildup. This is really good for seborrheic dermatitis but also for psoriasis and really good for oily scalp that's prone to flaking. It also helps if you have any inflammation in your hair follicles, such as if you work out and you tend to be a head sweater. Those pores sometimes get clogged, so this is a really good one to help unclog those pores."
    Seborrheic Dermatitis: 3 Dermatologist-Approved Tips to Manage Scalp Care | Dr. Aleksandra Brown
    "Salicylic acid is an active ingredient that helps exfoliate the top layer of the scalp so it will eliminate any flakes and dead skin cells that you have. Neutrogena salicylic acid shampoo with 3% salicylic acid is a perfect example. I always recommend using medicated shampoo at least 2 to 3 times per week. It's important to leave it on your scalp for about 3 to 5 minutes before you rinse it off."
    ✓Yay
    "The Neutrogena is a 3% salicylic acid dander shampoo. I reuse it frequently because I've had this issue with residue in my hair, and 3% salicylic acid is actually an incredible clarifying shampoo. Not only is it really good for cleaning the hair and removing dandruff, but it's incredibly effective. I find it better than any clarifying shampoo that's available on the market by far. I think people underappreciate salicylic acid in hair care and scalp care."
    Sponsored
    All 2 takes from Doctorly
    Our MOST FREQUENTLY REPURCHASED Products of the Year | Dermatologist Favorites
    "The Neutrogena is a 3% salicylic acid dander shampoo. I reuse it frequently because I've had this issue with residue in my hair, and 3% salicylic acid is actually an incredible clarifying shampoo. Not only is it really good for cleaning the hair and removing dandruff, but it's incredibly effective. I find it better than any clarifying shampoo that's available on the market by far. I think people underappreciate salicylic acid in hair care and scalp care."
    Hair and Scalp Damage: Common Mistakes and Solutions | Doctorly Tips
    "You can also alternate with this one that has the 3% salicylic acid, which is the Neutrogena T/Sal."

    What the evidence says.

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

    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

    Frequently asked.

    What is Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo?

    A medicated shampoo containing 3% salicylic acid designed to exfoliate the scalp and remove buildup, flakes, and dandruff.

    Is Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo worth it?

    Yes. All 7 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 84%.

    What is Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo's Guru Score?

    Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 7 expert reviewers we have collected.

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