Selsun Blue Anti-dandruff Shampoo: a Guru Score of 73%

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

"Other types of selenium sulfide shampoo, like Selsun Blue, can sometimes be beneficial as well for an itchy, irritated scalp from dandruff."

All 3 takes from 208SkinDoc

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"Selsun Blue is the classic selenium sulfide shampoo you can get over the counter. Selenium sulfide has antifungal properties and works well for seborrheic dermatitis. You wash it in, leave it for five minutes, then rinse it out. Some people can find this one a little bit more drying, so if you have naturally dry skin underneath, just keep that in mind. It doesn't irritate everybody."

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"The recommendation for Selsun Blue or ketoconazole shampoo is accurate. These will help reduce the number of yeast on the skin. In order to use them effectively you want to wash the area and let it sit for about five to ten minutes before you rinse it off, giving the active ingredient time to kill some of that yeast. If that is not helping, that is the time to go see a dermatologist."

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"Other types of selenium sulfide shampoo, like Selsun Blue, can sometimes be beneficial as well for an itchy, irritated scalp from dandruff."

Lab Muffin Beauty Science

861k subs

~Mixed

"Selenium sulfide is orangey yellow and smells a bit like rubber, but it's very effective. Some people don't mind the smell, but my nose is super sensitive to sulfur, I worked with it a lot in the lab. To me, Selsun Blue's fragrance is just a bit too strong."

Dr. Mamina

281k subs

~Yay

"There's also Selsun Blue, which has selenium sulfate. I would start with one of those options if you have dandruff."

Dr. Aleksandra Brown

142k subs

~Yay

"Others to consider are Head and Shoulders, Selsun Blue, and Nizoral Anti-dandruff Shampoo. The active ingredients to look for are pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole. Dandruff shampoos are important to control scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff, to reduce inflammation which can harm hair follicles, and that will help clear all the buildup that may be blocking the hair growth."

Dr Dray

2.68M subs

~Yay

"Selsun Blue has selenium sulfide. Anti-dandruff shampoos are medicated shampoos that have active ingredients addressing the root causes of dandruff. They work to treat dandruff by addressing the malassezia yeast or helping to exfoliate those abnormal clumps of skin cells that aren't turning over properly because of the inflammation in the scalp, and ultimately help cut down on flake formation. They also have anti-inflammatory properties. However, a lot of these shampoos are a little on the drying side, so if you actually have a dry scalp and not dandruff, these might make your dry scalp significantly worse. [...] Some people respond really well to just one ingredient and that's what they use to control their dandruff, while others find they get better results when they choose a couple of different active ingredients and alternate them."

All 4 takes from Dr Dray

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"If you've been doing Selsun Blue, which is selenium sulfide, and you feel like you're not getting anywhere, rather than completely bail on it, since chances are you still have a bottle of it, keep going with it and just start alternating in zinc pyrithione on a different day. I find that a lot of patients end up needing to use more than one ingredient to really get the best control, alternating one shampoo one day and another shampoo the next day."

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"There's selenium sulfide found in Selsun Blue Anti-dandruff Shampoo."

Distinguishing Dandruff From Dry Scalp: Expert Tips For Clearing Up Flakes

"Selsun Blue has selenium sulfide. Anti-dandruff shampoos are medicated shampoos that have active ingredients addressing the root causes of dandruff. They work to treat dandruff by addressing the malassezia yeast or helping to exfoliate those abnormal clumps of skin cells that aren't turning over properly because of the inflammation in the scalp, and ultimately help cut down on flake formation. They also have anti-inflammatory properties. However, a lot of these shampoos are a little on the drying side, so if you actually have a dry scalp and not dandruff, these might make your dry scalp significantly worse. [...] Some people respond really well to just one ingredient and that's what they use to control their dandruff, while others find they get better results when they choose a couple of different active ingredients and alternate them."

Combat Skin Fungus Like A Pro With Selsun Blue Shampoo!

"It's been shown however that when used alongside selenium sulfide shampoo you get better results in in terms of clearance"

The Budget Dermatologist

723k subs

~Yay

"Selenium sulfide is an ingredient you have probably heard of as Head and Shoulders or Selsun Blue shampoo. Both of these brands make selenium sulfide anti-dandruff shampoos. This ingredient also has anti-fungal properties and it's effective at treating dandruff. You can find this over the counter in various strengths and you can get this definitely under ten dollars."

What the evidence says.

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

Sunscreen filters

Sun protection is the best evidenced way to slow visible ageing, and the filters are what does the work. Mineral and chemical filters both protect when a product is applied thickly enough and often enough, which is where most people fall short rather than on the choice of filter.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Selsun Blue Anti-dandruff Shampoo?

An anti-dandruff shampoo containing selenium sulfide, formulated to treat dandruff and scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.

Is Selsun Blue Anti-dandruff Shampoo worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 73%.

What is Selsun Blue Anti-dandruff Shampoo's Guru Score?

Selsun Blue Anti-dandruff Shampoo holds a Guru Score of 73%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 6 expert reviewers we have collected.