Maximum Strength Zinc Pyrithione Dandruff Shampoo
Dermatologist‑approved, best 2% pyrithione zinc shampoo targets dandruff and seborrheic scalp flare‑ups by reducing yeast and calming irritation, so hair looks clean and flake‑free. If you also see redness and flakes on your face, pair this with our Facial Flaking & Redness Solution Kit for a complete scalp‑plus‑face regimen.
Why Dr. Bailey Recommends This Zinc Pyrithione Shampoo
This shampoo is one of the best treatments for seborrhea to help relieve the itching and flakes from dandruff.
- Maximum Strength Treatment: Contains the maximal allowed 2% Zinc Pyrithione, making it the best medicated Anti Dandruff Shampoo to rapidly control stubborn seborrheic scalp flaking and itching.
- Gentle & Safe Base: Formulated with a gentle, pH-balanced base, appropriate for people with sensitive or allergic skin.
- Paraben-Free & Cruelty-Free: A time-honored treatment from Person Covey, a pharmaceutical lab known for robust dermatologic products.
What Does This Shampoo Do?
- Targeted Antifungal Action: Pyrithione zinc is a broad antimicrobial ingredient that reduces the population of the skin yeast germ Malassezia (also called Pityrosporum) that plays a key role in seborrheic dermatitis.
Did You Know? People with Scalp Seborrhea Often Have Facial Flaking & Redness
The yeast that causes your scalp flaking (seborrheic dermatitis) can also cause redness and flaking on your face (around the nose, eyebrows, and ears). Our Facial Flaking and Redness Solution Kit is specifically formulated to treat this common related issue.
The Science Behind the Choice: Zinc Pyrithione vs. Ketoconazole
As a dermatologist, I choose zinc pyrithione over ketoconazole (Nizoral) for anti-dandruff treatment. Because seborrhea is a lifelong condition, patients need a treatment that works consistently over time.
Ketoconazole is known to lead to resistant yeast and fungi (2), whereas zinc pyrithione targets the Malassezia yeast through mechanisms that, in my opinion, are less likely to result in resistance (1).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use zinc pyrithione anti-dandruff shampoo every day?
Doctors typically recommend using an anti-dandruff pyrithione zinc shampoo at least twice a week. That said, many people prone to severe seborrhea opt to use it daily. Pyrithione zinc can be slightly irritating to sensitive skin.
Can I use a dandruff shampoo on my face to treat facial flaking and redness?
No! Shampoos contain foaming agents that can be too harsh for sensitive facial skin. Flaking and redness on the face indicate a skin barrier compromise. For this reason, you need products specifically designed for sensitive facial skin treatment. I recommend the Facial Flaking and Redness Solution Kit, a customized skin care routine I developed to safely treat your face.
It combines:
- Calming Zinc Soap, formulated with the same full 2% of pyrithione zinc
- Green Tea Antioxidant Skin Therapy to sooth inflammation
- Daily Moisturizing Face Cream to help fortify the compromised skin barrier
Together these help to address the 2 most common facial rashes that lead to facial flaking and redness, seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea. You can have one or both of these common facial rashes at the same time. My Kit works wonders! Plus you save 10% when you buy a kit.
"Within a few days of use my facial redness absolutely went away"
"This was my first purchase from Dr. Bailey and I can attest that within a few days of use my facial redness absolutely went away. The flakiness hardly shows its ugly face. I highly recommend that if you suffer from facial redness, flakey skin, start with complete set. I'm a firm believer of her trusted clean products. Thank you Dr. Bailey you’re the best!" - Dianne C.
How does zinc pyrithione work to treat Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Zinc pyrithione is a broad antimicrobial ingredient that works by reducing the population of the Malassezia yeast germ. This relieves the itching and flakes associated with dandruff and seborrhea. It has been used successfully for over 50 years.
What is the best dandruff shampoo?
I prefer a pyrithione zinc anti-dandruff shampoo for the treatment of seborrhea. DHS Zinc is an excellent brand made by Person Covey, a pharmaceutical lab that produces a line of robust dermatologic products that I have used to treat my patients since the mid-1980s.
Is there another good shampoo for dandruff?
Yes, shampoos with salicylic acid (a keratolytic) and selenium sulfide (an antimicrobial ingredient like pyrithione zinc) are also good choices. Of these, I prefer salicylic acid, which is a keratolytic that helps remove thick scalp flakes. Alternating a zinc shampoo with a salicylic acid shampoo is a good flakey scalp treatment routine.
Please note that there is a subtle botanical fragrance in DHS Zinc Shampoo.
Reference:
1. Park, M., Cho, YJ., Lee, Y.W. et al. Understanding the Mechanism of Action of the Anti-Dandruff Agent Zinc Pyrithione against Malassezia restricta. Sci Rep 8, 12086 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30588-2
2. Park M, Cho YJ, Lee YW, Jung WH. Genomic Multiplication and Drug Efflux Influence Ketoconazole Resistance in Malassezia restricta. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020 Apr 30;10:191. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00191. PMID: 32426297; PMCID: PMC7203472.
3. Mangion SE, Holmes AM, Roberts MS. Targeted Delivery of Zinc Pyrithione to Skin Epithelia. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(18):9730. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189730
- Maximum strength 2% Zinc Pyrithione
- Gentle pH balanced base
- Antibacterial and Antifungal
- Cruelty Free, not tested on animals
- Free of parabens
Stubborn dandruff responds best when you shampoo daily. The flakes of dandruff happen due to the rash. Their presence may make you think that you have “dry scalp” and many people with dandruff hesitate to shampoo daily because of this misconception.
- Use the Zinc Shampoo at least twice weekly or as directed by your physician.
- Cleanse your scalp with a non-medicated shampoo first to remove oil, dirt and product residue.
- Be sure to apply and lather all shampoos all the way down to your scalp skin as this is where the rash of dandruff begins.
- Leave it on for 5 minutes.
- Rinse off your first non-medicated shampoo.
- Shake the medicated Zinc Shampoo bottle and then apply a generous amount of onto your scalp skin. No need to apply more shampoo to hair shafts since dandruff is a rash of your scalp skin.
- Massage well onto your scalp with fingertips and/or a Scalp Scrubber to help gently lift and cleanse away flakes.
- Follow up with conditioner or your other normal hair products.
Dandruff treatment works best when you keep your scalp free from oil buildup, flake build up and accumulation of the Pityrosporum yeast that plays a role in causing dandruff. The Zinc Shampoo treats this yeast and is an ideal treatment for scalp dandruff.
If you scalp fails to clear up with this treatment, please consider consulting your dermatologist to be certain that you have the correct diagnosis as dandruff is not the only condition that can cause flaking, itching and redness of the scalp.
For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes with water. Keep out of the reach of children.
Active Ingredient: Zinc Pyrithione 2%
Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, PEG-8 Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxylpropyl Methylcellulose, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Fragrance, Citric Acid, FD&C Yellow #6