Anti-dandruff shampoos are not all built the same way. Some use an antifungal to target the yeast linked to dandruff. Others use a keratolytic to loosen flaky scalp cells. A few lean on botanical ingredients with no active ingredient disclosed. Here are five options sold on Nykaa, compared by what each is built around.
Ketoconazole is an antifungal that works by blocking a fungal cell membrane component called ergosterol. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, a beta-hydroxy acid that lifts built-up flaky cells from the scalp. Piroctone olamine is also an antifungal, from a different chemical class than ketoconazole. For more on how dandruff forms on the scalp, see what zinc pyrithione and ketoconazole actually do.
All five shampoos here are sold on Nykaa.
Price last checked 2026-09-10. We don’t show a price here because it wasn’t checked in the last 24 hours — the listing may have changed.
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Review counts below show purchase and review volume, not fit or quality.
- Bare Anatomy Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with Salicylic Acid, Piroctone: This formula names two actives, Salicylic Acid and Piroctone Olamine. Salicylic acid works as a keratolytic, and piroctone olamine works as an antifungal. It pairs an exfoliating action with an antifungal one in a single bottle. It has 24,852 reviews.
- Be Bodywise 1% Ketoconazole Anti Dandruff Shampoo For Women: This shampoo specifies an exact concentration, 1% Ketoconazole. Ketoconazole is an azole-class antifungal that targets the yeast linked to dandruff. It is positioned specifically for women. It has 8,880 reviews.
- Head & Shoulders Silky Black Anti-Dandruff Shampoo: The “Silky Black” name points to a hair-softness and dark-hair care angle alongside dandruff control. Its title does not name a specific active ingredient, so no mechanism claim can be made here. It has 7,264 reviews.
- Nykaa Naturals Anti-Dandruff Sulphate-Free Shampoo With Apple: This shampoo is sulphate-free, meaning it skips sulfate-based surfactants for a milder cleansing base. Apple is included as an ingredient. In haircare formulas, apple is typically used for fragrance and mild antioxidant or astringent effect. It is not an established antifungal or keratolytic active. It carries 201,007 reviews, the highest count in this set.
- The Derma Co Triple Actives Anti-Dandruff Shampoo: The Derma Co is positioned as a dermatology-focused brand. “Triple Actives” describes a formula combining three actives. The title does not disclose their identities. No mechanism claim can be made here either. It has 585 reviews, the lowest count in this set.
If exfoliation and antifungal action both matter to you, pick Bare Anatomy.
If you want a stated ketoconazole concentration formulated for women, pick Be Bodywise.
If hair softness alongside dandruff control matters to you, pick Head & Shoulders Silky Black.
If a sulphate-free, milder formula matters to you, pick Nykaa Naturals.
If you prefer a dermatology-positioned brand, pick The Derma Co.
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