The 10 Best Salicylic Acid Shampoos of 2025

Beloved by many dermatologists, salicylic acid wins just about every skincare popularity contest. And since shampoos started incorporating the ingredient into their formulas, the hair care community has also taken note. “Not only are salicylic acid shampoos good for hair, but they are a safe and effective clarifying treatment for your scalp,” says celebrity hairstylist Annagjid “Kee” Taylor. How exactly? Well, salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which is an oil-soluble acid that loosens clumps of dead skin, which, yes, sounds gross, but also makes it extremely effective at cleansing the scalp of dirt, dry skin, and product buildup that leads to dandruff and irritation. The National Psoriasis Foundation even recommends it as a first-rate therapy for treating the itchy, red, scaly patches symptomatic of this condition.

With help from a board-certified dermatologist and highly sought-after hairstylist, we conducted hours of research on the best salicylic acid shampoos, evaluating each pick on its active ingredients to soothe inflamed skin, reduce dandruff, and treat oily scalps. We also considered ingredients and suitability for different hair types to land on these top-rated picks.

Credit: Amazon

What We Like

• Helps with a wide range of issues related to dryness

• Dermatologist-recommended

• 3% salicylic acid concentration

Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate | Salicylic Acid Percentage: 3% |  Size: 4.5 oz |  Uses: Controls the symptoms of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis

Simply put, this no-frills therapeutic shampoo gets the job done. It “helps alleviate the scalp of buildup while nourishing follicles,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara, M.D. “The shampoo is very effective at helping patients with psoriasis on the scalp.” Plus, we won’t deny that the affordable price can’t be beat. 

The short ingredient list includes the most important one—3% salicylic acid. At this amount, the ingredient is very effective at detoxifying the scalp without feeling too stripping. Additionally, it has no added fragrance, silicones, or sulfates, so it’s a safe choice for those with sensitive skin (though we always recommend doing a patch test before applying a new product). Keep in mind the scent isn’t for every nose, and while it’s not going to leave you smelling like you just had a fancy blowout, we appreciate that it dissipates quickly. 

Credit: Amazon

Ingredients: Orange and lemon fruit extracts, sugarcane extract, glycerin | Salicylic Acid Percentage: 2% | Size: 8.5 oz | Uses: Relieve dryness and redness, eliminate flakes

Beyond the cute pink bottle, you’ll find an enticing list of ingredients that sound beautiful and deliver stunning results to your hair with this salicylic acid shampoo. Orange, lemon, and sugar cane extracts help hair lock in moisture imparted by glycerin, a lightweight humectant that’s great for quenching dry strands. Quinoa also makes an appearance—this mighty plant protein soothes itchy scalps and strengthens your hair for less raggedy ends and shinier-looking locks over time.

While the formula doesn’t contain a super high percentage of salicylic acid (it contains 2% of the ingredient), this shampoo still does a stellar job of vanquishing flakes as it works in tandem with niacinamide to refresh skin and reduce flakiness. Thanks to its inclusion of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as limonene, you could finally find relief from irritated skin.

Credit: Amazon

What We Like

• No added fragrances or dyes

• Experts say its less irritating than others

• 3% salicylic acid concentration is gentle but effective

Ingredients: USP, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate | Salicylic Acid Percentage: 3% | Size: 4 oz | Uses: Relieves discomfort of severe itching and inflammation

If you took one look at the ingredient list and balked at the idea of using sulfates, hear us out. Dr. Gohara recommends this shampoo because she says that the “BHA is steeped in a gentle shampoo surfactant,” known as SLES, and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian, M.D., previously told us that this kind of sulfate has a much lower rate of irritation than others. Used alongside the high percentage of salicylic acid, the ingredients work beautifully to cast away flakes, dissolve buildup, and mitigate the effects of psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Additionally, it’s free of fragrances, dyes, and PABA—a potentially harmful acid that could cause negative skin reactions. If you have fine or thin hair, we recommend following this one up with a hydrating conditioner (perhaps a leave-in conditioner), since it can be slightly drying.

Credit: Aveda

Ingredients: Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Methyl Soyate, | Salicylic Acid Percentage: Not listed | Size: 6.7 oz | Uses: For thinning hair or hair loss 

Taylor initially recommended this shampoo for those experiencing hair loss, and after seeing its natural formula and sustainable manufacturing practices, we were sold on the idea of using it. In addition to salicylic acid, the formula leans on multitalented ingredients that simultaneously remove oil buildup and result in more voluminous hair. Ginseng and turmeric, for example, have been shown to promote hair growth and boast anti-inflammatory properties that quell itchy skin. Lactic acid is another star player that gently breaks down pore-clogging dirt, opens the follicle up to new growth, and boosts vibrancy. 

Credit: Amazon

What We Like

• Contains exfoliants that speed up cell renewal for dry, itchy skin

• Plant-based formula

• Moisturizing ingredients 

Ingredients: Lactic acid, binchotan charcoal, tea tree oil | Salicylic Acid Percentage: 3% | Size: 8.4 oz | Uses: Relieve dry, itchy scalps and dandruff

We’ve written many love letters to Briogeo for creams and masks that give us those Meg Ryan-defined curls, but even when we seek a solution to the less glamorous problem of red, scabby scalps, the brand still has us covered. Think of this formula like a pricey facial for your scalp; it takes your hair through a serious (but less invasive) detox using 3% salicylic acid, charcoal, and lactic acid. As you shed flakes away, tea tree and peppermint oil soothe inflamed skin and fight oil-causing bacteria with their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. And, luckily, you won’t be replacing one irritating situation with another (read: residue) since coconut oil and hyaluronic acid drench dry strands without weighing them down.

Credit: Sephora

What We Like

• Effective at mitigating flakes

• Lightweight, softening, and smells nice

• Larger bottle lasts a long time

Ingredients: Propanediol caprylate, glycerin, citric acid |  Salicylic Acid Percentage: 2% |  Size: 10 oz |  Uses: Reduce flaking, itching, and irritation

For everything dandruff shampoos often get wrong, Ouai gets right. First, instead of dehydrating strands with sulfates, it leaves out this chemical in favor of more moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, which feels lightweight on your hair and softens it. And where many anti-dandruff shampoos have a slightly unpleasant smell, this one infuses notes of ginger, spearmint, and green fig to leave your hair with a fresh scent we’d associate with summer mornings. In terms of preventing flakes from falling and soothing irritation, the formula uses 2% salicylic acid, and citric acid, a gentle ingredient that breaks down buildup and imparts shine on your strands. Our suggestion: Practice patience with this shampoo and it’ll reward you down the line—since it leaves out harsher ingredients, it may take a couple of consistent washes to wave dandruff goodbye for good. 

Credit: Ulta

What We LIke

• Balances the pH of the scalp, encouraging a healthy environment

• Gentle enough for sensitive scalps while offering a deep clean

• Residue-free on hair

Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, red clover flower extract, menthol | Salicylic Acid Percentage: 0.25% | Size: 4 oz | Uses: Dissolve product buildup, reduce irritation, stop shedding

Whether you’re combing out the remnants from the deluge of products required for a slicked-back bun or you have a dry, flaky scalp, think of this pre-wash treatment like a ginger shot for your hair: invigorating, soothing, and balancing. Menthol and apple cider vinegar get right to work calming irritation and exfoliating the scalp, leaving behind a tingling feeling as a telltale sign that they’re working. Its other benefits—like promoting hair growth through niacinamide and red flower extract—may take a little longer to see, but we’re in it for the long run. And although it only contains 0.25% salicylic acid (a relatively low amount), the BHA still works so well with the naturally acidic apple cider vinegar to deep-clean the hair, balance the pH of your scalp, and rid it of dandruff.

Credit: Dermstore

What We Like

• Complementary formulations

• Contains anti-inflammatory ingredients that calm aggravated skin

• Doubles down on dandruff and scalp acne

Ingredients: Ginger root extract, lactic acid, hydrolyzed wheat protein | Salicylic Acid Percentage: Not listed | Size: 8.4 oz | Uses: Reduce tightness and dryness

This shampoo and conditioner act as dual magicians to vanish irritated, red, and acne-prone scalps. Both products use salicylic acid to combat oil while fortifying strands with moisturizing ingredients such as lactic acid and wheat protein. We are also thrilled to see menthol and rosemary oil listed on the bottle since these anti-inflammatory ingredients will feel fantastic on aggravated skin. (For more on rosemary shampoos, we have a few favorites you should check out.) 

Squeeze some product into your hands and spend a few moments working the shampoo into a rich lather. The conditioner contains two super-effective dandruff-fighting ingredients (climbazole and piroctone olamine), powerhouses in reducing flakiness and hydrating hair. As a bonus for anyone who experiences scalp acne, the shampoo includes ginger root extract, an ingredient some dermatologists recommend to treat breakouts.

Credit: Bondi Boost

Ingredients: Sea buckthorn, peppermint oil, quinoa | Uses: Detoxifies, removes buildup, reduces oiliness | Salicylic Acid Percentage: 2% | Size: 10 oz | Uses: Removes buildup, soothes, cools

You know when you wake up with under-eye bags and crave that cooling sensation to de-puff and soothe them? Similarly, this Bondi Boost Dandruff Repair Shampoo swoops in to help quickly soothe and cool an irritated scalp. This shampoo is aloe-based and contains quinoa to help combat dry and itchy scalps. A bonus: It will reduce flakes and dry skin without stripping your hair of moisture. Just pump a small amount into your hands, lather up, and massage into wet hair, focusing on your roots before rinsing out.  

Credit: Amazon

Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, shea butter | Salicylic Acid Percentage: Not listed | Size: 13 oz | Uses: Strengthens hair, removes buildup, eliminates flaking 

You may be tempted to come at your scalp with full force when trying to eliminate flaking and itchiness, but this shampoo (which relies on a concoction of salicylic acid, apple cider vinegar, and shea butter) is gentle and effective. It may take a few uses, but the product is designed to remove product buildup, leaving the scalp feeling like a clean slate. Similar shampoos can be drying, but the addition of shea butter in the formula limits breakage, softens strands, and delivers serious shine.

What to Look for in Shampoos With Salicylic Acid

• Salicylic Acid Strength: It really depends on what your hair needs, says Taylor, but to see improvement in the health of your hair, she recommends a formula that contains at least 3% salicylic acid. However, the best part about this ingredient is that it works really well with different exfoliators, so if you find your percentage lower than 3%, try to find a formula that contains other acidic and clarifying ingredients, such as glycolic acid or apple cider vinegar. Note: Those with scalp concerns like seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis may want to consult with their doctor or dermatologist about finding a medicated shampoo better suited for their needs.
• Other Ingredients: Hydration is key when it comes to shampoos with salicylic acid. Taylor recommends looking for moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil or hyaluronic acid. Dr. Gohara says to keep an eye out for clarifiers like clays, which work well alongside salicylic acid to gently rid the scalp of impurities. 
• Concerns: If you’re dealing with dandruff, acne, itchiness, oily scalps, or product buildup—you name it—a salicylic acid shampoo can probably help treat it. The acid gets to the root of most problems by penetrating deep into pores and ridding them of the dirt and oil that cause these issues in the first place. Just be sure to check the product’s intended purpose and perform a patch test before going all in.

FAQ

• Salicylic acid is an exfoliant that sheds away dead skin cells and opens up your pores, allowing for increased hydration and hair growth. “It’s a beta hydroxy acid, which helps to cut through oils and sebum,” says Dr. Gohara, who adds that it’s beneficial in cleansing away buildup that leads to greasy, oily hair.

• With consistent use over time, both of our experts agree that washing your hair with a salicylic acid shampoo one or two times a week should be sufficient to see your desired results. (Using it more frequently could increase scalp irritation.) Also, it’s a good idea to always follow up salicylic acid shampoos with conditioners containing hydrating ingredients like glycerin or jojoba seed oil to avoid dryness.

Meet Our Experts

We consulted with these experts for additional information:

• Annagjid “Kee” Taylor is an author, LA-based celebrity hairstylist, and founder of Deeper Than Hair.
• Dr. Mona Gohara, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.
• Dr. Rachel Nazarian, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist.

Why Trust Byrdie

Austen Tosone is a beauty writer and content creator based in NYC. She’s on a healthy hair journey and loves balancing her usual hair care products with more intense treatments 1-2 times a week. She browsed through dozens of products and scoured reviews to find the best shampoos containing salicylic acid that are worth your hard-earned money.

Anna Traver is a Byrdie writer with multiple years of experience covering all things beauty. She has an extensive history of researching and writing about hair care treatments, including countless interviews with trichologists, dermatologists, and hair restoration specialists. She’s long been familiar with the ingredient salicylic acid, as she’s personally used it to treat her acne-prone skin.