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When it comes to tackling hair and scalp issues, salicylic acid is extremely helpful in reducing redness, flakiness, and dry skin. This is why it’s one of the go-to cures for an irritated scalp. Learn more about how you can use this ingredient to benefit you.

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What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is a common active ingredient in shampoo and skincare products and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Salicylic acid has also been proven to assist with the treatment of psoriasis. Therefore, this ingredient works to to do wonders for your scalp.

Salicylic Acid Benefits

Speaking of wonders, salicylic acid works by entering your pores and deeply cleansing them. It helps remove dirt, oil, and prevents build-up. Salicylic acid works as an exfoliant. Therefore, it also helps remove dead skin cells. This is why it can be very beneficial to those with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. The ingredient helps ease the itchiness and redness of dry skin while reducing and removing flakes created by dandruff.

Salicylic Acid Setbacks

Even though salicylic acid is loaded with great benefits, it comes with some setbacks too. One major setback of salicylic acid shampoo is that it doesn’t fully cure chronic dandruff but just treats the symptoms instead. If you get dandruff all year round, then it can actually be a fungal infection. For this, you will need a shampoo that has anti-fungal qualities and fully focuses on banishing flakes for good.

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Check out our salicylic acid shampoo picks below.

1. RE-fresh Witch Hazel Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner

This RE-fresh Witch Hazel Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner uses salicylic acid and witch hazel to moisturize your scalp and hair and remove any flakes.

2. RE-fresh Scalp Care Eucalyptus + Cooling Relief Shampoo and Conditioner

Want a cooling effect on your scalp? Try RE-fresh Scalp Care Eucalyptus + Cooling Relief Shampoo and Conditioner. We love this set because it combines the cooling relief of eucalyptus with salicylic acid to calm itchiness on your scalp and gives your hair all the benefits of eucalyptus oil for hair.

3. RE-fresh Scalp Care Honeysuckle & Cleanse Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner

This RE-fresh Scalp Care Honeysuckle & Cleanse Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner is one of our favorites! The honeysuckle and white willow bark provides restorative properties to your scalp. It also tackles dandruff and getting rid of flakes.

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1. Dove Dermacare Scalp Soothing Moisture Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner

Pyrithione Zinc, an active ingredient in many shampoos like Dove Dermacare Scalp Soothing Moisture Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, is a great flake fighter. It helps fight off dandruff flakes for good. This shampoo is also pH-balanced to gently care for your locks while cleansing and enriching your scalp and roots. Pair it with Dove Dermacare Scalp Soothing Moisture Anti-Dandruff Conditioner for best results.

2. Love Beauty and Planet Hemp Seed Oil and Nana Leaf Soothe & Nourish Scalp Serum

You can also treat a flaky scalp with a serum formulated specifically to soothe and nourish. We love Love Beauty and Planet Hemp Seed Oil and Nana Leaf Soothe & Nourish Scalp Serum as a salicylic acid shampoo alternative because it uses hemp seed and nana leaf to provide moisture to your scalp. From dandruff to itchiness to an overall dry scalp, salicylic acid shampoo can be super beneficial to your hair and scalp.