Index / Selsun Blue / Anti-dandruff Shampoo
Selsun Blue

Anti-dandruff Shampoo.

Selsun Blue Anti-dandruff Shampoo
Haircare

About this product

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

Type

HaircareLiquid

Key actives

Vitamin E

Formula notes

Contains fragranceNo drying alcohol

Full ingredients

Guru Score

72%

Mixed

5 experts · Moderate agreement
5Gurus
4Approved
1Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Selenium sulfide in this shampoo helps control dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis by reducing scalp inflammation that can interfere with hair growth. Dermatologists recognise it as one of the established active ingredients worth reaching for when you need to clear buildup and manage flaking. Using it regularly as a dandruff treatment means your scalp stays clearer and healthier for hair to grow.
Synthesized from 5 expert reviews · most recent take July 2026
Every take, in full

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 Approved takes Critical takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
~Approved
"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
Why Beard Dandruff Keeps Coming Back (Dermatologist Explains Bruff)
"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."
I'm a Dermatologist - Here's What Reddit Gets Wrong
"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."
Teen Skincare 101: How to Clear Acne, Build Confidence & Avoid Expensive Mistakes
"Other types of selenium sulfide shampoo, like Selsun Blue, can sometimes be beneficial as well for an itchy, irritated scalp from dandruff."
~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."
~Approved
"There's also Selsun Blue, which has selenium sulfate. I would start with one of those options if you have dandruff."
~Approved
"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."
~Approved
"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 3 takes from Dr Dray
Dermatologist Q&A: Best Sunscreens, Rosacea Tips & Scar Care
"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."
Skincare For Redness Around Nose | Dermatologist Tips
"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."
Common questions

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 72%.

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

Selsun Blue Anti-dandruff Shampoo holds a Guru Score of 72%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected.

You might also like

Similar products worth a look.

Other products the same gurus have weighed in on, plus more from this brand and category.

Compare side by side →

This week's top beauty news, in your inbox.

A weekly read of the takes worth catching up on: the raves, the splits, the ones the gurus won't shut up about. Free, no spam, unsubscribe whenever.

Subscribe to the digest