While some popular shampoos, such as Head and Shoulders, are used by people to treat dandruff, shampoos that contain ketoconazole can not only reduce dandruff but also help treat a variety of other scalp and hair conditions, including male pattern baldness. Below, you’ll find 6 comprehensive reviews of the best ketoconazole shampoos on the market today.
Regenepure Doctor Shampoo Review
Ketoconazole is an antifungal ingredient that blocks DHT, a powerful male hormone that attacks hair follicle receptors and causes hair to weaken and shrink, until hair follicles stop producing hair altogether.
The Regenepure Doctor ($28, 16 oz) is specially formulated to reduce hair loss and contains ketoconazole. Its sulphate and parabens free formula ensures no irritation or natural hair oil removal, and also contains saw palmetto, which helps block DHT formation. Its salicylic acid will also help remove sebum and dirt from pores, while its niacin will help promote health blood circulation in the scalp.
Furthermore, the zinc found in the shampoo will help treat any fungal infections of the scalp, and the emu oil in the Regenepure Doctor shampoo helps prevent inflammation of the scalp, which is one of the negative side effects brought on by excess DHT production. Interestingly, the jojoba oil found in the shampoo can actually help promote the growth of new hair.
DS Laboratories Revita Shampoo Review
The DS Laboratories Revita Hair Growth Stimulating Shampoo ($21, 180 ml) also contains ketoconazole; which not only reduces dandruff but can also reduce hair loss and promote hair growth in some people. The apple polyphenols in the shampoo may also increase blood circulation in the scalp, while the copper peptides can help the scalp absorb ingredients in the shampoo more effectively.
What’s more, the shampoo contains cysteine; which is actually the primary component of hair, and the cysteine works in conjunction with the taurine in the shampoo to promote hair growth. Moreover, the antioxidants in the shampoo can help prevent the formation of cell damaging free radicals, and the carnitine tartrate and caffeine in the shampoo can boost cellular energy in the scalp, which can trigger new hair growth.
Perfect Hair Anti Loss Shampoo Review
The Perfect Hair Anti Loss Shampoo ($20, 8 oz) is a 5-alpha reductase inhibiting shampoo. 5-alpha reductase is the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT. The ketoconazole, as well as the evening primrose oils, borage oils, saw palmetto, and pygeum in the shampoo help block and/or reduce DHT levels in the body, and the shampoo also contains horsetail and biotin; which help nourish hair, and the shampoo also possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-sebum properties, thanks to its zinc, niacin, and salicylic acid rich formula.
Ketoconazole Shampoos for Dandruff Removal
If dandruff is your number one concern, then the Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo ($11, 3.5 oz) comes highly recommended, as its 2% ketoconazole concentration is currently the highest on the market. The Boots Anti Dandruff Shampoo ($8.19 GPB, 20 mg) also contains a 2% concentration of ketoconazole, but is only available in the United Kingdom, and does not provide any other benefits other than dandruff removal. Yet another popular ketoconazole shampoo is the Ketozal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($9 for 2.1 oz) which also contains a 2% concentration of ketoconazole, and, while not as popular as Nizoral, seems to work just as well in removing dandruff.