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Our verdict
For real dandruff, the evidence is strongest for a ketoconazole 2% shampoo. The Cochrane review we read found ketoconazole better than placebo for scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis, and useful for keeping it away. Selenium sulfide is also likely to work. Zinc pyrithione, the active in many everyday dandruff shampoos, had weaker support.
Our top pick is Dermazole Ketoconazole 2% (71/100), a registered shampoo from Watsons’ official store. Nizoral (65/100) is the better first trial, because it comes in single sachets, and Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol (53/100) is a cheap cosmetic option for mild flaking.
Ketoconazole is a drug here. Most “ketoconazole shampoos” in Shopee’s best-sellers have no drug registration we could find. If dandruff does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks, or your scalp is red, sore, oozing or losing hair in patches, see a doctor.
Search Shopee for dandruff shampoo and most of the best-sellers are cheap “ketoconazole” bottles and look-alike “Nizoral” listings at 60 to 80 percent off. This guide checks them against FDA Philippines drug, cosmetic and advisory records.
2 to 4 weeks
is how long the Nizoral label says to use it before you should stop and ask a doctor if the condition has not improved.
| Dermazole | Nizoral | Head & Shoulders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 71/100 | 65/100 | 53/100 |
| Our rating | |||
| Best for | Real dandruff, value | First trial | Mild flaking, daily use |
| Active ingredient | Ketoconazole 2% | Ketoconazole 2% | Not named |
| FDA registration | Drug (DRHR-1632) | Drug (DRHR-402) | Cosmetic notification |
| FDA no. in listing | No | No | No |
| Warnings in listing | No (blank) | Yes (Drug Facts) | No |
| Price | ₱326 for 50 mL | ₱904 for 12 × 6 mL | ₱308 for 330 mL |
| Price per mL | ₱6.50 | ₱12.50 | ₱0.93 |
| Shop | Check price | Check price | Check price |
What the research actually shows
This section draws on search summaries of a Cochrane review of topical treatments for scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis and of later trials. The Cochrane review we saw is from 2015, and we did not check for a later update or read the full text.
- Ketoconazole: better than placebo, and useful as maintenance treatment to keep dandruff from coming back, according to the review.
- Selenium sulfide: judged likely to be effective, with less direct evidence. A 2025 review of selenium disulfide trials noted that many are small and some are industry-sponsored.
- Zinc pyrithione: may reduce dandruff severity compared with a plain shampoo, but the review called the evidence too weak and limited for conclusions.
- Head-to-head: we did not retrieve the results of the older trials of ketoconazole against zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide. A manufacturer-hosted summary of one trial favoured a 1% selenium sulfide shampoo, which we do not rely on.
- Side effects: ketoconazole is generally well tolerated, but can cause itching, irritation, and a dry or oily scalp, rarely allergy. Selenium sulfide can discolour the scalp.
Dandruff is common, and it can be flaking from dry skin, a yeast reaction on the scalp, or a condition such as seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis. A shampoo treats flaking, not hair loss. If you want to treat hair loss, see our hair grower guide.
What the claims on these listings actually mean
| Claim | What it covers | Key exclusion |
|---|---|---|
| DRHR- or DRP- registration, verified for this exact product | The FDA registered it as a drug | Not a test of what is in your bottle |
| NN- cosmetic notification | The FDA has a record of the product and its maker | A notification is not an approval, and cosmetics cannot claim to treat a disease |
| “Contains ketoconazole” | An ingredient claim | Ketoconazole is a drug here. A shampoo with no drug registration should be treated as unregistered |
| “Clinically proven” | A marketing phrase | No study named in any listing we read |
| “10x more effective than the leading brand’s active” | A comparison of ingredients | The comparison does not say how the finished shampoo performs |
| “Treats psoriasis” or “hair growth” on a shampoo | A medical or hair-growth promise | A shampoo does not treat psoriasis or regrow hair. See a doctor |
| “100% dandruff-free in 7 days” | A guarantee | No listing we read offers it, and the label advises 2 to 4 weeks |
Dandruff shampoos we would not buy
These were for sale on Shopee when we checked, or are named in FDA advisories.
| Product | What we found | Our check |
|---|---|---|
| KORMESIC Ketoconazole Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (many sellers) | 10K+ sold at ₱83 to ₱429. We found no drug registration for a Kormesic ketoconazole shampoo, and the brand has FDA advisories on other products (2026-0332, 2026-0333, 2025-1447). | Brand named in advisories; no registration found |
| “Nizoral” 1% ketoconazole, “Nizoral Psoriasis” with 3% salicylic acid, and “Nizoral 2-in-1” 200 to 400 mL bottles | Sold by resellers at ₱299 to ₱710, often 60 to 80 percent off, with look-alike or broken spellings of the name. The FDA record we found is for a 2% shampoo, DRHR-402, and a “Nizoral Derma Daily” cosmetic. We found no record for the 1% or “psoriasis” versions. | Product does not match the record; counterfeit risk |
| Generic “1% ketoconazole shampoo sets”, “ketoconazole with salicylic acid 3%” | Unbranded or no-name sets at about ₱377. No maker and no registration number. | No maker to check |
| Head & Shoulders from small shops | The FDA has warned against counterfeit and unauthorized Head & Shoulders (Advisory Nos. 2019-327, 2020-1545, 2021-2857 and 2021-2858). | Counterfeit risk from resellers |
| POTE Natural, VS Sassoon VSacamedy and Novelina anti-dandruff shampoos | FDA advisories for unauthorized cosmetics (2022-0450, 2022-0037 and 2021-0586). | Fails: unauthorized |
| Hair-growth shampoos with biotin or “minoxidil 5%” | Minoxidil is a drug; we found no registration for these shampoos. See our hair grower guide. | Unregistered drug claims |
Our picks
Best checked
1. Dermazole Ketoconazole 2% Shampoo (50 mL), Watsons
71/100
FDA drug registered
Full ingredient list
Directions given
₱6.50 per mL
| FDA status | Registered drug: “Dermazole” ketoconazole 20 mg/mL (2%) shampoo, DRHR-1632 (valid to 9 February 2031) and DRHR-1992 (valid to 26 May 2030), Kusum Healthcare. A “Dermazole Plus” with zinc pyrithione is a separate registration |
| FDA number in listing? | No. We matched it on the FDA portal |
| Ingredients | Ketoconazole 2% and a full list of the other ingredients, including a colour and fragrance |
| Advisory found | None for Dermazole |
| Seller | Watsons Official Store (7.6K ratings on this listing; 13.9M on the shop) |
| Price | ₱326 for 50 mL; a 100 mL bottle from other shops is about ₱575 to ₱580 |
Ketoconazole 2% is the dandruff treatment with the best support in the research we read. This listing is for a registered product, sold by a pharmacy chain’s official store, and it gives the strength, the full ingredient list and a usage routine: leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes, wash every 3 to 4 days for 2 to 4 weeks, then once every 1 to 2 weeks. Its claims match its purpose: it “prevents and treats dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis”.
The “Product Warnings” field is blank, so there is nothing about pregnancy, broken skin or when to stop and see a doctor. The listing also does not print the registration number, and a 50 mL bottle is small for regular use. The shampoo is red and fragranced, which may bother sensitive scalps. Watch for look-alike Dermazole bottles from other sellers at higher prices.
Why it scored well
- Registered ketoconazole 2% shampoo from a pharmacy chain’s official store
- Full ingredient list and a clear routine
- Modest claims that match its purpose
Watch-outs
- Warnings field is blank
- Registration number not printed; 50 mL is a small bottle
- Coloured and fragranced
Brand-run store
2. Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 2% Ketoconazole (12 × 6 mL sachets)
65/100
FDA drug registered
Drug Facts printed
Warnings given
₱75 per sachet
| FDA status | Registered drug: “Nizoral” ketoconazole 20 mg/g (2%) shampoo, DRHR-402 (Interphil Laboratories, valid to 18 April 2031) |
| FDA number in listing? | No. We matched it on the FDA portal |
| Ingredients | Active ingredient ketoconazole 2%, with a Drug Facts panel (uses, warnings, when to stop and ask a doctor). The full ingredient list is not shown |
| Advisory found | None for Nizoral |
| Seller | Nizoral Philippines shop (5 years on Shopee, 13.9K shop ratings, 1.6K on this listing, 87% response rate) |
| Price | ₱904 for 12 sachets of 6 mL (list ₱965); the same shop sells single sachets |
The best-known brand, in the most useful form for a first trial: single-use 6 mL sachets, so you can test it for the 2 to 4 weeks the label suggests without buying a bottle. The listing prints a full Drug Facts panel, including “do not use on broken or inflamed scalp”, “ask a doctor if pregnant or breast-feeding”, and “stop use and ask a doctor if the condition does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks”.
It is expensive per mL, about ₱12.50 against ₱6.50 for Dermazole. The marketing claims go further than the evidence we read: “clinically proven”, and “10x more effective at fighting the primary cause of dandruff than the active ingredient in the leading dandruff shampoo”, with no study named. Shopee is full of look-alike “Nizoral” listings, often at 60 to 80 percent off. Buy only from the brand’s own shop.
Why it scored well
- Registered ketoconazole 2%; full Drug Facts and warnings on the listing
- Sachets let you try it before buying a bottle
- Brand’s own shop
Watch-outs
- “10x more effective” and “clinically proven” with no study named
- About double Dermazole’s price per mL
- Registration number not printed; 87% response rate
Everyday cosmetic
3. Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Cool Menthol (330 mL), P&G
53/100
FDA notified cosmetic
Official store
Active ingredient not named
₱0.93 per mL
| FDA status | Notified cosmetic: several “Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol” notifications, for example NN-1000015783313 and NN-1000013896806 (Procter & Gamble Philippines, valid to 2027). We could not tell which covers this bottle |
| FDA number in listing? | No |
| Ingredients | The listing does not name the active ingredient or give an ingredient list |
| Advisory found | None for the P&G products. Older advisories cover counterfeit and unauthorized Head & Shoulders (see below) |
| Seller | P&G Beauty Official Store (1.5K ratings on this listing, 1.3M on the shop, 31% response rate) |
| Price | ₱308 for 330 mL (list ₱377); 12 mL sachets are also sold |
A mainstream anti-dandruff shampoo for daily use, from the maker’s official store, notified as a cosmetic and cheap per mL. It is gentler and easier to live with than a medicated shampoo and may be enough for mild flaking.
The listing does not name the active ingredient, so you cannot check whether it is the zinc pyrithione the brand is known for. Zinc pyrithione had only weak, limited support in the review we read. The specification panel contradicts the product: it says “fragrance-free”, “non-chemical”, “no tears” and lists AHA, BHA and ceramides for a menthol-scented shampoo. The claim steps (after day 1, day 2) carry footnotes that are not shown, and a reviewer quotes a “7 days, 100% dandruff-free guarantee” the listing does not make.
Why it scored well
- Official store; cosmetic notifications on record for the Cool Menthol line
- Low price per mL; gentle for daily use
- No advisory on the maker’s own products
Watch-outs
- Active ingredient and ingredient list not shown
- Specification contradicts the product: “fragrance-free”, “non-chemical”
- Day-by-day claims with missing footnotes; 31% response rate
Also considered
Selsun Blue (selenium sulfide) and Clear. Both have cosmetic notifications on the FDA portal (Selsun Blue by Cambert Philippines, Clear by Unilever). We saw Selsun Blue listings at 70 percent off from a regular seller, and did not read either brand’s listing, so we did not score them.
Dermazole Plus and Scalpex. Both combine ketoconazole 2% with zinc pyrithione 1% and are registered drugs (DR-XY45938 and DRP-8069). We did not read a Shopee listing for either.
How to use, and when to stop
- Read the box. Dermazole’s listing suggests leaving it on 3 to 5 minutes and washing every 3 to 4 days for 2 to 4 weeks.
- Avoid broken, inflamed or infected scalp.
- Keep it out of your eyes. Rinse well if it gets in.
- Stop and ask a doctor if a rash appears, or the condition does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks (the Nizoral label).
- Pregnant or breast-feeding: ask a doctor first.
- Keep it out of reach of children.
- See a doctor for red, sore, oozing or thick scaly patches, hair loss in patches, or flaking that keeps returning.
How we researched this guide
We searched Shopee for dandruff and ketoconazole shampoos on October 12, 2026, checked the brands against the FDA Philippines verification portal (drug, cosmetic and advisory records), and read three listings in full. Each was scored with our published rubric. Because ketoconazole is a drug, we scored those products on the drug record. Price per mL divides the pack price by the volume in each listing.
The research summary is based on search summaries of a Cochrane review (2015) and later trials. We did not read the full texts or check for a newer Cochrane update. This guide is general information, not medical advice. It has not yet been reviewed by our health content reviewer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best shampoo for dandruff?
For real dandruff, the evidence is strongest for ketoconazole 2%. In our review, Dermazole Ketoconazole 2% scored highest (71/100). Head & Shoulders (53/100) is a cheaper cosmetic option for mild flaking.
Is ketoconazole shampoo safe?
It is generally well tolerated. It can cause itching, irritation and a dry or oily scalp, and rarely allergy. Avoid broken scalp, and ask a doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
How often should I use ketoconazole shampoo?
Follow the box. One listing suggests leaving it on for 3 to 5 minutes and washing every 3 to 4 days for 2 to 4 weeks, then once every 1 to 2 weeks.
How long until dandruff improves?
The Nizoral label says to stop and ask a doctor if there is no improvement in 2 to 4 weeks.
Is Nizoral on Shopee real?
Buy only from the brand's own shop. Many look-alike "Nizoral" listings at 60 to 80 percent off are for versions (1%, psoriasis) that we could not match to an FDA record.
Does zinc pyrithione work?
It may reduce dandruff compared with a plain shampoo, but the Cochrane review we read called the evidence too weak and limited for conclusions.
Does an anti-dandruff shampoo stop hair fall?
No. A shampoo treats flaking, not hair loss. See our hair grower guide and see a doctor for patchy or heavy hair loss.
Is Head & Shoulders good for dandruff?
It is a reasonable everyday cosmetic option, but the listing we read does not name the active ingredient, and zinc pyrithione had weaker evidence than ketoconazole.
Is a ketoconazole shampoo from Shopee FDA registered?
Many are not. Ketoconazole is a drug here, so check the exact product name in the drug records on verification.fda.gov.ph.
Is dandruff the same as seborrhoeic dermatitis?
Dandruff is the milder end. Seborrhoeic dermatitis can also bring redness and greasy scales and may need a doctor's advice.
Can I use it on children?
Ask a doctor first. We did not find guidance for children in the sources we read.
When should I see a doctor about dandruff?
If there is no improvement in 2 to 4 weeks, your scalp is red, sore or oozing, you lose hair in patches, or flaking keeps returning.