I’ve had dandruff for decades, although it comes and goes with the seasons (and, for whatever reason, my hormones). My shower is basically one big repository for shampoos that promise to fight flakes, soothe itchiness, and deliver a sense of calm. And while a few worked, they never worked perfectly. Some left my wavy hair dull and frizzy; others had an off-putting smell. So my hopes weren’t especially high when I set out to test the Head & Shoulders BARE Pure Clean shampoo. Yes, it won a 2024 Best of Beauty Award, impressing our testers with its ability to calm their flaky, sensitive scalps. And yes, it has a delightfully short ingredient list. But I’ve been burned by lofty promises in the past.
But as it turns out, the Head & Shoulders BARE Pure Clean Shampoo lives up to the hype. First, I love that it builds to a really thick, foamy lather, allowing me to thoroughly massage it into my scalp. I also appreciated the warm, coconut water-inspired scent, which left my hair smelling so good that my husband commented on it.
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What impressed me the most, though, was the shampoo’s ability to dial down my typically itchy scalp—and free my shoulders of the telltale dandruff dust. Head & Shoulders BARE Pure Clean Shampoo uses 1 percent pyrithione zinc, the medicated ingredient that targets the fungus (which naturally resides on the scalp, thank you very much) that contributes to dandruff.
This minimalist formula pairs the active with mild, plant-based surfactants to gently but thoroughly cleanse hair at the roots, and is free of sulfates, silicone, and dyes. And while it does contain fragrance, a potential irritant, I’m not especially worried about it in a rinse-off product like shampoo.
Ultimately, it’s become a mainstay in my wash routine. I use it every few days to keep the flakes under control, relieved that I’ve finally solved this particular head-scratcher. Sound appealing? The Head & Shoulders BARE Pure Clean Shampoo is available for $20 (for two bottles) at Amazon—go forth and scrub.
