The Secret to Making Your Dandruff Shampoo Work Better

This post was sponsored by Head & Shoulders. All opinions my own.

I’ve been pretty open about my dandruff and scalp issues here on the blog. It’s something I’ve struggled with since I was a kid, though has gotten more… intense since moving to a dry climate. I have a dry and easily irritated scalp, with flakes for days if I’m not treating it right. I’ve been trying to really move things around in my routine to find what works with my hair the best, keeping my flakes away but also making my hair manageable and healthy looking.

Most of the time I’ll take a medicated shampoo that’s harsh and usually smells medicinal, and try pairing it with a rich, scented conditioner to get the job done. It’s definitely helped, but leaves me wanting a little more. Here’s the deal: sometimes even when I’m using effective dandruff shampoos, the results aren’t long lasting or as clear as I expect.

It may seem like a no brainer, but even I didn’t realize that by using a conditioner that wasn’t targeting my dandruff, I was pretty much washing out the benefits from my dandruff shampoo. D’oh!

So I recently remembered a product I used to use last year, and that I actually posted about almost exactly a year ago: The Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Shampoo. Except this time, I used it with the matching Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Conditioner to maximize my results. So first off, this stuff doesn’t smell like your “typical” dandruff shampoo. It smells so yummy with a subtle fruity scent that you can get a whiff of even after you rinse. The shampoo itself feels really gentle and doesn’t tangle my hair like other harsh shampoos that target the same problems, so it’s already easier to apply and lather through my hair.

But the real game changer is the conditioner. It feels like your go-to favorite conditioner: rich, creamy and you can feel it working right away. It starts detangling my hair and I can feel the moisture it’s about to deliver. However, it also contains the same flake-fighting ingredients as the shampoo for double duty. Since most people let their conditioner sink in longer than their shampoo sits, you’re giving the ingredients a chance to really do work. This is one conditioner that I do apply on my roots (just a little) for all-over hydration and treatment.

As an end result, not only were all visible flakes and patches gone in one use of both the shampoo and conditioner, but my hair smelled awesome, was super soft and easy to style, plus it had body to it! It didn’t feel weighed down in the slightest, but was definitely more hydrated than it was when I stepped into the shower.

Here’s the thing: Head & Shoulders isn’t just a dandruff brand and I think a lot of people have that misconception. If you’re just looking for healthier hair in general, it all starts with a healthy scalp, which this routine provides. If you do experience scalp issues like I do, though, it’s important to keep your routine constant to maintain results and keep problems at bay. As an influencer, it’s my job to test out a bunch of products for you… but these are definitely going to be the staple I come back to for maintaining flake-free and healthy hair.

You can pick up the Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Shampoo and Conditioner at your local Food 4 Less at the same time you do all your other shopping! Super convenient, and your hair will thank you. If you’re outside of LA, the store is probably called Kroger.

Have you been using dandruff conditioner in your routine?