5 Best Pregnancy-Safe Dandruff Shampoos, Vetted by Experts

Haircare is crucial during pregnancy because it’s hard to manage time for proper hair care after having a baby. Though there is no direct relation between dandruff and your current pregnant state, there are a few factors associated with pregnancy that might contribute to excessive dandruff during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormonal changes is one of them. So, how can you treat dandruff while pregnant? Some anti-dandruff shampoos might be your last resort during pregnancy.

There are many dandruff shampoos available in the market, but you need to practice caution while choosing them. That’s because dandruff shampoos use ingredients like selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, ketoconazole, and coal tar that are not entirely safe to use by pregnant women. Keeping these in mind, our experts have carefully picked a few dandruff shampoos that are most likely safe during pregnancy.

However, you should consult with a dermatologist before using dandruff shampoos during pregnancy, especially medicated dandruff shampoos such as Nizoral and Vanicream Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.

Pregnancy-Safe Dandruff Shampoos

Tea Tree Special Shampoo

Like some essential oils, when diluted with a carrier oil(coconut, jojoba, or almond), pure tea tree oil is usually safe to use during pregnancy. Not just helpful in treating dandruff, tea tree oil is often used for treating acne and other superficial skin infections. Check out this Tea Tree Special Shampoo from Paul Mitchel.

The quality of the oil is top-notch as it only contains natural tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender oil. You might wonder why peppermint and lavender oil. Because peppermint helps with dryness and itching, while lavender helps prevent bacteria and fungi growth. Free from artificial and unnecessary fillers, it has a very refreshing scent. Your hair will feel lighter and extra clean just after a couple of applications.

However, the shampoo isn’t very moisturizing. So, you should use a moisturizing conditioner during pregnancy. Overall, the shampoo works great for dry, flaky, eczema-prone skin.

Hair Type: All | Key Benefits: Deep-cleansing and Oil-balancing | Key Ingredients: Tea tree, Peppermint, & Lavender | Sulfate-Free: No | Paraben-Free: Yes

Maple Holistics Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner Set

Maple Holistics needs no introduction since the brand is well-known for its holistic or clean personal care products. This Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner is made with 100% pure tea tree essential oils enriched with natural anti-dandruff properties to fight against dandruff and dry scalp. Don’t worry about harsh chemical additives because it has none of them.

The cleanser comes with a clean formula that is formulated with 100% natural ingredients. Free from sulfates and parabens, the formula is best suited to treat your dry, damaged hair during pregnancy in the most efficient manner. The all-natural formula not only removes dirt, buildups, and excess oil from your scalp but also nourishes it with vitamins and nutrients for lasting scalp treatment. Your hair becomes super soft and gets a new shiny look from the very first use. The pleasant smell of tea tree oil will make you feel minty-cool and fresh.

Most importantly, the product is safe for different types of hair, including color-treated hair. Lastly, it lathers well without needing a large amount of shampoo.

Hair Type: All | Key Benefits: Cleansing & Refreshing | Key Ingredients: Tea tree & Lavender | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Paraben-Free: Yes

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse dpHUE

The hair rinse mainly uses apple cider vinegar with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties as a scalp cleanser. Like Ketoconazole, which is mostly used in medicated dandruff shampoos, apple cider vinegar fights the dandruff-causing fungus to keep the scalp clean. The formula also has powerful ingredients such as biotin, keratin, avocado, coconut, and argan oil. Well-known for dandruff-fighting abilities, all these ingredients are safe for pregnant women.

Parabens and sulfates-free, this product doesn’t contain any questionable additives. Since apple cider vinegar helps keep the scalp PH balanced, you are less likely to experience scalp irritation and itchiness while using this shampoo. When you use the shampoo, it leaves your hair and scalp clean with a mild floral scent. The scent provides a fresh feeling for quite a while.

Hair Type: All | Key Benefits: Scalp Exfoliating | Key Ingredients: Apple Cider Vinegar | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Paraben-Free: Yes

AVEDA Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo

Plant-based hair care products could be another good option for pregnant women struggling with dandruff and dry scalp. Having a balanced scalp is key to maintaining a healthy scalp and hair. When the natural balance of your scalp is disrupted, the scalp microbiomes fail to function properly, leading to several scalp problems like itchiness, irritation, and dandruff. Aveda has a powerful shampoo to address this issue specifically. Aveda’s scalp-balancing shampoo helps balance your scalp’s natural fungal ecosystem.

Formulated from plant-based ingredients, this balancing shampoo gently cleanses and nourishes the scalp without using any harsh chemicals. The formula works instantly to balance sebum levels while removing excess oil and dirt from the scalp at the same time.

Since the shampoo cleans down to the root, it leaves the scalp invigorated and refreshed. As expected, the shampoo is free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. Like the formula, the shampoo has a clean botanical scent. Lastly, the color-safe formula works well for all hair types.

Hair Type: All | Key Benefits: Nourishing and Hydrating | Key Ingredients: Coneflower, Sage, & Sea Buckthorn Extract | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Paraben-Free: Yes

GIOVANNI Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo

Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo is an herbal shampoo from Giovanni Cosmetics. Effective for alleviating dryness and flaking, this shampoo uses a powerful blend of three organic oils (peppermint, rosemary, and eucalyptus) to fight against dandruff and flakes. Cruelty-free; the formula has no artificial dyes, parabens, sulfates, or any other harmful chemicals.

Safe for most hair types, this product works well to strip out excess oils and dirt from the scalp. Every time you apply this shampoo, it leaves your hair clean and shiny. Thanks to its high-performance formulation, it cleanses your hair thoroughly without completely stripping out moisture. In fact, the formula is color-safe. The product comes in multiple sizes, so you can easily get the size you need.

Hair Type: All | Key Benefits: Strengthening & Rejuvenating | Key Ingredients: Peppermint, Rosemary, & Eucalyptus | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Paraben-Free: Yes