Shampoo recommendations for dandruffy greasy pre-teen

[VashtaNerada]

Just that really! Poor DD is really suffering with dandruff and greasy hair now her hormones are all over the place. She’s tried washing daily with Head & Shoulders but it’s not helping. Anyone got any tried and tested ideas?

Vosene

My Dd has just turned 12 and for the last year has been the same as your DD. We now use Moogoo, it's not cheap but lasts ages, it has completely got rid of the dandruff and her hair lasts days now without needing to be washed.

Add one (only one) teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda to the shampoo in your hand and wash as normal. Rinse, rinse and rinse again!!!
Don't put conditioner near roots, only on ends.
Rinse conditioner out with COLD water.
Avoid hair straighteners and the like if at all possible.

However, hormones will be changing daily for a while so a fix today might not work tomorrow. This too will pass.

I used to use Paul Mitchell tea tree which was great for dandruff. Not sure what it's like for greasy hair

I swear by TGel for greasy hair - not cheap though

Dr Organics activated charcoal shampoo with a once a fortnight polytar shampoo wash has been fab for my greasy hair.

The "men's" Head & Shoulders shampoo.

It's brilliant.

Total transformation of my sons greasy dandruff prone hair during puberty.

The normal H&S were not nearly as effective.

Thanks everyone! We’ll make our way through the list...

DH used Tgel and head and shoulders interchangeably. Just make sure scalp gets a good thorough massaging and clean.

Body shop Ginger shampoo, lasts ages too

Jason’s apricot works for DD, same age, same stage! Anything else = greasy itchy and flaky scalp.

Nizoral, it’s bloody expensive, but it actually kills the yeast that can be a cause of dandruff.

Often what people think is dandruff isn’t actually dandruff though, it is a reaction to harsh shampoos. H&S being harsh it often makes a sensitive scalp worse rather than better.

I second Body shop ginger shampoo (& conditioner), works.

Body shop ginger. No dandruff or itchy head anymore for dad

Dd

I've been doing the odd bicarb wash and it's great. Leaves my hair feeling so light and clean.

I do find it quite drying though and have to use conditioner all over.

Hi, loads of good advice before this but worth an add. Try the bicarb and cider vinegar mix. Why not. Also it might be worth considering an allergy. If dandruff isn't fixed by usual products it could be a symptom of something else.

Worth trying reducing dairy if possible. Or perhaps softer-on-the-skin hair products. It may sound odd but try baby hair products to see if the dandruff goes away. If it does then try other older products and whatever doesn't cause dandruff can stay. Good luck, hope she feels better soon.

Make sure she is actually getting the shampoo onto her scalp and rinsing it very well - also rinse with as cold water as possible as this is better for your hair. Also keep conditioner away from her roots and really should just condition the ends

Selsun Gold is probably the best hardcore dandruff shampoo. You have to leave it on for five minutes. It smells of sulfur, but it really works. I have seborrheic dermatitis which is often mistaken for dandruff - it's caused by a reaction to greasy hair. I use Selsun Gold for flare-ups, then a non-scented shampoo with no silicones, no phthalates, no sls, etc - it is for very sensitive scalps. I have found that silicones in particular a big problem for my scalp. (The brand I use is Akin or Alchemy - it is the same. I live in Australia, so it might be hard to find. Klorane make some nice ones too.). Also using a leave-in conditioner, but nowhere near the roots helps. (Also obvs, silicone-free)