PRODUCTS TO HELP COMBAT A DRY SCALP

Dermatologist Dr Justine Hextall selects her top over-the-counter products to combat dandruff.

SELSUN 2.5% SHAMPOO

100ml, £4.09, lloydspharmacy.com THIS shampoo contains an effective percentage of selenium sulphide — a natural anti- fungal treatment that targets the malassezia yeast that cause dandruff, and which numerous studies have found can ease a flaking scalp. It also helps remove surface oil from the scalp, so any remaining yeast has less to feed on.

LA ROCHE-POSAY KERIUM ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO

125ml, £12.50, lookfantastic.com IF YOUR scalp feels sore and irritated, this can be very useful as it contains zinc, which has skincalming benefits. It also contains salicylic acid, which helps to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and reduce build-up of scaling.

NEUTROGENA T/GEL FOR DRY HAIR

250ml, £5.24, most pharmacies. LOTS of dandruff shampoos strip the hair shaft of oil as well as the scalp, which can leave it feeling brittle and in poor condition. But this product contains glycerin to help soften and hydrate both the hair and scalp. Glycerin also draws in moisture, which can help combat itching. It contains salicylic acid, too, to help exfoliate flaky skin cells, plus piroctone olamine, an anti-fungal to fight the yeast causing dandruff.

NIZORAL ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO

60ml, £6, most pharmacies FOR more severe or persistent dandruff, I recommend using a product such as this, which contains 2 per cent ketoconazole, an anti-fungal treatment that clears away the underlying yeast that can drive dandruff.

COCOIS SCALP APPLICATION

40g, £11.93, amazon.co.uk IF DANDRUFF shampoos fail, I recommend this ointment, designed for dandruff, eczema and psoriasis on the scalp. It contains 5 per cent coal tar, which reduces inflammation and itching. It also contains sulphur which acts as an anti-fungal, and salicylic acid to exfoliate. Apply to scalp and leave on for an hour — or overnight — then rinse.