Anti-Dandruff Shampoo in Singapore: T/Gel, Bio-T, Clear and How to Actually Use Them

Most anti-dandruff shampoos fail because of how they are used, not what is in them. A guide to the main active ingredients, how long to leave them on, and how to keep flakes from coming back.

2026-10-15

Dandruff is one of the most common scalp complaints in Singapore, and the heat does not help. Sweat, oil and a warm, damp scalp give the yeast involved in dandruff exactly the conditions it likes.

The good news is that dandruff is very treatable. The less good news is that many people buy an anti-dandruff shampoo, use it like a normal shampoo for a week, and decide it "doesn't work". Usually the product is fine. The method is the problem.

This guide focuses on what is inside each type of anti-dandruff shampoo and how to use it properly. If you are not yet sure your flakes are dandruff at all, read Dandruff, Oily Scalp, or Product Build-Up? and Scalp Acne, Dandruff, or Product Build-Up? first.

Why dandruff happens

Everyone has a yeast called Malassezia living on their scalp. In some people, it feeds on scalp oil and produces by-products that irritate the skin. The scalp responds by shedding skin cells faster, and those cells clump into visible flakes. Itch and redness often come along too.

That explains three useful things:

Dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene, although infrequent washing can make it more visible.
Oily scalps and hot, sweaty days tend to make it worse.
It usually comes back if you stop treatment completely, so think in terms of control rather than a one-off fix.

The active ingredients, explained

Anti-dandruff shampoos work through a small set of active ingredients. Knowing them helps you choose, and helps you switch intelligently if one stops working.

Zinc pyrithione and piroctone olamine

These are the everyday workhorses, found in many supermarket anti-dandruff shampoos. They help reduce the yeast on the scalp and are gentle enough for regular use.

Head & Shoulders Clean & BalancedHead & ShouldersHead & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - Clean & Balanced 650mlHead & Shoulders Clean & Balanced is a rinse-off anti-dandruff shampoo for cleansing the hair and scalp. This formula contains piroctone olamine.S$10.00

is a widely available option; this variant lists piroctone olamine. Clear Complete Care is another popular everyday anti-dandruff shampoo, available in a large bottle that suits frequent washers. Check the label for the active ingredient of the exact variant you buy, as formulas differ between versions and countries.

Selenium sulfide

Selenium sulfide slows down the rapid shedding of skin cells and also acts against the yeast. It is often a good next step if milder shampoos are not keeping up.

Selsun Blue Pro-X Extra StrengthSelsun BlueSelsun Blue Shampoo Pro-X Extra Strength For Itchy Scalp 200mlAnti dandruff shampoo Extra strength with menthol For itchy scalp Selenium Sulfide 1% Honey extractsS$13.15

is aimed at itchy scalps, and Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Normal to Oily Hair combines selenium sulfide with salicylic acid for oilier scalps with stubborn flakes.

Selenium sulfide can have a distinctive smell and may discolour light, grey or chemically treated hair if left on too long, so rinse thoroughly.

Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is an antifungal and one of the stronger options for dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis. It is usually used a couple of times a week rather than daily; follow the directions on the pack.

Nizoral ShampooNizoralNizoral Shampoo (Newpk) 100mlNizoral Shampoo (Newpk): For washing hair and scalp; follow the directions on the selected pack.S$28.25

is the best-known name. PRISTINE Ketoconazole 2% Shampoo is another option. Because ketoconazole is a medicated ingredient, it is worth asking a pharmacist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or treating a child.

Coal tar

Coal tar slows down skin cell turnover and can help with heavy, thick scaling. Neutrogena's T/Gel range is best known for its coal tar formulas. Neutrogena T/Gel ShampooNeutrogenaNeutrogena Shampoo T/Gel 2in1 Anti-Dandruff 250mlNeutrogena Shampoo T/Gel 2in1 Anti-Dandruff 250ml is a shampoo in a 250ml pack.S$23.69

is the one to look at here; check the label of the variant you receive for its active ingredient.

Coal tar shampoos have a strong smell, can stain very light hair, and may make the scalp more sensitive to sunlight. If you use one, a hat on long outdoor days is sensible.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid does not target the yeast. Instead it loosens and lifts thick, stuck-on flakes so other ingredients can reach the scalp. It often appears alongside other actives, as in the Vichy formula above.

Where Bio-T fits

Bio-T is a local favourite for scalp care, but it is not a classic medicated anti-dandruff brand. Bio-T Tea Tree ShampooBio-TBio-T Tea Tree Shampoo 500gMenthol and tea tree ingredients soothe skin irritation for lasting scalp comfort and strong, shiny and healthy-looking hair.S$46.90

uses menthol and tea tree to leave the scalp feeling fresh and comfortable. It can be a pleasant everyday shampoo for an oily, itchy-feeling scalp, or something to use on the days between medicated washes.

If you have true dandruff with visible flakes, use a shampoo with one of the actives above as your main treatment. Tea tree and menthol can also irritate some sensitive scalps, so patch test first.

How to use anti-dandruff shampoo properly

This is where most people go wrong. Follow these steps:

Wet your hair and scalp thoroughly.
Apply the shampoo directly to the scalp, not just the lengths.
Massage gently with fingertips, not nails.
Leave it on for about three to five minutes, or as the pack directs. The active ingredient needs contact time.
Rinse thoroughly. Follow with conditioner on your lengths only if your hair feels dry.

Use it consistently for at least two to four weeks before deciding whether it works. Many people start with two or three washes a week using the medicated shampoo, then drop to once a week for maintenance, using a gentle shampoo on the other days.

When one shampoo stops working

Some people find a shampoo works brilliantly for months, then seems to fade. Rotating between two different active ingredients, say a zinc pyrithione or piroctone shampoo and a ketoconazole or selenium sulfide one, is a common and practical approach.

Preventing dandruff from coming back

Wash after heavy sweating, whether from a run, futsal or a long walk in the midday heat.
Do not sleep on a damp scalp night after night; dry your roots properly.
Keep heavy oils and pomades off the scalp itself.
Keep a maintenance wash in your routine even when your scalp looks clear.

Thinking about cost

Rather than comparing bottle prices, think about cost per wash. A large bottle of an everyday anti-dandruff shampoo used daily is a different proposition from a small medicated shampoo used twice a week. Many people find the most economical routine is a strong active once or twice a week, with a cheaper gentle shampoo the rest of the time.

A gentler option for sensitive scalps

If most anti-dandruff shampoos sting or itch, look for fragrance-free formulas. Vanicream Hair CareVanicreamVanicream Hair Care Shampoo 355mlVanicream Hair Care 355ml Shampoo is a shampoo for sensitive scalp and hair-care routines. It is the 355ml option, supplied as one retail unit of the selected variant.S$31.15

includes a dandruff shampoo in its fragrance-free hair range, designed for people with sensitive skin.

When to see a doctor

See a GP or dermatologist if flaking spreads to your face, eyebrows, ears or chest; if the scalp is very red, painful, weeping or crusted; if there are thick silvery plaques, which can point to psoriasis; if you notice hair loss in patches; or if a month of proper medicated shampoo use has not helped.

Bottom line

Choose an anti-dandruff shampoo by its active ingredient, apply it to the scalp, and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing. Give it a few weeks, then keep a maintenance wash going. T/Gel, Clear and the other medicated shampoos each have their place, while Bio-T is better treated as a refreshing support shampoo than the main treatment.