Published Paper Details:

Dandruff is a common scalp disorder primarily associated with Malassezia species, abnormal keratinization, and inflammatory responses. Although synthetic agents such as ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, and selenium sulfide remain standard treatments, their long-term use is often limited by irritation and microbiome disruption. This review summarizes current research on the formulations, mechanisms, and efficacy of herbal anti-dandruff shampoos, highlighting their growing relevance as safer and multifunctional alternatives. Key herbal ingredients including neem, tea tree oil, rosemary, Aloe vera, hibiscus, amla, and tulsi demonstrate significant antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and sebum-regulating activities supported by in-vitro and clinical findings.Formulation strategies emphasize mild surfactant systems, standardized extracts, and optimized physicochemical properties to ensure stability and bioactivity. Comparative studies show that polyherbal shampoos can achieve reductions in dandruff severity similar to synthetic agents while offering superior scalp tolerance and user acceptability. Despite these advantages, gaps remain in extract standardization, large-scale clinical validation, and advanced delivery technologies. Overall, herbal anti-dandruff shampoos present an effective and sustainable approach for long-term scalp care, warranting further research to refine their therapeutic potential.