Itchy winter scalp? Try this $9 shampoo before the expensive treatments

This is the kind of shampoo that quietly takes over your shower and then refuses to leave.

And it’s only $9.

After years of testing beauty products on repeat, I’ve learned that the most impressive finds aren’t always the flashiest ones. I’ve cycled through luxury formulas, buzzy launches, and countless drugstore staples, and the CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo has firmly landed in my personal hall of fame.

It’s now one of the best drugstore shampoos I’ve reviewed, and judging by the fact that more than 30,000 shoppers purchased it in the past month, I’m far from alone.

CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo

Amazon

CeraVe does what it does best here: treating hair care like skin care. The formula is built with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, which reads more like a dermatologist’s office than a shampoo aisle.

That ingredient lineup isn’t just impressive on paper; it translates into a wash that feels genuinely nourishing, especially for anyone dealing with dry hair, a sensitive scalp (or both!) Instead of that stripped, overly clean feeling, my hair feels soft, hydrated, and comfortable right out of the rinse.

The lather is gentle and understated, which I actually see as a green flag. It cleans thoroughly without turning your shower into a foam party, and my scalp never felt tight or irritated afterward. Over time, my hair became easier to manage, smoother, and healthier-looking — the kind of results you notice when you’re not constantly battling dryness or frizz caused by harsh formulas.

Victoria McDonnell

I’m also a big fan of the fragrance-free approach. After testing endless shampoos, I’ve found that added scent is often the hidden trigger behind scalp issues. This shampoo skips all of that, keeping things calm and uncomplicated. It’s dermatologist-tested and designed specifically with dry, sensitive skin and scalps in mind, which makes it feel like a safe bet for everyday use, not just occasional wash days.

What keeps me reaching for this bottle is how dependable it is. My hair feels balanced, my scalp stays happy, and I never feel the need to “recover” from wash day with extra masks or treatments. For a drugstore shampoo, that’s saying a lot.

CeraVe’s Gentle Hydrating Shampoo is proof that you don’t need luxury pricing or over-the-top claims to get a formula that works. It’s simple, smart, and refreshingly excellent — the kind of product that earns its hype by being used, loved sand repurchased on repeat.

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best sheet masks on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos for all hair types and budgets. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.