Beauty Scalp Relief vs Brews Mint: Best Redken Scalp Shampoo Pick
Scalp Relief Anti-Dandruff and Brews Mint are the two standout Redken scalp shampoos. One is a medicated dandruff treatment, the other a cooling daily cleanser. This comparison breaks down actives, feel, price, and best use cases.
| Factor | Redken Scalp Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampo | Redken Brews Mint Shampoo for Men |
|---|---|---|
| Main benefit | Fights dandruff and flakes | Cooling cleanse for oil |
| Active ingredient | Pyrithione zinc | Menthol |
| Scalp feel | Soothing and calm | Tingly and invigorated |
| Price range | Check price | Check price |
| Bottle size | 8.5 fl oz | Standard shampoo size |
| Daily use | Yes, gentle enough | Yes, made for daily use |
| Best for | Dandruff sufferers | Oily scalps |
Our Verdict
Choose Scalp Relief Anti-Dandruff if flakes and dandruff are your main problem. Choose Brews Mint if your scalp is oily and you want a refreshing daily cleanse. Some people alternate between the two. Match the product to your top scalp complaint.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Daily washers wanting simple scalp-friendly care.
Redken Brews Daily Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Men
- Malt protein formula
- Gentle daily cleansing
- Lightweight conditioner
- Adds moisture and shine
Pros
- Complete daily routine
- Strengthens hair
- Good set value
Cons
- Geared to the men's line
- Not a medicated dandruff formula
Best for: Dry scalps with brittle ends needing softness.
Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner Set, 10.1 Fl Oz
- Argan oil enriched formula
- Intense softness
- For dry, brittle hair
- Color safe
Pros
- Deep lasting moisture
- Silky finish
- Trusted salon brand
Cons
- Heavy for fine hair
- Higher price point
Best for: Fine, flat hair with dry scalp concerns.
Redken Acidic Grow Full System Shampoo and Conditioner Set
- Azelaic acid and caffeine
- Fuller-looking hair
- Scalp moisturizing formula
- Gentle cleansing action
Pros
- Targets the thinning look
- Scalp focused care
- Modern formula
Cons
- New line with fewer reviews
- Premium price
Want the Full Picture?
The 4-Week Rotation Calendar
Rotation advice is everywhere and specifics nowhere, so here's the calendar. Weeks 1-2: your base shampoo, used two to three times weekly with a two-to-three-minute contact time on the second lather. Week 3: a different active class, salicylic acid for exfoliation or selenium sulfide for stronger antifungal action. Week 4: back to base, then assess whether flakes stayed down through the cycle.
The signal to watch: if the rotation week clears what the base couldn't, your scalp needed the different mechanism. Run this cycle every six to eight weeks as preventive maintenance, not just rescue. Our ketoconazole vs zinc comparison helps choose the rotation active. Rotation prevents the adaptation that makes a long-used shampoo seem to "stop working."
Seasonal Flare Management
Dandruff follows the calendar, and the routine should too. Winter: indoor heating dries the air and the scalp, flakes increase, and the move is less stripping, fewer medicated washes, more moisture, and a humidifier. Summer: heat and sweat raise oil production, and the move is more frequent medicated washing with lighter conditioners.
Adjust during the transition weeks, before the flare, not after it. A one-year log of flare timing and what worked becomes a personalized prevention calendar by year two. The readers with the calmest scalps aren't using stronger products; they're adjusting earlier. Seasonal management is prevention, and prevention beats treatment every time.
When It's Not Dandruff: Folliculitis and Scalp Acne
Not every itchy, bumpy scalp is dandruff. Folliculitis shows as small red bumps or pustules around follicles, often tender; scalp acne clusters along the hairline and part. Both are bacterial, not fungal, which means antifungal dandruff shampoos won't fix them and escalating actives just irritates.
The distinguishing test: dandruff brings flakes with diffuse itch; folliculitis brings bumps with localized tenderness. If anti-dandruff treatment hasn't helped after a month, or if you see pustules rather than flakes, consider the bacterial possibility and see a dermatologist, since bacterial scalp conditions sometimes need prescription treatment. Our anti-dandruff guide covers the dandruff side of this differential so you can tell which problem you actually have.
Contact Time: The Technique That Decides Everything
Before rotating, escalating, or replacing anything, audit the single variable that decides most outcomes: contact time. Anti-dandruff actives need two to three minutes on the scalp to work. The routine: shampoo once to remove oil and buildup, rinse, then shampoo again and leave the second lather on while you finish your shower. That second lather is the treatment; the first is prep.
Readers who fix only this step often clear within two weeks, one scalp-cell turnover. It costs nothing and works with any formula at any price, which makes it the highest-leverage change in dandruff care. A premium shampoo rinsed in thirty seconds loses to a drugstore shampoo given three minutes, every time. Technique first, products second.
Cost Per Wash: Salon vs Drugstore Math
The honest monthly math: divide bottle price by washes delivered. A salon formula used twice weekly lasts roughly two months; a drugstore formula at a third of the price lasts the same. Since the actives are commodities, the drugstore option treats identically, and the price difference buys experience, not efficacy.
The exception is compliance: if the salon formula's pleasantness is what keeps you treating consistently, it's worth it, because an abandoned drugstore bottle treats nothing. But don't confuse the two budgets: pay for the active with the cheapest effective option, and pay for the experience only if the experience is what keeps you consistent.