Formulated for people dealing with an itchy, flaky, tight, or generally irritated scalp — including mild dandruff-prone scalps — rather than for hair-specific concerns like color fade or damage. It's sold as a professional scalp-care product through salons and professional beauty suppliers, but the daily-use directions make it suitable for ongoing at-home use once purchased.

The reason to reach for this over a general-purpose shampoo is the menthol-and-spearmint cooling response, which gives immediate, felt relief on an itchy or irritated scalp rather than just cleansing it — most shampoos marketed for dandruff or scalp discomfort instead rely on medicated actives like zinc pyrithione or salicylic acid, which don't produce that same instant sensory effect. It's more a scalp-symptom shampoo than a scalp-condition treatment.

• Apply to wet hair and scalp, lather, and rinse thoroughly.
• Can be used daily or as often as needed.
• Follow with Malibu C Scalp Wellness Conditioner for best results.

Pros:

• Menthol plus spearmint leaf oil gives an immediate, noticeable cooling effect on the scalp, useful for masking itch during a flare-up
• Formulated without parabens, gluten, or added sodium chloride, which some scalp-sensitive users specifically avoid
• Panthenol and hydrolyzed rice protein in the formula help offset the drying effect menthol-heavy shampoos can otherwise have on lengths

Cons:

• Malibu C markets it as sulfate-free, but the ingredient list includes Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate — both sulfur-based anionic surfactants — so anyone strictly avoiding all sulfate-type cleansers should confirm with the brand rather than rely on the label claim
• Contains added fragrance, which can itself be irritating for some sensitive or reactive scalps despite the product's soothing intent
• The cooling/tingling sensation from menthol can feel too intense for a compromised or broken scalp barrier