Sponsored Content Disclosure: This blog post is sponsored by Seaford Pharmaceuticals.
How a pharmacist’s recommendation led me to a shampoo that provided dry scalp relief - for me, my teen son, and even a toddler.
For most of my adult life, I dealt with an itchy, flaky scalp. I have tried every brightly labeled bottle that promised miracles. You’ve seen them, ”100% flake free”, “scalp moisturizing”, scalp-clarifying”, “doctor-recommended.”
Nothing seemed to work—until I finally found the right shampoo.
Some shampoos helped, but only for a while; others left my scalp red and irritated. Nothing actually solved the problem. If the flakes went away, they always came back, more stubborn than before.
Eventually, it wasn’t just about appearances. It became uncomfortable, distracting, and honestly, discouraging.
When Nothing Worked, I Asked My Pharmacist
After another disappointing trip to the drugstore, I finally stopped guessing and asked someone who might actually know. At my local pharmacy, I spoke with my pharmacist, who’s looked out for my family’s health for years. I explained the constant flaking and irritation, and he asked a few questions before saying something I hadn’t expected:
“Have you ever tried a coal tar shampoo?”
I was surprised. “Isn’t that kind of old-school?”
“Not at all. Coal tar is still one of the most effective treatments for stubborn dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
He said he regularly recommended Seaford Pharmaceutical’s Coal Tar Shampoo. It’s free of fragrances, dermatologist-tested, and safe for sensitive skin.
It wasn’t what I’d imagined I’d be walking out with, but I was willing to try something different.
A Noticeable Difference from the First Wash
The instructions were simple: lather a small amount into the scalp, leave it on for a few minutes, rinse thoroughly, and follow with conditioner.
After the first use, my scalp felt calmer. No burning, no tightness.
After a week, the itching had nearly disappeared. I noticed a lot less flaking. It was the first time in years I didn’t feel self-conscious wearing dark clothing.
Two weeks in, I wasn’t scratching my head at home or embarrassingly, during meetings. I actually felt good about my hair again.
It Worked for My Son as Well
Around that time, my 13-year-old son started showing signs of scalp irritation. His dandruff was more severe than mine had ever been. He had areas that looked inflamed with thicker scales and redness.
I asked my pharmacist if Seaford’s shampoo was safe for teens. He confirmed it was safe for anyone over the age of two. That was all the reassurance I needed.
Within a few washes, my son’s scalp looked much better. The redness faded, the itching stopped bothering him, and what had looked like tiny sores had stopped forming. And the best part? I didn’t need to remind him to use it; he felt the difference for himself.
Coal Tar is Even Gentle Enough Even Toddlers
That’s when I really became a believer. My best friend Lisa told me her sister was struggling with her 2.5-year-old daughter’s scalp. The little girl had red, patchy spots that she couldn’t stop scratching. Lisa said bath time became a chore as her poor little girl hated having her hair washed. They’d tried baby shampoos, natural creams, but nothing seemed to help.
I offered them my backup bottle of Seaford. A few weeks later, Lisa called me, amazed. “It actually worked. Her scalp looks healthy. No redness. She even let me wash her hair without crying.”
After struggling with redness and flaking, even toddlers with sensitive scalps can find some real relief.
Why Coal Tar Works (When Other Ingredients Don’t)
Through this whole experience, I learned a lot. Coal tar works differently than most anti-dandruff ingredients like zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide. Those treat symptoms, but coal tar works differently. It focuses on normalizing how quickly skin cells grow and shed—giving your scalp time to heal.
It also helps reduce redness, itching, and inflammation, breaking that frustrating itch-scratch-flake cycle.
Seaford’s formula uses 0.5% coal tar derived from 2.9% USP coal tar solution—an effective, dermatologist-recommended concentration. And unlike older versions I’d heard about, Seaford’s is:
- Fragrance-free
- Free of dyes, silicones, and PABA
- Hypoallergenic and HRIPT-tested
- Safe for all hair types, including thick, fine, normal, straight, curly, and colour treated hair when used at least 48 hours after applying hair dye, bleach or perm solutions.
It felt like someone had finally designed a product for real people with real scalp issues—not just a quick-fix for flaking.
If you’ve tried product after product and still struggle with flaking, don’t give up, just try something different. Dandruff isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It affects how you feel, how you present yourself, and how comfortable you are in your own skin. For me - and now my family, it’s made a real difference.
Ask your pharmacist about Seaford’s Coal Tar Shampoo, or buy it online or in-store at:
Share this story, someone you know might be struggling too.
Seaford Pharmaceuticals Coal Tar Shampoo: https://seaford.ca/coal-tar-shampoo/