Max Control Shampoo
A calmer, healthier scalp starts here.
Four dermatologist-selected actives in one shampoo — designed to relieve persistent flaking, soothe scalp irritation, and restore balance from the very first wash.
What our patients say
Works great
The shampoo really helped me get my itchy scalp under control. Worth giving it a try!
Fantastic products and easy to use!
I have had seborrheic dermatitis for years and nothing has really helped. The Max Control Shampoo has truly been a game changer for my scalp. The flakiness and irritation faded within just a few uses, and results keep improving.
We know Allura is expensive, here's why it's worth it
A single in-office dermatology visit can cost hundreds, not to mention medication co-pays and long wait times. Here's what's included in your subscription — and what you'd typically pay out of pocket.
Billed every two months. Cancel or pause anytime.
You've tried everything. The flakes keep coming back.
Drugstore and non-prescription internet shampoos can quiet the symptoms for a few days — but the itching returns, the flakes reappear, and the cycle starts over. That's because these products aren't strong enough to get to the root of the issue.
The Cycle That Never Ends
Flaking slows down, you feel hopeful — then a week later it's back. Over-the-counter formulas treat symptoms temporarily without addressing the underlying scalp imbalance that drives the cycle.
Hidden Beneath the Surface
The real cause is microscopic — a yeast called Malassezia that lives on every scalp. When it overgrows, it triggers inflammation, itching, and visible flakes. Non-prescription shampoos often can’t address this.
One Active Isn’t Enough
Drugstore shampoos rely on a single ingredient at low concentrations. Persistent scalp conditions involve multiple issues happening at once — yeast, inflammation, and scale build-up all need to be addressed together.
A treatment system, not another shampoo
Max Control was formulated by dermatologists who specialize in scalp conditions — not a marketing team repackaging an existing formula. Every ingredient is chosen with purpose and dosed at prescription-strength concentrations.
Backed by clinical research
Each active ingredient in Max Control has been studied for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis and chronic scalp flaking. Selected references are listed below.
Two double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials of 1% ciclopirox shampoo demonstrated significantly greater clearance of seborrheic dermatitis than vehicle, with sustained response when used as ongoing maintenance. 1,2
A multicenter randomized trial confirmed efficacy of 1% zinc pyrithione shampoo in severe dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, supported by earlier in vitro work establishing its direct antifungal activity against Malassezia (Pityrosporum). 3,4
Topical corticosteroids are first-line therapy for inflammatory flares of seborrheic dermatitis, providing rapid reduction of redness, itch, and visible scale per published clinical guidance. 5
Salicylic acid (2%) is included as a long-established keratolytic to soften and lift scale so the other actives can penetrate the scalp effectively.
- Lebwohl M, et al. Safety and efficacy of ciclopirox 1% shampoo for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp in the US population. Int J Dermatol. 2004. PMID 15271196
- Shuster S, et al. Treatment and prophylaxis of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp with antipityrosporal 1% ciclopirox shampoo. Arch Dermatol. 2005. PMID 15655141
- Piérard-Franchimont C, et al. A multicenter randomized trial of ketoconazole 2% and zinc pyrithione 1% shampoos in severe dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 2002. PMID 12476017
- Van Cutsem J, et al. The in vitro antifungal activity of ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, and selenium sulfide against Pityrosporum and their efficacy as a shampoo in the treatment of experimental pityrosporosis in guinea pigs. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990. PMID 2142498
- Schwartz RA, et al. Seborrheic dermatitis: an overview. Am Fam Physician. 2006. PMID 16848386
The board-certified dermatologists behind Allura
Built by two dermatologists with decades of combined experience treating scalp conditions — including one who lives with seborrheic dermatitis himself.
Knox Beasley, MD, FAAD
Co-Founder
Dr. Beasley is a board certified dermatologist practicing for over 10 years and has treated thousands of patients with flaky and itchy scalp. Beasley also deals with an itchy and flaky scalp himself and uses the Max Control Shampoo and The Essential Solution.
Simon Ritchie, MD, FAAD
Co-Founder
Dr. Ritchie completed his dermatology residency at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and became board certified in dermatology in 2013. He specializes in complex dermatological conditions and is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD.
