The 13 best products for dry scalp (2023)

FAQs

What products work best for dry scalp? ›

“Rice Oil, Madecassoside, Pro Vitamin B5, and skin-loving oils, like marula and baobab, will all work to nourish and hydrate the scalp,” Mendez notes. “Other ingredients to look for, like tea tree oil, coconut oil, and charcoal, are also great options to help relieve dry scalp symptoms.”

Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Extra Strength Shampoo is recommended by dermatologists to aid in the treatment of dandruff, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.

Coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and aloe vera are all ingredients that Friese suggests are good for calming a dry, inflamed scalp and minimizing flakes. Each one is touted for its soothing and antimicrobial properties and is frequently listed among popular DIY hair mask recipes.

Oils help in providing a boost of hydration to your scalp. Massage your scalp with oils like coconut oil [7], almond oil, castor oil, olive oil, etc. You can add essential oils like rosemary, lavender, tea tree, thyme, cedarwood and peppermint oils to your carrier oils.

For mild dandruff, first try regular cleansing with a gentle shampoo to reduce oil and skin cell buildup. If that doesn't help, try a medicated dandruff shampoo. Some people can tolerate using a medicated shampoo two to three times a week, with regular shampooing on other days if needed.

Dry or damaged hair: While noting that it depends on the level of damage and dryness, King typically recommends shampooing every five to seven days, as "you may need to allow some [of the hair and scalp's] natural oils to get in the mix until that time." Courtney adds that "if hair is dry and damaged, it could be that ...

Apple cider vinegar is the main component in a variety of natural remedies due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Apple cider vinegar may help relieve scalp conditions, including flaking, persistent itching, and dandruff.

Over-washing your hair and using shampoos too often can strip the natural oils from your scalp and hair. This is the primary cause of dry hair scalp. An allergic reaction to certain products might cause your scalp to dry out and lose its protective layer.

What makes dry scalp worse? ›

If your scalp is dry, the skin on other parts of your body, such as your arms and legs, could be dry too. Dry scalp can also be triggered by factors such as these: cold, dry air. contact dermatitis caused by a reaction to products you apply to your scalp, such as shampoo, styling gel, and hairspray.

Opt for a gentle formula made for dry hair, and don't shampoo every day. Instead, shampoo every other day with warm (not hot) water; frequent washing and hot water can dry out your hair and your scalp. Also avoid gels, mousses, hairsprays, and other products that contain alcohol and can dry out your scalp and hair.

Both dandruff and dry scalp are annoying but not harmful. With home treatment, they usually go away. People who do not see improvements with home treatment should consider that the problem might be something other than dandruff. Only a doctor can conclusively diagnose the cause of a flaky scalp.

No, but it can be controlled. You'll need to reserve a permanent space in your shower for specialized treatment shampoo containing zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide. These anti-dandruff ingredients can help slow the rate at which your skin cells die and slough off.

"Scalp lotion is specifically designed to nourish and hydrate the scalp," says William Gaunitz, a certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology. A scalp lotion can also help with scalp itchiness, redness, or flaking due to dryness, says Penny James, a certified trichologist and founder of Penny James Salon.

What can cause sores or scabs on the scalp? Sores or scabs on the scalp are often harmless and clear up on their own. However, they can sometimes be a sign of a condition that may require treatment, such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, or head lice.

Diet, medications, illnesses, stressors can be a root cause to dry scalp internally." Ziering adds that other health conditions that could lead to scalp dryness include scalp psoriasis, dandruff, eczema, and eating disorders. The weather can also be a factor in the moisture levels of your scalp.

Here's how to spot the difference. Dandruff involves large, oily flakes of skin. Dry scalp causes small, dry flakes of skin. Product buildup can make your hair feel greasy, dull, or stiff.

What is a good scalp treatment? ›

Best for Dandruff: Nioxin Scalp Recovery Serum Soothing Serum. Best for Itchy Scalp: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Mask for Dry, Itchy Scalp. Best for Inflammation: Hairstem DHT Blocker Hair Growth Shampoo. Best for Buildup: OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp Teatree Mint Scalp Treatment.

When you don't drink enough water, the scalp can become dry and damaged, causing flaking, itching, scratching…even broken skin. This weakened skin is less effective as a barrier between you and your environment.

Therefore, the best dandruff remedy is to brush out the dead skin developed at a very early stage. If you are inconsistent in brushing your hair, you might experience dandruff over time. So, the best way to comb your hair with dandruff is to comb or brush it evenly throughout your hair.

Apply a Hair Oil or Serum

If dandruff isn't your main issue, "there are scalp serums, lotions, and oils that can moisturize the scalp just like you would moisturize other skin areas," says Rubin. Replenish the scalp's moisture directly with an oil or a serum specifically intended for the scalp and hair.

People with very dry scalps tend not to produce as much sebum. Washing the hair less often can help the scalp remain healthy, prevent itching and flaking, and keep the hair soft and shiny.

Mix 2 to 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 16 ounces of water. After shampooing and conditioning, pour the mixture over your hair evenly, working into your scalp. Let it sit for a couple of minutes. Rinse it out.

12 A typical treatment for dry scalp involves combining 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water. Once poured into a spray bottle and then spritzed onto the hair and scalp, the mixture is left on for up to five minutes and then rinsed from the hair.

If your hair tends to be dry, you may want to use the rinse less often; if your hair and scalp are more on the oily side, you may want to do it more frequently. Generally speaking, though, you'll want to rinse your hair with an apple cider vinegar solution a couple times a week.

A dry scalp can cause dandruff, but the two conditions are distinct. Dandruff causes the scalp to flake and may cause visible flakes on clothing or in the hair. In some cases, it is due to a fungal or other scalp infection. Dry scalp, by contrast, occurs when the scalp does not produce or hold enough moisture.

Aloe Vera Gel

Cut open a leaf of the aloe vera and remove the gel. Use your fingers in order to spread the fresh aloe vera gel into the sores and scabs on your scalp and then leave it on for at least an hour. Wash off your hair with a mild shampoo and repeat this 3 times a week.

What is the best shampoo for scabs on scalp? ›

Itching scalp can be caused by a number of conditions, including dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and psoriasis. Medicated shampoos can be used to treat dandruff and relieve itchy scalp.

If your scalp is dry, the skin on other parts of your body, such as your arms and legs, could be dry too. Dry scalp can also be triggered by factors such as these: cold, dry air. contact dermatitis caused by a reaction to products you apply to your scalp, such as shampoo, styling gel, and hairspray.

Deep condition hair overnight as a daily moisturizer

This is one of our easiest tips on how to moisturize dry hair – apply a leave-in conditioner or hydrating hair oil, wrap hair in a silk scarf or shower cap, and get your beauty sleep. In the morning you'll wake up with hydrated, healthy-looking locks.

“You can oil when your hair is damp or dry, but your hair and scalp have to be clean, or the oil won't have a chance to be absorbed,” says Dr Gupta. For heavier oils like coconut oil, applying it on dry hair is best, as the larger molecules may not penetrate the shaft of wet hair as well it can dry hair.

Curious to know if CeraVe is actually safe to use as a shampoo, we reached out to cosmetic chemist Ginger King for more information. Bottom line: Yes, the cleanser is safe for the hair and scalp, but if it's oily hair you're looking to treat, King says CeraVe might not be the right faux 'poo for the job.