3 Ways to Make Dry Scalp One Less Thing You Have to Worry About

Dry, itchy scalp is one of those irritating hair problems that many of us deal with regularly. We’re sure that you know the struggle–tender scalp, the flaking, the constant urge to pat your crown. The good news is that it’s a problem you can alleviate rather quickly. 

You’ve come to the right place if you’re trying to figure out how to treat dry scalp. There are many DIY remedies for this problem, but how you stop the madness is by literally getting to the root of the issue.

Don’t be so quick to misdiagnose those flakes as dandruff, as it might be something different. Start by finding the source of your itch, then work on choosing a suitable treatment to help get rid of it.

Common Causes of Dry, Flaky Scalp

Your scalp is undoubtedly dry when you have an itch that doesn't go away. Common symptoms of dry scalp may include soreness, dandruff, or hair loss.

Not getting your suggested daily water intake? This could play a role in the dryness, along with excessive hair cleansing or skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. What affects your skin will affect your scalp since they’re linked. 

While there are several causes of scalp dryness, weather changes or allergic reactions to a hair care product tend to be the most common.

What Causes Dandruff?

When determining a culprit for dry scalp, most like to blame it on dandruff. A medical condition in itself, dandruff has distinctive effects on your scalp compared to dryness alone. The condition is often a result of excessive scalp oils that form buildup and cause flakes over time.

Dandruff persistently sticks around whether you make changes to your diet, daily routine, or environment.

Top 3 Remedies for Dry Scalp

Scalp issues can be a pain. Whether your locks are oily, dry, frizzy, or just plain annoying, this issue may irritate you at some point. Still, it’s not a serious condition. 

Thankfully, there are ways to make your scalp happy again. By managing the moisture balance in your roots, you can reduce excess oil production and keep them healthy. Here’s what you can do to rebalance your scalp’s moisture levels. 

Shampoo Regularly

You should shampoo and cleanse your scalp every 7-10 days to avoid leaving it to dry. Our Detox Clarifying & Detoxifying Shampoo serves as the perfect dry scalp shampoo.

The scalp produces natural oils to retain moisture. When dehydrated, it can begin to itch and dry itself out. A dirty scalp can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. 

Shampooing can be a double-edged sword. If you shampoo too often, you can strip your hair and scalp instead of nourishing it. The trick is to keep them clean and moisturized without over-washing or stripping any natural oils.

Stay Oiled Up 

Oils help to keep your scalp healthy, as they form a protective barrier over the scalp. This further shields the hair follicles from dryness and inflammation. Oiling is easy! All you need to do is massage the oil into your scalp and hair using your fingers.

You can use any kind of natural oil to moisturize your scalp, from almond to coconut oil. The most popular oils are those that don’t contain harsh chemicals or fragrances.

Some oils have specific uses, such as tea tree oil for dandruff or lavender for hair growth. You can also mix different oils to meet your needs.

It’s best to oil your scalp on an as-needed basis, but if you’re looking for a marker, you can’t go wrong with doing it one to two times per week. There are scalp oils specifically for this purpose. Our Polished Hair & Scalp Oil serves as an excellent moisturizer for dry scalp. 

Deep Condition as Often as Possible

Hair and skin are inextricably linked to each other. When your hair is dry, the scalp can get very irritated. Deep conditioning helps with this by adding moisture back into the skin cells, which will make them less prone to flaking. It also helps break down the oils that have built up on the scalp while adding new ones. The result? A healthier scalp and happier locks! 

If you need recommendations on a good deep conditioner, we suggest finding one with babassu oil (like the Indulge Deep Conditioner). This powerful ingredient is a great natural hydrator for your hair and scalp. 

Another effective way to deep condition your scalp is by using a hot oil treatment. You can do this once or twice a week.

This is how you do a hot oil treatment:  Apply warm oil to your roots after shampooing and massage it for five minutes. Then, wrap your hair in a towel and put on a shower cap (or a plastic wrap) for 30 minutes. From there, you'll want to rinse out the oil with water.  This will not only make your scalp feel lighter and more hydrated, but will also create a protective barrier between the hair shaft and scalp, preventing irritation from excess sebum.