What Are The Causes And Prevention For Dry Scalp?

Dry scalp is a condition that is often confused with dandruff: both give you an uncomfortable itching sensation and can cause visible white flakes on your hair and clothes. However, dry scalp has different causes and treatment. Find out what causes and how to treat dry scalp!


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1. What causes dry scalp?

To find the right dry scalp treatment, you need to know what exactly makes your scalp dry. Here are the most common causes of dry scalp:

  • Frequent exposure of the scalp to dry air, whether it’s hot or cold;
  • Excessive shampoo washing (more than once a week);
  • Older age, when skin loses moisture naturally;
  • Contact dermatitis from an allergic reaction to hair care and styling products like conditioners, mousses, gels, and hairspray.

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2. Dry scalp vs. dandruff

Dry scalp and dandruff often have similar symptoms, but the causes of the two conditions are very different, and so is the treatment. Dandruff is mainly cause by seborrhoeic dermatitis or fungal infections of the scalp. Here are the main differences between the two conditions:

  • Dry scalp produces small white flakes, while dandruff flakes are larger in size and can sometimes be yellow;
  • Dry scalp can hardly be identified visually, but the red, oily, and irritated scalp of dandruff patients is one of the main signs of the condition;
  • Dandruff affects mainly the scalp, while people who suffer from dry scalp often have dry skin on other parts of their bodies.
  • Dry scalp will react positively to a moisturizing conditioner or spray, while dandruff won’t be affected by the treatment.

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3. How to treat dry scalp

Solve the problem of a dry scalp once and for all with these dry scalp products and home remedies.

  1. Cleansing your hair is the essential first step in the battle against dry scalp. The best shampoo for dry scalp is the one that doesn’t further dry out your scalp. Shampoos from Andrea, Hair Wonder, Dove, and Cantu all have a moisturizing shampoo for dry scalp in their product lineup.
  2. The next step is moisturizing and nourishing your scalp. You can start by using your favourite conditioner, but you can achieve an even better result with additional sources of moisture like Cantu Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse.
  3. One of the most popular dry scalp home remedies is tea tree oil that does wonders for an itchy and irritated scalp. Don’t apply tea tree oil directly to the scalp – dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba and leave in your hair overnight. Buy high quality tea tree oil on Jiji!
  4. Aloe vera is known for its soothing abilities and it can be effectively used on dry scalp. Scoop out the gel from an aloe vera plant, mix it with water to achieve a juice consistency, apply to your scalp and hair roots, and leave for 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
  5. Take three tablespoons of baking soda and combine with rose water to get a smooth paste. Apply to your scalp, massage for a couple of minutes, and rinse. This will gently exfoliate your scalp while also stimulating normal oil production in the skin.
  6. Apple cider vinegar normalizes the oil levels in the skin and gets rid of the bacteria causing scalp problems. Simply apply apple cider vinegar to the wet scalp, lightly massaging it, and leave for 10 minutes. Then rinse off.
  7. Oils can be very effective against the dry scalp problem, but few solutions work better than vitamin E. Squeeze out the oil from 5-10 vitamin E capsules and apply the oil to your scalp in massaging motions for up to 1 hour before rinsing with a shampoo.


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My name is Inna. I am a content writer with an English and literature background. As a mother of a 4-year old son, I love learning about children’s health and development, as well as finding new interesting toys and activities for my little one. I am also in love with all things tech and always keep my finger on the pulse of new smartphone and gadget releases. Another big passion of mine is beauty and makeup – every day I read about new trends in skin care and makeup and always look forward to trying them. Plus, I love pop culture, travelling, crafts, and anything that can make our daily life more thrilling!