No, a dry scalp is no small annoyance. And while the face and body tend to get most of our skin care attention, the scalp’s skin woes should be attended to with the same diligence. So now you may also be wondering how best to deal with it. So what’s someone enduring a dry scalp to do? You have options, several, in fact. Here, the best tips to relieve dry scalps: You have body oils, which tend to be a bit thicker and able to cover a larger surface area. You have hair oils, which help trap in moisture and add shine. For scalp oils, there are a few avenues to take based on your additional needs. If your dry scalp comes with flakes, you may consider using one with a clarifying, yet gentle, tea tree oil to help lift off the dead skin cells—while still being soothing. If you want to encourage growth as an added bonus, consider rosemary (or any of these essential oils). But for an all-around safe bet, jojoba oil is thin, fast-absorbing, isn’t comedogenic, and isn’t as prone to buildup. “Jojoba makes an excellent moisturizer for dryness since the active components of jojoba oil mimic the body’s natural oils due to its waxy nature,” notes naturopathic doctor Tess Marshall, N.D. “The oil is made up of mostly fatty acids and wax esters. This includes helping dry or flaky skin on the scalp.” You have a few avenues available via supplementation. First up: Collagen supplements are made of amino acid peptides, which are able to be absorbed by the body where they aid in various functions.* For the skin and hair, they help in two ways. First amino acids are the building blocks of keratin, or what makes up your hair, so collagen supplements can provide those precious nutrients to your strands.* Second, they can also support a healthy scalp by promoting your body’s natural collagen and elastin production1.* For a hydration boost, hyaluronic acid is another one to look into. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the body and helps your skin naturally pull in and retain water. You can supplement the nutrient, to help keep your skin hydrated. * Most experts also recommend vitamin E for the scalp. Vitamin E is “full of nutrients and is one of the best vitamins for the scalp,” says trichologist Shab Reslan.* Vitamin E is believed to work by maintaining healthy inflammatory pathways on your skin and scalp2, slowing free radical damage around your hair follicles that can lead to early graying.* Biotin is another popular hair supplement, as the B vitamin aids in the keratin-making process if you want healthy, strong strands alongside a hydrated scalp (let’s be honest, who doesn’t?).* But it’s not only that: Buildup can actually lead to hair shedding. “When you have product, dirt, and oil building up around your follicle opening—which is where your hair grows out of—buildup around that starts to slowly suffocate your hair root,” Reslan once told us. To remove buildup, just reach for a scalp exfoliator. Much like the rest of your body, exfoliators come in two kinds: chemical (with AHAs or BHAs) or physical (with granular materials). No matter which type you choose (here are some for your browsing pleasure), you’d apply them in sections pre-shampoo, massaging them into the skin and rinsing out thoroughly under the spray. However, they are very drying to both the strand and scalp. (They are highly stripping of your scalp’s natural oils, which can disrupt the delicate scalp microbiome, and can contribute to frizz and fading of hair dye.) That’s why so many make the switch to sulfate-free shampoos, which use gentler surfactants in their place so you’re still cleansing your hair without irritation or long-term effects. Here are our favorite sulfate-free options, if you’re looking for recommendations. Scalp masks should be used as a pre-shampoo treatment and applied directly to the skin and root. It may take some work getting it on the scalp itself—especially for those with dense or curly hair—so try to work it in through sections. Once you’ve covered the skin sufficiently, you can wrap your hair with a shower cap to keep the goop from dripping. Let it sit for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Then take your shower as normal. Luckily, scalp masks are super easy to DIY—usually with one ingredient. Here, some of our favorites. Many styling products contain oil-absorbing ingredients, which keep your style looking fresh and give your roots lift but can be bothersome in the long run. (Not only can they disrupt sebum production, but they can also cause buildup—for which we’ll refer you back to the previous point.) And if you just can’t imagine your hair routine without your favorite products, just be mindful of the ingredients in them. Opt for natural-leaning options that can aid in hair and skin health through soothing botanical extracts—and do your best to keep styling products on the hair rather than the skin. Also try your best to steer clear of silicones, which create an occlusive barrier around the strands and scalp that tends to be very difficult to remove in the wash, so your hydrating products aren’t able to get past them and do their jobs. One of the most effective ways to get your circulation going is through massage (not to mention easy and cheap!). “Use your finger pads (not nails) to apply medium-firm pressure to your scalp, in a circular motion,” says Cochran Gathers. You can keep it as simple as that, no fuss. Or you can definitely put a few spins on it if you so desire. Those with a tight or tense scalp will need a bit heavier hand than those who simply hold less tension in the area—so play with the strength of your fingers, or even invest in a tool like a jade comb. “You can also use a scalp massage device (many of which are made to use in the shower). You can use a scalp massage device while you wash your hair, or out of the shower with your favorite hair oil,” she says.
