For example, if you believe you’re facing some scalp dryness, you might lay on the moisturizing scalp masks and oil treatments. But if your issue is dandruff, well, applying more oil to the scalp may only increase the number of itchy scales. And vice versa: If you swap in a purifying, salicylic acid shampoo to mitigate dandruff symptoms, the flakes might just multiply if you’re really dealing with a dry scalp. See the dilemma? As far as triggers go, stripping cleansers and cold weather are common culprits, as are hormone and age fluctuations. Essentially: Anything that causes dry skin on your face and body also has the ability to zap your scalp of moisture. Board-certified dermatologist Iris Rubin, M.D., founder of SEEN Hair Care, recommends a little experiment to figure out which condition you truly have: “Try a clarifying shampoo, and if the flakes persist, it is more likely dandruff,” she says. If you have any film of product, dead skin, oil, or dirt on your scalp, no moisturizing scalp mask or oil is going to penetrate those dehydrated skin cells—which can exacerbate dryness. So if you use a clarifying wash to lift all that buildup, subsequently hydrate the scalp, and still notice a dusting of flakes? There’s a good chance you’re dealing with dandruff. “Ketoconazole, the active ingredient in Nizoral shampoo, is a popular antifungal that can help fix itchy scalp. Selenium sulfide shampoos also help to reduce buildup on your scalp and help cut the yeast that can trigger dandruff. Zinc pyrithione is antibacterial and antifungal and can help fix some types of itchy scalp,” says Cochran Gathers. Or you can go the natural route, with a shampoo that features salicylic acid. “(It helps to reduce scaling on the scalp,” board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., tells us about dandruff treatments), tea tree oil (which has impressive antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties1), or apple cider vinegar (its acidity helps rebalance the skin microbiome, which can cause the trouble-causing bacteria to stop multiplying). See here for our full list of natural dandruff shampoos, and here for other ways to ease the symptoms. You may also want to apply scalp-specific oils, like jojoba oil: “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. Bonus points if you use it for a tension-relieving scalp massage, as these can promote blood circulation and pave the way for a healthy, supple scalp. “Use your finger pads (not nails) to apply medium-firm pressure to your scalp, in a circular motion,” Cochran Gathers once advised us. See here for our full guide to moisturizing your scalp.
