How to Combat a Dry, Flaky Scalp

How to Combat a Dry, Flaky Scalp

The dandruff-destroying products that give you better hair too

Best dandruff fighting products

This time of year is notoriously tough on our skin. And even though our heads are often covered with caps and hats most of the time outdoors, the scalp can still suffer. Dry, irritated skin on your scalp leads to itching and flaking. Not to mention stress and a lack of sleep (how are you doing on those lately?) tend to kick dandruff into high gear. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 50 million Americans deal with dandruff year-round, but it's made worse by air pollution and extreme weather. “People often think that they have ‘a dry scalp,’ when in fact it's dandruff,” says Dr. Angela Lamb, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital. “At the first sign of dandruff, do not be in denial.” The flaking skin is actually your scalp's overreaction to yeast or fungus that occurs naturally on the body. Which means it's not something that can be fixed by drinking more water or using extra conditioner. Here are the best ways to get your balance under control and stop the skin from drying and flaking off.

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Combat Dandruff

Your Best
Shampoo Option

Dr. Amy Perlmutter, of New York Dermatology Group, will often recommend that patients test out several shampoos—each one with a different active ingredient. Some will have “pyrithione zinc” while others include “selenium sulfide” or even salicylic acid, but it's smart to start with the active ingredient ketoconazole—an anti-fungal treatment that tackles the flaking, scaling and itching associated with dandruff. It's often prescribed in higher doses, but you can get this milder version over the counter.

Ketoconazole 1% shampoo,
$14.84 by Nizoral

The Feel-Good Tool

Start using this handheld flexible massager to break up scaling and stubborn flakes by applying gentle pressure without scraping or scratching your head. Keep using it because it feels like a scalp massage. The subtle scratching boosts circulation, which is beneficial for both skin health and hair strength.

Scalp Revival massager,
$16 by Briogeo

For Red Patches
or Psoriasis

When your scalp is more irritated, red and flaking from psoriasis, you may need a topical treatment like this one from Aesop. It's a tad pricey and requires you to apply it before getting into the shower, but because it sits directly on the skin for 15 minutes, it seeps in and really works fast. Testers reported a noticeable reduction in flaking, shedding and irritation within a few days. This is also good for guys who don't want to constantly shampoo. Just rinse it out with water in the shower.

Sage & Cedar Scalp Treatment,
$33 by Aesop

For Color-Treated
or Thinning Hair

Apple cider vinegar balances the pH of your scalp's skin and can unclog hair follicles that have been blocked by dried skin cells, which is why it's great for anyone thinning up top. As a more holistic alternative to harsher shampoos, this product will gently cleanse and remove impurities without stripping color or the natural oils that are essential to the health of your scalp and hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse,
$35 by dpHUE

For Extra Hydration

Anthony Michael Tapia, a master stylist at Barbiere barber shop in New York's East Village, recommends this drugstore staple to clients with dry scalps. He says it works wonders because it's naturally anti-fungal and antibacterial, so it's good for both dandruff and dry scalp (and hair).

Coconut Oil Body Oil,
$5.99 by Palmer's

For Itchy,
Dry Scalps

If you have just a few flakes or mild dandruff, but find yourself scratching your head a lot, you might need something like this. The cooling tea tree and green tea formula is infused with ceramide, which creates a natural, protective barrier for the scalp against damage from pollution and other environmental stressors that can irritate the skin and damage hair follicles. Swap this in for your regular conditioner (and maybe apply it with the scalp massager brush).

Advanced Repair Scalp Treatment,
$12 by Lumin

FYI

When applying any product to your scalp, give it time to work. That means lathering it up first thing in the shower and then letting it sit before rinsing.

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