The Best Scalp Treatment Products to Get Rid of Dry, Itchy, or Oily Scalps

You might be used to exfoliating your face. But have you ever thought about deep-cleansing your scalp? Washing your hair once a week keeps your locks from drying out, but what’s that doing to your scalp? Product build-up, dead skin cells, excess sebum, and external pollutants can clog your pores and cause scalp acne, scalp dermatitis, and more.

If your scalp is in bad shape, your hair is going to suffer too. Dry shampoo is a modern haircare hero. But if you’re always spritzing and rarely wet-washing, extra bacteria could be building up on your scalp. If your hair is looking lacklustre and thin, and your scalp is feeling itchy, you might need to get your hands on a good scalp cleanser.

Just like your complexion, your scalp can suffer from a number of issues. From underwashing your hair to overwashing it with a harsh shampoo, the way you treat your scalp will be reflected in the health of your hair.

How to keep your scalp healthy

To keep your scalp and hair healthy, you need to give both what they need. If you have a sensitive scalp, you might need to scale back on the harsh chemical ingredients. Shampoos and conditioners that feature sulphates, which emulsify oils, could cause your scalp to dry out and become itchy and uncomfortable. Look instead for ingredients like Tea Tree Oil, Camellia Oil, Olive Oil, Aloe Vera, and Charcoal to keep your scalp in the best condition.

To maintain a healthy head of hair, you need to work out what scalp type you have. From there, a healthy scalp routine will target your concerns and help you overcome any flaking, dandruff, scalp acne, or dryness. From a nourishing pre-shampoo to exfoliators that lift away pollutants, we’ve found what your scalp needs and listed it below for you.

Treating an Oily Scalp

If you have consistent greasy roots and pimples on scalp, you might be working with an oily scalp. You’re certainly not alone. An oily scalp is a problem suffered by many. When the follicles on your scalp become blocked with product, excess oil, or dead skin cells, your skin can become infected and inflamed. Pimples can start to pop up.

As with your complexion around your ‘favourite’ time of the month, your scalp might erupt in spots as you go through hormonal changes. Excess oil means blocked pores, and blocked pores can lead to spots—big sigh!

There are things you can do to help though. A good oily hair and scalp treatment starts with a regular haircare routine. A scalp exfoliator will lift away any debris that’s clogging your pores. A lightweight shampoo and conditioner will cleanse without weighing your hair down. Check out the list below to find your oily scalp haircare match!

Treating a Dry Scalp

Anyone can suffer from a dry scalp. It doesn't matter if your complexion is oily, you're overdoing the dry shampoo, or you’re washing your hair too often: your scalp might be feeling a bit rough and uncomfortable. If you’re wondering how to get rid of dry scalp, it’s worth checking out some of the products listed below. They’ll gently infuse your skin with moisture and get your scalp back to a healthy state.

Gels, creams, pomades, and other hairstyling products can build up on your scalp and dry it out. If you’re suffering with a rash or eczema on your scalp, you might want to put the products and hair dye down for a while and root yourself in a solid dry scalp treatment routine. If you love styling and playing with your hair (let’s face it: a new look is pretty fun), just be sure you’re washing your hair frequently with gentle shampoos and conditioners. You could apply a lotion for dry itchy scalp and look for products with more natural ingredients in them.

If you’re wondering how to moisturise scalp, it could be worth looking at your diet. Cutting back on drying sugar and heavy carbs might help keep your scalp healthy. Fish oil supplements, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins for healthy scalp will nourish your scalp and leave it feeling soft and supple. And don’t forget to drink your water!

Treating an Itchy Scalp

If your dry scalp has gone one step further and is now itchy and uncomfortable, you need to pick up some nourishing products to get it sorted. You might be wondering, Why is my scalp itchy? Well, you might be reacting negatively to a haircare product. An itchy scalp is also super-common if you colour your hair a lot. Hair dye often contains an ingredient called para-phenylenediamine, which can cause rashes and an itchy scalp.

Another possibility among itchy scalp causes is scalp psoriasis. If you suddenly see red patches and scaly skin, you might need to treat your scalp to a new, super-gentle routine. We’ve found some of our favourite gentle shampoos and treatments and listed them below for you.

One of the best things you can do for an itchy scalp is to swap out your harsh shampoo for something soothing. You can experience itchy scalp hair loss, so it’s important you avoid detergents and look for SLS-free formulas. When you’ve finished washing your hair, a good blast of cool water will help soothe your skin and make sure all of the product is gone. Tend to your itchy scalp with a treatment to experience effective relief.

Treating Dandruff or a Flaky Scalp

There’s nothing worse than brushing your hair and noticing a flurry of flakes floating out. Dandruff can be an embarrassing, tricky issue to master, but there are things you can do to help. Dandruff and a flaky scalp basically mean that your skin is shedding excess skin cells and overproducing new cells.

Can flaky scalp cause hair loss? Well, an unhealthy scalp certainly can. Dandruff or dry scalp will benefit from regular exfoliation to wash away the dead skin cells and unclog your pores. When the pores on your scalp are blocked, your hair could become thinner than usual. Products that contain Enzymes and Salicylic Acid will help your hair and scalp stay healthy and free from build-up.

When picking products to help get rid of your dandruff, look for ingredients such as Tea Tree Oil, Coal Tar, and Piroctone, which will nourish your skin and wash away any bacteria.

How to encourage hair growth

If you’re wondering how to make my scalp healthy and encourage long and luscious locks, you need to invest in a healthy scalp and hair growth routine. If you want to grow your hair super long, you need to make some smart haircare choices.

Tugging and yanking your hair with a harsh brush and overstyling with heat could damage your scalp and halt your hair growth process. Always detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb, and avoid rough towel-drying. Use a nourishing conditioner and finish up with an oil to keep everything sleek and shiny.

A pre-shampoo treatment will keep your hair in the best condition. And using a shampoo and tonic will ensure your scalp is free from pore-clogging debris. If you’re on a quest for long hair, then avoid chemical treatments and consider using semi-permanent hair dye instead of harsh bleaches or perm colours. You could also consider giving yourself a regular scalp massage. A massage is a great scalp moisturiser that will improve scalp health and hair growth. Just 4 minutes every week gets the circulation in your scalp going!

From a shampoo for dry scalp to the best mens shampoo for sensitive scalp, we’ve combed through the reviews and found the products that will help you get your hair and scalp in the best condition possible.

Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub is a pre-shampoo treatment that stimulates blood flow to nourish and thoroughly cleanse the scalp. The pH of 5 helps rebalance the scalp. The Sea Salt-based formula is infused with calming, hydrating ingredients that protect the hair and scalp from any damage. Paraben-, silicone-, and cruelty-free, this formula won’t irritate your skin or cause your scalp to dry out. On the contrary, your hair and scalp will feel fresh and clean every time you use the scrub. The Chamomile in the blend soothes an irritated scalp. Sweet Almond Oil hydrates the hair and stops it from becoming brittle and dry. Use a scalp scrub once or twice a week. Always rinse thoroughly with cool water for the best results.

If you’ve recently coloured your hair, you might find that your scalp is feeling itchier than normal. Urban Alchemy Opus Magnum Salt Scrub Cleanse Shampoo 250g alleviates that itchy, uncomfortable feeling so your scalp feels soothed and nourished. Enriched with Sea Salt, this vegan formula won’t leave any residue on your hair. Suitable for weekly use and great for hair that’s dull and lifeless, this formula can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment or in place of your regular shampoo. Always rinse out the formula completely to keep your scalp in the very best condition. If you’re on a quest for the best shampoo for healthy scalp, we urge you to try this one.

Great for anyone with an oily scalp, a flaky scalp, or ongoing product build-up, this scalp scrub exfoliates the nasties away so you’re left with soft, healthy hair. The Polymer Beads in the formula break down as you scrub, and the naturally derived AHAs won’t strip your scalp or leave your hair feeling dry. Colour-safe and keratin treatment-safe, Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scalp Scrub can be used weekly on your oily, flaky scalp. Rich in antioxidants, this super-nourishing, health-enhancing exfoliating scrub is fine for all hair types. Before shampooing, apply this treatment to wet hair and massage gently into the scalp. Follow up with a full healthy scalp hair care routine for best results.

If you want to refine your scalp and slough away dead skin cells, you’ll love Dr Hauschka Revitalising Hair & Scalp Tonic. Working to soothe a dry, irritated scalp, this formula is full of nourishing botanicals. Stinging Nettles, Neem Extract, Birch Bark, and Burdock Root work together to revitalise the hair and promote healthy cell regeneration. Horse Chestnut helps rebalance the moisture in the scalp. And Calendula’s soothing and astringent properties reduce inflammation and help tone the scalp. Apply this formula to your scalp after shampooing and style your hair how you like. This product helps clear up your scalp so your hair grows strong and long.

Dandruff can be one of the most annoying, frustrating, and overall embarrassing hair issues to deal with. You spend ages getting every strand in place, and then suddenly, your start seeing those familiar flakes on your shoulders. American Crew Anti-Dandruff Shampoo comes to the rescue! Working to encourage healthy hair and soothe the scalp, this shampoo will bring your hair back into balance and give you locks you’re proud to swish. Perfect for all hair types and all ages, this shampoo treats your hair gently and doesn’t use any harsh astringents. There’s nothing worse than a dry scalp that you’re always dying to scratch. Get those flakes under control with this super-soothing shampoo for dry scalp.

Whether you have brassy blonde hair or thinning split ends, use Weleda Wheat Balancing Shampoo to help treat dandruff and soothe a dry scalp. Wheat Germ Oil is the primary ingredient in this wonder formula. Wheat Germ contains the healing antioxidant Vitamin E. The distinctly scented Tea Tree Oil in this shampoo acts as a gentle antiseptic that invigorates the scalp and your senses. If you’re looking for a shampoo to get rid of your flakes and dry scalp, this could be the perfect pick-up for you. Massage thoroughly into wet hair and rinse. To help your scalp heal, always rinse with cool water and avoid vigorous towel-drying.

O&M Maintain the Mane Conditioner is 100% cruelty-free and completely PETA-approved. The perfect product for all hair textures, this formula takes care of your hair from the roots. Rosemary works to promote a healthy scalp and also gently removes clogging build-up. The Sage in this conditioner keeps your hair looking and feeling shiny. If you just can’t get enough of washing your hair, you can use this gentle conditioner as often as you please (within reason) without harming your hair. Apply a small dollop to your hair and comb through with a wide-tooth comb to ensure the product is evenly distributed. Always rinse thoroughly for best results.

If your scalp is undernourished, your hair might be lacklustre, thinning, and unhealthy. Apotecari Crowning Glory 1 month Supply works to nourish your hair from the scalp, which will result in healthier roots and hair. Perfect for dehydrated, frizz-prone, dry, dull hair, this 3-month supply balances out oil at the scalp and helps prevent the hair from ageing and looking tired. If you’re on a mission to grow your hair, you need to pick a daily haircare supplement that really works. This formula works long-term and helps your hair get back to its best. Perfect for all hair types and textures, take this supplement daily for best results.

The Nioxin range lets you tailor your hair treatment to your specific hair type. This scalp treatment is designed to help strands grow longer and increase their diameter, making your hair look fuller and thicker. If it’s a more voluminous head of hair you’re craving, this treatment is a must-have for your arsenal. Even very dull, dry hair will radiate with health when you use this nourishing formula. Working to deliver denser-looking hair, this treatment is backed by research and loved by many. Shake the bottle well before using. Apply the product evenly to your entire scalp. Use consistently for best results. You’ll love the way your hair looks and feels.

Protecting and defending the hair from daily aggressors, Oribe Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On Treatment is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula. The Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) in the formula gently exfoliate the scalp to remove flakes. Peppermint Oil and Peppermint Leaf Extract offer a cooling sensation and helps ease irritation. A blend of Cucumber, Chamomile, and Rosemary provides the scalp with great antioxidant protection. Formulated with Oribe’s signature blend of Lychee, Watermelon, and Edelweiss Flower Extracts, this product cares for your hair and prevents oxidative stress and photoaging. This colour-safe and keratin treatment-safe scalp treatment is free from parabens and dermatologically tested. Apply the treatment to your scalp, massage in, and repeat as necessary.

If you want healthy hair that glistens when you walk, it’s important to take care of your scalp. A healthy scalp leads to healthy hair! Whether you’re suffering with dandruff, an oily scalp, or dryness, you can normalise your scalp with the right routine. Pick up some of the above products to begin your healthy hair and scalp journey today!

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