If your scalp is under constant irritation and contains scaly buildup, the chances are you have either dandruff or a dry scalp. Most of the time, people often get confused between the two of them. It is due to the similarity in their symptoms like the itchy and flaky scalp. Even though the symptoms seem similar we still can figure out the differences between the both. In the case of a dry scalp, your skin gets itchy and flakes off. And these flakes will be mostly dry and small. But on the other hand, dandruff causes too much oil on your scalp. It results in the overgrowth of a yeast called Malassezia which is already present on our skin. This makes the skin cells build up and then shed. It is important to analyze the symptoms at the right time to undergo proper treatment. The major reasons behind a Dry scalp are fluctuating weather conditions, excessive chemical hair treatments, and sensitive skin issues like dermatitis. The ideal solution for this problem is to undergo deep nourishing and moisturization. It can be done through oil treatment and the choice of the right shampoo and conditioner. Here, you will get an idea of how to choose the right shampoo for your dry scalp.
What Is a Dry Scalp?
There are certain sebaceous glands present on your scalp which produce a natural oil called sebum. It maintains the overall health of the scalp. But sometimes, it lacks the production of enough sebum. Thus, It fails to moisturize the scalp and leaves it to be dry and flaky. This condition can even create itchiness on your scalp and leaves your hair dry and frizzy.
Causes Of Dry Scalp
Some major causes of dry scalp are:
- Weather conditions.
- Contact dermatitis
- Overwashing of hair.
- Dehydration.
- Sensitive skin issues.
- Overuse of chemical hair treatments and products.
All these causes are mainly due to lack of moisture content in the scalp. This can be sorted out by choosing the right type of shampoo and a conditioner that can deep condition your scalp and hair. It keeps hair well-nourished and healthy.
How to Choose the Right Type of Shampoo?
Before focusing on the treatment for an issue, it is important to identify its root cause and symptoms. This can help to completely remove the problem from its root and improve the health of your scalp. So, before selecting the scalp you should be aware of your dry scalp condition. Various dry scalp concerns are:
- Dry hair and scalp.
- Itchy scalp
- Dry scalp and oily hair.
- Dry scalp and dandruff.
- Allergic and sensitive scalp.
- Damaged hair.
- Color-treated hair.
The other questions that you should raise before choosing the shampoo are:
- Whether the shampoo is reasonable or not?
- Did it offer maximum customer satisfaction and positive reviews?
- Whether it can alleviate dry scalp conditions?
- Does it contain ingredients to boost hair growth and health?
If the shampoo satisfies all these above criteria then it is the right choice for you.
Top Picks of Shampoos for Dry Scalp Concerns
Here are some best shampoos for dry scalp:
1. Shampoo for dry hair and dry scalp:
- Livso moisturizing shampoo:
- Price: Rs. 3909 ( amazon rate)
- Ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter, glycerin.
- Suitable for: all hair types.
- Pros: it contains xylitol that removes staph bacteria from the scalp. Thus reducing inflammation. A three-product pack with shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizing lotion, hydrating, is worth the rate.
- Cons: leaves skin more susceptible to sunburn.
2. Shampoo for Itchy scalp:
- OGX extra strength refreshing scalp + tea tree mint shampoo
- Price: Rs. 799
- Ingredients: tea tree oil, peppermint, witch hazel.
- Suitable for: sensitive and scaly scalp
- Pros: it is hydrating, even though it takes over a week to clear dandruff reviews had reported that it removes scaly buildup after the first wash, and eases irritation and inflammation.
- Cons: not good enough for curly hair.
3. Shampoo for dry scalp and oily hair:
- SACHAJUAN scalp shampoo:
- Price: 5, 693 ( amazon rate)
- Ingredients: piroctone olamine, climbazole, rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid.
- Suitable for: oily hair.
- Pros: reduce itchiness and scalp build-up in one wash, treats dandruff, discreet packaging.
- Cons: more on the expensive side.
4. Shampoo for dry scalp and dandruff:
- Briogeo scalp revival charcoal + coconut oil micro-exfoliating shampoo:
- Price: Rs. 5,500 ( amazon rate)
- Ingredients: coconut oil, charcoal, tea tree oil.
- Suitable for: all hair types.
- Pros: it exfoliates the scalp and removes dead cells and impurities, it treats dandruff and shouldn’t use regularly because it is an exfoliating shampoo.
- Cons: more on the expensive side.
5. Shampoo for the allergic and sensitive scalp:
- Vanicream shampoo:
- Price: Rs 3453 ( amazon rate)
- Ingredients: glycerin
- Suitable for: all hair types
- Pros: gentle and dermatologically tested.
- Cons: Doesn’t lather much as expected.
6. Shampoo for dry scalp and frizzy, damaged hair:
- Pantene pro – Vdaily moisturize renewal 2- in – 1 shampoo and conditioner:
- Price: Rs. 674 ( amazon rate).
- Ingredients: Water, stearyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, cetyl alcohol, glutamic acid, fragrance, bis-aminopropyl dimethicone, benzyl alcohol, citric acid, disodium edta, histidine, panthenol, panthenyl ethyl ether, methylchloroisothiazolinone methylisothiazolinone.
- Suitable for: all hair types.
- Pros: softens dry and damaged hair, reduces flaking and build-up, free from harsh ingredients.
- Cons: doesn’t condition the hair.
7. Shampoo for colored hair:
- Selsun blue itchy dry scalp dandruff shampoo:
- Price: Rs 371 ( amazon rate).
- Ingredients: Pyrithione zinc 1%
- Pros: moisturizes the hair and treat dandruff.
- Cons: causes irritation on inflamed skin.
How to Moisturize Your Scalp?
Along with the usage of proper shampoo and conditioner, it is essential to follow certain steps to keep the scalp moisturized. They are:
- Apply a deep-conditioning hair mask once a week.
- Drink the proper amount of water according to your body weight to keep your body hydrated.
- Avoid excessive hair styling chemical products on your hair.
- Don’t wash your hair frequently. Daily hair washing can make the scalp even drier. Reduce it to 3-4 times a week.
Following these steps and proper shampoo – conditioner can improve your scalp condition but certain symptoms like:
- itching, irritation, and inflammation
- scalp tightness
- persistent scaling and flaking
- skin discoloration
- swelling
These symptoms require medical attention from professionals. So, it is better to consult a doctor even after following the treatment methods provided above doesn’t work within a few weeks.
Final Word
A dry scalp can make your daily life uncomfortable. But the fact to be remembered is that it is highly curable. Right usage of hair care products can immediately provide you results in weeks. But if there is no change or the symptoms exceed it is always better to take an advice of a medical practitioner. Hope this blog had helped you to get an idea of choosing the right shampoo for a dry scalp.
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FAQs
- Which shampoo is best for a dry scalp?
Shampoos that are free from sulfate, formaldehyde, parabens, silicone, and synthetic fragrance are the best for a dry scalp.
- How do I moisturize a dry scalp?
A dry scalp can be moisturized by proper hair oil treatment, usage of hydrating hair mask once a week, and proper shampoo and conditioner twice or thrice a week.
- Is dry scalp the same as dandruff?
No, In the case of a dry scalp, your skin gets itchy and flakes off and these flakes will be mostly dry and small. But on the other hand, dandruff causes too much oil on your scalp and results in the overgrowth of a yeast called Malassezia which is already present on our skin. This makes the skin cells build up and then shed. It is important to analyze the symptoms at the right time to undergo proper treatment.
- What heals dry scalp? What deficiency causes dry scalp?
Identifying the root cause and providing proper treatment can heal the dry scalp. A deficiency of sebum, a natural oil secreted by the sebaceous glands in the scalp causes a dry scalp.
- What is the root cause of dry scalp?
The ultimate cause of dry scalp is less amount of sebum in the scalp which is caused due to various factors like weather, dehydration, excess use of chemicals, overwashing, etc.