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Dry Scalp Shampoo And 12 Other Products That Will Cure Your Dry Scalp
Everything you need to stay flake-free all year round.
Whilst the summer leaves our hair with a sun-kissed glow, as we get into the colder months, our hair inevitably suffers with us. There's the dropping temperatures, bitter cold winds undoing our curls and the inevitable frizz-inducing rain, which means we’re never too far from our curling tongs and hair straighteners.
But, whilst it might be easy to focus on our ends looking hydrated and shiny, we often forget about our scalps. Which can lead to a less than ideal situation. We want the snow to fall from the sky on Christmas day, not from our scalps.
Philip Kingsley Trichologist Anabel Kingsley told ELLE why the festive period is a big trigger for our dry and sensitive scalps: ‘Heavier, wintery foods like cream and cheese, as well as celebratory drinks, like champagne, can trigger dandruff in those who are prone to it.’ Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you give up a cheese board or a glass of champagne, the solution is a lot easier.
What Are The Symptoms Of Having A Dry Scalp?
Whilst you might think dandruff is the only sign of having a dry scalp, it’s not quite as simple as that. You can have a dry scalp, without having obvious dandruff. A dry scalp occurs when it doesn’t have enough moisture, this includes not being able to make enough or just not being able to lock it in for when you need it, similar to having dry skin. This can lead to itchiness and sensitivity, which can then cause flakes of dandruff but it’s not always obvious.
What Are The Causes Of Having A Dry Scalp?
Washing your hair too much and skin conditions such as eczema are big causes of dry scalps, but also cold weather, as it strips the moisture from the hair. Whereas typical dandruff is normally caused by sensitivity to hair products and the scalp being too oily. Standard dandruff flakes also tend to be, how shall we say, a lot more obvious than dry scalp dandruff, which tends to look more like you haven’t worked in your dry shampoo properly.
Taking care of the scalp, like you take care of your skin, is key. Even if you don’t think you suffer from obvious dandruff, Anabel notes that, 'a weekly exfoliating mask is a great way to maintain the health of your scalp, especially if you wash your hair less than 4x per week.' Happy scalps, happy ends.
We’ve rounded up the best dry scalp shampoos and hair products to help tackle the tell-tale dry winter scalp, so there’s no need to worry about white flakes in your Instagrams.
13 Dry Scalp Shampoos And Treatments To Shop Now
Kevin Murphy SCALP.SPA SCRUB - £30
For the sensitive scalps that still want that deep clean feeling, this pre-wash scrub is the perfect solution. With a blend of micellar water, celery seed extract and perlite, this will remove any build-up of product and unwanted oiliness as well as regulating sebum production which causes pore blockages. You can even use it on coloured hair which is a huge bonus.
T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub by Drunk Elephant - £30
Using a blend of six antioxidant plant oils and biodegradable exfoliating beads, this provides your scalp with a proper deep cleaning polish to help detoxify the scalp and leave you squeaky clean.
Living Proof Dry Scalp Treatment - £25
This magical serum works to balance out the scalp's moisture levels, using a formula that hydrates and soothes. Apply to just washed hair and work through sections of the hair and gently massage in. It will provide an instant relief to any itchiness, like putting aloe vera on sunburn, without leaving roots feeling greasy. Use for 4 weeks to experience the full effects.
Trepadora Hibiscus Pink Cleansing Clay Wash - £23
Some scalp treatments can leave hair as dry as stale bread but this gentle wash puts moisture back into the hair, to condition away any dandruff. It's ideal for those that suffer from eczema or psoriasis on the scalp.
Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - £25
Unlike other anti-dandruff products that tend to be too harsh to use everyday, this can be used on a daily basis. Some dandruff can be as simple as a back-log of product buildup which flakes off and can irritate but this gently clears away any debris without irritating sensitive skin and leaving hair feeling stripped.
THE INKEY LIST Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment - £11.99
If you think about how good salicylic acid is for sloughing away any dead skin cells on your face, imagine what it can do for your scalp. Just shake and massage into your scalp before shampooing, leave for 10 minutes and wait for the acne-fighting ingredient to work it's magic. Your scalp will be left smooth and relieved of any itchiness.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment - £27
Similar to your favourite acne treatments, this contains the miracle ingredients of tea tree oil, aloe vera, charcoal and witch hazel to banish nasty bacteria and balance out your scalp’s oil production. Massage into roots after washing to instantly see a reduction of pesky flakes.
Kérastase Specifique Dermo-Calm Bain Riche Shampoo - £20.20
This shampoo is all about nourishing and hydrating the scalp, without irritating or leaving roots looking oily. It features a blend of rich botanical extracts, specifically designed to help get rid of any grease or dirt whilst creating a protective barrier over the tops and ends of the hair, meaning hair will look instantly skinnier and feeling softer.
Bouclème Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo - £26
Ideal for those with curly locks, this manages to eradicated any dandruff and product build up without damaging any fragile coils to leave you with bouncy waves and shiny ends.
Sisley Revitalising Fortifying Serum for the Scalp - £139
This does come in at the pricier end of the scale but for a justifiable reason. Not only does it relieve any itchiness on the scalp, but it also works to make the hair that’s growing up there, stronger and thicker. So be prepared for mirror-like shine.
Percy & Reed Anti-Dandruff I’m No Flake Shampoo - £20
This dry scalp shampoo is perfect if your scalp is so irritated and inflamed it actually feels hot (TMI but it happens). It blends the ultimate calming ingredients: chamomile and aloe vera, to soothe and strengthen hair from the roots. Might take some time to grow through but your hair will thank you for it later.
Coco & Eve Deep Clean Scalp Scrub - £33.90
Ideal for scalps that are on the sensitive side due to one too many trips to the salon (bleach will never be your scalp's best friend), this strips hair of any product build up to give her a new lease of life as well as gently ridding scalps of any flakiness.
Aveda Rinseless Refresh Micellar Hair and Scalp Refresher - £24.50
Not only does this smell like the best spa you’ve ever been to but it’s also a quick and simple way to refresh your scalp inbetween washes. It had a similar effect to a dry shampoo, without leaving any white residue behind. The micellar element cleanses the roots, reducing any oiliness or product build-up that could irritate scalps.
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