Are you tired of the endless itching, flaking and dryness of your scalp? If you find yourself facing several white flakes on your top, chances are you probably have a dry scalp.
Many people get confused between dandruff and dry scalp. While both of them cause flakes and itchiness, they are different conditions entirely. Dandruff happens due to excessive oil produced on your scalp which sticks to your hair easily whereas dry scalp is literally caused by dryness, but they come off much easier.
To completely get rid of this problem, you should consider investing in the best hair care products for dry scalp.
What causes dry scalp?
A dry scalp can occur for many reasons. While it may take some time to figure out why you have a dry scalp, you have to know what are the common factors first:
Eczema
If you have eczema on your body, you probably have them on your scalp as well. Those who experience eczema would know how dry the skin gets, which is the same case for your scalp. Our skin has a barrier that protects against allergens or irritants which helps to retain the moisture, ensuring our skin stays hydrated. Eczema-prone people have a weak barrier, preventing any retaining of moisture in the skin.
Psoriasis
This is a skin condition that gets inflamed, causing scaling, flaking and redness all over your body. Your scalp gets affected too. If this is the case for you, it’s better to get the proper medication to cure it faster as compared to using hair care products for dry scalp.
Dandruff (Sebhorrheic dermatitis)
The common factor to dry skin, dandruff is caused by a type of yeast that feeds on sebum and dead cells on the scalp. Our scalp sheds dead skin cells daily, but when your scalp produces excess oil, it makes it sticky and harder for the dead cells to be shed. In such cases, the dandruff-causing yeast thrives and that’s when dandruff occurs (and recurs).
Hair products used
Sometimes, you simply don’t have any skin condition, but the problem lies in what kind of hair products you’ve been using! Certain hair products such as your pomades and creams cause allergies, irritation or rash on the scalp, causing dryness.
Once you’ve understood why dry scalp occurs, it’s time to invest in a few hair care products for dry scalp! To help you with that, we’ve curated a list of the best products that work well for anyone with a dry scalp!
14 best hair care products for dry scalp
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Whether you have dandruff or just a dry scalp, this shampoo has everything your scalp needs to be healthy! It’s infused with coconut oil that is known to provide moisture on your scalp, as well as micro-exfoliators which are vegetable-derived that helps to reduce any product build-up, keeping your scalp clean and free from dead skin cells.
It’s also packed with other hydrating and nourishing ingredients such as panthenol, which provides all the right nutrients for your hair. What prevents any itchiness are the spearmint and peppermint oils, together with tea tree oil that reduces any inflammation of the scalp by offering a cooling sensation!
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo (226ml) retails for RM190 at Sephora. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Kristin Ess Anytime Anywhere Scalp + Hair Milk Oil
When it comes to hair care products for dry scalp, hair oil makes all the difference. The Anytime Anywhere Scalp and Hair milk oil contain castor oils, avocado, jojoba and olive to enable more moisture and hydration to your scalp. The milk infused creates a soft shine to your hair.
Kristin Ess Anytime Anywhere Scalp + Hair Milk Oil (28ml) retails for RM79 at Sephora. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment
Packed with vitamin E which comes from argan oil, the Moroccanoil is one of the best oil hair care products for dry scalp that offers nourishment. Salicylic acid can be found in the formula, helping to reduce the number of dry flakes from appearing while geranium oil soothes your scalp and makes your hair healthy and shiny!
Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment (100ml) retails for RM45 at Shopee. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Kérastase Fusio Scrub Apaisant
Scalp scrubs are also one of the best hair care products for dry scalp. The fusio scrub would be ideal for those suffering from both dandruff and dryness.
Used just like shampoo on the scalp and hair, the scrub cleanses your head entirely. With the help of orange peel and jojoba, your scalp will be hydrated which prevents any irritation or itchiness you regularly encounter on a regular basis. By using it once a week, you’ll find your scalp to be flake-free!
Kérastase Fusio Scrub Apaisant (500ml) retails for RM330 at Shopee. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Happi Scalp™ Scrub
Just like how you’re taking care of your skin by maintaining a regular skincare routine, your scalp needs some TLC as well! Enriched with mongongo and marula oil, your scalp will be nourished with rich antioxidants that provide the right amount of moisture it needs. The AHA/BHA acid blend contained in the scrub’s formula prevents any clogging of the dead skin cells shed from your scalp.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Happi Scalp™ Scrub (180ml) retails for RM159 at Sephora. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Aveda Purifying Scalp Cleanser
The plant-derived scalp cleanser takes away all the excess build-up on your scalp! The cleanser comes with tamanu oil and seaweed extract which balances the sebum level of your scalp. Hence, you won’t be experiencing any excess oil production with the help of this shampoo! Those who suffer from various skin conditions including psoriasis found it to be particularly useful as it heals their scalp almost immediately.
Aveda Purifying Scalp Cleanser (150ml) retails for RM170 at Shopee. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
Suffering from an itchy, dry scalp? The tea tree special shampoo reduces itchiness and irritation with the soothing ingredients which are lavender, peppermint and tea tree oil, offering a cooling effect too. To prevent dry scalp, you need to use soothing shampoos because your scalp is completely dehydrated. Many have said it works well during cold weather conditions too.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo (300ml) retails for RM80 at Lazada. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Klorane Soothing & Anti-Irritating SOS Serum with Peony
For those who don’t know, peony extract is a natural anti-irritant ingredient that is used in this hair care product for dry scalp. Hence, a serum infused with peony could combat the inflammation of your scalp. A combination of castor oil and glycerin captures moisture inside, keeping it hydrated all day long. A spritz of this serum could take all your dry scalp problems away in no time!
Klorane Soothing & Anti-Irritating SOS Serum with Peony (85ml) retails for RM149.90. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Living Proof Restore Dry Scalp Treatment
Restore the moisture of your dry scalp with the help of this soothing gel! Vitamin B3 found in the gel balances the scalp by locking in moisture, keeping it hydrated throughout the day. Users have said their scalp became less flaky and itchy after using it.
Living Proof Restore Dry Scalp Treatment (236ml) retails for RM132 at Shopee. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo
With 3% salicylic acid, rest assured it removes dead skin cells easily while unclogging them at the same time! Suitable for anyone suffering from psoriasis, it continues to prevent any flakes from appearing too often after the shampoo has been applied.
Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo (133ml) retails for RM77 at Lazada. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Head & Shoulders Royal Oils Instant Soothe Scalp Elixir
When your scalp experiences irritation, it can disrupt your daily activities. To use this hair care product for dry scalp, apply when your scalp feels dry or irritated while washing your hair. It offers a cooling sensation with peppermint oil and menthol infused in the formula. It’s gentle enough on your scalp that you can even use it up to 4 times a day, whenever your scalp feels irritated.
Head & Shoulders Royal Oils Instant Soothe Scalp Elixir (173ml) retails for RM69 at Lazada. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Dove Dermacare Scalp Soothing Moisture Shampoo
If you’ve been using hair products that contain harsh chemicals, it could totally ruin your scalp. Thankfully, this moisturising shampoo helps to restore and make your scalp healthy all over again! Prevent any flakiness with the Active Pyrithione Zinc ingredient found in the formula, ensuring smooth and healthy scalp and hair.
Dove Dermacare Scalp Soothing Moisture Shampoo (355ml) retails for RM39 at Shopee. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
Nizoral Anti-dandruff Shampoo
Best used twice a week, this shampoo not only helps with dandruff but also any flaking or itching caused by your dry scalp. Even if you have coloured hair, it wouldn’t strip away its colours. The ketoconazole 1% decreases the amount of yeast on your scalp, preventing irritation from occurring.
Nizoral Anti-dandruff Shampoo (60ml) retails for RM129 at Shopee. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
La Roche-Posay Kerium Cream Shampoo
When applied twice every week, expect to see your scalp completely nourished without any flakes in sight within four weeks! It comes with anti-inflammatory vitamins to balance your scalp and prevent dryness, together with the HLA ingredient that regulates the production of skin cells as well.
If you’re also suffering from psoriasis, many reviewers said their scalp didn’t have any flakes and itchiness, without any allergic reactions caused to the skin. Though it does have a subtle scent that may not be for everyone, so be sure to keep this in mind before trying it out!
La Roche-Posay Kerium Cream Shampoo (200ml) retails for RM138 at Shopee. Click on the link below for the most updated price.
