By No one likes to have a dry, itchy scalp. The itchy feeling can keep us up all night and all the itching can leave irritating skin flakes on your clothes. No thanks! But did you know that your shampoo could be the culprit? Yes it’s true!
Keep reading to learn what causes dry scalp and get my favorite tips for choosing a shampoo for dry and itchy scalp. Plus, I’m sharing what I think is the best shampoo for dry scalp!
What causes a dry and itchy scalp?
So why does your scalp feel so dry and itchy? Here are some factors that are often causes of the problem:
You wash your hair too often
Most commercial shampoos are “too harsh” for daily use. Washing your hair every day with a shampoo full of synthetic ingredients can therefore be the reason for a dry scalp. So make sure you switch to a shampoo that helps you avoid dry and itchy scalps (more on how to find these later!).
Additionally, washing your hair in too hot water can also leave your scalp dry and itchy. Lowering the heat a little and thinking about the number of times a week you wash your hair is therefore a good start to counteract dry scalp. If you prefer to wash your hair daily (for example, if you exercise a lot), you should use a shampoo for dry and itchy scalp.
Your choice of shampoo
The products you use on your hair can cause a dry, itchy scalp. Many can experience allergic reactions from, for example, perfume in hair products and other irritating ingredients, such as sulfates. This is why using a dry scalp shampoo is so important (but more on that later).
If you don’t rinse your shampoo or conditioner out of your hair properly, this too can lead to a dry scalp, as residue gets stuck in your hair and can cause irritation. So remember to rinse your hair thoroughly.
The weather
The weather can also affect your scalp’s moisture level. Low humidity and indoor heat during winter can often leave your scalp parched. On the other hand, maxing out the air conditioning in the summer can have the same effect!
Now that you know what could be causing your dry, itchy scalp, let’s dive into how to choose a shampoo for dry and itchy scalp.
How to choose a shampoo for sensitive scalp
Ingredient selection is key when it comes to choosing a shampoo for sensitive scalps. I recommend choosing an organic brand that is packed with natural ingredients that will nourish your hair and scalp. Avoid shampoos for dry scalp that contain parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances and formaldehyde. All of these ingredients are associated with scalp irritation.
Rather, choose products with natural fragrances in low doses, as synthetic fragrances can cause a dry and itchy scalp. But the question then is how to know if there is a lot of fragrance in a shampoo for a dry and itchy scalp? The fragrance should always be the last ingredient on the label. Remember: the higher an ingredient is on the ingredient list, the more powerful that ingredient is in the formula.
When shopping for a shampoo for dry, itchy scalp, keep an eye out for these moisturizing and soothing ingredients:
- Aloe Vera – Anyone who has applied aloe vera gel to a burn knows how this cooling ingredient provides relief! Aloe vera has been shown to significantly reduce acute inflammation.
- Oats – When I was little and had itchy chicken pox, my mom gave me a soothing oat bath, and for good reason! Oat extract is also known to reduce inflammation.
