Are you suffering from unpleasant tightness, and a dry, itchy scalp covered in unsightly flakes? Learn how to quell an uncomfortably itchy and dry flaky scalp, how to choose the best shampoo for dry scalp and how to care for your skin! A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy and beautiful hair.

How a dry scalp manifests itself

When the skin’s natural processes, such as sebum production and hydration, are disrupted, the skin begins to dry out. The first symptoms include unpleasant tightening, itching and stinging of the scalp. This can be followed by redness and dry skin in the hair, resembling dandruff, may start to appear. Hair breaks more easily, loses its shine and is no longer sufficiently protected against external factors. It can even make it easier for pollutants to penetrate the scalp and cause micro-inflammations within the skin. You should not underestimate this condition and should focus on the possible causes.

A dry and sensitive scalp – what causes it?

There are many causes of a dry and itchy scalp, most often related to improper hair care, but stress, ageing skin or an unsuitable environment can also be to blame. Causes of dry skin include:

Frequent washing of the hair or using water that’s too hot when washing can strip the skin of its protective fatty film.
Skin ageing naturally leads to the skin getting overly dry.
Unsuitable hair products that irritate and dehydrate the skin, as well as insufficient rinsing of the shampoo when washing your hair.
Frequent colouring and use of heat on hair (curling, straightening and blow-drying).
Physical or emotional stress.
Hormonal changes and poor lifestyle (smoking, alcohol).
A lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet, particularly a deficiency of vitamin A, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids.
Excessive exposure to sunlight and hot or frosty air.
Atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.

Dandruff vs. dry scalp

Dry skin on the scalp can resemble dandruff at first. Yet these are two different skin problems. So how can you tell for sure if it’s a dry scalp or dandruff?

A dry scalp, or “dry dandruff”, takes the form of white or grey flakes that appear after scratching the scalp or brushing the hair, as they come off the skin very easily. At the same time, dry skin is often accompanied by dry hair, which tends to break and fray.
Oily dandruff, on the other hand, is the result of increased sebum production and tends to stick to the scalp. Oily dandruff is yellowish in colour and heavier, accumulates on the skin and is very difficult to remove. It also usually comes back again and again as it is caused by the multiplication of a yeast called malassezia. In this case, we recommend products with tea tree oil and CBD products for the hair.

What you should use on a dry scalp for effective soothing and hydration

As a first step, it is important to ensure proper nutrition rich in vitamins and minerals and a sufficient fluid intake. If you want to boost your intake of important nutrients, try hair vitamins, which contain biotin, selenium, zinc and other substances essential for the health of your skin and hair.

To accelerate overall scalp nourishment and hydration, you should also use a proper external treatment to avoid unpleasant itching and flaking of the scalp. Start right away by choosing the best treatments, from shampoo for itchy scalp to hair lotions and tonics.

Dry scalp shampoo

What should you do first for a dry scalp? Proper care for sensitive skin starts with gentle cleansing. A gentle shampoo for dry skin will help relieve itching, deliver instant hydration, and even help prevent inflammation. With natural ingredients and a neutral pH, it restores the skin’s natural balance of sebum production, gently cleansing and regenerating it at the same time.

Itchy scalp shampoo and other products should contain caring substances such as:

urea has great moisturising and soothing effects;
aloe vera nourishes hair roots and moisturises the scalp effectively;
considered a natural moisturiser, glycerol helps the skin retain moisture;
collagen strengthens the scalp effectively and prevents excessive hair loss;
polidocanol relieves itching effectively;
lactic acid (lactate) helps regulate moisture in the skin.

Dry scalp treatment products, on the contrary, should not be based on:

alcohol, which contributes to skin dryness;
silicones, which close the pores.

Scalp scrub

Give your hair and scalp a proper detox once in a while. A hair scrub cleanses the scalp of dirt, styling product residue and dead skin cells perfectly, whilst promoting better circulation and oxygenating the skin.

Moisturising treatments for your hair and more

To soothe the skin after a thorough wash, a deeply nourishing treatment comes next – a special conditioner or mask for dry scalp to keep the scalp and hair hydrated and strengthen them to prevent further damage.

Special treatments for an extremely dry scalp

How should you treat a dry scalp between washes? Take one more step towards beautiful hair and a healthy scalp. Next in line are hair lotions, tonics and special scalp serums to restore the skin’s necessary hydration levels and help revitalise and protect it against external factors.

Hair tonics help relieve itching and irritation and improve the overall condition of the scalp. They also strengthen hair follicles and the scalp’s overall protective barrier and reduce hair loss. You can apply the tonic up to twice a day to relieve acute itching. Hair lotions for dry skin may contain caffeine to support the roots, niacin to promote circulation and zinc to promote hair growth.
Hair serums help relieve irritation caused by a dry scalp and nourish it deeply. Serums are usually full of natural extracts and other active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and chamomile.

Our tip: What helps with a dry scalp before washing your hair? Give your scalp some extra care and do a nourishing hair wrap an hour before washing your hair. Try a natural oil for a dry scalp such as apricot, rosehip or argan oil for the hair.

Relieve a dry and irritated scalp and enjoy glossy and luscious hair once again! An extremely dry scalp deserves the best care, such as a strengthening mask and shampoo for a dry scalp, as well as a nourishing hair tonic or serum to put an end to unpleasant itching and burning sensations once and for all!