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The best shampoos for dry scalps
Want to discover a shampoo that can help soothe and nourish your dry scalp? Here are the best shampoos for dry scalps that could help!
Our top picks
Plastic-free shampoo bar
Ethique
Ethique Heali Kiwi Shampoo Bar For Touchy Scalps 110g
£12.99
Calms irritation of the scalp
Miaderma
Miaderma Eczema & Psoriasis Shampoo
£11.00
Hydrates to reduce frizz
Sukin
Sukin Hydrating Shampoo 500ml
£9.95
What is a dry scalp?
A dry scalp often occurs when the scalp doesn’t have enough sebum (skin oil) for the skin to feel lubricated and hydrated.
It is more common for people with dry skin in general to get a dry scalp.
Symptoms of a dry scalp
Getting a dry scalp is quite common; with symptoms varying in severity, from a sprinkling of dandruff to full-blown seborrheic dermatitis (when flakes of skin become visible on your hair or clothing).
Seborrheic dermatitis can also cause skin flaking in other areas like eyebrows, ears, upper chest and beard region.
What is dandruff?
Dead skin shedding from the scalp is simply a visible sign of having a dry scalp.
Dandruff can also be caused by:
- Yeast overgrowth on the skin
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Stress
What causes dry scalps?
There are lots of potential causes of a dry, itchy scalps, including:
- Seasonal changes, e.g. air in winter tends to be drier than in summer, which can dry out any exposed skin – including our scalp
- Heating, e.g. your scalp skin can dry out when you have super-hot showers or crank up the indoor heating
- Reactions to hair care products
- Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis
The best thing is to try and isolate which of these factors is causing your dry scalp and eliminate it.
What is a dry scalp shampoo?
Just like you get a shampoo for coloured hair or a shampoo for greasy hair, you can get a shampoo specifically formulated for dry scalps.
Dry scalp shampoos tend to be gentle formulas made with certain ingredients that dry scalps love to lap up, including:1
Gentle oils like coconut and olive oil are very good for the scalp.
Coconut oil is full of nourishing essential fatty acids and vitamins to help moisturise the skin, whereas olive oil is rich in antioxidants that help protect the skin.2
Humectants are moisturising ingredients that get absorbed into the upper layers of the skin where they attract and retain water modules.
Look for these ingredients on product labels: hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid, urea, glycosaminoglycans, glycerine, sodium lactate, honey, sorbitol, aloe vera, flaxseed, algae extract, agave nectar or glycols.3
Another ingredient to look out for is an occlusive, which can help prevent the skin from losing hydration through evaporation.
Popular occlusives include dimethicone, petrolatum, lanolin, tea tree oil, candelilla, almond oil, beeswax and avocado oil.
Sometimes dry scalps and dandruff can be caused by bacteria and fungi growth, and it turns our apple cider vinegar could help with that.
Research suggests that apple cider vinegar could limit the growth of certain fungi and bacteria.4
And there are also ingredients that dry scalps don’t like, including:
- Exfoliants
However, this exfoliation process can cause the skin to dry out, so it’s best to avoid for those with dry scalps.5
If you do want to exfoliate with dry skin, then look for products containing milder exfoliators, like bromelain, willow bark, papain, allantoin and citric acid.6
- Astringents
Astringents tone and tighten the skin by pulling water from the upper layers of the skin. They tend to dry the skin out, so should be avoided by those with dry scalps or skin. Look out for salt, alcohol and witch hazel.7
- Dry scalps can be caused by a number of different factors, including dry wintery air, irritants in products or even indoor heating
- Some ingredients have been proven better than others for dry scalps, like moisturising oils and humectants
- Exfoliants and astringents should be avoided where possible if you have a dry scalp
What are the best shampoos for dry scalp?
We’ve scoured our collection of hair care products here at H&B and chosen the top shampoos for dry scalps.
1
Full of moisturising oils and extracts, and kind to your scalp – this could be the shampoo bar for you!
- Contains karanja and neem oils to help tackle scalp issues
- pH balanced and suitable for colour treated hair
What our customers think:
Jo Mc – Highly recommended for sensitive hair and scalp – 5/5 stars
“I've been using this for a few years now and love it. I don't have to use conditioner anymore either. It is a great product from a caring company and is environmentally better than bottles. The ingredients are all natural.”
Raffee – Love this!! – 5/5 stars
“I was sceptical about this, but wow it is amazing! Lathers nicely and rinses out really well. I suffer from itchy skin, but this does not irritate my scalp at all.”
2
Simple is often best when it comes to dry scalp shampoos, and this offering by sea magik could be the clean and conscious formulation to help your scalp stay healthy.
Helps keep your scalp hydrated and itch free + your hair shiny and healthy
What our customers think:
Leanora – Great for dry scalp – 5/5 stars
“You only need to use a small drop to get a decent lather. Excellent for dry itchy scalp and leaves hair with a lovely shine.”
MB27 – Gloss and health – 5/5 stars
“Glossy locks and healthy scalp - win, win.
3
If your dry scalp is caused by eczema or psoriasis, then this highly moisturising shampoo by Miaderma could be for you.
A topical medical device for the treatment of eczema and psoriasis
Helps provide relief from itchiness and dandruff
This mild shampoo is free from soap, perfume, antibiotics and cortisones
What our customers think:
Jojo4499 – The only one that works for me! – 5/5 stars
“I’ve tried lots of treatments for my scalp and none seem to work except this one. It works so well for me I was worried about the reviews, but I guess every scalp is different. Other shampoos burn my scalp and don’t get rid of the dandruff, this one doesn’t hurt at all and clears flakes after first wash.”
Ann62 – Miaderma shampoo – 5/5 stars
“Love this shampoo. My scalp is so clean. Tried every anti dandruff shampoo under the sun to no avail. This one works a treat. No more itchy scalp. No more dandruff.”
4
Look after your scalp, fight frizz and help repair dry and damaged hair with this hydrating shampoo!
- Infused with coconut extract, olive oil and shea butter to help keep hair and scalp moisturised
- Coconut and lime fragrance
What our customers think:
Sotontraveler – Good general shampoo – 5/5 stars
“I've been using this shampoo for a few years now and really like it. It is gentle on my hair, low perfumed and gentle on the environment.”
Antoman – Great value and quality – 5/5 stars
“I'm really happy with it, it is hydrating and sulphate free while also creating a good lather so leaves curly my hair feeling clean!”
6
Rich and indulgent, this shampoo contains organic shea extracts and argan oils to gently cleanse, soothe and nourish dry hair and scalp.
- Made with 100% essential oils and fragrances
- Contains shea butter and argan oil to help nourish and soothe dry/very dry hair and scalps
What our customers think:
Em Louise – Great shampoo for frizzy, curly hair! – 5/5 stars
“Love this shampoo and the conditioner. Always on the look-out for affordable paraben & SLS free hair care. I have naturally curly hair that is prone to frizz! This really helps to tame it & I can even let it dry naturally - I now have more good hair days than bad!”
Paula0151 – Nice product – 5/5 stars
“Made my hair feel lovely. Smell was not overpowering. Styled easily and kept the shape for longer than normal. I don’t have to wash my hair as often.”
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
- https://www.singlecare.com/conditions/dry-scalp-treatment-and-medications
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551307/
- https://www.singlecare.com/conditions/dry-scalp-treatment-and-medications
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29224370
- https://www.singlecare.com/conditions/dry-scalp-treatment-and-medications
- https://www.singlecare.com/conditions/dry-scalp-treatment-and-medications
- https://www.singlecare.com/conditions/dry-scalp-treatment-and-medications
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