Best treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp

If your scalp is itchy, inflamed, and constantly sheds white flakes, you're not alone. In fact, it's much more common than you'd think. "Some causes of dry scalp include [dead cell] buildup from products, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and truly dry scalp skin," Mona Gohara, a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine tells Allure. "Some [cases] have nothing to do with what you do or put in your hair, and the others do," she adds, pointing out that irritation can stem from using hair dye or even a new dry shampoo or overwashing your hair with sulfate-based products. 

People with a history of eczema or psoriasis are also more likely to experience flakes, Gohara adds. She recommends making an appointment with your board-certified dermatologist to determine whether or not your dry scalp is caused by a skin condition.

The good news, though, is that brands are starting to realize this, and thankfully, they're taking action by bringing us innovative solutions to help remedy or ease our scalp issues at home. Powerhouses like Head & Shoulders, Ouai, Bread Beauty Supply, and Dove have developed tonics, oils, and exfoliators (both chemical and physical, just like skin-care products for your face), all of which are specifically designed to soothe the scalp and maintain a healthy balance so that the hair can flourish. Because a happy scalp equals happy hair — period. 

But when it comes to scrubs, in particular, heed one piece of important advice: Be conservative with how often you use a scrub — no more than two times a week for very oily hair. Scrubs "can strip the skin on the scalp of its natural oils and can aggravate an itchy scalp if used improperly," Jeanine Downie, a board-certified dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey, previously told Allure. In terms of maintaining a healthy scalp, Gohara recommends using sulfate-free products and reaching for moisturizing scalp oils or hair masks to soothe your scalp on the regular.

If you've been struggling with any of the scalp concerns mentioned above, we've got you covered. Ahead, find the 25 best scalp treatments available, according to experts and Allure editors.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Hey, did you know that dry scalp and dandruff aren't exactly one in the same? I know, it's confusing because they're both related to the scalp and share some of the same symptoms (flakes and itchiness), but the underlying causes could be totally different. To help you figure out if your flaky scalp is actually due to dryness or dandruff (or maybe even something else) and make sure your scalp sitch is getting exactly what it needs, we gathered tons of expert advice below. For all the explanations to your questions and the best dry scalp treatment to finally get rid of your flakes, read on.

Why is my scalp so dry and flaky?

A dry scalp is a pretty clear indication that there's a lack of hydration. “Like our skin, our scalp can become dehydrated and get flaky,” explains Anar Mikailov, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of KP Away. What's not so clear is whether you're actually experiencing dry scalp or something that looks and feels a whole lot like it but isn't. Here, a breakdown of dry scalp and a couple of other things it could be instead.

Dry scalp symptoms

When you think of dry scalp, think of small, dry, whiteish flakes. According to Dr. Mikailov, dry skin could occur after something as simple as shampooing without conditioner, washing and shampooing too frequently, or using shampoos that contain harsh, drying ingredients, like sodium lauryl sulfate (aka sulfates) and synthetic fragrance. You could even experience scalp dryness and irritation from hair dye and buildup from a product like dry shampoo. With so many different causes from seemingly harmless everyday activities, there's a good chance your scalp sitch is due to dryness, but if not, it could be a sign of dandruff, which brings us to:

Dandruff symptoms

Dry scalp and dandruff are commonly lumped together, but the flakes that come with seborrheic dermatitis (the clinical term for dandruff) are typically stickier than dry scalp flakes. Unlike small dry scalp flakes, “dandruff can often appear oily, and it sheds as larger flakes that are usually clumped together,” trichologist Dominic Burg, chief scientist at Evolis Professional, has told Cosmo. Because dandruff is caused by your scalp's yeast production, the fastest treatment would be a topical steroid combined with an antifungal shampoo.

Psoriasis symptoms

Unlike dry scalp, which typically results in small little flakes, or even seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis (a chronic condition) is known for having a much thicker scale or plaques. Psoriasis sometimes requires a prescription topical steroid, so you'll def want to check with your doctor for the best treatment plan.

How do you get rid of dry scalp?

If you have a true dry scalp, Dr. Mikailov says it could help to cut back your shampoo to only twice per week so you’re not constantly removing your scalp’s natural oils. You'll also want to avoid any products causing the dryness, so anything with SLS (sulfates) and irritating synthetic fragrance. Dr. Mikailov says for some people, essential oils, like peppermint and rosemary hair oil, that are common in “natural” dandruff solutions can actually be irritating and lead to more plaques. So if that's the case, avoid fragrance the best you can.

What's the best treatment for extremely dry scalp?

What you want to look for, according to Dr. Mikailov, are moisturizing plant-based oils (like coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, argan oil, Brazil walnut oil, hemp oil, and camellia oil), exfoliating ingredients (salicylic acid, azelaic acid, bakuchiol, and lactic acid) as well as CBD, beta-glucans (from oat or mushroom extracts), aloe, and vitamin B5. And what do ya know?! Looks like we've got a whole list of products containing all those ingredients, right here, so get to shopping for your scalp's sake.

1

Best Dry Scalp Treatment for Curly Hair

Fable & Mane SahaScalp Amla Soothing Serum

2

Best Soothing Scalp Oil

Briogeo B.Well 100mg CBD + Arnica Flower Soothing Skin & Scalp Oil

3

Best Scalp Treatment for Easy Application

Leonor Greyl Paris Huile Apaisante

4

Best Moisture Mask for Hair and Scalp

Monpure Nourish and Stimulate Scalp Mask

5

Best Psoriasis and Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo

DHS SAL Shampoo

6

Best Vibrating Scalp Massager

Queenwill Electric Handheld Hair Massager

7

Best Scalp Brush

Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush

8

Best Exfoliating Scalp Serum

Bread Beauty Supply Scalp-Serum: Cooling Greens Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

9

Best Scalp Rinse for Gentle Exfoliation

Alkanist Phoenix Scalp Detox

10

Best Pre-Shampoo Treatment Oil

SILKTÁGE Repair-Active Scalp Oil

11

Best Shampoo Treatment for Dry Scalp

Vanicream Shampoo

12

Best Conditioner Treatment for Dry Scalp

Rahua Hydration Conditioner

13

Best Leave-In Treatment for Dry Scalp

Living Proof Restore Dry Scalp Treatment

14

Best Drugstore Treatment for Dry Scalp

Head and Shoulders Scalp Elixir Treatment

15

Best Anti-Inflammatory Treatment for Dry Scalp

Klorane Soothing & Anti-Irritating SOS Serum with Peony

16

Best Oil Treatment for Dry Scalp

Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment

17

Best Scrub Treatment for Dry Scalp

Kérastase Scrub Apaisant Soothing Scalp Scrub

Ruby Buddemeyer Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital.

Brooke Shunatona Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.

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