My Dry, Itchy Scalp Is a Dandruff-Making Machine—These Are the Only 10 Products That Help
Because no one wants white flakes.
Every single centimeter of my skin hates me this winter. My hands are cracked and scaly, my body is an eczema-ridden mess, and my heels are drier than the Sahara. But it’s my scalp that’s crying the loudest. Dandruff is in overdrive (I have flake-covered sweaters to prove it), and the sides of my head are so beyond itchy and irritated. In short: I’ve reached the end of my rope. With many, many grueling weeks of winter to go, I’m setting out to create the ultimate anti-dandruff treatment regimen for a dry, itchy scalp.
I have a few goals: calm down irritation, restore hydration, and make sure that my hair still looks shiny, glossy, and healthy when all is said and done. It’s a tall order, so I’m leaning on advice from my favorite derms, relying on my favorite scalp products that have seen me through winters past, and most importantly, being consistent with my routine. Everything I’m using, below. (Just an FYI: I’m not using all of these products every single day—think: once or twice a week, max.) See you never, flakes.
Start With a Scrub
I get it. Using a scrub on an already itchy scalp sounds counterintuitive. But trust! It’s actually one of the best solutions. Not only is it going to get rid of dead skin cells crowding your hair follicles (often the source of a lot of itchiness), but it’s also a great way to promote scalp circulation and promote new hair growth.
My skin is uber-sensitive, so if I’m going to be exfoliating, it has to be gentle—full stop. That’s why I love this whipped scalp treatment. Even though it uses physical exfoliation with fruit enzymes, it’s not harsh or stripping. Plus, the grittiness washes out completely.
The BondiBoost Infrared Hot Brush may get the most hype (TikTok targeted me, too), but this Himalayan sea salt scalp scrub is the brand’s unsung hero. It unclogs pores, rehydrates, and, most importantly, is color-safe, so it never leaves my blonde hair brassy.
Use a Dandruff Shampoo
Oftentimes, the most effective products are the least sexy. Such is the case with dandruff shampoos. Candidly, the drugstore options are my favorite. They may not look the chicest in my shower, but a flake-free, soothed scalp makes up for it 20 times over.
It’s the OG for a reason. The packaging might not look great, but it’s what’s inside that counts. My scalp instantly feels calmer once I use it, and flakes are minimized in just a few washes. Pro tip: You can let this sit on your face for a few minutes to help with fungal acne.
Should you want to glamorize your dandruff experience (no judgment), scoop up Oribe’s special line. It contains salicylic acid to treat flakiness, redness, and irritation, while still staying color and keratin-safe.
Hydrating Conditioner
As much as I love dandruff shampoo, my hair color often does not. It can leave my hair color distorted and my overall texture on the drier side. That’s why I always follow up with a deeply hydrating conditioner that considers color-treated hair.
While I’m not dousing my scalp in conditioner—it’s a mid-shaft and down situation—I do love that this product was formulated with my irritated scalp in mind. It contains niacinamide to soothe redness and irritation, as well as argan oil to restore hydration.
This is my holy grail conditioner. It’s lightweight, which is a major plus for fine hair, but it consistently leaves my hair touchably soft and visibly silky. And easy to brush through. Obsessed is an understatement.
Don’t Forget a Targeted Treatment
Between dandruff shampoo applications, I use these treatment serums to restore balance and moisture to my scalp. They go a long way to stop my itching, and both have hair growth properties. Talk about a win-win.
Augustinus Bader’s luxe serum isn’t necessarily designed for dandruff, but it does make a big difference. The TLDR: it fosters a healthy scalp, hair growth, and reduces shedding, which in turn makes my whole scalp feel more balanced and less irritated.
I’m always concerned that leave-on scalp serums will leave my roots looking disgustingly greasy. Such is not the case with this Davines option, which feels lightweight and absorbs in seconds.
And a Leave-In Conditioner
Cold weather doesn’t just affect my scalp—it also makes my hair generally drier, and my split ends way more noticeable. To help my style look its shiniest (despite the frigid temps sucking the life force out of every strand), I give each section a generous spray with one of these guys post-shower.
My hair gets extra matted in the winter (that’s what wearing a scarf 12 hours of the day will do), so I always douse my hair in this post-shower to help brush through lingering knots. The spray bottle means no mess. If you need more convincing, I can promise you it smells delicious.
I may be staying on the East coast for winter break, but using this leave-in post-shower makes me feel like I’m escaping to a tropical island. Notes of tuberose, baltic amber, and dragon fruit come together to create a coconut scent that smells divine.
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