11 Best Products For Dry Scalp Treatment You Can Try In 2023
Give your scalp the appropriate care & love it needs with these amazing hair products.
Janine JarmanCelebrity Stylist
Expertise: Hair/Perms
Experience: 7 years
Janine Jarman is the founder of Curl Cult and the owner of Hairroin Salon in Los Angeles. She has always been fascinated by perms and worked with chemists in Italy for 7 years to conjure up a new kind of perm that offers better ingredients,... more
Expertise: Hairstyles, Hair Care, & Skin Care
Experience: 7 years
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy ... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 4 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Dry scalp issues are pretty common and can worsen during the winter season. The constant itching can be quite a nuisance and a wee bit embarrassing. Because you or someone you know has been in this situation, you’re looking for the best products for dry scalp to help fix the issue. Worry not, because, in this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 11 best products for dry scalp that will nourish your scalp and hopefully help get rid of the itch.
In This Article
Best Products For Dry, Itchy Scalp
1. BestAnti-Dandruff: Yesto Scalp Relief Shampoo
Image: Yes To The Yesto Scalp Relief Shampoo helps soothe and calm a dry and itchy scalp by balancing its natural pH. It contains sage oil, tea tree oil, and salicylic acid that moisturize the scalp and prevent dandruff. This mild hydrating shampoo is non-irritating and has a pleasant fragrance. It does not contain harmful additives like silicones and parabens. This product is non-comedogenic, cruelty-free, and formulated with 97% natural ingredients.
Pros - Contains 97% natural ingredients
- Non-comedogenic
- Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny Certified)
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- Contains sulfates
2. Best For Daily Use: Selsun Blue Antidandruff Shampoo
The Selsun Blue Antidandruff Shampoo helps prevent flakiness, dryness, and itchiness. It can be used regularly to eliminate dandruff and irritation. This gentle shampoo is formulated with deep moisturizers, botanicals, and a blend of vitamins E and B5 that keep your hair healthy and moisturized. It also contains salicylic acid, 1% pyrithione zinc, and selenium sulfide that nourish the hair and control dandruff. This product is recommended by doctors to control seborrheic dermatitis and prevent its recurrence. If you want a detailed review of the product, make sure to take a look at this video.
Pros - Prevents dandruff
- Suitable for daily use
- Gentle formula
Cons
None
3. Best Nourishing: head & shoulders 2 in 1 Dry Scalp Care
Image: Head & Shoulders The head and shoulders 2-in-1 Dry Scalp Care is a shampoo and conditioner that penetrates the hair and scalp to nourish them. It prevents dryness, itchiness, and flakiness. The pH balancing formula contains almond oil, which moisturizes the scalp. This shampoo goes into three layers deep inside the scalp to prevent dandruff and add volume to your hair. It is unisex, paraben-free, and color-safe.
Pros - Unisex
- Paraben-free
- Color-safe
Cons
- Strong smell
4. Best Frizz Control: Dove DermaCare Scalp Anti-Dandruff Conditioner
Image: Dove The Dove DermaCare Scalp Anti-Dandruff Conditioner prevents dryness and nourishes the hair. It helps balance the scalp’s pH and eliminates dandruff. This conditioner contains pyrithione zinc and nutrium care that soothe and hydrate the scalp and eliminate itchiness and flakiness. It also contains shea butter and coconut oil that relieve scalp irritation and redness. This conditioner helps make the hair smooth and frizz-free. It is vegan, unisex, and color-safe. You can also check this YouTuber’s detailed review to know more about the results after using this product.
Pros - Controls frizz
- Pleasant smell
- Vegan (PETA certified)
- Unisex
- Color-safe
Cons
- Causes buildup
5. Best Lightweight: OGX Extra Strength Scalp Treatment
Image: Ogx The OGX Extra Strength Scalp Treatment helps remove product residue and buildup from the scalp without stripping the natural oils. It contains mint and tea tree with peppermint and witch hazel to soothe the scalp and revive the senses. The refreshing mint formula helps eliminate dryness and flakiness while strengthening the hair. This lightweight treatment balances the scalp pH to keep your hair shiny and healthy. It intensely hydrates the hair and scalp and is free of parabens and sulfates.For a thorough review of the product, have a look at this YouTuber’s video.
Pros - Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Lightweight
- Pleasant smell
Cons
None
6. Best SLS-Free: dpHUE ACV Scalp Scrub
Image: Dphue The dpHUE ACV Scalp Scrub with Pink Himalayan sea salt helps protect, cleanse, and rebalance the scalp to keep it healthy and nourished. It exfoliates the scalp gently to eliminate dead skin, impurities, and residue. The color-protecting formula is infused with a magical blend of avocado, aloe vera, and apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is rich has antibacterial properties that thoroughly cleanse the scalp to remove buildup. This scrub soothes the scalp and balances its natural pH. The combination of fine and coarse granules of pink salt offers deep cleansing of the scalp. This product is vegan, color-safe, cruelty-free, and does not contain gluten, SLS, and SLES.
Pros -
- Cruelty-free
- Color-safe
- SLS-free
- SLES-free
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Unpleasant smell
Pro Tip7. Best Fragrance-Free: Kaffir Lime Essential Oil Scalp Treatment
The Kaffir Lime Essential Oil Scalp Treatment helps treat dry and itchy scalp. It contains a rich blend of essential lime oil and ginger rhizome extracted from the first cold press. This lightweight treatment helps balance and soothe the scalp to prevent dryness, dandruff, irritation, and itchiness. Its conditioning properties revive the hair, providing shine and fullness. This product does not contain harmful additives like sulfates, fragrances, parabens, synthetic colors, and silicones. Incorporating scalp oil into your hair care routine and performing a gentle scalp massage can contribute to overall improvement of both hair and scalp health.
Pros - Sulfate-free
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- No synthetic colors
- Silicone-free
Cons
- Strong smell
Pro Tip8. Best Anti-Itch: Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment
The Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment eradicates the symptoms of the dry scalp and reduces flakiness and irritation. It contains nourishing ingredients, such as argan oil and lavender and geranium essential oils. Argan oil is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that nourish and heal the scalp. The lavender and geranium essential oils restore scalp health. Salicylic acid exfoliates the scalp gently to prevent dryness and itching.
Pros - Gentle formula
- Pleasant smell
- Adds shine to the hair
Cons
- Contains alcohol
Quick tip9. Best Anti-Bacterial: tgin Detoxifying Hair And Scalp Serum
Image: Tgin The tgin Hair And Scalp Serum promotes scalp health and nourishes the hair. It moisturizes dry skin and promotes healthy hair growth. It contains detoxifying ingredients like tea tree and olive oil, which kill harmful bacteria that cause dryness, dandruff, and scalp itchiness. This serum removes dirt, residue, impurities, and excess oil or sebum from the scalp. It is packed with vitamins that fight bacterial infections.
Pros - Promotes hair growth
- Prevents dandruff
- Fights bacterial infections
Cons
- Unpleasant fragrance
Pro Tip10. Best Gentle Formula: Bumble and Bumble Scalp Detox Fizzing Foam
The Bumble and Bumble Scalp Detox Fizzing Foam refreshes itchy scalp by preventing buildup and dryness. It helps restore the scalp’s health while removing dirt and impurities. The mild formula contains micellar water that cleanses the scalp. It also contains salicylic acid, which removes dead cells and pore-clogging debris. Panthenol prevents dryness, and rosebay extracts impart a sweet fragrance. This product stimulates blood circulation to the scalp and makes the hair thick and strong. It is free of sulfates and parabens.
Pros - Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gentle formula
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- May cause a burning sensation
11. Best Alcohol-Free: head & shoulders Instant Soothe Scalp Elixir
Image: Head & Shoulders The head & shoulders Instant Soothe Scalp Elixir Treatment prevents dandruff, itching, and dryness. It contains a unique blend of royal oils like menthol and peppermint oils, which help lock moisture and reduce scalp itchiness. The no-rinse formula balances the pH and natural oils of the scalp. This rich elixir is free of alcohol, sulfates, dyes, and parabens.
Pros - Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Dye-free
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- May cause irritation
A dry scalp is a common condition that has a debilitating effect on your hair. Itching, flaking, and redness are its common symptoms. And to combat all these resultant symptoms, you will need the right product to moisturize your scalp. The section below discusses all the factors that make the best treatments for dry scalp. Check it out.
What To Consider When Buying Products For Dry Scalp Treatments – Buying Guide
Ingredients: Choose a nourishing product that hydrates the scalp and stimulates blood flow. Ingredients like avocado, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, tea tree, peppermint, witch hazel, etc., eliminate dryness and flakiness while strengthening the hair. Ensure that it has a mild formulation and is easy to clean. It should not irritate the scalp or leave an icky feeling on the scalp.
Chemical Content: Products made from harsh chemicals will only worsen your situation. Avoid chemicals like sulfates, parabens, polyethylene glycols, and formaldehyde since they can cause the onset of hair loss. Besides that, they even increase the risk of cancer, infertility, hormonal imbalances, and other conditions with prolonged exposure. You can also avoid formulas with artificial fragrances if you have a sensitive scalp.
Frequency Of Use: Not knowing how often dry scalp treatment products should be used is a mistake that many people may make. For best results, it is advisable to use these products as directed. You should take your time to read instructions on how to apply the product. With some, you will only need to use the product once, while others require more frequency. Choose a product that fits your lifestyle while being the most beneficial for your scalp issues.
Additional Features: Choose a gentle formulation that stimulates blood flow and makes the hair smooth and frizz-free. For sensitive, dry scalp, go for non-comedogenic products. Lightweight formulas give a non-greasy finish and do not weigh your hair down. You can buy a unisex product that everyone can use at home.
Infographic: Key Ingredients To Look For In Dry Scalp Treatment Products
Dryness in the scalp makes it itchy and produces a lot of pesky flakes. Simply nourishing your scalp may not be enough to solve your problem. You’ll need products to soothe, moisturize, balance the pH of the scalp, and exfoliate it. But how do you pick the best dry scalp treatment products? Check out the infographic below to learn about the key ingredients to look for in dry scalp treatment products to nourish and prevent dandruff.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
A dry scalp is a pretty common condition that can be altered with the help of the right products. You can rejuvenate your scalp health with the help of non-irritating shampoos, masks, conditioners, and serums. The best products for dry and itchy scalp effectively nourish your strands and moisturize your scalp in the process. They eliminate dead skin cells and remove dirt and impurities while reducing the risk of other skin conditions that can be harmful to your scalp. You can try the Yesto Scalp Relief Shampoo, which is ideal for managing dry strands, while the Head & Shoulders 2 in 1 Dry Scalp Care helps promote free-flowing, dandruff-free tresses. Another recommended product for catering to excessively dry scalp is the OGX Extra Strength Scalp Treatment. However, you should avoid these products if they fail to balance your scalp’s natural pH level.
Janine Jarman, celebrity stylist, founder of Curl Cult, and owner of Hairroin Salon in Los Angeles says, “If after 2 weeks of using dandruff treatments regularly, it is still persistent, please see a doctor.”
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a hair care enthusiast. She understands the embarrassment and irritation a dry and itchy scalp can cause. So, she has come up with this list of the best products for such a condition based on her extensive research. Shiboli has also gone through hundreds of user reviews to narrow down the best options for her readers. These products help you nourish your scalp and prevent itching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dries out your scalp?
There are many reasons for scalp dryness, such as improper washing, product buildup, bacterial infection, lack of sebum or oil on the scalp, medical conditions, and factors like stress and season, and a diet change.
What deficiency causes dry scalp?
Scalp dryness can be triggered due to a lack of vitamins B6 and B12. Include whole-grain foods, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in selenium and zinc in your diet to help prevent dry scalp.
Is Vaseline good for itchy scalp?
Yes. Massage a small amount of Vaseline on your scalp before shampooing to reduce itchiness.
Can a dry scalp make your hair fall out?
No. Dry scalp or dandruff does not cause your hair to fall out immediately. But scratching the head damages the hair follicles and leads to minor hair loss.
Is olive oil good for dry scalp?
Yes. Massaging olive oil onto your scalp reduces dryness and flakiness.
What kills fungus on the scalp?
An antifungal shampoo might help prevent scalp fungus. It contains antifungal additives like selenium sulfide and ketoconazole that kill the fungus-causing bacteria.
Why do I have so much dandruff?
There are many reasons for dandruff, such as the dry scalp, product residue, fungal infection, and conditions like eczema and dermatitis.
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