How to Help Itchy Scalp By Adding These 10 Simple Ingredients To Your Hair Care Routine
How to help itchy scalp is a question that many people ask because it is common to run across this problem at some point and time.
There are simple ways to help alleviate scalp itchiness and dandruff with easy-to-find ingredients. You probably even have many of these itchy scalp remedies right in your home already.
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The scalp microbiome is important to take care of but is sometimes overlooked. If you want healthy hair, then taking care of the scalp is a must.
Dryness and itching can occur on the scalp for different reasons. We go over some of the reasons why your scalp gets like that and dive into some everyday ingredients that help nurture hair growth and provide you with a healthy scalp environment.
There are different ways to incorporate some of these simple ingredients. We go over how to help itchy scalp by adding moisture and eliminate dryness with the use of oils, foods, and other helpful itchy scalp treatments.
This post shows you how to help itchy scalp by simply incorporating some basic ingredients into your hair care routine.
Possible Reasons for Itchy Scalp
There are many factors that come into play when dealing with a scalp that is itchy and dry. The condition of the body's health, the weather, products used on the head (shampoos, sprays, etc. ), diseases and infections, and skin conditions are some of these factors.
Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, oxidative stress, and aging of the scalp are some of the problems that cause your scalp to become dry and problematic.
Therefore, the following products are helpful in aiding a healthy scalp microbiome (the community of bacteria on the scalp that make up your scalp's health state). However, you need to research and seek a professional if you think there is a specific and more serious reason for your itchy scalp problems.
The following products are safe to use in general as long as they are used correctly and at the right dosage. They offer great benefits for both the scalp and your hair health. These natural ingredients provide the scalp with vitamins and minerals that allow the microbiome to thrive and can help it with much-needed moisture.
However, you need to keep in mind that the below list aids in scalp health and contains elements that contribute to a healthy scalp. They are not a guarantee to fix the problem if there are underlying conditions contributing to your scalp problems.
If you want to add products into your routine naturally for a better scalp biome and have less dryness, less itching, or better hair follicle growth, then this list will be very beneficial for you.
Let's get your scalp back into balance naturally. Below is the list of healthy and natural scalp care choices with details on what each has to offer.
How to help Itchy Scalp, Naturally
#1 Rosemary Oil for Itchy Scalp
Rosemary oil exhibits antifungal, antibacterial, and astringent properties which makes it an ideal ingredient to use on a scalp that needs soothing.
Research is still being done, but early research shows rosemary has promising effects on the scalp. The studies show that rosemary oil kills bacteria and relieves inflammation of the skin.
You do want to be cautious of sun exposure when using rosemary because a rash can occur.
#2 Coconut Oil for Itchy Scalp
Coconut oil helps moisturize the scalp, alleviating dryness and creating a healthy scalp environment.
The medium-chained fatty acid, in particular lauric acid, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties of coconut oil all attribute to the reason coconut oil is beneficial for the scalp and the growth of hair. Coconut oil helps to balance the environment of the scalp.
This study stated the following below:
Coconut oil is commonly used in several parts of the world to maintain scalp health and to moisturise the skin in addition to repair hair damage, through a direct or indirect mode of action. Supporting studies have demonstrated the inhibitory role of coconut oil and its major component, lauric acid, on the growth and invasion of dermatophytes on the skin more efficiently than other hair oils commonly used in India such as mustard oil, cantharidine oil, amla oil, etc. It is also known to decrease the TEWL on long-term application on the skin surface, and increases the hydration levels, which could play an important role in shaping the microbiome of the scalp surface. (Saxena, 2021)
#3 Peppermint Oil for Itchy Scalp and hair growth
Peppermint oil is a plant native to Europe. It contains menthol which is a stimulant for the scalp. The menthol increases blood flow, therefore promoting hair growth.
This study here shows that 3% peppermint oil mixed with jojoba oil was founded to support hair growth. It also supported thicker and longer hair growth as well.
Peppermint oil provides the scalp with a tingling sensation. Also, it must be added to a carrier oil when applying it to the body. Choose one of the oils from this list that best suits your needs.
The oil is an antimicrobial, benefiting the microbiome of the scalp by bringing into balance the good and bad bacteria.
#4 Aloe Vera for Itchy Scalp
Aloe Vera is a great plant that offers so many benefits to your health. One of these benefits is the relief of an itchy and dry scalp.
This plant does not only help the scalp, but it strengthens and moisturizes the hair as well. Aloe has been used for centuries; Cleopatra used Aloe Vera on her hair to get a smooth and silky texture.
When applied to the scalp, inflammation is reduced, skin irritations are soothed and skin regeneration occurs.
It also adds moisture to the scalp and hair because of its mucilage content.
This study show that Aloe Vera has positive effects on wound healing. That means it is great for creating a smoother scalp with less itching and dandruff.
Purchase Aloe Based Scalp and Hair Treatment Here
#5 Honey for Dry Scalp
Honey is an amazing ingredient and has so many health and healing benefits.
It is antifungal, antibacterial offers the body many nutrients and is great for moisturizing and treating an extremely dry scalp.
This study shows these amazing effects on the scalp by alleviating skin lesions and successfully combating seborrheic dermatitis. Not only did it alleviate the dry skin, but reinfection did not occur when the topical honey was consistently applied to the scalp.
The vitamins, minerals and antioxidants of honey are beneficial for repair and prevention of a dry scalp.
Oxidative stress can cause thinning and loss of hair, so the addition of honey can offer the scalp antioxidants which promote a healthy scalp with natural moisturization.
Purchasing a high quality honey from a trusted source is important. Opting for organically certified honey is optimal due to the use of pesticides and chemicals on plants that bees will be visiting.
Here is a High-Quality Organically Certified Honey
#6 Calendula Oil for Scalp
Calendula oil is soothing for the skin and is able to speed healing of the scalp and prevent further infection from taking place. It is inflammatory as well, which makes it great for treating the scalp.
The healing of dry skin and is supportive for making the scalp not itch anymore. Not only does this oil act as a healing agent, but with its essential fatty acids content it also conditions and moistens the skin providing an environment for healthy hair to grow.
Purchase Organic Calendula Oil
#7 Jojoba Oil for Itchy Scalp
This oil is a nice light oil that will soak into the head nicely. Jojoba oil is a great candidate for helping itchy scalp.
The oil acts as an anti-inflammatory and has a high wax content. That means the oil soothes and creates a barrier on the scalp to lock in moisture.
This study indicates the healing effect that jojoba oil has on dry skin conditions . This makes it a great oil to incorporate into your skin routine.
Purchase Organic Jojoba Oil Here
#8 Lavender Oil for Itchy Scalp
Lavender is a great healing oil and and also is effective at supporting the healing process of wounds due to its analgesic and antibacterial properties. This also makes the oil useful for an itchy scalp that may have cuts or scrapes.
Lavender oil also stimulates blood flow and circulation. This benefits new hair follicles that grow on the scalp.
Combining lavender oil with Aloe Vera gel is a very helpful remedy for soothing an itchy and dry scalp.
#9 Olive Oil for Dry Scalp
Olive Oil has antioxidant compounds that make it a great choice for scalp care too. The properties in olive oil help with inflammation, oxidative stress and support the healing process.
This oil has been used in many cultures for many years because it protects and moisturizes the skin and helps the nerves to relax.
Therefore, it is great to add this oil in addition to other ingredients to fully alleviate an itchy head. It can be used as a carrier oil for essential oil application or infused with burdock root or horsetail and then applied to the scalp.
Purchase High Quality Olive Oil Here
#10 Shea Butter for Scalp
This ingredients high content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties make Shea butter a recommended product to use..
She butter makes a great base for an effective hair mask or scalp cream. It provides moisture and healing properties to a dry scalp.
According to studies it has been recommended for use in treating and repairing inflamed skin.
Shea butter can possess different content makeup depending on where it is purchased. Shea butter used for scalp and cosmetic purposes should be high in unsaponifiables and antioxidants.
It is frustrating to deal with an itchy scalp. I know that this has been problematic at times for our own family. We have been able to keep our skin moisturized by working on our inside and our outside.
Applying some of these natural ingredients can make a huge difference in scalp dryness and in helping yeast and bacteria issues on the scalp.
Precaution does need to be taken when using the essential oils. Consult a knowledgeable professional and do appropriate research on how to add the right amount of essential oils for your needs.
Also, take precaution if you are pregnant and always consult your doctor or health care professional before using any remedy.
This post gives effective ways on how to help itchy scalp and create a healthy and well-balanced scalp microbiome.
- Saxena, Rituja et al. “Longitudinal study of the scalp microbiome suggests coconut oil to enrich healthy scalp commensals.” Scientific reports vol. 11,1 7220. 31 Mar. 2021, doi:10.1038/s41598-021-86454-1
- Oh, Ji Young et al. “Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs.” Toxicological research vol. 30,4 (2014): 297-304. doi:10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297
- Tarameshloo, Mahsa et al. “A comparative study of the effects of topical application of Aloe vera, thyroid hormone and silver sulfadiazine on skin wounds in Wistar rats.” Laboratory animal research vol. 28,1 (2012): 17-21. doi:10.5625/lar.2012.28.1.17
- Al-Waili, N S. “Therapeutic and prophylactic effects of crude honey on chronic seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.” European journal of medical research vol. 6,7 (2001): 306-8.
- Lin, Tzu-Kai et al. “Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 19,1 70. 27 Dec. 2017, doi:10.3390/ijms19010070
- M. Adolfina Ruiz, ... Visitación Gallardo, in Olives and Olive Oil in Health and Disease Prevention, 2010
- Trüeb, Ralph M et al. “Scalp Condition Impacts Hair Growth and Retention via Oxidative Stress.” International journal of trichology vol. 10,6 (2018): 262-270. doi:10.4103/ijt.ijt_57_18
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285973356_Shea_Butter_Chemistry_Quality_and_New_Market_Potentials
