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Best Essential Oils for Dandruff

Everyone gets a dandruff at one time or another and it’s completely normal. Learn about the Best Essential Oils for Dandruff and how to ease the discomfort using home remedies for dandruff.

The best essential oils for dandruff

What are the Best Essential Oils for Dandruff?

If you’re the victim of a flaky scalp, you know that struggle is real. Dandruff is probably the most common skin problem in the world right now. Every second adult faces this ailment with men being more prone to it than females. Dandruff can be loosely described as white flakes popping out of the head that make you look bad, politely put.

Two words – dandruff and dry scalp – are interchangeably used very commonly but it’s time you knew better. Dandruff and dry scalp may seem the same thing but they are two different conditions of the scalp that need to be managed in different ways. 

Dry scalp occurs when your scalp lacks moisture and oil. Similar to the skin on the rest of our body, dry skin on our head can feel irritated and flaky when under-moisturized. It can occur due to cold weather or due to the poor choice of your hair products. That’s a biggie! Certain shampoos and conditioners cause more harm than protection. 

How does dandruff occur?

Actually the opposite of a dry scalp. Dandruff is caused because of over-production of oil on the scalp. Who could’ve thought that right? A yeast called Malassezia lives on our scalp and feeds off of the oil produced, producing yellowish flakes in the process continuously. The process is called Seborrheic dermatitis and it can happen anywhere on our body. It is responsible for dandruff flakes. Flakes from product buildup and a dry scalp, while difficult to differentiate, actually aren’t the same thing.

Dandruff can occur due to various reasons such as not washing hair regularly or properly, weather conditions, sensitive scalp, improper diet, stress, and even hormonal changes. While some reasons are preventable, such as washing your hair regularly to prevent dandruff, there are also some causes that need specific product intervention to prevent dandruff.

What’s the difference between dandruff and dry scalp?

How to differentiate dandruff flakes from the flakes caused by dry scalp you ask? It isn’t easy but the size is generally the prime differentiator. Flakes of dandruff are usually larger in size than that of dry scalp. These appear oily to the touch.

It is highly advised to the people suffering from either of the above conditions to avoid scratching their scalp. It seems nearly impossible, I know. But this habit is dangerous and can lead to more unwanted bacteria on your head and may even cause an infection.

How do I get rid of dandruff?

The most common thing one does to get rid of any kind of flake predicament is a trip to the nearest departmental store or your favorite online store and pick up a bottle of dandruff shampoo, which tend to contain some “active ingredients”. However, there are many on whom dandruff shampoos don’t work, or maybe you want to go a more natural route. Then for you my friend essential oils could be worth a try. They’re said to help with a long list of ailments including dandruff, mood swings, headaches, and even some mental issues. Here are 3 of the best essential oils for dandruff.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is one of the most commonly recommended essential oils for dandruff and rightly so. It is a powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal oil that not only stops the production of dandruff but also wards off any foreign invaders attacking your scalp.

It is usually recommended starting with one drop of tea tree oil mixed with four ounces of olive oil (or another carrier oil of your choice). You can warm up the carrier oil a bit before you mix in the tea tree oil.

Tea Tree Oil is proven to have powerful anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help alleviate symptoms of dandruff. In fact, according to one review, tea tree oil is effective at fighting the specific strain of fungus that can cause both seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.

Healthline.com

The heating up helps the oil spread more effectively when applied. Next, massage the oils onto your scalp and ideally cover your head after applying. Leave it like that for 30 minutes before shampooing as usual. Once your scalp gets used to the essential oil, you can work your way up to a favorable ratio. 

The frequency of use depends on the nature of your hair. You may need to apply it every few days or even once a week to avoid oil build-up. With thin hair, less is more. With curly hair, you can try applying it every day initially.  

Read more here about Tea Tree Oil Uses

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has shown to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities. It soothes an itchy scalp and helps to absorb excess oils on the scalp. You’ll find it in sophisticated formulas of various popular shampoos. While peppermint hasn’t shown great evidence as being an anti-fungal agent, these formulas tend to be clarifying, scalp-forward treatments that stop oil production, which feeds the dandruff problem.

If you want to concoct your own shampoo with peppermint oil, just add one to two drops to your natural, fragrance-free shampoo. Repeat whenever your scalp needs some extra care.

Read more here about the Amazing Uses for Peppermint Oil

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil has antifungal, astringent, and decongesting properties that reduce excess oil build-up and flakes that can be part of the whole dandruff experience. Its anti-fungal qualities help to check the overactive fungal activity on the scalp, which is the origin of dandruff. You’ll find this oil also in quite a few popular shampoos.

Experts recommend mixing one-part rosemary oil with three parts of carrier oil in a dark bottle so it maintains its potency. The carrier oil preferably should be grapeseed, apricot kernel, or jojoba oil. Take a few drops of the oil mixture in your hand, rub together, and massage onto your scalp. Your hair can be wet or dry. It is recommended to do this daily until dandruff goes away.  Then you can apply it two to three times a week for maintenance. 

Dandruff can a very embarrassing condition and can affect a person’s confidence in public. This is not a serious health condition but if you’re someone who likes to carry your best self around, this problem is not to be ignored. Essential oils offer a great all-natural form of treatment for the dandruff problem. 

It is very important to know that essential oils are concentrated products and should ALWAYS be diluted with another substance such as a carrier oil before being applied. 

Dandruff: Causes, Treatment and Prevention

So many more people have dandruff than we realize. Here are some great natural remedies.