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Save this story Save Story Save this story Anytime I feel my scalp get tight and itchy, and I see those white flakes start to fall, I know my love for a hot shower (yes, I am guilty of turning my small NYC shower into the equivalent of a hot spring) or my daily use of hot hair tools are to blame. But most importantly, I know it’s time to take matters seriously to reverse my dry scalp .
As Hadley King, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, explains, dry skin in general is characterized by water loss and disruption to the skin’s protective barrier. This too applies to the scalp, which Dr. King says needs both water-binding ingredients and barrier-supporting lipids to stay moisturized.
There are several things that can cause a dry scalp. Morgan Rabach, MD, board-certified dermatologist and cofounder of LM Medical NYC, lists over-washing, using hot water in the shower, excessive hot tool use, or over-processing hair with harsh chemicals as some of the habits that may contribute to it. Certain skin conditions like eczema or seborrheic dermatitis, and environmental factors such as cold weather or lack of humidity in the air are also other common causes.
Additionally, Y. Claire Chang, MD, board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm adds that your sebum production can decrease with age and when you deal with hormonal changes, making your scalp even more prone to dryness. These are all things you’ll want to address, because as we know, healthy hair comes from a healthy scalp. “The scalp is an extension of the skin on the face and body,” says Dr. Chang. “It is important to maintain a healthy skin barrier on the scalp just like the rest of the body.”
Luckily, it’s not too hard to keep your scalp moisturized. You just have to consider including the following steps into your routine.
The first step to moisturizing your scalp is washing it with a gentle shampoo made of hydrating ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid . Dr. King agrees and recommends using a gentle, non-medicated shampoo rather than a more harsh clarifying shampoo if the scalp is dry. “The goal is to remove sweat, sebum, and product buildup without stripping the scalp’s protective lipids,” she says.
She says to look for gentle surfactants and recommends a shampoo like the Nutrire S.1 Calm Shampoo for Dry Scalp , as it contains humectants like glycerin and panthenol to retain water and watermelon seed oil to provide emollient lipids that will smooth dry skin. Alexis Stephens, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in Coral Springs, Florida, likes the Vanicream Shampoo for Sensitive Skin as it is made without several of the most common irritants found in products, such as fragrance and essential oils. “It’s a good option for people with sensitive scalps or those who experience irritation from fragranced hair products,” says Dr. Stephens. “While it isn’t a moisturizer itself, it helps establish a gentler cleansing routine that supports scalp comfort.”
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Just like your face, the skin on your scalp can get dry when you overdo it with exfoliation. “A dry scalp generally doesn’t need aggressive scrubbing,” says Dr. King. “If someone has significant scale, it’s important to determine whether we’re dealing with seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis rather than simply trying to exfoliate it away.”
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After shampooing, Dr. Chang recommends using a moisturizing scalp treatment. Look for nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or panthenol for that added moisture. You’ll want to part hair into sections to distribute the product directly onto the scalp, she says, and recommends something like the Kérastase Nutritive Hydrating Scalp Serum ; it’s a lightweight leave-in treatment made of plant-based proteins, glycerin, panthenol, and niacinamide to provide targeted hydration. Dr. King likes The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid Scalp Serum , which she says is packed with moisturizing factors that replicate components naturally found in skin to help keep the skin hydrated.
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Conditioning your hair overall is still important if you want to keep your scalp moisturized. Dr. Stephens says this is especially important for curly and coily hair textures, which may need more conditioning along the hair shaft even when the scalp itself isn’t dry. She likes the CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Conditioner , which is made of known hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin, to support the skin barrier. “It’s also suitable for all curl patterns, including curly and coily hair, and helps leave the hair feeling softer and more manageable after cleansing,” she says.
Dr. Chang recommends applying conditioner primarily to the mid-lengths and ends to keep hair hydrated and to reduce breakage. We like the Nécessaire The Conditioner , as it’s fragrance-free and made with nourishing ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid to keep hair hydrated and healthy.
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Environmental stressors like the sun’s harmful UV rays can exacerbate dryness, which is why Dr. Chang encourages patients to use proper sun protection, such as hats and scalp-friendly sunscreen (we like the Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen Scalp and Hair Mist Spray or the Coola Scalp Hair Spray Sunscreen SPF 30 Mist ) on exposed areas. This is particularly important for anyone with thinning hair or a visible scalp.
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Though it feels soothing at times, Dr. Chang says that you’ll want to avoid washing your hair in excessively hot water as it can dry out your scalp. Instead, use lukewarm water and keep your showers short to avoid stripping your scalp of its natural oils.
You’ll also want to avoid excessive product buildup, so try to limit use of heavy oils, dry shampoos, and styling products that can accumulate on the scalp and dry it out even more. Cleansing regularly will be key, so be sure to use the right water temp.
Anyone can experience a dry scalp, regardless of skin tone or type, or hair texture, says Dr. Stephens. But those who have sensitive skin, eczema, or a history of contact dermatitis may be more susceptible to having a dry scalp. Dr. Chang adds that lifestyle and environmental factors (think cold weather, low humidity, and indoor heating during the winter), and age can also all play a role.
What is the difference between dry scalp and dry hair?
Distinguishing between dry scalp and dry hair is important when trying to find the best products to fix it. “One of the biggest misconceptions I see, particularly among patients with curly and coily hair, is that dry hair automatically means dry scalp. It doesn’t,” says Dr. Stephens. “Tightly coiled hair is more prone to dryness along the hair shaft, partly because natural scalp oils don’t distribute as easily down the curls. But the scalp underneath may be perfectly balanced or even oily. That’s why I encourage people to think of their scalp and hair as two areas with different needs.”
Dr. Chang says to think of it like this: hair dryness is about how moisture and natural oils travel along the hair shaft, while scalp dryness is more closely related to skin barrier function, sebum production, underlying skin conditions, and environmental exposures.
What ingredients should you avoid to prevent a dry scalp?
Dr. Rabach lists hair dyes, fragrance, and alcohols as common ingredients that are known to be drying and should probably be avoided if you don’t want a dry scalp. Dr. Stephens agrees and adds that harsh cleansing formulas with alcohol can strip away too much of your scalp’s protective surface (especially when used too frequently) and it can be drying or too irritating.
Other ingredients to look out for, she says, are essential oils. “They don’t necessarily dry out the scalp directly, but they can trigger irritation or allergic contact dermatitis, which may leave the scalp feeling tight, itchy, or uncomfortable,” she says.
With ingredients like salicylic acid, which are helpful for scalp issues such as dandruff, you still want to be careful as it may worsen dryness when you use it too frequently. And she adds that just because something is labeled “sulfate-free,” it doesn’t automatically mean gentle. You want to look at the ingredient as a whole. “It's important to remember that the overall formulation matters more than any single ingredient,” she says.
What is the difference between dry scalp and dandruff?
Dr. Chang says that flaking does not always mean that your scalp is dry. She explains that dandruff, the most common form of seborrheic dermatitis, is an inflammatory condition caused by overgrown Malassezia yeast. You’ll need a special type of treatment for those types of scalp conditions and it’s best to consult your dermatologist for a proper diagnosis.
Dr. King adds that if you’re experiencing persistent itching, redness, thick scales, crusting, significant flaking, or any pain, it may be time to seek professional help. “I’d recommend evaluation rather than assuming it’s simple dryness,” she says.
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As it relates to scalp moisturizing products, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, ease of application, finish, and the hair-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology here .
Y. Claire Chang , MD, board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm Morgan Rabach , MD, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical NYC Hadley King , MD, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Alexis Stephens , DO, board-certified dermatologist based in Coral Springs, Florida Discover More Beauty Recommendations From Vogue Shopping The Best Eyebrow Pencils for Older Women Create Natural-Looking Volume and Fullness
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Source: Lifestyle