You can even whip up your own scalp treatments, serums, and oils—right from your own kitchen. Here are 10 ideas to get you started. “Dry scalp can be caused by a few different things,” board-certified dermatologist Rebecca Marcus, M.D., FAAD, tells mbg. More often than not, a dry scalp is caused by minor triggers. What’s more, you can be simply prone to it, just as you may naturally have dry skin. These minor triggers are often related to products used on the scalp or how often you wash. “A dry scalp can develop in one of two ways—either from buildup or from harsh ingredients causing flaking,” certified trichologist and professional stylist Shab Caspara tells mbg. “When the flaking is from a dry scalp with no sebum or product buildup, it is most likely the result of harsh cleansing agents in your shampoo or even excessively hot water in the shower,” she explains. On the flip side, “When the flaking is from an oily scalp, you may not be effectively shampooing your hair, but if that’s not the case, even stress can cause overproduction of sebum and make your scalp act out,” she concludes. There are also two more serious causes of dry scalp, including: The easiest way to use fresh aloe vera in your routine is via an aloe scalp mask—here’s the how-to. However, you can use coconut oil as an overnight treatment without fretting about the excess shine on your roots. Here’s the how-to: Not to mention, yogurt is packed with probiotics, which directly contribute to a healthy skin microbiome (scalp included). Use unflavored yogurt as the base, and add whatever other ingredients you see fit. Here are a few ideas: Before you begin applying the oil, you’ll have to select the best option. Some of these oils you may have at home, and others you may want to invest in. A few possible options include jojoba oil, coconut oil, vitamin E, rosemary oil (great for stimulating growth), and argan oil. You’ll want to apply a few drops of tea tree oil (think four or five) into another carrier oil. You can pick any of those listed thus far (coconut, jojoba, etc.). Apply the blend and either massage it in or just let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it out. For even easier application, add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo once you squirt it into your hand, and massage it in per usual. To be frank, it’s a great ingredient to look for in your store-bought hair care products and DIY projects alike. The quickest way to get the tea to your scalp at home is through a green tea rinse. There are plenty of preformulated apple cider vinegar products out there, but you can certainly make your own as well.
