ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DRY SCALP & GENTLE HAIR CONDITIONING MASK

A dry, flaky scalp can be a harmless issue, but it can become bothersome if it leads to itchiness and embarrassing when others notice the white flakes. Here are some natural remedy suggestions, including essential oils that can help alleviate dry scalp.

TREATING DRY, ITCHY SCALP NATURALLY

First, it’s important to distinguish between dry skin and dandruff. While some remedies may help both conditions, dandruff is more complex and requires a different approach.

Dandruff is typically caused by excess oil, resulting in larger, yellowish flakes that are more difficult to remove. An unpleasant odor may also accompany dandruff. If this is your concern, you may need to consider more intensive treatments.

Once you’ve established that you’re dealing with a dry scalp, it’s helpful to identify the underlying cause of the dryness. While you can start using essential oils for dry scalp right away, understanding the root cause can help prevent recurring issues.

Some common causes of a dry scalp include:

  • Stress
  • Poor diet
  • Dehydration
  • Seasonal changes and climate (such as cold, dry winter air or excessive sunlight in summer)
  • Harsh chemicals in shampoos, conditioners, styling products, or other hair treatments
  • Hormonal changes

I recommend being cautious with dandruff shampoos, as the chemicals in these products may exacerbate dry scalp conditions. 

BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DRY SCALP

These essential oils are renowned for their ability to cleanse the sensitive skin of the scalp and enhance hair conditioning. This list serves as an excellent starting point to discover which oils work best with your unique body chemistry.

  • Lavender: Known as one of the best oils for skin care, lavender essential oil is gentle yet potent, featuring antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
  • Tea Tree: This oil promotes healing of the scalp thanks to its antifungal properties and can also stimulate hair growth.
  • Rosemary: With its antioxidant and antibacterial characteristics, rosemary stimulates the scalp and may promote hair growth.
  • Cedarwood: This earthy oil combats bacteria and fungi with its antiseptic properties, adding shine to hair and serving as a heat protectant.
  • Lemongrass: A popular cleansing oil, lemongrass essential oil is effective for oily hair and helps strengthen hair follicles. It also boasts anti-inflammatory and detoxifying benefits.

A simple apple cider vinegar hair rinse can sometimes provide just what you need to balance your scalp’s skin, eliminate any bacteria contributing to dry scalp issues, and improve your hair’s texture. For many, this may be the only natural hair treatment needed in their routine. Here is a recipe for making apple cider vinegar at home that you can refer to.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Author: Mama Z

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar
  • 1⅓ cups purified or distilled water
  • 30-48 drops of essential oils*

Instructions

  • Combine one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water and add your choice of essential oils.
  • Pour the mixture into a squeeze bottle or a repurposed shampoo bottle.
  • After shampooing, apply the rinse to clean, wet hair in the shower.
  • Gently massage it into your scalp and the roots of your hair, allowing it to soak for 3-5 minutes.
  • Rinse thoroughly. You may find that you don’t need to use as much conditioner after this treatment.

Notes: The ratio for this recipe is 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. Feel free to adjust the quantities as needed for your family.

*Recommended essential oils include lavender, tea tree, cedarwood, lemongrass, and rosemary. Use about 15-20 drops per cup.

If your dry scalp requires more intensive moisturizing, this natural hair and scalp treatment is just what you need! Customize the essential oils to find the perfect match for your skin. Keep in mind that it may take a few applications and some time to heal your scalp. Here’s Mama Z’s at-home hair mask recipe for you to try!

NATURAL HAIR MASK TREATMENT

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 tablespoons aloe vera gel
  • 2 tablespoons organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon carrier oil or raw organic local honey*
  • 24-30 drops of your choice of essential oils**

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Combine all the ingredients to create a hair treatment mixture.
  • Apply the natural hair mask to your scalp, ensuring it penetrates the skin to help eliminate bacteria and flakes.
  • Start at the crown of your head or your natural part, working the mask down your scalp. A wide-tooth comb can help distribute the mask effectively if needed.
  • Cover your head with a shower cap or a clean towel, allowing the mask to soak in for 15-20 minutes or as long as desired.
  • Rinse thoroughly and shampoo or condition as usual, though you may find you don’t need as much conditioner after this treatment.

Notes:

  • Follow this mask with my Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse to balance your hair’s pH and remove any excess product. Use an organic, unscented conditioner on the ends of your hair.
  • I recommend using a scalp massager to thoroughly work the hair mask into your scalp. For extra care, you can use a Nix lice comb to remove any leftover particles from your hair and scalp.
  • To complete your hair care routine, consider applying our Hair Regrowth Gel.

*Avoid coconut oil, as it can dry out the skin. Opt for jojoba, argan, almond, or olive oil instead; jojoba is particularly good for adding shine. Honey is also a great option for moisturizing and can help tame frizz.

**Suggested essential oils include cedarwood, lavender, lemongrass, tea tree, and rosemary. My favorite blend is equal parts peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree.

This treatment makes for a wonderful weekly ritual, especially while you unwind in a detox bath or simply to rejuvenate your scalp’s skin.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, essential oils offer a natural and effective solution for addressing dry scalp and promoting healthy hair. By carefully selecting oils like lavender, rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint, you can create a gentle yet potent hair conditioning mask tailored to your specific needs. Remember to always conduct a patch test before using essential oils on your scalp, and dilute them properly with a carrier oil to avoid irritation. With consistent use, this DIY hair mask can help nourish your scalp, reduce dandruff, and leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and revitalized. Embrace the power of nature and unlock the transformative potential of essential oils for your hair care routine.

18 BEST SHAMPOOS FOR OILY HAIR IN 2024

It might be difficult to find a shampoo that works well for people with oilier hair types. The mixture ought to cleanse hair thoroughly without depriving it of essential oils, amplify its inherent luster, and prolong the intervals between shampoos. Your entire hair care regimen will function flawlessly with the ideal oily hair-friendly shampoo. If you have been struggling with finding the answer to the question of what is the best shampoo for oily hair, you have come to the right place.

NÉCESSAIRE SHAMPOO

Nécessaire, a company well-known for its sophisticated formulae and stylish branding, has done it again with this shampoo. A fragrance-free shampoo may sound uninteresting to some, but for those who get headaches easily, have allergies, or want their perfumes to steal the show, it’s a dream come true. The product has a creamy, gel-like texture, and we were really impressed with how nicely it lathers. When you gently massage your scalp, a creamy cluster of bubbles will form, providing a sensory sensation while you cleanse your hair and scalp. But for certain clients, it could be a little too drying but it’s still a good shampoo for oily hair.

KRISTIN ESS CLARIFYING SHAMPOO

We recommend this shampoo if you’re seeking an affordable option that will effectively cleanse your oily hair. Its unique strengthening component helps to minimize the look of damaged strands, and we adore that it effectively removes oil and filth without overly drying out the hair. Despite being appropriate for all hair types, its lightweight texture makes it especially simple to work through fine hair. It doesn’t lather very well on the first shampoo, so you’ll probably want to shampoo twice with this recipe. However, once it breaks through the first layer of grime, it lathers brilliantly, usually on the second shampoo.

OUAI DETOX SHAMPOO

With the use of this clarifying product, buildup and grease can be removed from the scalp along with pollutants, free radicals, and other impurities. Though some find its aroma somewhat too much, people adore that it contains apple cider vinegar to aid in its purifying properties. We think you’ll adore this formula if the aroma isn’t an issue for you. This pick has a rich texture, produces a silky lather, and is designed to be used in the shower for several minutes to properly do its magic. You should anticipate having perfectly clean hair after rinsing it out. 

REDKEN HAIR CLEANSING CREAM

Hard water contains a lot of minerals, which over time can build up in the hair and cause it to seem greasy and lifeless. It’s a good idea to use a shampoo that works to neutralize mineral buildup, like this one, if you regularly shower in hard water. This solution eliminates excess oil from the scalp and minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, and calcium that are commonly present in hard water with just one shampoo. It’s quite clarifying the first time around, so you won’t need to shampoo and rinse twice with it. It also produces a delicate lather that’s easy to massage around the head.

LIVING PROOF PHD TRIPLE DETOX SHAMPOO

If you have oily hair in addition to color or keratin treatments, you may find yourself in a difficult situation because frequent shampooing might reduce the longevity of these treatments. The fix: An excellent purifying shampoo that is safe for color and keratin. It works to totally cut through extra oil to reveal squeaky clean, smooth, and lustrous hair without affecting color or treatments. It is made with an anionic polymer to eliminate impurities and buildup and activated charcoal to absorb oil. This shampoo, like the most on our list, may feel a little drying on your hair because it is best suited for oily scalps.

AG CARE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SHAMPOO

Sulfates are not intrinsically harmful; in fact, they function as detergents in shampoo compositions. These substances can be very good in removing extra grease from oily hair, but they typically receive a poor rap because they can be a touch harsh and stripping for those with dry or damaged hair. This shampoo is for you, though, if you’d rather stick to sulfate-free formulations and still need something to thoroughly clean oily hair. It takes some getting used to because the lightweight texture is a little watery, but it does lather and requires less product to do the job.

dpHUE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SHAMPOO

Unlike many strong shampoos that eventually fade color treatments, dpHUE’s mild cleanser-like shampoo kept our hair color vibrant and consequently increased the intervals between salon appointments. With apple cider vinegar for cleaning and aloe vera, ginger root extract, and lavender for soothing the scalp, the recipe is extremely gentle. Because of this, it didn’t foam up like conventional shampoos and we had to rinse it twice or more to get a clean feeling. Similar to the Ouai choice, apple cider vinegar isn’t particularly loved by consumers, but this product’s softness is excellent.

ORIBE SERENE SCALP OIL CONTROL SHAMPOO

This shampoo is rich without being overly thick, which is different from most light and sudsy shampoos for oily hair. It contains green sea algae and a prebiotic made of sugar to fight oil at its source. It also balances the microbiome of your scalp to help restore your hair to its natural state and produces just the right amount of oil to hydrate your hair without making it feel heavy. Those with thin hair who believe they can’t get their roots totally clean are the target audience for this shampoo. For individuals with thicker hair, the quantity of product offered for the price makes this shampoo difficult to recommend, but if it will help you avoid washing your hair every few days, it’s well worth the cost. 

DIVI SHAMPOO

This shampoo resembles a hybrid of a shampoo and a scalp serum. Tea tree oil, betaine, and menthol invigorate your scalp and senses while also removing harmful build-up from your hair and scalp. It lathers like a shampoo but penetrates like a serum. Excess oil is drawn to the tea tree oil, which then locks onto and removes it as it runs down the drain. Just a plus is the pump bottle. Some persons who are allergic to essential oils or have sensitivity to fragrances may find it too powerful, even though many enjoy the invigorating perfume and exciting experience. 

AVEDA ROSEMARY MINT PURIFYING SHAMPOO

White vinegar helps to clarify oily hair, and micelles aid in gently removing product build-up from hair. The vinegar works especially well to remove wax-based products from your hair without being harsh or stripping. All hair types, from extremely thin to extra thick, are ideal candidates for lightweight excellence. This shampoo gives just enough slide to fine hair that tangles easily when wet, making it simple to massage the product all the way into the roots. Your regular shower gains an aromatherapy element from the invigorating rosemary scent, which turns it into a luxurious sensory experience that encourages you to take your time applying the product to your lengths and ends.

PAUL MITCHELL TEA TREE SPECIAL SHAMPOO

Known for its unique tingling sensation, this best-selling shampoo combines soothing natural ingredients like tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender to help wash away grime and oil, leaving your scalp feeling clean and rejuvenated. It is simple to massage the suds into your scalp and ends because of the lightweight gel-like formula’s good lather and spreading properties. Unlike other shampoos, you can actually feel the cleanness that this shampoo delivers to your locks, which you know is especially crucial if you suffer from oily roots. You save time in the mornings and your style lasts for several days because of that fresh feeling. It’s strong enough to give you a thorough deep clean, but gentle enough to use every time you wash your hair.

R+Co TELEVISION PERFECT HAIR SHAMPOO

Greasy roots are the fastest way to ruin a great hair day. This smoothing shampoo gives you the lustrous, healthy-looking hair you desire while also getting rid of greasy roots. The key is juniper berry extract; it helps balance the oils on your scalp, some of which are good for your hair’s health and help stop build-up before it starts. Glycerin, a naturally occurring humectant, assists in preserving the moisture equilibrium of hair. People adore how this shampoo improves all hair types; for straight hair, it gives body and shine, and for curly hair, it makes curls bouncy and shiny.

BUMBLE AND BUMBLE SUNDAY SHAMPOO

Use Bumble & Bumble’s Sunday Shampoo to start a new weekend ritual. This shampoo is not something you should use every day; instead, save it for the days when you have the leisure to really engage in self-care. This deep cleanser, which is designed to break down oil and product build-up, instantly lifts away all impurities from your scalp for an exceptional clean, enabling you to start the week with even fresher hair. For people with thinner hair who easily become bogged down by heavier products, this shampoo is great.

OGX REFRESHING SCALP+ TEA TREE MINT SHAMPOO

 With a cooling effect, the Refreshing Scalp+ Tea Tree Mint Shampoo is designed to thoroughly clean and refresh the scalp. The two main components of this shampoo are peppermint and tea tree oils. Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial qualities that are well-known for helping with dryness and dandruff on the scalp. In contrast, peppermint oil has a cooling effect and has the potential to stimulate the scalp.

VIRTUE FULL SHAMPOO

A volumizing and lightly hydrating solution that clarifies the scalp is necessary for fine hair. With the help of the company’s own Alpha Keratin 60ku protein, which replicates the keratin that naturally exists in the hair, the Virtue Full Shampoo accomplishes precisely that. This ingredient gives this sulfate- and cruelty-free shampoo extra credit because it repairs damage from the inside out.

CURLSMITH WASH & SCRUB DETOX SHAMPOO

Curlsmith Wash & Scrub Detox Shampoo’s moisturizing and clarifying composition is ideal for people with curly hair. Perlite, a mineral included in the creamy texture, gently exfoliates the scalp by removing peeling skin and product buildup without changing the natural curl pattern of your hair. Probiotics help maintain the proper balance of germs on the scalp, making it less oily over time. This shampoo helps achieve this goal. However, it should be noted that the company advises starting with its Super Slip Pre-Wash Primer, which is an additional cost. 

K18 PEPTIDE PREP DETOX SHAMPOO

The moisturizing and clarifying formula of Curlsmith Wash & Scrub Detox Shampoo is perfect for those with curly hair. A mineral included in the creamy texture called perlite gently exfoliates the scalp by eliminating product buildup and peeling skin without altering your hair’s natural curl pattern. Over time, probiotics help reduce scalp oiliness by preserving the healthy balance of microorganisms on the scalp. This shampoo aids in achieving the objective. It should be mentioned, nevertheless, that the business suggests utilizing their Super Slip Pre-Wash Primer first—a costlier product. It should not, however, be used in place of a regular shampoo; rather, it should only be used as necessary.

BRIOGEO BIOTIN VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO

Briogeo’s Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo claims to lift and volumize fine, lifeless hair without depleting it of moisture. A natural starch called maltodextrin is a part of the mix that covers each strand of hair to give it the volume that finer hair lacks. Ginseng is added to promote blood flow to the scalp while biotin fortifies the ends. Furthermore, even the oiliest scalp types are cleansed by mild chelating agents, revealing hair that feels full and refreshed.

Using a clarifying hair cleanser and giving your scalp a thorough scrub on wash day is one of the greatest ways to treat a greasy scalp. Those with oily hair should first use a shampoo that will absorb the oil and wash the scalp before using products like hair masks and heat protectants. We’ve compiled the top shampoos for oily hair of all kinds, whether your hair is curly, straight, or color-treated. Take a look at our suggestions to make the best buy.