Home remedies for Dry scalp and Dandruff!

Okay, I got this question earlier today, and when I first went natural and even more so before when I was relaxed, I definitely struggled with this. I came across a few things in my research back then, and came across some tried and true more natural, wholesome remedies. One of my favorites, that worked the best for me, was the rosemary and olive oil mixture. It was pretty easy to put together and not too messy like some of these can get. There are also some tips that I would recommend to help avoid drying out the scalp.

H2O! - Water, water, and more water is always your friend, before you put anything else in or on your scalp/hair/skin, make sure the area has been hydrated with water! It will help retain the moisture better after you apply any product. If you have to wet your hair, in the morning, mix in a spray bottle a solution of condition and water, so once your hair dries, its not dried out!

Co-washing - Some may feel a little odd about this one, but the truth is you don't need all the sudsy stuff in shampoo! Co-wash! Co-washing or washing your hair with conditioner is incredibly hydrating, and less drying then washing with shampoo. Most shampoo's contain harsh drying chemicals such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) which is also what you find in Tide and most dish detergents. SLS creates the suds that you see when you shampoo, but can strip a lot of the natural oils from your hair and scalp that keep it moisturized and healthy!




Aloe vera Thoroughly rub a thick gel of aloe vera leaves into the scalp; leave overnight; shampoo in the morning.

Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar will help restore the proper acid/alkaline balance of the scalp and kill a bacteria that clogs the pores that release oil to the scalp. The clogged pores result in scales and crusts being formed. Apply apple cider vinegar diluted 50% with water to the scalp and let dry. There is no need to rinse. Another similar remedy suggests pouring two tablespoons into a cup, applying the straight vinegar to the scalp, and leaving it on from 15 minutes to three hours before shampooing. Lemon juice may also be used. It is the acid in these remedies that helps bring the scalp back into chemical balance.

Coconut oil Rub some pure coconut oil in your hair daily. The dandruff should clear up in a few days.

Grapefruit seed extract Mix 7-10 drops with the normal amount of shampoo you use. Massage into your hair and leave on for at least 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water, avoiding contact with eyes.
Listerine For mild cases of dandruff, use the mouthwash Listerine. It has antiseptic properties. Do not use on cases where the skin is broken as the Listerine can be irritating.

Herbal

Ginger Combine olive oil and ginger root and apply to your scalp before shampooing. If your dandruff is really bad, put the mixture on 10-15 minutes before shampooing.

Rosemary Rub rosemary oil or a mixture of olive oil and crushed rosemary leaves into your scalp and leave on for 15 minutes.

Tea Make a tea of either sage or burdock and use as a rinse after shampooing.

Thyme Make a rinse by boiling four heaping teaspoons of dried thyme in two cups of water for ten minutes; strain and allow to cool. Massage this tea in your clean, damp hair; do not rinse out. The oil from the thyme has antiseptic properties.