10 Dry Scalp and Dandruff Remedies at Every Price
These dry scalp and dandruff treatments will help you say buh-bye to flaky, itchy scalp for good.
If you have dry scalp or dandruff, you know that it can plague your hair through the seasons, through life stages, and through haircuts. Fortunately, the formula is simple: A healthy scalp equals healthier hair. We tested 35 treatments to find the best products for busting flakes, relieving itch, and keeping heads cool. Whether you have a perpetually sensitive scalp or just a dry, tight feeling from the winter weather, there’s a solution (or a few) for that.
Best for Thinning Hair: Oribe Serene Scalp Thickening Treatment Spray
Mist onto sparse patches after washing to pump up hair with fortifying biotin.
To buy: $76; oribe.com.
Best High-End Scalp Solution: R+Co Crown Scalp Scrub
If you’re feeling the effects of the weather or your daily usage of products, detoxing with a scrub might do the trick. Rub a dab of this in your hair and wash out when the exfoliant has dissolved. This scrub has kaolin in it, a naturally occurring clay that’ll help absorb oil without taking away moisture, so you’re left with full, voluminous hair without the flakes.
To buy: $38; dermstore.com.
Best for Oily Hair: Art + Acre Cold Processed Scalp Detox
Squeeze a dose of nourishing minerals along your part, then massage and rinse for a tingly refresh.
To buy: $42; amazon.com.
Best for Dry Hair: Rahua Founder's Blend Scalp & Hair Treatment
If your scalp is thirsty, this omega 9-packed serum will moisturize and soothe. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse.
To buy: $40; rahua.com.
Best Cleanser and Conditioner: Aveeno Hair Kefir Probiotic Blend Shampoo and Conditioner
Yes, probiotics are good for the gut. But those healthy flora can also help create a balanced environment for skin—your scalp included. This pair is loaded with probiotic-filled extracts, and the soothing oat works to rebalance the scalp's pH.
To buy: $7 each; target.com.
Best for Buildup: Seed Phytonutrients Scalp & Roots Oat Mask
If your home has hard water, this mask-scrub combo can help protect your hair, thanks to strengthening vitamin B and calming patchouli.
To buy: $28; ulta.com.
Best for Flakes: Head & Shoulders Supreme Leave On Scalp Cream
The zinc pyrithione in this rich cream helps nix dandruff—no rinsing required.
To buy: $14; amazon.com.
Best Luxe Scalp Treatment: Sachajuan Scalp Treatment
Rosemary oil, salicylic acid, and ginger helps sooth while bringing down redness to help eliminate existing dandruff while working to stop more dandruff from forming. Use this after your shampoo and rub into scalp. The cooling sensation heals while the extracts leave your hair smelling nice.
To buy: $45; amazon.com.
Best Affordable Scalp Solution: Yes to® Naturals Calming Scalp Relief Shampoo
You might associate specific head/hair issues from your childhood with tea tree, but the cooling qualities of this magic oil also helps fight off itchy, flaky scalp. This shampoo is also loaded with cypress oils to help moisturize, so you don’t have to worry about stripped, lifeless hair. Depending on how dry your scalp gets, use at least once a week.
To buy: $8; target.com.
Best Drugstore Solution: Apple Cider Vinegar
Sometimes, you need relief right away. Apple cider vinegar works as a home remedy to treat dandruff by disrupting the pH of your scalp and release build up. Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and let sit on hair for 15 minute and rinse out. It’s as easy as that.
To buy: $11; amazon.com.