When it comes to how often to wash your hair, it really depends on your hair type and the severity of your dry scalp. “If you find your scalp is getting extremely dry and you’re washing it daily or every other day, then try to minimise how often you wash as over washing can strip the scalp,” Dr Khorana advises. And because we're huge fans of scalp scrubs for sloughing away dead skin and buildup, we highly recommend giving dpHUE's Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub (view at Sephora) a shot. It scrubs with gentle pink Himalayan sea salt while apple cider vinegar infuses the scalp and hair with vitamins—just be sure to use it more as a treatment than a daily shampoo. Though it does come with a higher price tag, many reviewers say it’s well worth it. People say it helps relieve itching and flaking right away and leaves hair feeling refreshed without weighing it down. Shampooing too often could dry out your hair and scalp even more. If every other day still seems too frequent, try shampooing every third or fifth day. Tang SC, Yang JH. Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin. Molecules. 2018 Apr;23(4):863. doi:10.3390/molecules23040863

Need more moisture in your hair and scalp. Choosing a moisturizing shampoo with nonirritating ingredients could make a difference. Sanchez N, Fayne R, Burroway B. Charcoal: An ancient material with a new face. Clinics in Dermatology. 2020;38(2):262-264. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2019.07.025. Just be mindful of not overdoing it, since the oils in the conditioner can end up contributing to dandruff. As a start, try washing and conditioning every other day, or two to three times each week. Should I shampoo more if I have dry scalp? Mosca M, et al. (2021). Scalp psoriasis: A literature review of effective therapies and updated recommendations for practical management. Both the shampoo and conditioner contain glycolic acid. This alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can exfoliate your scalp and help your skin retain moisture, but it leaves your skin more vulnerable to sunburn.

There are also a few ingredients you should steer clear of while treating your dry scalp. “For many people sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) can be irritating if you have a dry scalp,” says Dr Khorana. Similarly, drying alcohols can further irritate a dry scalp. “I'm also mindful of people using home remedies that can upset the pH balance of your scalp and can be irritating—try not to use your kitchen ingredients on your scalp,” she adds. Leave the mixing to those talented cosmetic chemists. How often to wash hair if you have a dry scalp

Panahi Y, et al. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed vol. 13,1 (2015): 15-21. wp-json/wp-offload-ses/v1/c/ZW1haWxfaWQ9MjA4NjcmZW1haWxfY2xpY2tfaWQ9MzE5MjAmZW1haWxfY2xpY2tfdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmRlcm1uZXRuei5vcmclMkZ0b3BpY3MlMkZzaGFtcG9vJTJGJmhhc2g9NDZkNTM5ZTY0NzZlMGVkNzUyY2U0Njk2ODM4MWRkODI3OGJkN2EyMDNiZjUyMDBhNzMyMzg5MTZmNzAzODNiNQ==

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Levin J, Momin SB. How much do we really know about our favorite cosmeceutical ingredients? J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010;3(2):22-41. Just like you do if you have dry skin on your face and body, look for gentle products and soothing ingredients. “Think of your scalp as an extension to the skin on your face and look for ingredients that you would use on your body or face if you had dry skin.” Specific ingredients Dr Khorana says to prioritise are essential fatty acids like omega-3, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, colloidal oatmeal, panthenol (vitamin B5), glycerin and ceramides. This is completely different to dandruff, which requires ingredients like selenium sulphide, sulphur, zinc, piroctone olamine and salicylic acid to treat. Ingredients to avoid for dry scalps

What’s more, it contains none of those shampoo ingredients you might want to avoid, like parabens, phthalates, or sulfated surfactants (SLS and SLES). It does contain fragrance, though, so keep that in mind if you have a sensitivity to certain fragrances.Lin T-K, et al. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. This shampoo includes moisturizing ingredients, such as coconut oil and glycerin, that can help soothe dry scalp and ease inflammation. It also contains xylitol, which evidence suggests can help remove staph bacteria from skin. So, this shampoo could potentially help reduce infections or inflammation caused by scalp psoriasis or eczema.