Natural Home Remedies to Reduce Dandruff

What is dandruff? 

Dandruff is a common condition causing the scalp to flake. This can happen if you have oily skin, are not shampooing enough, or if the skin on your scalp is too dry. Cold weather can also impact this our skin tends to be drier in the winter seasons. 

Symptoms include:

• An itchy scalp: this is a common sign of dandruff and your scalp may feel irritated and uncomfortable.
• Skin flakes: you may notice white flakes in your hair, facial hair or shoulders. 

These symptoms may worsen due to stress, cold weather and other health conditions such as eczema. 

Here are 5 natural home remedies which you can apply to get rid off dandruff. 

Natural home remedies to prevent against Dandruff

Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil is a natural oil that has various health benefits for the hair and skin. It is known to reduce dryness and keep hair hydrated and nourished, as well as helping to soothe any irritation or inflammation. 

Coconut oil contains anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties which fight yeast-like fungi which can be one of the causes of dandruff (source). 

It is also enriched with vitamin E, vitamin K, proteins, lauric acid and capric acid which are essential to keep your hair hydrated and to fight dry skin (source).

There are multiple benefits of coconut oil, such as stimulated hair growth and added shine and softness. Therefore, it can also be used if you suffer from alopecia areata or baldness.

It also helps with damaged or broken hair, split ends, and tangly hair as applying the oil to the ends of your hair will help it rejuvenate and become healthier. 

It is best to apply coconut oil thoroughly to the scalp and throughout the hair for nourished hair. Keep it on for 20 minutes to an hour for the best results. Doing this on a weekly basis will prevent dandruff from forming in the long term. 

Lemon 

Lemon juice has many benefits for the hair as it provides vitamin C, citric acid and iron which is essential to keep your hair healthy. It also balances the pH of the scalp which is necessary to get rid of dandruff (source). 

Vitamin C is important for the hair as it strengthens our hair follicles, hence why lemon is used within many shampoos as it adjusts our scalp pH to 5.5, helping reduce the risk of dandruff. 

The best way to add lemon to your hair is by squeezing a fresh lemon into a bowl and applying it to the scalp/roots of the hair. You may also apply it throughout the hair as it also contains many nutrients to strengthen hair. It is best to leave it in for up to 20 minutes before washing out.  

Another way to use lemon to reduce dandruff is by mixing lemon juice with coconut oil and massaging it into the scalp. It is recommended to leave this in for approximately 20 minutes and wash it out as usual. In this case, it is better to have more coconut oil and a small amount of lemon juice for best results.

Apple Cider Vinegar 

Apple Cider Vinegar is a common technique that is used to reduce severe dandruff as it balances the pH of the scalp, as well as stimulating the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp (source).

Due to apple cider vinegar being acidic, it balances the scalp pH to the normal 5.5 level. This affects dandruff by bring your pH back to neutral which means your hair won’t be too oily or dry. 

Apple cider vinegar is also a known as a home disinfectant which means it kills bacteria and dirt from the scalp when applied. The bacteria can sometimes be the cause of dandruff as well as other hair issues. 

Alongside reducing dandruff, it will also help with any irritation and itchiness the dandruff may cause, as well making your hair smoother. 

Apple cider vinegar is not recommended to be applied directly to the scalp, but instead mixed with water; there should be a larger water ratio to the vinegar. It is also better to wash and shampoo your hair first, then apply the mixture throughout the hair, and apply conditioner last.

Aloe Vera 

Aloe Vera contains proteolytic enzymes which repairs dead skin cells on the scalp. It is known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties which helps protect your hair against dandruff (source).

It also holds anti-inflammatory properties and enzymes which can help fight irritation, itchiness and redness, and its antioxidant properties also fight against cell damage. 

Its naturally moisturizing effect on dry skin is also beneficial to help prevent dandruff. 

The best way to use aloe vera is by applying the gel underneath your hair, focusing on the scalp before washing your hair. It is recommended to keep it in for 30 minutes to an hour before washing it out.  

Alternatively, aloe vera gel can also be used as a conditioner after shampooing your hair, which can then be rinsed out with water. 

Repeating this process 2 to 3 times a week will enable you to see results quickly. 

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is known for its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits for both, hair and skin. It is a popular method of treating dandruff and due to its insecticidal effects, it can also be used to treat headlice. 

Its antifungal properties also help to reduce yeast-like fungi which are one of the causes of dandruff. Due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil helps soothe the scalp from irritation and itchiness. 

It is also a good cleanser, which means if used on a regular basis, it will keep your scalp clean and fight against dead skin cells which will help reduce dandruff and dryness. It is also a good conditioner for the hair which helps prevent the scalp from flaking, as well as controlling excess oil production which helps keep the scalp moisturised and nourished (source).

There are multiple ways to use tea tree oil in your hair; you can add 8-10 drops into your shampoo and massage it into your scalp. Leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing out. 

However, if your scalp is itchy and irritated, it is recommended to mix 8-10 drops of tea tree oil with coconut oil and massage it thoroughly to your scalp. This can be kept in for 30 minutes to an hour, or alternatively overnight. 

Summary

The first thing to keep in mind is how severe your dandruff is and what symptoms are affecting you. Whether it is itchiness, irritation, dryness or the visibility of the white flakes, you can try out various remedies accordingly. Including these natural ingredients into your hair routine will have long term benefits to reduce your dandruff, as well as making your