The best oils for dry scalp & dandruff | recipes & treatments

By Alison Angold CIDESCO ITEC

The best oils for dry scalp & dandruff are;

• Jojoba oil
• Coconut oil
• Evening Primrose oil
• Peppermint
• Tea Tree
• Benzoin
• Bergamot
• Melissa
• Lavender

Recipes & treatments for dry scalp & dandruff

Hair & scalp treatment for dry/itchy scalp

Mix the oils together and apply directly to the scalp. Using some massage movements will help to ensure the treatment covers the whole area and will help to slough away the loose, dead cells of dandruff.

Store in amber glass bottles. 20ml will make several applications.

General dandruff treatment

• 20ml Coconut oil (melted)
• 4 drops Peppermint
• 4 drops Bergamot
• 4 drops Lavender

Because of the coconut oil, this blend will become solid when cooled. Simply warm slightly before application.

Cleanse & purify

• 20ml Jojoba oil
• 4 drops Tea Tree
• 4 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Bergamot

Soothe irritation & itching

• 20ml Evening Primrose Oil
• 4 drops Bergamot
• 4 drops Benzoin
• 4 drops Melissa

Hair mask for dry scalp & dandruff

A great treatment, for when you want an intensive treatment. This essential oil mask for dry scalp and dandruff, will not only help to relieve the dandruff and scalp irritation, but nourish the hair to leave it soft, strong and silky.

• Mash an over ripe avocado
• Add some coconut oil, to make a soft paste
• Add 5 drops of your chosen essential oils (use up to 3)
• Mix well, and apply to your hair, massage in the scalp, and take right through to the ends.
• Leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Hair rinse for dry scalp & dandruff

Used after shampooing and conditioning, this rinse will help to refresh, cleanse and clear the scalp while giving a shine to the hair too. Mix together all the ingredients, shake well and use!

• 5oz Apple Cider Vinegar
• 4 drops Tea Tree
• 3 drops Bergamot
• 3 drops Lavender
• 10oz water

Shampoo

One of the easiest and most effective way to treat a dry scalp and dandruff with essential oils is to add some to your regular shampoo. By doing this, you are giving you usual shampoo an extra help in preventing and treating dandruff and relieving a dry/itchy scalp. Add 1-2 drops per shampoo application.

The best essential oils to add to your shampoo are;

• Tea Tree
• Peppermint
• Bergamot

How Do Essential Oils Work For a dry scalp & dandruff?

Essential oils are the pure oils that are extracted from the flowers and leaves of plants, the peel of fruits and even the bark and resin of trees. The molecules in the oils are so pure and fine that they have the ability to penetrate the skin. From here, they can be absorbed into the bloodstream, and travel around the body to have the desired effect.

In the case of using essential oils for a dry scalp & dandruff, the oils can have an effect on the skin of the scalp and the hair follicles within the scalp, thus promoting a cleaner, healthier, less irritated scalp.

The carrier oils will nourish and soothe the scalp and the hair, this helping to add moisture to the scalp and lessen the chance of dandruff. The essential oils each come with their own therapeutic. In the case of treating a dry scalp and dandruff, the essential oils will nourish, cool, soothe and relief inflammations and irritations in the area.

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The best oils for dry scalp & dandruff

Jojoba Oil for dandruff

Jojoba oil is very good at treating both dry and oily skin and hair conditions as it regulates the amount of sebum (natural oil) being produced. Therefore it makes an ideal base for a hair or scalp treatment. Jojoba will nourish the hair, leaving it soft and strong, while also helping to ease the dry skin condition directly on the scalp.

Evening Primrose Oil for dandruff

Evening primrose oil is very effective at treating dry skin conditions such as dandruff, and due to its high essential fatty acids content it nourishes and protects the hair at the same time.

Coconut oil for dandruff

Probably the most common carrier oil used on the hair, coconut oil is nourishing, hydrating and often leaves the hair with a beautiful shine. It helps to nourish, soothe and hydrate the scalp, so helps prevent and relief a dry scalp and dandruff.

Peppermint for dandruff

Peppermint is unique as it has both cooling and stimulating properties. This means that peppermint will cool and soothe an itchy scalp, as well as stimulating circulation, to encourage hair growth. Using peppermint essential oil for a dry scalp and dandruff will also help to cleanse and purify the scalp and hair.

(Incompatible with homeopathic medicines)

Tea tree for dandruff

A natural antiseptic, tea tree will keep the scalp clean and healthy, reducing irritation, flakes and dandruff. Tea tree is an ingredient found in many hair preparations for easing dandruff, so is an obvious and easy essential oil to use.

Benzoin for dandruff

Benzoin is a soothing oil that reduces inflamed, dry and chapped skin, so useful for dry, itchy or flaky skin. Compared to the other oils suggested for treating dandruff, Benzoin is a much more gentle and soothing oil.

Bergamot for dandruff

A lovely refreshing citrus oil bergamot is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory so good for flaky or irritated scalp. Being a light, citrus fragrance it pairs well with most other essential oils.

Melissa for dandruff

Also know as lemon balm, Melissa is soothing for itchy, dry conditions. It is a cooling oil that will help relieve an itchy scalp.

(Avoid during pregnancy)

Lavender for dandruff

A great all round oil, Lavender has good cleansing and antibacterial properties. This promotes a clean healthy scalp and promotes hair growth.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff is dry skin, on the scalp. It is loose flakes of dead, dry skin that can be found in among the hairs on the scalp.

It can be caused by an excess of oil or sebum deposits on the scalp. If the skin on the scalp is producing too much oil, this oil can gather at the base of the hairs and build up, causing dandruff.

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Dandruff can also be caused by a skin disorder such eczema or psoriasis. Or sometimes if the same shampoo is constantly used, a build up can be created on the scalp, resulting in dandruff. It is a good idea to swap your shampoo every so often, using a cleansing shampoo instead for a while.

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About the Author Alison Angold is a fully qualified (certified) beauty therapist, massage therapist, and aromatherapist from the UK. She has over 25 years of experience in this industry and has worked in a variety of beauty salons, spa’s as well as running her own successful beauty and massage business. Her career has allowed her to treat many, many clients, with skincare concerns, medical conditions, and a whole variety of other ailments and issues, which has enabled her to work closely with essential oils, prescribing specific blends for these clients to help with these conditions. Her qualifications in the use of essential oils and aromatherapy, allow her to share this knowledge with others, in a safe, reliable way.