How to Get Rid of Dandruff: Tips and Products (2022)

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff is most commonly caused by the skin condition seborrheic dermatitis or by Malassezia, a fungus that lives on the body. When Malassezia is produced in excess, it can lead to flaky skin and dandruff on the scalp.

 

If you have dandruff, you might notice white flakes on your shoulders and in your hair. You might also experience scalp itching and irritation.

How to get rid of dandruff permanently

If you want to get rid of dandruff permanently, follow these tips and tricks for both your hair care routine and your lifestyle:

 

Wash your hair more often

While we all might prefer to use dry shampoo from time to time, dry shampooing your hair can exacerbate any existing dandruff. If you’re not washing your hair often enough, natural oils can build up on your scalp, and these natural oils encourage the growth of yeast (aka the fungus that causes dandruff.)

 

Washing your hair more often can rid your scalp of these oils and help keep dandruff at bay. If you’re going to be washing your hair every day, make sure to use a gentle shampoo suitable for everyday use. Kevin Murphy’s Angel Wash is suitable for daily use and is enriched with Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (aka green tea.) Green tea has been proven to help balance the scalp and prevent dandruff, making this shampoo a great option for daily or frequent hair washing.

Kevin Murphy Angel Wash

 

Exfoliate your scalp

A build-up of your scalp is another way you can end up with excess dandruff. In the same way, you might exfoliate the skin on your face to avoid dead skin buildup, you can do the same with your scalp. For dandruff concerns, we’d recommend Kerastase’s Scrub Apaisant – this scrub is designed to combat dandruff, dry skin, flakiness, and irritation. Use once a week to see results.

Kerastase Scrub Apaisant

 

Use a dandruff shampoo

If your dandruff problem is becoming a long-term concern, investing in a special dandruff shampoo is the best way to combat it. Our top anti-dandruff shampoo has to be ​​Kerastase’s Specifique Bain Anti-Pelliculaire Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, which offers dandruff elimination for up to 8 weeks.

Kerastase Specifique Bain Anti-Pelliculaire Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

 

Use a scalp shampoo

If you don’t want to switch out your normal shampoo for an anti-dandruff shampoo, we totally get it. Anti-dandruff shampoos can sometimes dry out the hair, and if you’re already using shampoo to combat another hair concern, you might want to keep using it.

 

In this case, you’ll want to still use an anti-dandruff shampoo – but only use it on your scalp. Consider it a scalp wash, after which you can follow up with your typical hair washing and conditioning routine. For a purifying scalp cleanse, we’d recommend Sachuan’s Scalp Shampoo, infused with rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid, and ginger extract to help soothe, purify and balance the scalp.

Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo

 

Switch up your diet

When it comes to your hair, you’d be surprised how important your diet is. A diet high in carbohydrates can allow the yeast to thrive, which can lead to an increase in existing dandruff. In addition, a diet rich in refined sugars can lead to an overproduction of sebum, which can further encourage yeast growth. You can try limiting your consumption of sugar and carbohydrates for a period of time and see if your dandruff improves.

 

Use a hydrating hair mask

To keep your scalp healthy and hydrated, you’ll want to use a hydrating mask once a week. This is especially important if you’re using a balancing exfoliator on your scalp, as you’ll need to replace the oils if you want to avoid dryness and flakiness.

 

Kerastase’s Specifique Masque Rehydratant Hair Mask helps combat dandruff, oily roots, irritation, and dryness on the scalp. Use this mask once a week to keep your scalp nourished, healthy and balanced.

Kerastase Specifique Masque Rehydratant Hair Mask

 

Don’t scratch your scalp!

While the temptation to scratch the itch can be overwhelming, don’t do it! Scratching your scalp will only draw attention to dandruff and make it fall. If you want to conceal dandruff while treating your hair, it’s best to opt for ponytails and updos, as dandruff won’t be able to fall when the hair isn’t loose.