7 Best Home Remedies for Dandruff

Have you ever experienced an itchy scalp that sprinkled white flakes between your hair strands and on your shoulders? While harmless, this nasty dandruff is pretty embarrassing and can wear down your public confidence. 

Before moving on to Home Remedies for Dandruff, let us understand what it is. Dandruff, medically termed as Dermatitis or Seborrhea, affects everyone at some point in their life, irrespective of gender & age. Dandruff results from a skin condition that can affect more than just the scalp of your head, like chest hair, eyebrows, and beard. Dandruff, medically termed as a cradle cap, is a yellowish-greyish rash that can be found on a baby scalp too! 

Dandruff is pretty ruthless. Symptoms include: 

• White flakes
• Skin irritation & inflammation
• Hair fall

If you are constantly worried about losing hair and facing major hair fall issues do check out this complete guide on how to stop hairfall!

Before deciding to spend your money on the chemically infused anti-dandruff treatments, we recommend taking a pause and reading through this guide that highlights the dandruff remedies at home. These remedies will be available at the comfort of your kitchen, saving you a good chunk of money & time on products that require extensive research. 

Causes of Dandruff 

While Home Remedies for Dandruff are effective, they do test your patience & persistence in this fight with dandruff. Avoid this 'dandruff battle' in the first place by understanding the factors that trigger its existence. 

1. Seborrheic Dermatitis (Oily Skin) 

This skin disease results from Malassezia, a yeast that feeds on the excess natural oil (sebum) secreted by the human scalp. The yeast gives birth to rashes, itchy scalps, and dandruff. 

2. Dry Skin 

People with dry hair are likely to experience irritable skin, stubborn dandruff, and an inflamed scalp. The situation can aggravate during winters. 

3. Poor Scalp Hygiene 

If you’re cheating on your hair wash routine or are not cleansing it properly, you’re likely to bore its consequences in terms of itchy dandruff.

4. Pollution & Heat

Pollution, heat, and sweat contribute to additional oil secretion, boosting Malassezia’s activity on the scalp - causing red patches on an irritable scalp. 

5. Unhealthy Dietary Intake 

Relishing high sugar content and spicy foods regularly will soon transform into fighting a tiresome and annoying battle with dandruff! 

6. Stress

Extreme stress & anxiety cause hormonal imbalance in the body, triggering chemical reactions, boosting oil secretion and Malassezia’s activity on the scalp. 

7. Diseases 

Dandruff can be a result of serious diseases, like Parkinson’s, eczema, or psoriasis. 

8. Genetics 

Sometimes, even the best hair care cannot prevent dandruff if the dandruff gene exists in your family tree. 

 

Home Remedies for Dandruff - 

Treating dandruff at home is safe, convenient, and an inexpensive routine. These natural remedies control (& eventually cure) dandruff and hair fall, giving you healthy & voluminous locks to flaunt! 

1. Tea Tree Oil 

Tea Tree Oil is an effective home remedy to treat multiple ailments, with dandruff forming part of this list. Rich in anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this oil is one of the best dandruff treatments to remove the dermatitis-causing oily fungus from the scalp. 

How to Use Tea Tree Oil as Natural Dandruff Treatment:

• Add a few drops of the oil to a cup of jojoba oil or almond oil and massage it well on your scalp.
• Leave the mix on your scalp for 30 minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
• Alternatively, you can also mix a few drops of the oil to your regular shampoo & wash your hair with your custom & effective anti-dandruff formula!

The Good Vibes 100% Pure Tree Tea Essential Oil is an anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory concoction that works wonders as a dandruff remedy (& promotes hair growth) along with treating face acne & blemishes! 

Check out: 7 Benefits and Uses of Tea Tree Oil for Hair You Need to Know

2. Coconut Oil to Prevent Dry Scalp

Nothing beats the claim that our grandmothers & mothers vouch for coconut oil for stronger hair. Hydrating & anti-bacterial in nature, the oil makes an excellent home remedy for dandruff & itchy scalp as the moisture adds a solid barrier to dandruff’s entry on the scalp. The oil also contributes to shiny & luscious locks. 

How to Use Coconut Oil for Dandruff Treatment at Home:

• Heat a few tablespoons of coconut oil and enjoy the oil champi on the scalp and hair.
• Allow it to sit for an hour and wash off with your regular shampoo. (From Head and Shoulders to Dove, we have everything your scalp requires)
• Alternatively, you can also keep the oil overnight and wash it the following morning.

Check out: Coconut Oil for Hair: DIY Recipes, Benefits and Uses

3.  Apple Cider Vinegar for Effective Dandruff Treatment

Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the best home remedies for dandruff & hair fall as it restores the scalp’s pH. This neutralizing process removes the dead skin cells and puts an end to dandruff-causing yeast’s growth. 

How to Cure Dandruff with Apple Cider Vinegar: 

• Add 2-3 tablespoons of the vinegar in a cup with an equal quantity of water and massage it on your hair.
• Keep the mixture on for a few minutes, and then rinse off with a shampoo and conditioner.

Check out: 10 Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair

4. Aloe Vera as Natural Dandruff Remedy 

Aloe vera works as the best remedy for those suffering from recurring dandruff. Enriched with anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, this natural cooling plant soothes the itchy and dandruff-ridden inflamed scalp. This dandruff remedy also helps promote strong hair growth. 

How to Use Aloe Vera for Dandruff: 

• Scrap off the aloe gel from the plant and massage it on your scalp for a few minutes.
• Let the coolness take over your scalp for 30 minutes.
• Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Check out: Aloe Vera For Shiny And Strong Hair

5. Baking Soda as a Powerful Exfoliator 

A quick home remedy to wave goodbye to dandruff, baking soda’s antifungal property exfoliates the scalp to remove dead skin cells & ease the itchiness. Moreover, it is classified as one of the best remedies for dandruff because it corrects the scalp’s natural pH balance and puts an entry barrier on dandruff-causing fungi. 

How to Use Baking Soda to Get Rid of Dandruff: 

• Sprinkle a small quantity of baking soda on your scalp and damp hair and massage it gently.
• Keep the compound on for 2-3 minutes, and treat your hair with a lukewarm hair wash.
• Alternatively, you can also mix the baking soda in your shampoo and wash your hair with the formula.

6. Olive Oil for Dandruff Treatment 

Olive oil’s excellent antioxidant properties reverse the cell damage on your scalp and keep it well-moisturized. Its acetic nature kills fungal infections and restores the scalp’s blood circulation. 

Two Ways to Use Olive Oil for Treating Dandruff at Home: 

1. Apply olive oil directly to your scalp and massage it to strengthen the roots.
2. Mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Apply this mix to your scalp, massage it for 5 minutes, and rinse off with an anti-dandruff shampoo.

Check out: Olive Oil for Hair: Benefits, Uses, and DIY Recipes

7. Listerine Mouthwash 

Don’t be alarmed by reading this remedy! Listerine mouthwash is as effective as a home remedy for dandruff as the ones listed above. Power-packed with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties, it eliminates dandruff from the roots of its origin. Moreover, this dandruff remedy also leaves a cooling and refreshing effect for your scalp to enjoy! 

How to Use Mouthwash as a Dandruff Remedy: 

• Mix equal amounts of the mouthwash with water in an empty spray bottle.
• Spray the mix to your scalp and hair & keep it on for 5 minutes.
• Rinse off with a cold wash.

Note: Please ensure you test this remedy to check for skin irritability and reactions.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Permanently :

1. Avoid excess carbohydrates & sugary diets regularly. The dandruff-yeast feeds on carb foods and can contribute to aggressive dandruff levels on your scalp & hair. 

2. Keep your hair clean. Ventilate your scalp with a good hair wash (thrice a week) and by frequently combing your hair.

Note: Don’t wash your hair every day as it can aggravate hair loss.  

3. Do not opt for haircuts like fringes that touch your forehead and cheeks. The dandruff-ridden hair can cause acne and red patches on your skin. 

4. Consult a dermatologist if your: 

dandruff is consistent or worse the home remedies led to negligible relief 

Read more:
- Anti-dandruff lotion