Help Me Choose: Dandruff Hair Care

    What Is Dandruff?

    Despite ongoing research, the exact cause of dandruff remains unclear. Hormonal fluctuations and genetic predisposition are potential contributing factors, as dandruff often runs in families. Further study is needed to unravel the mysteries of this common scalp condition.

    Natural Organic Nettle Shampoo Bar

    While a dry scalp can cause flakes, dry scalp and dandruff are different.

    Interestingly, people with oily scalps are often more prone to dandruff, debunking the myth that dryness is the primary cause.

    Since the treatments for dry scalp versus dandruff differ, it is important to learn to tell the difference between the two. A quick look at the flakes may give you the answer.

    • Dry scalp: Small, white flakes that fall off easily.
    • Dandruff: Larger, yellowish flakes with an oily texture, sticking to hair and scalp.

    While dry skin flakes can be annoying, they are generally smaller and less oily, and there is usually no redness or inflammation.

    Check out our products for Dry Scalp & Hair.

     

    Possible Causes or Contibuting Factors

    Although the exact cause of dandruff is not fully understood, several factors may contribute to its development:

    • Overgrowth of Malassezia: Malassezia is a yeast-like fungus that normally lives on the scalp and feeds on oils. When there is an overgrowth of Malassezia, it can produce irritants that cause inflammation and flaking.
    • Dry Skin: Dandruff can also be caused by dry skin, which makes the scalp more susceptible to irritation and flaking.
    • Sensitivity to Hair Products: Some people may be sensitive to certain ingredients in hair products, such as fragrances, dyes, or preservatives. This sensitivity can cause contact dermatitis, which irritates the scalp and causes dandruff.
    • Age: Typically, dandruff starts in young adulthood and persists through middle age. However, it can affect people of all ages, and for some, it can be a lifelong condition.
    • Being male: Dandruff is more prevalent in males than in females.
    • Other Factors: Stress, weather, illness, hormonal changes, poor diet, genetics, and a weakened immune system may also be contributing factors.
    • Seborrheic Dermatitis: This skin condition causes inflammation, increased oil production, and the appearance of greasy scales on the scalp. Dandruff may be considered the mildest form of seborrheic dermatitis, usually characterized by visible flakes on the scalp without significant redness or crusting. Unlike dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis may develop on more than the scalp. It can appear on the ears, eyebrows, beard, and the skin around the nostrils. Sometimes, it appears on the chest, especially in men, and other places rich in oil-producing glands. If it occurs on the scalp in babies, it is called "cradle cap."

    It is important to note that dandruff is not typically caused by poor hygiene. However, excessive washing or not washing frequently enough can contribute to scalp dryness, oiliness, and irritation. How often you need to wash your hair varies from person to person. For some, infrequent shampooing allows hair oils and dead skin cells to build up, which results in flaking or dandruff.

     

    Recommended Products for Dandruff

     

    Symptoms of Dandruff

    What To Look For

    The symptoms of dandruff are easy to spot - yellowish flakes of dead skin that are visible in your hair and on your shoulders. The scalp may also be red and feel irritated and itchy. Symptoms may vary depending on the cause

    Dandruff is characterized by the following symptoms:

    • Flakes: Visible flakes of white or yellow skin on the scalp, hair, or shoulders.
    • Itching: Persistent scalp itching that may worsen with scratching.
    • Scalp redness: The scalp may appear red or irritated.
    • Hair loss: While dandruff does not directly cause hair loss, excessive scratching or inflammation can contribute to hair thinning.
    • Oily scalp: Dandruff can sometimes be accompanied by an oily scalp.
    • Tingly or burning sensation: The scalp may feel tingly or burning, especially when scratched.

    Dandruff can sometimes be confused with other scalp conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. If your symptoms are severe or persistent, it is recommended to consult a health care provider. 

    Helping with Dandruff

     

    Suggestions Vary Depending on the Cause

    Treatment Varies Depending on the CauseContact Dermatitis: One of the causes of dandruff may be contact dermatitis, in which your scalp is experiencing an allergic or sensitivity reaction to a hair care product. Natural hair care products may help decrease the chance of contact dermatitis. 

    Take a closer look at the ingredients in your shampoo. If your skin is sensitive to ingredients such as synthetic fragrances, colors, or preservatives, you may experience unwanted reactions like hair loss, dandruff, dermatitis, or an irritated scalp.

    Learn More Blog: "Why Use Natural Shampoo Bars."

    Dry Hair: Commercial shampoos, conditioners, and hair styling products often contain detergents. While they may clean the hair and scalp effectively, detergent-based shampoos often remove too much natural moisture, exacerbating dryness and making the condition worse.

    Read "Help Me Choose Products for Dry Hair."

    Oily Hair: Oily hair, the result of overactive oil glands, can also be a problem. Excessive production of sebum can clog the hair follicles and may cause excessive shedding, hair loss, and dandruff. Read "Help Me Choose Products for Oily Hair."

    The Rosemary Mint Charcoal Shampoo Bar  (shown in the picture) is a great shampoo bar for those with oily and flaky scalps. Bamboo charcoal cleans and refreshes the scalp, removes impurities, and adsorbs (yes, adsorbs) excess oils without stripping hair of natural oils. Rosemary essential oil is one of the best oils for your hair; it controls dandruff, balances natural hair oils, promotes hair growth, and stimulates the scalp.

     

    NEEM & TEA TREE OIL

    Neem & Tea Tree OilThe ancient healing properties of Neem and Tea Tree Oils are well known.

    Neem oil has countless benefits for the hair and scalp. It is used to treat dry, itchy, irritated scalps, dandruff, and other scalp problems.

    Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that may be especially helpful in treating dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis caused by a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia.

    Try our Neem & Tea Tree Body and Hair Shampoo

     

    APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

    Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that are well-supported by research. It can help ease scalp problems related to fungus or bacteria and thereby prevent an itchy scalp.

    Natural Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Hair RinseACV has a low pH due to malic acid. This creates an acidic environment that may help destroy seborrheic dermatitis fungus.

    An Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse also removes scaly build-up and residue from hair shafts to cleanse and clarify the hair and scalp without stripping the hair of its natural oils.

    As residue builds up on the scalp, it can clog hair follicles which can lead to or exacerbate scalp issues. ACV allows the scalp to breathe naturally. A healthy scalp can help prevent dandruff build-up.

    We infuse our concentrated Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with certified organic herbs and organic essential oils that are great for the hair and scalp.

    Read our blog, "The Benefits Of An Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse & How To Use It"

     

    HERBAL HAIR TEA RINSES

    Organic Hair Tea for DandruffHerbal hair rinses have been used for centuries to treat scalp conditions. Our Dandruff Blend hair rinse is designed to help relieve flakiness and calm the itchy scalp.

    This blend of specially selected organic herbs and botanicals can help soothe the irritated and inflamed scalp from conditions such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

    • Burdock helps soothe irritated scalp conditions like dandruff and decrease breakage while adding sheen
    • Thyme has antiseptic and antifungal properties that cleanse, heal, and soothe the scalp
    • Peppermint leaves are widely recognized for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and astringent properties
    • Chamomile promotes healthy hair growth by easing issues with scalp inflammation

    Read our blog about "Hair Care Herbs"

    Things to Avoid

     

    Overdrying Hair

    Many believe that drying out their oily scalp will help decrease dandruff. However, oily hair is made worse by drying shampoos. The chemicals in these products can strip natural oils and dry out the scalp, which then encourages the oil glands to produce more oil. It becomes a vicious cycle.

    Irritating Ingredients

    Ingredients like detergents, parabens, silicones, synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and harsh alcohols may irritate your scalp and worsen dandruff symptoms

     


    Recommended Products for Dandruff

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What Do Herbs Infused In Vinegar Do?

    Why Do We Infuse Herbs Into Our ACV Rinses

    Nature's herbs and botanicals have a life force of their own.
    The vinegar extracts the healing and soothing phytochemicals from medicinal herbs and botanicals.

    Natural Organic Herbal Skin Care Basil, Ocimum basilicum, stimulates hair follicles, increases scalp circulation and promotes hair growth. Basil helps protect hair from breakage, its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe the roots and it adds luster to dull hair.

    Burdock, Arctium lappa, nourishes and strengthens hair follicles, to promote healthy hair growth and improve the condition of hair. It helps soothe irritated scalp conditions, decrease breakage and adds sheen, body & luster. The mucilage in burdock root adds “slip” to hair to make detangling easier.

    Horsetail, Equisetum arvense, is nourishing and hydrating, stimulates the scalp and has been used for centuries as a hair growth herb. The silica in horsetail helps to keep hair strong and adds shine and luster to hair.

    Lavender, Lavendula officinalis, has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antifungal properties that may help with irritated scalp conditions and hair loss. It helps balance oil production as is a great herb for all hair types.

    Nettle, Urtica dioica, stimulates the scalp, improves circulation, helps decrease breakage and promotes body, bounce, and shine. Nettle hair rinses are an old remedy to help reduce hair loss and encourage hair growth. Nettles balance oil production and help with dandruff.

    Rosemary, Rosemarinus officinalis, encourages the growth of strong healthy hair by improving blood flow to the scalp. The stimulating and revitalizing properties of rosemary help increase manageability, add shine, and condition the hair and scalp.

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    How Often Can I Use An Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse?

    Since everyone's hair is unique you must use your own judgment. 

    Remember--dry hair likes less vinegar and oily hair likes more.

    For most people a using a vinegar rinse every day will be quite drying. It is best to restrict use to 1 to 2 times per week.

    The amount of water you add to the vinegar, the dilution rate, will also affect how often it can be used as well as whether it is drying to your hair. You will need to experiment to find a dilution that works best for your hair type. Always start with a very dilute rinse in order to find the proper ratio for your hair.

    If you like a bit of vinegar with each washing, a spritz with a very dilute rinse may work.

     

    Some Helpful Hints
    • While you can use any container to make your vinegar rinse, I like a plastic squirt top bottle. It is easier to squirt it all over my scalp and then massage it through, rather than pouring it all over my head from a cup. Recycle any clean plastic bottle with a squirt top.

    • Pouring a cold rinse on your hair may be a more invigorating experience than you would like. (Although if you're feeling brave, the cold water will give your hair added shine.) If you would like a warmer rinse, make it just before you step in the shower using very warm tap water.

     

    View related natural skin care blogs

    Browse our full collection of Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinses

    Make Your Own Natural Vinegar Hair Rinse

    Using Chagrin Valley Vinegar Hair Rinses

    View Answer Page
    Why Chagrin Valley Organic Vinegar Hair Rinses Better?
    When comparing vinegar hair rinse products
    and prices please read the label ingredients

    • Our ACV Rinses do not contain no water they are a pure concentrated vinegar rinse so you can add your own water to create the perfect rinse for your hair type.

    • Many vinegar rinses are not concentrates, they are made with water--often as the first ingredient--which means that you are paying for a product that is mostly water.

    • Our apple cider vinegar (ACV) finishing rinses are made with only USDA Certified Organic ingredients.

    • Our ACV rinses are made with only raw apple cider vinegar which contains the "mother," the storehouse of natural bacteria and enzymes that make this product so wonderful.

    • We infuse our organic vinegar with certified organic herbs and organic essential oils that are great for the hair and scalp.

    • Our ACV Rinses contain no water and therefore need no artificial preservatives.
    View Answer Page
    Why Raw Apple Cider Vinegar?

    Why Raw Apple Cider Vinegar for the Hair Rinses?

    Although plain white vinegar may work, Apple Cider Vinegar seems to be the favorite hair care vinegar. Some say that wine vinegars may be less drying for those with dry scalp conditions.

    The process for making apple cider vinegar begins with the juice of fresh apples. Bacteria and yeast added to the juice begin the fermentation process which breaks down fructose, the naturally occurring fruit sugar, into alcohol.

    The alcohol is converted to vinegar (which means “sour wine” in French) by acetic acid-forming bacteria.

    The natural raw non-pasteurized vinegar is packed with nutrients. It appears cloudy with stringy stuff and sediment on the bottom due to the "mother" which contains the natural bacteria and enzymes that make this product so wonderful.

    We only use organic raw apple cider vinegar with "mother." The difference between raw apple cider vinegar and a commercial clear vinegar brand is that the commercial vinegar is heated, distilled, and clarified. This processing removes much of the naturally occurring bacteria, nutrients, and living enzymes, thus stripping away the natural benefits.

    View related natural skin care blogs

    Make Your Own Natural Vinegar Hair Rinse

    Using Chagrin Valley Vinegar Hair Rinses

    View Answer Page
    What Is A Natural Shampoo Bar?

    Shampoo Bars Are One Of Our Favorite Discoveries!

    The wholesome goodness of our handcrafted soap is available for your hair.

    Shampoo bars are an all natural conditioning shampoo in a solid bar form. Yes, this is real shampoo in a solid bar. Shampoo bars are not a new idea.

    They were commonly used before liquid detergent shampoos and conditions were invented in the 1940s.

    Although the process for making a shampoo bar is the same as making soap, our shampoo bar "recipes" are specially formulated with natural plant oils, butters, botanicals and essential oils that nourish your hair and scalp.

    Our shampoo bars contain no artificial fragrance, color, preservatives, detergents, alcohol, urea, formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA, propylene glycol - or any of the other synthetic hair care additives.

    Each of our shampoo bar selections contains a different blend of natural plant oils, essential oils, and herb infused oils. No two recipes are the same.

    Which Shampoo Bar Is Best For My Hair?

    Click here for help choosing an all natural shampoo bar!

    Everything You Want To Know About Shampoo Bars!

    Please read "Everything About Shampoo Bars!"

    View Answer Page

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