If you’ve had enough of discomfort, humiliation, and embarrassment because of scalp itchiness, then anti-dandruff hair oils are all you need.
In this guide, we’ve put together the best anti-dandruff hair oils for you. Our selection is informed by expert advice and opinions from dermatologists and hairstylists. Also, you’ll find essential tips on how to apply or even select the hair oil brand that suits your scalp. With that being said, let’s get started.
What’s dandruff?
Dandruff is a skin condition that targets the scalp and is characterized by itchiness and skin flakes. It isn’t contagious. Meaning you won’t acquire the conditions from someone else.
Because of the itchiness and flaking that characterizes dandruff, the condition can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing to deal with.
Dandruff treatment options
There are many treatment options for dandruff. Some of these are pharmacological and involve the use of prescribed medications and oils. For the sake of this review, we’ll only deal with the oils for today.
Hair oils for dandruff have been used for the longest. Even so, there’s no doubting that some of the said oils aren’t of any medicinal value as far as dandruff itchiness and flaking goes.
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In fact, some dandruff oils have been found to worsen the condition. Therefore, it’s critical that you know which oils are best suited for managing this condition.
Causes of Dandruff
Ever wondered what causes dandruff? You’re not alone. Many people, including myself, have always had this and other dandruff related queries floating in our heads since our teens. Here’s the answer.
Common Caused of Dandruff
- Seborrheic dermatitis: excessive secretion of scalp oils
- Over-accumulation of dead skin cells due to poor scalp hygiene
- Scalp infection by Malassezia, a type of yeast that thrives on dead skin cells
- Allergic reactions to some hair products
Hair oils for dandruff are best suited for managing dandruff and scalp itchiness, no matter the cause.
Dandruff Treatment Options
There are different treatment options for dandruff. The two main ones include:
- Pharmacological Therapy
- Use of natural hair oils
In this article, we’ll only handle the use of natural hair oils for dandruff. Pharmacological therapy will be handled in a separate article.
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That said, it’s noteworthy that some dermatologists and beauty therapists recommend the use of hot hair treatment for dandruff. The procedure affords plenty of benefits not just for the scalp but also for the hair too.
The Best Hair Oils for Dandruff
Now that you have some basic concept of what dandruff is and how to manage it, let’s look at some of the common hair oils for dandruff.
1. Rosemary Oil
A very common hair oil. Besides being used alone, Rosemary oil is also infused in many scalp formulations. Its suitability as hair oil for dandruff management is related to the strong antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Its extracted from rosemary, an evergreen fragrant shrub.
Also worth noting is that it soothes scalp inflammations and improves blood circulation around hair follicles.
Rosemary oil comes in different brand names both as pure oil or as part of other hair products. Depending on your needs, as advised by an expert, you can choose whichever works for you.
Benefits
- Rich in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal peptides
- standalone or part of other hair and skin products
- enhances scalp and hair health
- Relieves most dandruff symptoms
2. Tea Tree Oil
A pale yellow essential oil with a string camphoraceous odor. It is derived from tea tree. It has very strong anti-inflammatory properties, perfect for soothing scalp itchiness.
That accounts for its popularity as a remedy for dandruff. Moreover, it’s also thought to have antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties.
Tea tree oil is available as a pure standalone oil or as a component of other hair products. You may want to check the product’s label, just to confirm that tea tree oil is one of the ingredients.
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Benefits
- Nourishes and soothes scalp itchiness
- Improves hair growth, color, and strength
- No hypersensitivity reactions
- standalone oil or infused in other hair and skin products
3. Lemon Grass Oil
This essential oil is derived from Cymbopogon citratus, a tropical plant native to India. Lemongrass oil is available as a pure standalone oil or as a component of other skin and hair products.
The hair oil for dandruff exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties making it ideal for managing dandruff.
Benefits
- Strong antimicrobial action
- Soothes inflammation of the scalp
- Improves hair and scalp health and nourishment.
- Can be used as scalp massage oil
- Relieves most dandruff symptoms
4. Basil Oil
This is one of the best hair oils for managing alopecia and dandruff-induced hair loss. Basil oil is rich in anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial peptides making it ideal for managing dandruff and other scalp conditions.
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The essential oil is derived from Basil or Great Basil, a culinary herb native to central Africa and South East Asia. It’s available as a component of other skin and hair products or as a standalone pure hair oil for dandruff.
Benefits
- Suitable for managing dandruff and alopecia
- Relieves scalp itchiness
- Rich in antifungal and antibacterial peptides
- Available as standalone hair oil for dandruff or part of other hair and skin products
5. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a very common hair product. It’s derived from the kernel, milk, and meat of the coconut palm tree. This hair oil is often used to manage hair scalp conditions like dandruff and itchiness.
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Besides its use as hair oil for dandruff, coconut oil is also used in preparing various dishes. Apart from that, the hair product is rich in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal peptides that make it suitable for managing different scalp and skin conditions, besides dandruff.
Benefits
- Most affordable hair oils
- Antiseptic and antimicrobial properties
- Soothes scalp itchiness
- Enhances hair color, strength, and growth.
Procedure for Applying Anti-Dandruff hair Oils
It might seem pretty obvious by the mention of it. In truth, however, there is more to the actual process involved in using anti-dandruff hair oils. Here are the steps:
Step 1: squeeze a small amount of your favorite har oil onto the palm of your hand.
Step 2: rub onto the scalp and massage the head with your hands to distribute the hair oil on your hair and scalp.
Step 3: wipe off any excesses on your face wipe off with a dry cloth or tissue paper. You don’t want to mess up your makeup.
After applying on the scalp, hair oils for dandruff are naturally absorbed. You won’t have to worry about washing it off like is the case with makeup.
Caution!
Caution!!
i). Don’t use a powdered hair mask or a creamy hair conditioner after applying hair oil for dandruff.
ii). No tight braids, ponytails, or any other tight hairstyle after using hair oils.
iii). Avoid hair tugging or pulling, especially after a hot hair oil massage of your scalp.
What to Consider When shopping for Anti-Dandruff Hair Oils
Like every other hair or skin product, anti-dandruff oils come in different brands. Finding the best one for you can be a little challenging, especially if it’s your first time.
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Without the right information, there’s the tendency to splurge on just about any pricey brand. Yet that’s no guarantee of good quality. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the pointers to check out in order to end up with something that suits your hair and scalp.
- Consult a dermatologist
It’s very easy to overlook the advice of a qualified dermatologist, especially when shopping for hair products, but here’s the truth. Our skins react differently to different products.
In medical terms, it’s called hypersensitivity. To avoid the risk of making your dandruff even worse, consider asking a skin expert what will and what won’t work on your scalp.
- Natural ingredients
The types of ingredients on the anti-dandruff hair oil is very important. Do not ignore this. Products with artificial ingredients may predispose your scalp to more itchiness and flaking.
- Odorless essential oils
Some hair and skin products come in two varieties; perfumed and odorless. You might want to choose the odorless brands because some people react to fragrance. You don’t want to add more health problems besides your dandruff and itchy scalp.
- Price consideration
Go for the best hair oils for dandruff. Of course, your choice should be within your budget range, but don’t let the product price be the main determinant. I’d suggest you get into the habit of buying brands. It’s a better approach and comes with a guarantee of quality. That works for me. Give it a try!
