Itchy. Flaky. Dry. Irritated. Nobody wants these words to describe their scalp, yet it’s an incredibly common (and frustrating!) condition. If you’ve been suffering from an itchy scalp for quite some time, you’ve probably tried an array of products in search of relief. However, most dry scalp formulations are lacking the right mix of ingredients to be truly effective — and with so many options on store shelves, they can leave you scratching your head in confusion. So how do you know which ingredients to look for and which products actually produce results? Let’s examine a handful of natural ingredients that are proven to bring much-needed relief to your itchy and flaky scalp:
1. Coconut Oil
You may already be using coconut oil in the kitchen (it’s one of the best oils for high-heat cooking), to protect you from the sun (coconut oil has an SPF of 4, which blocks 75% off UV radiation), and to promote dental health (it helps kill bacteria in your mouth) — but have you tried it on your scalp yet? Coconut oil works extremely well as a moisturizer, helping fight skin irritation and eczema through hydration.
A clinical trial, published in the journal Dermatitis, was conducted on 34 patients with dry, rough, scaly, and itchy skin. Some of the patients were given mineral oil and others were given coconut oil and told to apply it daily for two weeks. Regular topical treatment with coconut oil showed significant improvement in skin hydration — and a slight improvement over the subjects using mineral oil.
The National Psoriasis Foundation suggests that those suffering from psoriasis (an immune-mediated disease that causes raised, red, scaly patches to appear on the skin) may find relief by massaging coconut oil into their itchy scalp.
2. Charcoal
Is there anything charcoal can’t do? Its recent surge in popularity stems from its ability to trap and eliminate toxins from your body (especially in your gut), whiten teeth, fight acne, and absorb sweat and odor in your armpits. Guess what? It’s also a hero when it comes to symptoms associated with an irritated scalp.
Binchōtan charcoal in particular, traditionally used in Japanese cooking, is a workhorse when it comes to absorbing the impurities that clog pores. Because binchōtan charcoal has numerous small pores, it can absorb deep-rooted impurities and build-up from the hair and scalp. The end result? Substantially reduced irritation, inflammation and scalp flakiness. If you’d like to see the charcoal work its magic, check out this video demonstration:
3. Tea Tree Oil
Mother Nature got it right when she created Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree native to Australia — the oil derived from its leaves contains natural antimicrobial properties, meaning it can fight bacteria, viruses and fungus. Research published in the International Journal of Dermatology shows that tea tree oil also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which can be especially helpful for anyone who has seborrheic dermatitis (a common skin condition that causes scaly patches, red skin and stubborn dandruff mainly in the scalp).
In a study of 126 patients, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, scientists were investigating the efficacy and tolerability of 5% tea tree oil (compared to a placebo) in patients with mild to moderate dandruff. The group using 5% tea tree oil shampoo showed a whopping 41% improvement in their flaky scalp.
4. Peppermint Oil
If you’ve ever indulged in a peppermint candy, then you know just how cooling and refreshing that sensation can be. Now, imagine that same feeling on top of your itchy scalp. Nirvana, right?
Peppermint’s trademark cooling sensation also helps soothe irritation. A study of 50 patients with the itchy skin condition, pruritus, found that those who applied peppermint oil topically for two weeks had a significant improvement in the severity of their itch. Furthermore, the scientists involved deemed it an effective, easy to use, safe, and cheap solution. Score!
5. Vegetable-Derived Micro-Exfoliators
Isn’t exfoliating one of the most satisfying experiences? It feels so good to slough away those dead skin cells and release the buildup of debris, bacteria and products that have been trapped in your pores for who knows how long. When it comes to your scalp, this build-up paves the way for inflammation, irritation and — yep, you guessed it — a flaky scalp.
Plant-based micro-exfoliators are a great (and eco-friendly) way to give your dry, flaky scalp a chemical-free scrub that will leave you feeling squeaky clean and itch-free.
The Ultimate Scalp Solution
Now, at this point you may be making a long list of items you need to run out and buy: coconut oil, binchōtan charcoal, tea tree oil, peppermint oil and plant-derived micro-exfoliators. But that seems like a lot of products to not only purchase, but to remember to use every day, right? Thankfully there’s a much more convenient option: Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Collection!
This collection incorporates all five of these natural ingredients, making your hair care routine so much simpler. Plus, it’s the only collection available that contains all these ingredients in their purest form, meaning they are free from harsh sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, DEA and artificial dyes. And, they are vegan and cruelty-free, too.
