How To Get Rid Of Dandruff Naturally? 12 Flake-Fighting Remedies

Dressed up for an interview or a formal dinner in a chic black outfit with the white flakes laid bare for everyone to see is so embarrassing. Dandruff is a surprisingly very common scalp problem. The constant urge to scratch your itchy scalp can be despairing. Don’t bleak! Scroll down for tips and home remedies on how to get rid of dandruff naturally.

Most of us think that dandruff is a condition of the dry scalp; however, the opposite is true. It is a condition caused due to a fungus that feeds on excess sebum secreted on your scalp. The irritated scalp sheds off white waxy flakes called dandruff.

Dandruff can be controlled by following a healthy hair care routine. Our post answers some most pressing questions about dandruff, its prevention and how to control it naturally at home. Delve in to know more information about this itchy flaky skin condition.

Best Home Remedies To Treat Dandruff

Here are simple 12 home remedies to get rid of dandruff naturally –

1. Apply Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree oil is used to treat various skin conditions from acne to psoriasis. It is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia plant native to Australia. Tea tree oil contains chemical compounds that possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that heal the wound and treats dandruff too.

Apply tea tree essential oil with a carrier oil (coconut or olive oil) to your scalp once a week. This will soothe inflammation and reduce dandruff. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of this essential oil to your shampoo routine.

2. Try Aloe Vera Gel Scalp Massage

Aloe Vera belongs to the succulent plant family that has powerful healing and soothing properties. It is frequently added to skincare and cosmetic regimens. The gel is obtained from the fleshy leaves of this plant. It contains bioactive compounds that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce dandruff.

Gently massage a small quantity of aloe vera gel to your scalp to relieve itchiness and inflammation and moisturize the skin. Leave it overnight and wash in the morning for the best results.

3. Use Coconut Oil To Hydrate The Scalp

Coconut oil is a natural remedy for many skin problems including dandruff. Dandruff causes irritation and itchiness of the scalp. The use of coconut oil helps to hydrate the skin, prevent excessive dryness, reduce irritation, and prevents a fungal infection of the scalp thereby preventing dandruff.

You can try applying coconut oil directly to the scalp. A hot oil massage before hair wash with anti-dandruff shampoo will give you relief from dandruff and itchiness. Alternatively, find a shampoo that contains coconut oil in it.

4. Try Out The Fragrant Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass and its oil are traditionally used to treat digestive ailments, reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Drinking lemongrass tea is a refreshing delight for most people. Lemongrass oil has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce dandruff.

Mix 1 part lemongrass oil to 1 part coconut oil and apply it on the affected area to treat the condition. You may also dilute the oil with water or regular shampoo.

5. Add Apple Cider Vinegar To Your Routine

Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar is associated with an array of health benefits. It is included in many natural home remedies for improving insulin sensitivity, weight loss, dental care, and skin and hair care regimens. Apple cider vinegar is an amazing remedy to get rid of dandruff quickly. It maintains the pH balance of the scalp and its acidic nature helps to stimulate the shedding of flakes and dead cells on the scalp. It also fights fungus causing dandruff.

You may directly spray some apple cider vinegar to your scalp and tresses to see the magic. Alternatively, try mixing a tablespoon of vinegar with shampoo or any essential oil and use it as the best dandruff treatment.

6. Use Age-Old Remedy For Skin – Neem

Neem extract is a crucial ingredient in most skin care preparations and cosmetics. This is attributed to its high potency in fighting microbes like fungi and bacteria. Using this age-old natural treatment for dandruff is the best way to go. Experts suggest using a diluted version of need extract on your scalp as concentrated concoctions might irritate your skin.

Boil a few neem leaves in water and use it as a rinse for your hair. You may also make a hair mask of neem leaves, fenugreek (methi) seeds, and yoghurt to get rid of dandruff naturally.

7. Apply Crushed Garlic

The medicinal value of garlic is something that should be noted. It is an age-old natural remedy that cures the infection and boosts immunity. The pungent smell of garlic cloves makes it a bit unappealing but its effects are innumerable. Raw crushed garlic will help treat fungal infections and reduce dandruff gradually.

Pound 1-2 cloves of garlic and mix it with carrier oil or water; apply this mixture on the scalp and leave for 30 minutes. You’ll be mesmerized by the effects of garlic. What should you do about the eww smell? Try mixing a little ginger and honey!

8. Increase Intake Of Omega-3s In Diet

Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that play a vital role to maintain healthy skin, heart, lungs and immune system. They help maintain sebum production, reduce skin inflammation and keep cells hydrated. Omega-3 fatty acids also prevent premature aging and heal wounds faster. Adding healthy fat-rich foods to your diet can help reduce symptoms of dandruff and hairfall.

Fishes like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and trout are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Other foods abundant in these fats are walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. Increase the intake of these foods to experience healthy skin and get rid of dandruff permanently. You may also take omega-3 supplements, but natural foods are highly recommended.

Check out this YouTube video that describes natural remedies to treat dandruff in a nutshell

9. Add Aspirin To Your Shampooing Regimen

This OTC pain reliever is a potent remedy to get rid of dandruff. Salicylic acid the active ingredient is used in many anti-dandruff shampoos. This compound has high anti-inflammatory properties that heal the scalp. Exfoliate the white flakes, reduce inflammation and prevent oil buildup with the use of aspirin.

Crush two aspirin tablets and mix them into your regular shampoo. Apply this to the hair and leave for about 3-5 minutes before rinsing it out.

10. Stack Your Pantry With Baking Soda

How to cure dandruff permanently naturally at home? Does this question ponder upon you?

Here is a quick and simple remedy to get rid of the flaky enemy permanently. Baking soda is readily available in our kitchen; it has great anti-fungal properties that reduce dandruff. It deeply exfoliates the skin, removes dead cells, and reduces itching.

Apply baking soda directly to wet hair and gently massage with your fingertips. Let it stay for 1-2 minutes and shampoo as usual. Use baking soda in moderation as it has high pH levels and might irritate your skin on frequent use.

11. Minimize Stress Levels

Stress impacts the well-being and health of people. It can highly influence chronic diseases and suppress immunity. This leads to a reduction in the body’s capability to fight infection and contributes to skin conditions like dandruff.

Keep stress levels at bay; try some stress management techniques to stay calm, relaxed and healthy. Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, aromatherapy, and counselling can help.

12. Make Some Dietary Changes

Foods may not contribute to dandruff directly, but it can make your symptoms worse and untreatable. Fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help reduce inflammation. Thus adding them to your diet can reduce skin inflammation, dryness, and dandruff.

Biotin rich foods help us maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails. Add liver, nuts, egg yolks, salmon and nutritional yeast to your diet and see dandruff fading away.

Studies prove the effectiveness of these natural remedies for dandruff treatment.

Next time you start spotting those annoying white flakes, try these natural remedies.

Hope you benefit from our post and share it further. Drop your comments in the box below.

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Shweta Chitrode

Backed up with a B.Pharm degree and an MBA, She is been a path-breaker. From being an HR person to a medical writer, she did a complete 360 degree turn to become the Founder and Editor-in-chief of Stylewhack. Since then, there has been no looking back for her. Watch her column for trendy fashion tips and various other creative ideas. She loves to travel and explore the world to quench her wanderlust!