#1 Natural treatment for a dry scalp

We are often asked the best way to naturally treat a dry scalp. Most people head straight for the anti-dandruff shampoo, and for many, while these are a good maintenance product, some nourishing healing needs to be done on the scalp. Don't forget, it's not your hair that's the issue, it's usually the skin, and quite often, you're washing and conditioning your hair with something that's irritating the skin on your head. Switching to a sulfate free shampoo is a great long term strategy, but we have to heal the scalp first.

Where do you start to treat a dry scalp?

My first port of call is usually an argan oil (some of you may know it as Moroccan Oil). Argan oil is known for skin healing, which is exactly what we're after here. Think skin care and not hair care when you're talking about the scalp, so you'll find it in the organic skin care section of our store. It's also a core ingredient in many natural shampoo and conditioner products, including the Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Stem Cell Shampoo & Conditioner. If you cant' get your hands on Argan Oil and you have Jojoba Oil in your beauty bag, it's a suitable alternative.

It will take a little time to massage the argan oil in to all of your dry scalp, but it's worth spending the time. If you get some in your hair (and yes, you will) that's fine too, because we also recommend it as a natural hair treatment as well. There is no need to wash it out. Just apply and go about your day. If you look a little oily, then do it after dinner, let it soak in and then sleep on it. You can always grab your favourite natural shampoo the following morning to wash your hair if you look or feel a little oily.

What about using coconut oil and hemp seed oil for a dry scalp?

For this, we have found that coconut oil isn't all that effective. It's a great 'all-purpose' body moisturiser, but for healing scalp irritation, we find it's not strong enough. It's a great hair moisturiser but it's very greasy and it's not a leave in product. If you want to try the coconut oil for mild cases and you already have a jar in your pantry, it's worth a try, but there's a lot more nourishment in a bottle of argan oil.

With the coconut oil, take a generous spoonful, massage through your hair & scalp, leave for 20-30 minutes (or overnight wrapped up in a shower cap if you can sleep like that) and wash out. The argan oil can be left on the scalp and the hair to continue to nourish, and this is why it's our first choice.

You could also try some hemp seed oil in your hair and on your scalp. Hemp oil is rich in omega 3-6-9 fatty acids, and since is has a relatively short shelf life once opened, you may as well make it a multi-tasker. We have also read anecdotal information online about hemp oil reversing hair loss. I have no idea how real they are, but there's no doubting it's a nutrient dense oil that will have some healing and restorative properties.

Maintenance

Once you have given your scalp some nourishment, keep that going with the right natural shampoo & conditioner with some healing ingredients in it. The Acure Moroccan range is a good place to start, and we're also rather fond of the Beauty & The Bees Shampoo Bars. The Beer Shampoo is designed to suit people with dandruff, the Hemp & Honey for dry and sensitive scalps.

One of the things people love about the Beauty & The Bees range is the fact that they're Australian Made and they are a completely plastic free option. There's no bottle to dispose of when it's empty, the shampoo bar is packed in a cardboard box that can be recycled.