10 Natural Ingredients to Look for in Anti-Dandruff Hair Care

(3 minute read)

Dandruff can be a bothersome issue for many people and although there are lots of products on the market to tackle this problem, many of them contain chemicals which are not so nice. For example, Coal Tar is often used in anti-dandruff hair care products but is a recognised carcinogen. Selenium Sulfide is banned in the European Union and some other countries due to potential toxicity risks when used over a prolonged period of time. And so on. While these and other anti-dandruff chemicals may be effective in controlling dandruff, they can have side effects which you might prefer to avoid. Ironically, some anti-dandruff hair care ingredients are so harsh, they can actually irritate your scalp and lead to more itching and flaking!

The good news is that there are natural ingredients that can offer great help in hair care when it comes to dandruff. This guide explores ten beneficial ingredients that can be used in anti-dandruff shampoos and conditioners to help keep hair healthy and flake-free.

Before we get started, however, let’s quickly touch on the definition of dandruff and its symptoms and causes.

What is dandruff?

Dandruff is a common condition and a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. Symptoms of dandruff can include:

• flaking skin on the scalp (also eyebrows, beard and moustache)
• itchy scalp
• scaly, crusty scalp in infants (and sometimes adults) known as ‘cradle cap’

For some people, dandruff symptoms can become more severe when they are stressed and/or during the colder, drier months of the year.

What causes dandruff?

There are a number of causes of dandruff, including:

• irritated, oily skin
• dry skin
• a yeast fungus called Malassezia that feeds on oils on the scalp
• contact dermatitis caused by sensitivity to hair care products
• psoriasis and eczema

Dandruff can be treated with natural ingredients. Image source: Canva

Treating dandruff with natural ingredients

With all of that being said, here is our list of 10 natural ingredients that can be included in hair care products designed to treat and prevent dandruff:

1.  Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is a very popular ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos and conditioners. This is because it has both anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, making it an effective treatment for dandruff caused by a fungal infection. It also helps to soothe the scalp, reducing itchiness and irritation. Additionally, tea tree oil is anti-microbial and can fight bacteria and keep hair looking clean and healthy overall.

2.  Thyme Oil

With its antibacterial properties, Thyme Oil fights against dandruff and other scalp infections. It contains Apigenin and Apigenin-7-glucoside which can ease any inflammation affecting the scalp and thereby help to improve dandruff. Naturally anti-inflammatory, Thyme Oil can also soothe irritation.

3.  Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus Oil’s anti-fungal properties helps to manage dandruff by eliminating fungus and preventing a yeast build-up which can cause dandruff and an itchy scalp. Its anti-inflammatory properties helps soothe the scalp.

4.  Lavender Oil

Lavender Oil has anti-microbial properties, helps prevent bacteria and fungi and works to combat scalp infections, thereby controlling dandruff.

5.  Rosemary Oil

With anti-fungal properties, Rosemary Oil attacks fungi on the scalp. It is also an astringent so it can reduce oil secretion which slows down the effect of dandruff because the yeast that causes dandruff feeds off oil, creating flakes.

6.  Neem Oil

Like other oils mentioned in this article, Neem Oil is anti-microbial and anti-fungal, making it an effective weapon against dandruff-causing fungi like Candida and Malassezia.

7.  Birch Oil

Birch Oil ensures your scalp is properly moisturised which in turn can guard against the over-secretion of oil. This helps to prevent dandruff. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes a healthier scalp.

8.  Clary Sage Oil

A natural clarifying agent, Clary Sage helps eliminate the production of dandruff and reduce itchiness. It naturally treats scalp conditions that cause inflammation and irritation.

9.  Rosalina Oil

Rosalina is part of the Melaleuca family and also helps with dermatitis and dandruff. It is soothing for irritated and sensitive scalps.

10.  Manuka Oil

Manuka Oil helps treat dandruff and prevent it from coming back with its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Soothing and nourishing, Manuka Oil can reduce itchy, flaky scalp, while helping to maintain the moisture and oil balance on the scalp. It can moisturise a dry scalp.

So, there you have it. Our list of 10 natural ingredients that can help with anti-dandruff hair care. If you're looking for natural anti-dandruff hair care products,  Natural Instinct Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and conditioner feature Tea Tree Oil and Thyme, while the Ausganica Soothing Flake Waiver Shampoo includes all of the above 10 ingredients!

Note: Naturally Safe Cosmetics and the author are not health professionals. Any information or advice in this article is of a general nature only and compiled from the writer’s own online research. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For medical advice regarding your own personal circumstances, we recommend you contact your GP or other healthcare professional.