Best Remedies for Dandruff

If you've made hats a new essential part of your wardrobe to cover up the fact that you have dandruff, there is a better way. It turns out dandruff affects almost half of the population, so you're not alone. But, instead of wearing a hat, using harmful dandruff shampoo, or searching out tea tree oil–let me share with you a few natural dandruff remedies that really do work.

In this article:

1. What is Dandruff?

2. Why Does Dandruff Happen?

3. Best Remedies for Dandruff
    

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff can be a frustrating condition to deal with. It can be embarrassing and challenging to get rid of. Not to mention, the itchiness and discomfort that goes along with it get old pretty fast.

But, what exactly is dandruff?

Dandruff looks like little scaly or flaky white specks on your scalp. Your scalp could also be inflamed and reddened, causing the flakes to be a little red as well.

Essentially, dandruff is the shedding of excessive amounts of dead skin cells that have accumulated on the scalp. A small amount of this flaking is normal, it often happens after you wash your hair. But, some people experience a more than normal amount of flaking. Sometimes this is a chronic issue, or sometimes it's the result of certain triggers.

But, contrary to popular belief, dandruff may actually improve when you wash your hair more often. It doesn't need to be a special anti-dandruff shampoo though. A simple mild shampoo should work just fine. But, if you have chronic issues with dandruff, you may want to make sure your shampoo is sulfate-free and doesn't contain parabens or sodium laureth ingredients commonly found in brand-name products like Pantene. These are harsh chemicals found in some shampoos that, really, everyone should try to avoid.

Why Does Dandruff Happen?

Unfortunately, these little white flakes that dust your hair, or worse, the back of your black shirt, can be caused by a number of different things.

But, really the main cause of dandruff is a combination of a nutritional deficiency with bacterial and fungal factors.

The overgrowth of a specific yeast-like fungus called Malassezia on the scalp is a common cause of dandruff. Another common skin condition is Seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis mainly affects the scalp and can cause scaly or greasy patches, red, irritated skin, and stubborn dandruff.

However, as I mentioned, people associate dandruff with many different things. For example, if you have a dry scalp, you may notice dandruff. Even drier air seems to affect the situation for some people. You might notice it becoming worse in the fall or winter months because of this.

The causes of dandruff might include:

• Diet (nutritional deficiency)

• Bacterial issue

• Fungal issue

• Dry skin

• Seborrheic dermatitis

• Allergic reactions to hair and skin products

• Other skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis
   

Best Remedies for Dandruff

Dandruff feels like more than just a simple case of dry skin. It's irritating and can even make some people feel self-conscious. Usually, the first thing people turn to for quick relief is store-bought dandruff shampoo, or products containing salicylic acid. But, these really might not be the best options.

What I want to share with you is, of course, much more natural. I also believe it's much more effective too.

If you do an Internet search, you're also likely to come across other dandruff home remedies as well. Things like tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar are often used to help with a dry scalp.

In some cases, these home remedies may be useful. I highly recommend apple cider vinegar to help boost health in many ways. However, I believe the home remedies I am going to go over with you now have exceptional abilities for supporting healthy skin and a healthy scalp that go far beyond what tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar can do for dandruff.

Try these natural home remedies for dandruff so you can start living flake-free and dandruff-free for good.

Topical Remedies

Wild Oregano Oil

In ancient times, it's believed that oregano oil may have been used as an antibiotic to help treat infections. Oregano oil has withstood the test of time and is still used to help fight bacteria and fungus.

Oregano oil is a unique essential oil that is rich in antioxidants and may have antifungal properties. This essential oil has an impressive list of benefits and could help reduce problematic dandruff-causing bacteria.

In fact, I consider wild oregano oil to be one of the best anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal alternatives that you could possibly get your hands on.

With these qualities, this essential oil helps maintain and support a healthy scalp.

Flaxseed Oil

This is yet another incredible oil that has a long history of being a helpful dandruff remedy for many different health ailments. Flaxseed oil is made from the seeds of the flax plant. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids like omega-3s.

The antibacterial properties of flaxseed oil support a healthy scalp by fighting irritation and dandruff. The omega-3 fatty acids can also help heal a flaky scalp.

Flaxseed oil really goes above and beyond when used to promote a healthy scalp and beautiful hair. It actually may help nourish and condition the hair—improving its overall quality too.

Really, flaxseed oil on its own is impressive. But, mixed with oregano oil, the two work synergistically and act as an over-the-counter, natural, magic hair care solution.

Plus, it's important that essential oils like wild oregano oil are mixed with a carrier oil. If it's not, it could be too strong. Flaxseed oil is the perfect match as a carrier oil for oregano oil.

How to use:

You can find wild oregano in a pearl form. The liquid is inside and you just have to open it up and squeeze out a few drops. Flaxseed oil can be found online, at health food stores, or even sometimes at your local grocery store.

Step 1: Mix together 2-3 drops of the oregano oil with 1 tsp. of flaxseed oil.

Step 2: After a shower, apply the oil mixture topically. Rub it into your scalp and just leave it in.

After only about a week of doing this, you should no longer have an itchy scalp and your dandruff should clear right up. The difference this remedy makes is really quite dramatic.

Internal Remedies

Now, not only do you need to treat this condition by taking care of the outside of the body, you really need to take care of the inside as well. Things like your diet can have a huge impact on your overall well-being. You would be surprised at what adding or taking away from your diet can do for you. It may even help you finally get rid of that dandruff.

Consuming wild oregano and flaxseed

Yes, you need to use wild oregano and flaxseed topically—this should significantly help your situation. But, you can also use wild oregano and flaxseed internally too. Just take both of the effective oils orally each day, and you should start noticing a difference.

B Vitamins

It's possible that dandruff you're experiencing is a symptom of a B vitamin deficiency. Meaning, you may need to include more B vitamins like B2, B6, and Biotin in your daily diet. A fantastic way to add more vitamin B to your diet is by taking nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast also has a ton of other benefits for the body. Just a teaspoon or a tablespoon a day should do the trick. This should really help make sure dandruff doesn't come back.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D, of course, has incredible benefits for the skin. You need to make sure you're getting enough of this vitamin every day. The best source of vitamin D is the sun. But, if it's difficult for you to get out in the sun every day, or if it's wintertime, you can try supplements. The source I would say is the best in this situation besides the sun would be virgin cod liver oil. This oil is a great source of vitamin D and also vitamin A which both have amazing benefits for the skin. Because of the benefits for the skin that vitamin D offers, it's a powerful source for getting rid of dandruff fast.

Zinc

Some people have a zinc deficiency, which can lead to dandruff. However, this is not the most important thing to add to your diet when trying to find a dandruff remedy. This is more like the icing on the cake. For real effective solutions, you need to try the natural dandruff remedies I mentioned above. But, zinc does still work for some people, and it might be the little something extra you need if you still are having trouble fighting dandruff.

Go ahead, ditch the tea tree oil, save your apple cider vinegar, and give these natural dandruff remedies a try. See if they don't work for you.

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