If you’ve got a dry scalp you *need* these tips

Have you ever been looking at your scalp and wondered, ‘is there a moisturiser I can slather on this’? Yeah, us too. And look, dry, flaky and itchy scalps happen. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, dandruff is part of life – it’s okay. But what’s important to understand is why it’s happening and how to address the issue…

And that’s where we come in. BEAUTYcrew took the time to figure out all things scalp health with the help of Creative Director (and Co-Founder) of Headcase Hair, John Pulitano, along with MR. D, Owner of Delilah Hair Studio. 

It’s time to get to the root (pun intended) of the problem, and hear all the helpful tips and tricks to give your scalp back a hit of moisture…

Why is scalp health important?

By now you’ve probably realised that it’s time to start paying attention to your scalp. But what’s all the fuss about? Well Pulitano and MR.D agree that creating a healthy scalp environment is the “precursor to healthy hair”. MR.D goes on to explain that your scalp is quite literally where your hair “is born”. 

If you’re not taking good care of your scalp, it could end up causing issues such as irritation, dandruff, poor hair growth and excess oils. So, how do we go about remedying this?

What are some steps to creating a healthy scalp?

Asking this question landed us with a resounding answer: pay attention to your scalps while washing. Obvious, right? Well Pulitano wants you to be scrubbing at your scalp on a weekly basis (ideally with natural salt scrubs) using a scalp scrubber. Committing to a ritual like this will ensure that your scalp is getting cleansed of any “dead dry skin and oil that could be clogging the pores and causing irritation”. Pulitano recommends using the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt ($72 at Adore Beauty) and we suggest pairing it with the STRAAND Exfoliating Scalp Brush ($20 at STRAAND) for the ultimate scalp-caring pairing.

MR. D affirmed the extra benefit of adding in a scrubbing massage as part of your scalp-cleansing routine, reminding us that not only does the head massage feel amazing (we’re transported back to our last salon visit), it also helps boost circulation and “stimulates blood flow, which helps heal and promotes healthy hair growth”. But as usual, be sure to “always rinse very thoroughly”. 

Can you actually moisturise your scalp?

Now we get to the part you really want to know about. Can you really moisturise your scalp? Okay, first, a reminder that moisturisers come in all forms. So, no we won’t be drenching our tresses in traditional lotion anytime soon, but a hard-hitting oil sounds like a pretty hydrating alternative.

If you’re thinking ‘pfft, my hair is so oily, I totally don’t need to moisturise’, think again. Pulitano wants everyone to be working some hydrating ingredients into their scalps to “help regulate overactive oil glands”. As for how, there are actually a couple of ways you can moisturise your scalp. 

The first way is “a pre-shampoo oil”. Pulitano suggests “jojoba oil, because it’s the closest one” to your natural oils. “Simply apply on fingertips and rub into the scalp” before washing it out in the shower. PSA: you can also add strand-nourishing essential oils to the mix if you’re feeling spicy. 

The method that both Pulitano and MR. D agree on is actually the simplest of all: massaging a small amount of conditioner in your scalp. Not only is the massaging aspect great for multiple reasons like we said, Pulitano reminded us that it works like adding a moisturiser after cleansing our face, and will help to boost the production of our natural oils. 

So, yes, we really can moisturise our scalp. And it sounds like we need to get onto it pronto! Don’t mind us while we start massaging away at our scalps hoping to see longer tresses (and less flakes) ASAP. 

Main Image Credit: @ellefanning

Ready to take your scalp health into your own hands? Check out these dead skin-sloughing scalp scrubs…