Best shampoo for dry scalps to soothe irritation and add moisture

If you’ve experienced the discomfort, itching and flakiness that a dry scalp can bring, finding the best shampoo for dry scalps can be life changing. There are many reasons why you may suffer from a dry scalp but by using a shampoo that’s catered to dry hair and scalps, it’ll target the dryness and help to add more moisture back to your roots to soothe any discomfort and reduce the appearance of flakes.

If you’re living with a dry scalp, you’ll be all too familiar with the pain and discomfort it can cause. We also know it can make you feel self-conscious if you’ve got visible flakes in your hair or you can feel like people are watching you constantly itch your head when all you’re trying to do is bring yourself some relief. Understandably, a dry scalp can affect your overall mood and wellbeing, which is why finding the right shampoo to help you tackle it is all the more important.

As we’ve mentioned, a dry scalp can be caused by numerous factors, such as environmental reason, build-up of hair-care products, sweat and so much more. You could also be suffering from conditions like eczema or psoriasis that can exacerbate the dryness and flakiness of your scalp. We’ll explore this more in our FAQs section, but a dry scalp is linked to your scalp producing lower levels of sebum oil. It’s natural as we grow older and our hormones change so that our skin gets drier, which may go some way to explain why your scalp and hair all of a sudden feel dry if they never used to be when you were younger. That’s why it’s essential to choose a shampoo that will help tackle some of the causes of a dry scalp to help add back some of the hydration and moisture it may now be missing.

Using a shampoo that is specifically made for dry scalps can make a world of difference as they’re crafted with ingredients to help soothe irritation and add moisture back to your scalp. With your scalp having some TLC, you may even find that your hair starts to grow more as the environment for it to grow is healthier, so these hydrating scalp shampoos may double as great hair growth shampoos. We’ve rounded up all the best shampoo for dry scalps that will get you on a journey to a soothed and healthier scalp. We've chosen ones that come recommended by customers online with similar scalp issues so you know you’re getting the right one for your needs.

Best shampoos for dry scalp

Best shampoo for dry scalps FAQs

We put all of your FAQs about hair care for dry scalps to Adele Clarke, a hairstylist and salon owner with over 20 years of experience in the industry, who is a Former North West Hairdressing Champion and winner of numerous national awards.

How do I fix my extremely dry scalp?

"It’s good to get into a regime of scalp care, just as you would your face", says Adele. "Try giving yourself a weekly scalp facial as this specific treatment is performed on the scalp to remove a build-up of products, sebum, and environmental pollution."

Adele explains, "We store a lot of pent-up tension and stress in the muscles of our scalp and head. We sweat, use products, and also cover up with hats and caps throughout the year, which creates a build-up and makes it prone to inflammation and irritation resulting in the scalp follicles being affected and may prevent healthy hair growth.  A scalp facial will enable a healthier growing foundation and ensure a super clean scalp environment."

How often should I wash my hair with a dry scalp?

If you're wondering how often should you wash your hair with a dry scalp, Adele is here to help. "Ideally you need to allow your scalp to produce its natural hair oils, so definitely avoid every day – probably every once or twice a week", recommends Adele. "It’s a balance of cleansing your scalp environment, so your hair can grow versus allowing your natural oils to help with the dry scalp."

Adele also says, "Less is more with a dry scalp. Try to limit the amount of styling products you’re using too as this can build up on the scalp and you’ll need to wash it more often, too."

Are dandruff and dry scalp the same?

"No", says Adele. "Seborrhoeic dermatitis (dandruff) is a common skin condition, caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin and scalp, which can cause red and itchy dandruff."

"There are also fungal infections that can cause this type of irritation", explains Adele. "In these cases, a series of cleanses with medicated products should be done. As a preventative measure, anyone susceptible to this should consider washing with antibacterial products that contain ingredients such as green tea, zinc and tea tree. Moisture derived from coconut oils is also very beneficial due to its anti-fungal nature."

Adele also goes on to say, "Contact Dermatitis is often an intolerance or allergy to certain ingredients and a process of elimination is sufficient to stop the problem. In cases of Eczema and psoriasis, a doctor should be consulted, and these conditions can also be linked to other complaints such as asthma."

"A dry scalp is linked to a lower sebum oil, so the scalp isn’t as hydrated", says Adele. "It is something you can manage with advice from your hairdresser and products, such as shampoos and conditioners for dry hair and scalps, you use at home rather than it being a medical concern.  However, both can give visible flakes and itchiness which is why they can sometimes be confused as the same concern."

This article contains expert advice from Adele Clarke, owner of Spectrum Hair Company in St Helens and OSMO Ambassador. OSMO offers a collection of professional colour, care and styling products.

Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.