DIY Scalp Scrub for Dandruff, 4 Recipes

DIY scalp scrubs can easily be made at home, are cost-effective, and can help with dandruff. Made with nourishing ingredients and essential oils that can strengthen hair and keep the scalp healthy.

WHAT IS DANDRUFF?

Dandruff is a very normal and common condition. It causes the skin on the scalp to flake and leaves little flakes of skin in the hair.

Though it is most common on the scalp, dandruff can be found in beards and eyebrows. Dandruff can be very annoying and somewhat hard to get rid of.

WHAT CAUSES DANDRUFF?

Dandruff can be caused by a number of different things, the most common being either a dry scalp or oily scalp. Oily skin on the scalp is typically the result of excessive sebum oil.

A scalp with excessive sebum is often the result of overwashing, which can cause dandruff. A dry scalp will also lead to flaky skin and dandruff.

Other causes of dandruff:

Over-washing hair
Skin irritations
Reactions to hair products
Yeast
Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
Itching

BEST WAYS TO GET RID OF DANDRUFF

Mild dandruff can be taken care of by simply washing your hair with a natural mild shampoo or homemade shampoo. A homemade natural shampoo will be less harsh on the scalp and help reduce skin irritations.

More severe cases may require a scalp exfoliation DIY or homemade dandruff shampoo. Exfoliating the scalp can help eliminate dry, dead skin cells on the scalp and reduce build-up.

It is also important not to itch the scalp. This may be hard because dandruff can make the head very itchy, but the more you scratch, the more irritated you can make the skin.

DIY SCALP SCRUBS

You can make a few different easy scalp scrubs at home. All of these are made with simple ingredients that will gently exfoliate the skin on the scalp.

Following up with a deep conditioning treatment will help to restore a healthy scalp and keep dandruff at bay.

Salt, sugar, oatmeal, and baking soda can all be used to exfoliate the scalp. Below are the 3 best homemade scalp scrubs for dandruff.

HOMEMADE SCALP SCRUBS FOR DANDRUFF

Homemade sugar scrubs and salt scrubs, like this homemade foot scrub, have been used for centuries to help improve dry skin and restore its healthy glow. Salt and sugar can gently exfoliate the skin, leaving it soft and smooth.

Salt can be helpful for removing impurities and build-up in the scalp. The salt scrub is best for oily dandruff hair. It is excellent at drying out the scalp by ridding it of any excess sebum oil.

Sugar scalp scrubs add moisture to the head and can soften the scalp and hair. Both white and brown sugar will work in this scalp exfoliation.

SCALP EXFOLIATION DIY

SALT SCALP SCRUB

Pink salt scrub for dry scalp in a white bowl with apple cider vinegar.

This scrub will be good for someone that has flaky skin due to skin impurities or chemical build-up from hair products. Salt will help loosen the dead skin on the scalp and reduce dandruff.

1 oz (2 tbsp) sea salt
0.5 oz avocado oil, or a similar carrier oil
0.5 oz apple cider vinegar
2-3 drops lavender essential oil

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. Shampoo hair and then apply a generous amount of the salt scrub to the scalp. Massage into the scalp, working it into the hair all the way to the roots.

Allow the mixture to sit on the scalp for a couple of minutes, massaging it into the scalp even more. Rinse with warm water and follow the treatment with a scalp serum or a homemade conditioner.

Pro tip: You can use epsom salts as an alternative to sea salt, but it will be a bit coarser. You can read more about using epsom salts for hair here.

SUGAR SCALP SCRUB

This scrub will be good for anyone with dry skin. Sugar will gently detox the skin and unclog pores. Brown sugar is less abrasive and best to use on sensitive skin that is easily irritated.

1 oz (2 tbsp) brown sugar
0.5 oz coconut oil
0.5 oz honey
2-3 drops rosemary essential oil

Rinse with warm water and follow the treatment with hair shampoo and conditioner. Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. Apply a generous amount of sugar scrub to wet hair. Massage it into the scalp for several minutes.

OATMEAL SCALP SCRUB

Oatmeal can be used to exfoliate the skin on the scalp. Finely ground oatmeal is best and can be added right to your conditioner. Because oatmeal is so gentle, you may want to add a little sugar to this one as well.

Plain oatmeal would be perfect to use on a child struggling with dandruff or for an adult with sensitive skin.

1 tbsp oatmeal
0.5 oz (1 tbsp) natural conditioner
2-3 drops tea tree essential oil
0.5 oz (1 tbsp) white sugar, optional

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. After shampooing the hair, add a generous amount of oatmeal scalp scrub to the head. Massage into the scalp and rinse with warm water.

BAKING SODA SCALP SCRUB

Using baking soda in your hair is not for everyone. Baking soda paste made with a little baking soda and water has become very popular as the “no-poo” fade has become more popular.

Baking soda can cleanse the hair, absorb moisture, and add shine. It is not recommended to use for long periods of time or for someone with color-treated hair.

Because baking soda can absorb moisture and reduce build-up, it can be effective at fighting dandruff.

3 tbsp baking soda
0.5 oz (1 tbsp) water
2-3 drops peppermint essential oil

Make the paste right before use. Apply it to wet hair and massage it into the scalp. Rinse with warm water. Follow with an apple cider vinegar rinse to restore shine.

DIY SCALP SCRUB FOR HAIR GROWTH

If you are struggling with hair growth, you can add lavender and rosemary essential oil to your scalp scrubs. These oils help stimulate hair growth and can strengthen your locks.

If you are still struggling, you can whip up a bottle of homemade hair growth spray to apply to the roots multiple times daily.

Other essential oils to try for hair growth:

Peppermint
Cedarwood
Frankincense
Tea tree

Different scalp exfoliators in small individual bowls.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU EXFOLIATE THE SCALP?

As with everything, too much of a good thing can be bad. Over-exfoliating the scalp can cause more damage than good.

It is recommended to do 1-2 scalp treatments a week to help reduce dandruff and restore a healthy scalp.

IN SUMMARY

Sugar, salt, oatmeal, and baking soda can effectively be used to reduce skin irritations, flaky skin, and dandruff.

Adding in rosemary and lavender essential oil can help to improve hair health, strengthen and lengthen hair.

If you’re dealing with split ends, breakage, slow growth, and dry hair, you may benefit from a protein hair treatment.

4.80 from 45 votes

DIY Scalp Scrub for Dandruff

By the studio Ascher Prep: 2 minutes minsActive: 5 minutes minsTotal: 7 minutes mins Yield: 1 scrub 3 different scalp scrubs in separate bowls.

SaveSaved Pin Print This scrub will be good for anyone with dry skin. Sugar will gently detox the skin and unclog pores. Brown sugar is less abrasive and best on sensitive skin that is easily irritated

Equipment

small bowl for mixing

Ingredients

Sugar Scalp Scrub

1 oz brown sugar, 2 tbsp
0.5 oz coconut oil, 1 tbsp
0.5 oz honey, 1 tbsp
2-3 drops rosemary essential oil

Salt Scalp Scrub

1 oz sea salt, 2 tbsp
0.5 oz avocado oil, or similar carrier oil
0.5 oz apple cider vinegar
2-3 drops lavender essential oil

Oatmeal Scalp Scrub

1 tbsp oatmeal
0.5 oz natural conditioner
2-3 drops tea tree essential oil
0.5 oz pure granulated sugar, optional

Baking Soda Scalp Scrub

3 tbsp baking soda
0.5 oz filtered water
2-3 drops peppermint essential oil, optional

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Instructions

Choose from one of the recipes above.
Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl.
Apply a generous amount of the scrub to wet hair.
Massage it into the scalp for several minutes.
Rinse with warm water and follow up with a shampoo and conditioner.

Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse! This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.