11 Home Remedies to Try for Dry Scalp

If you want relief from an itchy, dry scalp, you have a lot of home remedies to try. Some remedies may already be in your pantry, and most others are easy to acquire. Learn the evidence behind them.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is believed to relieve dry scalp and itchiness because it may:

• Kill bacteria and fungi that cause itchiness
• Exfoliate (remove dead skin cells) your scalp due to its malic acid content (an alpha hydroxy acid)
• Relieve inflammation from an underlying problem or from scratching

However, straight apple cider vinegar can cause chemical burns. The recommended method is to:

• Start with 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water. If you tolerate it well, gradually work up to a 1-to-1 solution.
• Apply after shampooing.
• Let it sit for five minutes and rinse.

While research suggests apple cider vinegar kills bacteria and fungi, some research shows it may not alter skin microbiome in people with atopic dermatitis. Microbiome refers to the mix of microbes seen in or on an area of the body.

2. Coconut Oil

Research suggests coconut oil may: 

• Moisturize
• Reduce dandruff 
• Relieve inflammation
• Improve your skin’s barrier function (preventing substances and microbes from entering or leaving)
• Reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis
• Kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi

However, at least one study has suggested that it may not be effective for scalp health. Researchers also don’t know whether coconut oil works against the fungal strains that cause dandruff.

To try it, massage the oil into your scalp, leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, then use a gentle shampoo.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil, made from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, is believed to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties and is often used to treat skin infections.

Some research has shown it’s superior to medications at treating a skin condition caused by the same yeast that’s responsible for dandruff. This research is preliminary, though. Further investigation is needed to confirm these possible benefits.

Tea tree oil can irritate sensitive skin, so it may be best to add a few drops of it to a carrier oil, like argan or jojoba oil, before using it. 

Massage the mixture into your scalp, let it sit for five minutes, then rinse.

4. Jojoba Oil

According to research, jojoba oil has the following effects:

• Repairing the skin barrier
• Killing bacteria
• Relieving inflammation
• Helping heal wounds

For dry scalp, the suggested method is to massage 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil into your scalp, then leave it for at least 30 minutes before shampooing. Or you can mix a few drops into your conditioner, apply it to your hair, leave it for about 10 minutes, then rinse.

5. Avocado

Avocados and avocado oil both are used to alleviate dry scalp. They contain fatty acids plus vitamins A and B. Older research in rodents suggests they may:

• Moisturize
• Relieve inflammation
• Help heal wounds

The recommended application method is:

• Warm avocado oil by putting it in a glass jar, then setting the jar in a saucepan of hot water. Be sure to allow it to cool before applying.
• Massage it into your scalp with your fingertips or a cotton ball.
• Cover your scalp with a shower cap and leave it on overnight.
• Rinse it out in the morning.

Alternatively, you can mash up an avocado, massage it into your hair, then shampoo out.

You don’t need to dilute avocado oil, but it’s a good idea to test a small amount on your skin to check for allergies.

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel is often used to treat minor wounds, skin irritation, and inflammatory skin disorders. For these reasons, it’s also used to relieve a dry, itchy scalp.

The recommended use is to apply the aloe vera gel to your scalp, let it sit for 10 minutes, then shampoo it out.

7. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are good for your heart health. They also help your skin with oil production and hydration; research suggests they’re anti-inflammatory.

Unlike other remedies, omega-3s aren’t something you put directly on your scalp—you eat them or take them in supplement form, just as you would to reap the other health benefits.

Foods rich in omega-3s include:

• Fish and seafood, especially salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines
• Nuts and seeds, including flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts
• Plant oils, including flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil
• Fortified foods, such as some eggs, yogurt, juice, milk, soy beverages, and infant formulas

8. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a liquid extract from the witch hazel plant (Hamamelis virginiana). Research suggests it’s effective at: 

• Killing bacteria, including some antibiotic-resistant strains
• Killing viruses
• Relieving inflammation
• Healing wounds in children, including diaper rash

Some researchers have recommended its use alongside conventional antibiotics.

For a dry scalp, mix it with water or a carrier oil (a base oil or vegetable oil used to dilute essential oils or other skin treatments) and massage it in, or mix a few drops into your shampoo. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.

9. Bananas

Mashed banana, applied directly to the scalp, is sometimes suggested for dry scalp. However, there’s little to no science behind the practice.

Preliminary research suggests that an extract of banana peel may have antimicrobial properties. The banana also contains antioxidants, so eating them can protect cells from damage and help prevent disease.

However, it’s unknown whether these properties of the fruit, along with its vitamin content, make it an effective topical treatment for dry scalp. That doesn’t keep people from recommending it, though.

Some people suggest mixing banana with egg, honey, avocado oil, or coconut oil and applying it to your scalp for between 10 and 20 minutes, then rinsing well.

10. Baking Soda and Olive Oil

Some preliminary research has been done on both baking soda and olive oil, supporting their use as a topical treatment. 

Baking soda (also called bicarbonate of soda or sodium bicarbonate) is believed to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Dentists sometimes recommend using it as a mouthwash.

However, its topical use may be more limited than was once thought. Baking soda baths have long been recommended for psoriasis (an autoimmune skin condition that causes inflamed, scaly patches), but one study showed no improvements in skin hydration, moisture loss, or itchiness.

Research shows olive oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties when used on the skin.

To use it on your hair, a common recommendation is to use equal parts baking soda and olive oil to make a scrub. Massage it into your scalp, leave it for five minutes, then rinse.

11. Yogurt and Eggs

While there is little research to support it, a yogurt and egg mixture has long been a folk remedy for dry scalp remedy in Palestine. You can combine the ingredients and apply it to your scalp.

A Word From Verywell

See a board-certified dermatologist for evaluation and treatment of a dry scalp when over-the-counter treatments are ineffective and symptoms negatively impact your quality of life.

— BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Dry Scalp Causes

Dry scalp can be caused by:

• A dry and/or cold environment (such as from air conditioning)
• Dehydration
• Frequent hair washing (especially with hot water)
• Styling products
• Medical conditions such as dandruff, dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema
  

Risks and Side Effects

Even with home remedies, you need to be aware of the potential risks and side effects.

With these dry-scalp remedies, the biggest dangers include:

• Allergic reactions
• Chemical burns from undiluted tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar
  

Chemical Burns

Be sure you dilute essential oils such as tea tree oil before using them directly on your skin. Most often, it’s recommended that you mix them with carrier oils, which are gentle on the skin. Common carrier oils are:

• Avocado oil
• Jojoba oil
• Olive oil 

Since these oils may also help with dry scalp, they may be good choices. You can also mix essential oils with aloe vera gel.

Apple cider vinegar should always be mixed with water before it’s used on your skin.

Allergic Reactions

If you have a known topical allergy to something, you should never use it as a home remedy. If you have an allergic reaction to eating a food, it may or may not cause problems when used on your skin.

Before using any topical treatment, it’s a good idea to test it on a small area first. Though not foolproof, you may limit the adverse reactions you may have.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

It’s time to call a healthcare provider about your dry scalp when:

• You’ve tried multiple home remedies but have not gotten better.
• Home remedies make the problem worse.
• Your scalp is bleeding or cracking.
• You’re losing more hair than usual.
• You have signs of an infection or a possible skin condition, like psoriasis or eczema.

If you are treating a dry scalp or cradle cap in your baby, contact your pediatrician if:

• Home remedies don’t work or make it worse.
• Patches spread to the face or body.
• Your baby is in distress.
• You’re worried about the symptoms.

Summary

Many home remedies are used for a dry, itchy scalp. Some are supported by evidence, including apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and avocado. Others have little evidence, such as mashed banana and a mixture of yogurt and eggs.

Some of these home remedies may present potential risks, such as chemical burns or allergic reactions. To protect yourself, dilute vinegar with water and essential oils with carrier oils. Test a small amount of the remedy before using it widely in case you react to it.

Contact a healthcare provider if you have severe symptoms, the problem doesn’t go away with home remedies, or if it gets worse after using them.