I suffered from terrible dandruff, my head was so flaky – I tried six products and hacks and a £1.99 buy was the best
HAIR care remains one of the most popular trends today, with the hashtag #haircare amassing over 2.4 million views.
And as the cooler days draw near, experts warn that more of us may experience dandruff due to sudden temperature changes.
Hair care specialists at Head & Shoulders explain: “Winter stress or fatigue is a real phenomenon that can lead to hormonal fluctuations within your body.
“These changes can directly impact your oil production and may be a contributing factor to why dandruff becomes more prevalent in winter.”
My scalp and I have faced a myriad of issues, ranging from flaky scalp – which feels impossible to get rid of – to greasy skin and roots.
And since the weather has started to cool, I have felt that I have had to prevent myself from scratching the constant tickle on my scalp.
Not to mention the embarrassing flaky bits that fall onto your black clothes.
But what I didn’t realise was that I could be making matters worse, by using some anti-dandruff products that are on the market.
Stephanie Sey, Trichologist for Nizoral, says: “There are some cosmetic ‘anti-dandruff’ products out there that, in fact, do not treat the root cause of dandruff.
“This can lead to sufferers experiencing an exasperating ‘stop-start cycle’, leaving people feeling helpless and frustrated.
“When it comes to treating dandruff, it’s crucial to target the overgrowth of the yeast on the scalp, as this is what contributes to dandruff flare ups.
“Piroctone Olamine and Selenium Sulphide are effective anti-fungals which can be found in a lot of anti-dandruff shampoos – they are great alternatives for people that don’t respond well to the ‘azole’ anti-fungals.
“Tea Tree Oil is another good alternative ingredient to look out for when looking to reduce dandruff symptoms.
“Tea Tree is an antibacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant – all of which are excellent at reducing inflammation on the scalp.
“Salicylic acid and Sulphur and Cade Oil are also great at removing scaly skin on the scalp and reducing itching.
“Some people may find that anti-dandruff shampoos can make their dandruff ‘worse’, so I’d suggest trialling out a couple of different products to figure out what your scalp reacts best to.
After one hair wash, I noticed an instant change to my scalp health
Yasmin Harisha, 29
“Commonly, this will be down to other ingredients irritating the scalp and not the anti-fungals.”
So with that in mind, I decided to test out a few different products – some natural and some straight off the shelf in beauty stores.
While some made an immediate difference, others took time to work.
But after a few weeks of testing out, I have successfully tackled my dandruff. Now bring on winter!
Best for on-the-go fixes
Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Anti-dandruff Scalp Toner, £25
This is a hair toner for flaky and itchy scalps, and is used by applying it to the scalp in sections, then combing through to style your hair.
This product can be reapplied as often as required.
My verdict: I thought this product was great for instant relief. You can apply it generously and it doesn’t add any grease to your hair.
It is cool on the scalp and fixes the flaking straight away. My only downside was that it didn’t last as long as I would like, and by the end of the day I would find my scalp flaking again.
Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Anti-dandruff Scalp Toner, £25
Best shampoo
CLEAR my head shampoo bar, £7.45
CLEAR uses a naturally derived, plant-based ingredient to reduce dandruff, scalp redness and itching, offering a clinically tested, green alternative to conventional anti-dandruff cures.
It works with the skin’s mycobiome to allow the scalp to self-regulate.
My verdict: This is one of my favourite shampoos by far. It lasts up to 50 washes, and a small amount goes a long way.
It is applied by rubbing the bar in between your hands, before then using the mixture on your hands to wash your hair.
After one hair wash, I noticed an instant change to my scalp health. There was minimal flaking on the first wash, and no flaking at all by the second.
This is a product that will certainly be here to stay for me. It is much more affordable than other shampoos on the market, and I appreciate the eco-friendly touch to it.
They also have a conditioner bar, which works well with it and prevents my hair from frizzing.
CLEAR my head shampoo bar, £7.45
Best moisturising treatment
Guava Scalp nourishing Treatment Serum, £8.99
Billed as: a nutrient-enriched solution for scalp hydration and relief of irritated scalps, providing targeted moisture to thinning areas for aid growth potential.
The product needs to be applied directly to the scalp in areas that are itchy, flaky, or dry.
My verdict: This product felt the most luxurious to use, and certainly helped my scalp from feeling so dry.
I would describe this as a Sunday night treatment, in which you sit back and indulge in your face masks and moisturisers, while hiding from the world.
Personally, it was slightly too heavy for me to continuously use – but it certainly did the job, plus it smells amazing too.
Guava Scalp nourishing Treatment Serum, £8.99
Best for affordability
Apple Cider Vinegar, from £3.75
Jennie Roberts, Afro Hair Expert and SheaMoisture ambassador, suggested an old remedy of using Apple Cider Vinegar.
She says: “It helps keep the pH level of the scalp balanced, reducing dandruff and itching while promoting a healthier scalp environment.
“Its natural acidity also helps seal the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and enhancing overall hair manageability, and its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties can help combat scalp infections and promote hair growth.”
My verdict: After forking out a fortune on anti-dandruff products, I couldn’t believe that a natural remedy which costs only £3.75 from Tesco could be the answer to my prayers.
It wasn’t overly complicated either. After using a shampoo, I applied a diluted version of Apple Cider Vinegar to my hair and left it in for around 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
It felt refreshing on the scalp, but I must admit I’m not a fan of the smell. It was too vinegary for my liking, and didn’t want to smell like a fish and chip shop.
It worked on certain areas, but that may be because it was too watery for me to fully get my scalp covered without half of it going straight down the sink.
Not the best for practicality on my behalf.
Best smelling
Coconut oil, £1.65
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has antifungal properties. Experts suggest rubbing three to five teaspoons of it into your scalp, waiting an hour, and then shampooing your hair.
My verdict: If you are looking for a sweet smelling natural product, then this is the answer. Although I didn’t find that it gave me instant relief, the coconut oil certainly worked after three attempts.
However, I wasn’t a fan of how greasy I felt it left my hair, and felt I had to wash it more often than usual – which was extremely time consuming.
Overall best product
Tea tree oil, £1.99
Tea tree oil can combat Malassezia, the fungus often responsible for dandruff. By reducing the fungal population on the scalp, it helps diminish flakes and itching.
It helps maintain a clean scalp by eliminating bacteria that can contribute to scalp irritation and inflammation.
Tea tree oil can soothe the scalp, reducing redness and itching associated with dandruff.
It helps balance the scalp’s oil production, preventing both excessive dryness and oiliness, which can contribute to dandruff.
My verdict: This was by far my favourite natural remedy and a simple one to keep on top of.
It is affordable, smells refreshing and feels great on the scalp. I used it as a treatment by mixing a few drops with olive oil and applied the mixture directly to the scalp, before leaving it on for about 15 to 30 minutes. I then washed it out with a mild shampoo.
The tea tree helped to relieve itchy symptoms straight away, and felt amazing whilst applying – it also gives that ‘refreshing clean’ feeling which lasts for around two days.
What else can you do to cure dandruff?
By Stephanie Sey, Trichologist for anti-fungal medicine brand Nizoral
Ketoconazole is a great antifungal agent that helps stop the growth of this yeast to help control and treat the root cause and, in turn, the symptoms.
In the first instance, I’d always suggest Ketoconazole as an effective and reliable ingredient to look out for when seeking an anti-dandruff treatment product, particularly when it comes to more moderate or severe dandruff cases.
It’s important to remember that selfcare is also key when it comes to managing dandruff – a good diet will really help to keep the flare ups at bay.
Processed foods like ready meals and fast food are typically high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, as well as chemical additives.
These foods have very little in the way of the nutrients that our body needs to stay healthy, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The hair is the very last system in your body to receive nutrients (as it is one of the least essential) so, if your body is not receiving adequate nutrients, your hair will likely be affected.
Make sure you are eating a balanced diet consisting of carbohydrates, healthy fats, proteins, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
Eating a diet that is rich in fresh vegetables, meat and fruit supports healthy growth for thick, full hair.
Supplements are only required when you do not get the necessary nutrients from your diet, or you have a specific deficiency such as an iron or vitamin D.
B1, B7, and B2 are also great vitamins to incorporate into your diet, as they will help with the maintenance of healthy skin and hair.
The B vitamins can be found in foods such as oats, bananas and avocado.