Product recommendations for oily yet dry, itchy scalp with dandruff?

[CakesCakes]

I’ve been trying to treat my dandruff for as long as I can remember. I use head and shoulders and it helps with the itchy scalp but the dandruff is always there. I’ve also tried shampoos with tea tree oil but nothing’s changed. On top of that I have very oily hair and feel like I can’t go a day without washing my hair because dry shampoo does very little for it. 

What have you used for your dandruff? Any shampoo recommendations? Any daily routine recommendations? I appreciate any kind of advice! Thanks!! 

[Thatglo]

I have been having the same issue. I have been putting a few drops of tea tree oil in Coconut oil and applying it to my scalp. I leave in for a few hours before washing it. I've been doing this mask once every 2 weeks and it's been helping. hopefully it works for you!

[CakesCakes]

@Thatglo Thanks! I’ve tried shampoo with tea tree oil but not straight up tea tree oil yet. 😊

[GG84]

Hello... I've worked in the hair industry for 18 years..maybe I can provide some insight. Dry, itchy scalp and over oil production can all be related. This also brings up questions such as your age range (are you in your teens, 20's etc) , how often do you wash your hair, how often do you touch your hair throughout the day and so on. My job is to sell products to salons, so I have a vast knowledge in haircare (plus im a stylist).

[CakesCakes]

Hi @GG84!

I'm in my late 20s, I wash my hair almost every morning, and I don't touch my hair throughout the day because it's always up.  I know you're not "suppose" to wash your hair everyday but it's a vicious cycle.  If I don't wash it, it gets too oily, I get self-conscious, and keep washing it which might be why it's dry and itchy.  I'd appreciate any recommendations you have!  Thanks!

[Aaliaa]

Hey @GG84 If you don't mind me asking any products you recommend for the following:

- I just turned 30

- Wash my hair 2/3 times a week

- itchy, flaky scalp that gets worse as time passes between washes

- Hair is breaking and falling a lot over the last few years

Any recommendations from a professional would be much appreciated!

[GG84]

---

Aaliaa wrote:

Hey @GG84 If you don't mind me asking any products you recommend for the following:

- I just turned 30

- Wash my hair 2/3 times a week

- itchy, flaky scalp that gets worse as time passes between washes

- Hair is breaking and falling a lot over the last few years

Any recommendations from a professional would be much appreciated!

---

@Aaliaa Hi sorry it took so long to respond. When you say that you're hair is breaking and falling a lot over the last few years, i'm going to need some clarification; do you mean you're hair is thinning or do you mean that when you're brushing/styling your hair that you get breakage mid-shaft? Once I know this answer I can properly tell you whats going on.

[Aaliaa]

Hey @GG84,

Just came back to see if you had responded and it seems my reply has disappeared! Anyway, my hair is definitely thinning, I was fortunate with fairly thick hair and now I'd say I've lost about 30% overall. I especially loose hair when I'm shampooing and brushing, but also when removing a hair pin sometimes. I've noticed it will fall more when dirtier, don't know if that helps.

I have some hair breaking mid shaft, lots of little hairs around my forehead but I'm more worried about the permanent hair thinning =(

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

P.s. I am allergic to any kind of dye and have never had any permanent hair straightening curling treatments. 

[Anonymous]

Oh @CakesCakes, I can relate.  Dandruff, ugh!!!  For me, it comes and goes, but when it comes, it comes with a vengeance. 

I try to keep a couple of different dandruff shampoo / conditioners around, to rotate them so that my hair / scalp doesn't get accustomed to any one product.  Let's see, here are some non-tea tree oil shampoo and conditioners that my hair has responded well to -

Nioxin Scalp Recovery Cleanser is very effective, as is Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo with Jujube Bark Extract, but both are also very pricey - Sephora carries the Christophe Robin one, and I think you can get the Nioxin cleanser at Ulta.  There are more affordable options out there, like Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and as @yankeefaithful posted, Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo.  You should be able to find both at the drugstore.  Also, Target has its own version of the Neutrogena one - I've found it works just as well on my hair.

As far as routines go, I try not to wash my hair everyday (though that would be my personal preference), but when it needs it or I can't stand it any longer - usually every other day.  Also, once during the week, I will shampoo with a clarifying shampoo, like Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo.

Also, once a week, I will do one of the following DIY treatments -

• cleanse my hair with equal parts water and apple cider vinegar - so I mix 1 cup of each and leave it in my hair for 10 minutes (great time to do a sheet mask or other face mask) - this can be used as a substitute for the clarifying shampoo; or
• make a mask out of 2 egg yolks, massage onto my scalp and hair, and leave in for 15-20 minutes.

[CakesCakes]

Thank you @Anonymous,  I really appreciate it!  I'm making a list and I'm also going to try out the diy treatments.  And you're right, those shampoos are very pricey but at this point I'm willing to try anything to find a solution.  Plus I'm trying to get to platinum at Ulta before the year ends!  

[Anonymous]

You are very welcome, @CakesCakes!  Dandruff and an itchy scalp that is both oily and dry are no fun at all. I hope one or more of the products or DIY treatments work for you.

Whoops, sorry - I forgot to mention that the anti-dandruff conditioner that I found to work wonders for me - Nioxin Scalp Recovery Moisturizing Conditioner, which, like the shampoo, is on the pricey side, but if you are aiming toward Platinum membership at Ulta, both Nioxin products will definitely help you get there.  It's also available at Ulta (and I think Ulta is having a sale on hair products right now).  This product is actually recommended for daily use, so you could try using this on days you do not shampoo.  

[CakesCakes]

@Anonymous Thanks! I’ll pick up the conditioner too! Everything you listed is worth a try. 

[Anonymous]

The Nioxin cleanser is a good one - it's expensive but I find it to work well on my hair.  A couple of people have mentioned the apple cider vinegar wash too - I may have to give it a go. Thanks!

[yankeefaithful]

Neutrogena T-Gel shampoo works great for dandruff or even if it's dry scalp, there is a difference.  Sometimes what you think is dandruff, is just dry scalp or reaction to certain shampoos or hair products.  Scalpicin Extra Strength also works for a topical solution that you can use after shampooing or thru out the day for itching. Hope this helps.

[CakesCakes]

Thank you! I’ll try and see if these work for me!! 

[Aaliaa]

I just got the Briogeo Scalp Revival Shampoo. I love it so far and have the same issue as you.

[NiahhLaChele]

I've been debating getting this product, and the scalp revival drops as well!

[CakesCakes]

Thanks so much! I’ll try it out!!