The 15 Best Dry Scalp Treatments for Instant Relief

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While dryness can cause your hair to look fried, brittle, and lackluster, it can pose different problems for your scalp, including itchiness, redness, flaking, and inflammation.

Many of the best dry scalp treatments, like Aveda's Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum and Kiehl's Amino Acid Moisture-Restoring Dry Scalp Treatment, contain effective ingredients that aim to restore its moisture balance long-term."Dry scalp conditions occur when your scalp is lacking moisture," Chiran Nakamura, stylist and scalp expert at Fekkai tells Bazaar.

Before treating what you think may be a dry scalp, determine if it's actually that or dandruff, which has different symptoms. A dry scalp can consist of redness, itchiness, and some temporary flakiness, while dandruff occurs when your scalp produces excess oil and sheds skin too quickly. How can you spot the difference? "Though it can manifest in several different ways, most people report a dry scalp with flaking and itching," board-certified dermatologist Evan Rieder explains.

Experts say that a few easy routine swaps can help ease the itch, like using lukewarm or cool water instead of hot water when shampooing to prevent further drying of your scalp. Keep scrolling for some of the best dry scalp treatments professionals love that you can quickly add to your next wash day.

Amino Acid Moisture-Restoring Dry Scalp Treatment

A triple amino acid blend and coconut oil combine for an ultra-hydrating scalp mask that kicks dryness to the curb. Leave it on for up to five minutes after cleansing your hair or for up to 15 minutes for a deeper treatment.

One satisfied customer writes: "I've suffered from dry scalp until I started using this mask. Itching and flakes have been significantly reduced since I've started using this mask weekly (after cleansing with the Kiehl's scalp scrub). If you're looking for a great mask to moisturize your scalp then this is the one to get!" —Zenyatta

SahaScalp Amla Soothing Serum

This top-rated, featherweight serum is powered by the Indian super berry amla, which is packed with vitamin C to soothe even the itchiest of scalps. It also uses calming aloe, along with the ayurvedic herb bakuchi to reduce dryness.

One satisfied customer writes: "Fable & Mane makes great products that deliver. This product relieved my dry itchy scalp without weighing my hair down. A plus is the smell is heavenly." —twenty1again

Custom Pre-Shampoo Scalp Mask

Take some of the guesswork out of your scalp needs by crafting your own custom mask—with the help of the experts at Prose. After a brief consultation on their website, you'll receive a clean, custom formula straight to your doorstep.

Scalp Serum

Just like the majority of Dr. Barbara Sturm's products, their Scalp Serum combines skin-friendly actives like hyaluronic acid, align, and papaya extract to help minimize irritation. The serum also aids in boosting hydration and restoring the skin's overall moisture balance.

Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum

Treat your scalp to a nightcap in the form of a comforting serum. This renewing serum strengthens and repairs the skin barrier of the scalp, it helps foster a balanced and healthy microbiome to keep future irritation at bay as it nourishes and quells present redness and inflammation.

One satisfied customer writes: "My scalp is extremely dry and this helped it so much. If you suffer from dry scalp this is your product." —Oteycar

Serene Scalp Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle

A shampoo that’s too severe will exacerbate a dry scalp, which is why this gentle version (along with its accompanying conditioner) from Oribe is especially ideal. Inside you’ll find salicylic acid that gently buffs away flakes, itchiness, and irritation. It also contains sugarcane extract to nourish the scalp, along with sugar maple extracts to calm and soothe.

"Avoid using a harsh shampoo with sulfates or surfactants as these will strip moisture from the scalp causing more dryness and irritation," says Helen Reavey, board-certified trichologist, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Act+Acre.

Cold Processed Scalp Detox

Massage this fluid into the scalp before showering and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before washing hair as normal. Basil leaf, moringa oil and baobab oil help break down oil and remove buildup while soothing inflammation and itchiness. "Incorporate an oil-based scalp treatment into your weekly routine to reduce product buildup and add moisture back to the scalp microbiome," Reavey adds.

One satisfied customer writes: "My scalp was constantly itching, flaking and scaling before I started using this product. Now my scalp feels comfortable and healthy without any residual oiliness. Just once a week seems to do the trick. Nothing else I’ve tried seemed have any healing properties for my scalp. Highly recommended." —M. Taylor

Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Serum with Niacinamide

Best suited for oily hair types, this serum gently exfoliates to reduce flakes and balance the skin so it produces a Goldilocks amount of sebum—not too much, not too little. Apply it before cleansing to allow skincare-grade ingredients like glycolic and salicylic acid and niacinamide to get to work, then shampoo.

One satisfied customer writes: "After using this product a handful of times, I’m officially obsessed with it. The application is super easy. I usually leave it in my hair for 15-20 minutes once a week and it’s made such a huge difference. Unlike other clarifying products, this makes my hair so much softer and has removed 100 percent of the flaking I had been experiencing. Worth the cost, will buy again." —bails94

Apple Cider Detox Scrub

Sometimes your scalp needs a reset in the form of a scrub. "Scalp scrubs are a great way to slough off dead skin cells," Nakamura says. "My go-to scalp products include key ingredients such as tea tree oil, olive oil, and most importantly, apple cider vinegar," Nakamura continues. "Apple cider vinegar is nature's detoxifer as it has both antibacterial and antifungal properties to gently clarify your scalp while balancing its microbiome."

Founder's Blend Scalp & Hair Treatment

This scalp treatment cream contains a blend of thoughtful oils like palo santo, hemp, and omega 9, all chosen to support the scalp’s microbiome and do away with irritation and inflammation. Massage the cream into the scalp and let it soak in for at least 15 minutes or overnight to reap the moisturizing, calming benefits.

One satisfied customer writes: "My hair loves this stuff! I love the minty-woody smell (palo santo) it’s very subtle. Great for thin hair - it feels really nourishing without weighing hair down. My scalp loves it and it’s not messy or gross feeling on your scalp while you wait for it to do its thing, if you’re using it pre-shower." —Leah

Scalp Spa Treatment

This foaming mask harnesses hyaluronic acid to seal moisture into the scalp while carrot root and celery seed extracts clear away gunk and excess oil that can lead to buildup. Work it into the scalp 20 minutes before shampooing—the lightweight formula won’t leave a trace of weigh-down.

Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole

If dandruff is the reason your scalp is dry, give this top-rated (over 80,000 glowing reviews) shampoo a try. This medicated formula stops dandruff in its tracks and helps prevent the fungus that can cause an itchy, flaky scalp.

One satisfied customer writes: "Like many others have already stated, this product cured my itchy, scaly, dandruff hair the very first wash. I've been using this for the past few months, and it has been an absolute game changer." —Jordan

Scalp Revival Dry Shampoo Powder

Briogeo's Scalp Revival powder is infused with strengthening and soothing ingredients like charcoal, biotin, coconut oil, panthenol, and tea tree oil to regulate oil production and gently cleanse away build-up.

One satisfied customer writes: "I've replaced aerosol dry shampoo with this product! Really soaks up all the oil in my hair, doesn't have a strong smell and bottle is easy to use!" —Ashley M.

Scalp Elixir Treatment

Here's a cooling leave-in treatment that provides instant relief for a dry and irritated scalp. It's especially great for curly and coily hair textures when wearing a protective style.

One satisfied customer writes: "This stuff works so well. Soothes my itchy scalp and my kids now steal it to use for themselves. The smell is amazing as well. Wish I could find it in stores though. Glad I can find it on Amazon still." —CJ

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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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