It’s winter and dry skin is prevalent, especially if you live in a drier climate like California. Often times lotions, oils and exfoliation do the trick for our skin, but this is not always the case for our scalp. Yes, dry scalp and dandruff can be quite tough to remedy, especially if part of the problem entails product build-up from shampoos, conditioners and haircare products. Moreover, there are plenty of products on the market that claim they can clear up pesky flakes, but coming from someone who has tried them all…they don’t always work. In fact, sometimes it takes dietary intervention to improve the problem. This brings me to a home remedy (yes, a DIY scalp scrub), which has done wonders for my dandruff dilemma. The best part about this DIY recipe is it’s super easy to whip up and you probably already have the ingredients in your cupboard. Before you spend lots of money on yet another dandruff shampoo or scalp oil, try out this DIY scalp scrub…you won’t regret it!
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Why Do We Get Dandruff?
To be accurate, modern medicine does not know why dandruff occurs. It is speculated that it could be a fungus or imbalance of yeast on the skin or it could caused by the following conditions according to Dr. Axe:
- Stress
- Dry Climate
- Poor Diet/Malnutrition
- Door Digestion
- Prescription Medications
- Oily Skin or Dry Skin
- Over-production of Yeast
- Imbalance of Skin Ph/Natural Bacteria
- Harsh, Drying Hair Products
- Over-washing/Under-washing
Plan of Action to Eliminate Dandruff…read more here.
Read even more about dietary and lifestyle interventions for a healthy scalp and beautiful, moiturized skin at the link above.
Why Exfoliate with a Scalp Scrub?
It’s just as important to exfoliate the scalp as it is the body. Why? Well, we scrub our body when it gets dirty, so why wouldn’t we do the same for our scalp. Moreover, because the scalp can accumulate build-up from the haircare products and shampoos we use, it’s important to give our scalp the TLC it needs and periodically scrub way this build-up. After doing a bit of research and scouring the internet looking for a non-toxic, scalp exfoliator, I realized there weren’t many healthy choices on the market. So, I decided to make my own using ingredients that are non-toxic, simple to find and highly beneficial for the scalp and hair growth.
Sea salt actually has numerous trace minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bromide, chloride, iron, copper, and zinc among other beneficial elements.
Below is my homemade recipe for a DIY scalp scrub that is the perfect remedy for a dry, flaky scalp. You may experiment with oils, but I find that jojoba and hemp work the best for eliminating the flakes and are not too oily in terms of washing them out. You can also use this scrub on your hands for soft, moisturized skin.
DIY Scalp Scrub to Eliminate Pesky Flakes
Ingredients:
- 1-2 tablespoons of jojoba or hemp oil
- 2-3 teaspoons of sea salt
- 1 drop of lemon essential oil (optional)
- 1 drop of rosemary essential oil (optional)
- 2-3 drops of neem oil (optional…FYI…smells like onion, but highly anti-bacterial/anti-fungal)
Method:
- Mix all ingredients together in a small glass jar or container, making sure there is a good ratio of oil to sea salt. *You don’t want to have too much oil and not enough salt…the salt is really the main exfoliating component.
- Part your hair, take a handful of the scrub with your hands and gently press it to your scalp, scrubbing in a circular motion.*This can get messy, so put a towel over your shoulders or do this in the bathtub prior to showering.
- Gently scrub the sea salt mixture into your scalp until your entire head has been massaged and scrubbed.
- Leave the scrub on your scalp for about 5 minutes and then wash it out with a mild, non-toxic shampoo.
- After you have shampooed your hair, follow with a DIY Hair Rinse, which uses Apple Cider Vinegar. This will help to bring the Ph of your skin back to the proper level and give your hair an amazing shine!
With love and light,
Kristin
Resources:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/new-york-state/healthy-living/2015/02/21/1-of-every-5-people-suffers-from-dandruff-men-more-so-than-others
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