11 Best Dry Scalp Treatments of 2024, According to Derms [Video]

Speaking of washing, watch your suds. “Scalp skin can be hydrated by using a gentle shampoo free of dyes, fragrances, and sulfates because these ingredients can sometimes cause skin irritation and dryness,” Dr. Camp says. “Use a conditioner or mask that helps restore moisture to the scalp and hair shafts, such as one that contains hydrating ingredients like avocado, jojoba, argan, or olive oil.”

What’s the difference between dry scalp and dandruff?

Let’s start with dryness. “Dry scalp results from a lack of moisture, similar to dry skin on other parts of the body,” Dr. Murphy Rose says. “Dryness is less common on the scalp due to its natural oils, though it may still occur, particularly during winter when the air is drier.”

On the other hand, “dandruff is a chronic condition caused by fungal overgrowth leading to scalp irritation and flaking,” she says. “The scalp contains an abundance of hair follicles with glands that produce large amounts …