15+ All Natural Ways To Treat Dandruff

1. Coconut oil

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Despite rising popularity, coconut oil is still a bit of a niche ingredient to have in your kitchen cupboards - but it's incredibly useful, especially if you have dandruff. Some research shows that applying coconut oil directly to the scalp can help improve your scalp microbiome, which in turn can reduce dandruff.

2. Aloe vera

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Aloe vera has been used as a medicinal plant for millennia - and it turns out that it can also help improve dandruff! In fact, aloe vera is actually naturally antibacterial and antifungal, which makes it even more beneficial if your dandruff is caused by a fungal infection or something like eczema.

3. Apple cider vinegar rinse

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Apple cider vinegar is known for being a bit of a cure-all for hair. When diluted in water and used as a rinse, it can make your hair softer, improve shine, and also help reduce dandruff. It does this thanks to its natural pH-balancing properties, which reduce fungal growth on your scalp and help reduce build up of products like shampoo and hairspray.

4. Aspirin

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Did you know that aspirin isn't just good for pain inside your body? One of the key ingredients of aspirin is salicylic acid, which is naturally anti-inflammatory (and makes the medicine so good at combatting pain.) To transform your aspirin into an anti-dandruff cream, simply crush two tablets and add the powder to whatever shampoo you typically use.

5. Baking soda

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I guarantee that you have some baking soda hidden in the back of an underused baking cupboard somewhere (just make sure it's not out of date!) Not only is baking soda naturally anti-fungal, but it's also a good exfoliator, helping rid you of any dead skin on your scalp and reduce dandruff. You can apply baking soda directly to your scalp, massaging it in for a few minutes before rinsing it off.

6. Lemon juice

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You might have some experience applying lemon juice to your hair to help lighten the colour, but it's also a good natural remedy for dandruff. Lemon juice can help balance the pH of your scalp, strengthen your hair, and help reduce build up of product, all of which will go some way to combatting your dandruff. Simply apply the lemon juice (preferably fresh) straight onto your scalp before shampooing, rinse off after a few minutes and continue with your regular hair routine.

7. Olive oil

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Like coconut oil, olive oil can also help give your hair some extra conditioning and get rid of any frustrating flakes of dandruff that won't go away. Apply it to dry hair, don't think about the uncomfortable feeling of having oil on your hair, and then comb through to get rid of any dandruff on your scalp. Then, continue with your regular routine - we don't recommend heading out with a lot of oil on your head!

8. Tea tree oil

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Tea tree is an incredible all-round natural remedy for almost everything, including acne and psoriasis. But did you know it can also combat dandruff? Look for shampoos that contain tea tree oil or just go ahead and add tea tree oil to your preferred shampoo. You can also combine tea tree oil with aloe vera gel for an even more effective treatment. Though it might tempting, try not to apply tea tree oil directly to your scalp, as it might irritate sensitive skin.

9. Stop stressing

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We know that stress can affect so much in your body, from your gut health to mental wellbeing and even sports performance. Now, scientists suggest that stress could also have a huge impact on the state of your dandruff - when you're more stressed, you might experience higher quantities of dandruff. So, the easiest thing to do is lower your stress levels (though, of course, this is easier said than done sometimes.)

10. Eat more Omega-3s

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Omega-3s come from foods like oily fish and some nuts and seeds, and control the health of your skin as well as reducing inflammation. With inflammation being so critical to dandruff production, upping your intake of omega 3 could help combat dandruff naturally - and you can do this easily without taking a supplement by eating more foods rich in omega 3 like walnuts, flaxseed, and fish.

11. Take probiotics

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Probiotics are a bit of a buzzword in health science at the moment, though the jury's still out on whether the average person actually needs to take them. The word refers to groups of live bacteria and yeasts that can help your body's functioning, but they may also help improve some skin issues like eczema and dandruff.

12. Avoid eating bread

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This will come as a shock to some readers, we know, but bread can actually be a trigger for skin conditions like dandruff! Bread contains gluten, which many people say is a common trigger for their dandruff and eczema. If you can, it might be worth just checking that's not the case for you by going without bread and other gluten-containing products for a couple weeks. However, be careful when cutting things out - you don't want to give yourself an intolerance!

13. Don't eat sugar

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Sugar isn't exactly the best thing for your body, but of course we keep eating it because it's delicious. However, it could actually have a huge impact on your dandruff. This is because dandruff can be caused by a yeast, and sugar promotes the growth of yeast. So, it might be time to cut out that chocolate.

14. Keep your immune system healthy

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The immune system can affect so many things in the body - and that includes your scalp health. Being sick can cause your entire body to go into a bit of a meltdown, worsening your dandruff. So, keep your immune system in tip-top shape, reduce your chances of getting sick, and you could control your dandruff.

15. Stay warm

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Many people report getting 'seasons' of bad dandruff. In many cases, it can reduce during the summer and then worsen again as cold weather hits. If this is the case for you, there's not a lot you can do, but if it's possible to reduce your time in exceptionally cold weather, do it.

16. Take vitamin B supplements

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Dandruff can also manifest as a symptom of a vitamin B deficiency. If you have a deficiency, you might experience other common symptoms including fatigue, constipation, loss of appetite, poor memory, and numbness in your hands and feet. If you're experiencing any of these, it's time to increase your intake of vitamin B12, which can be found in food like meat, eggs, milk, and cheese.

17. Wash your hair more frequently

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Are you a 'no poo'er? No, we don't mean you don't go to the toilet - this is a movement that favors washing your hair less frequently. However, doing so can disrupt some of your natural oils and lead to increased build up of dry skin, making dandruff worse. So, try increasing the frequency you wash your hair - the ideal is somewhere around every 3 days.

18. Green tea

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Green tea has so many health benefits, that many parts of the world have known about forever. Another one to add to the list is its ability to reduce dandruff; green tea is a natural anti-oxidant, and can improve your general scalp and hair health. So, brew a cup, wait for it to cool, and then apply it to your roots for about 30 minutes. Drinking a cup a day will also improve your overall health, so it's worth a try!

19. Avoid red meat

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Now, we know we mentioned that meat can be a great source of vitamin B12 if you think you're deficient and that's causing your dandruff. However, rich red meat can actually make your dandruff worse - it contributes to a dry scalp. So, you might think about eating other types of meat instead.

20. Don't sleep with wet hair

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Do you often shower and wash your hair in the evening? And are you getting a bit lax with blow drying your hair after the shower? Then you could be making your dandruff worse. Sleeping with wet hair can cause microbes to thrive on your scalp, as they love warm and wet environments. Ensuring your hair is dry when you go to bed is the best way to reduce your chances.

21. Give yourself a massage

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Everyone loves a massage, and your scalp will love it even more! A scalp massage can help clear dandruff and stimulate the blood flow to your scalp, reducing the chance of it returning. You can buy a scalp exfoliator from most drugstores, but you can also use your fingers if that's preferable for you. It can even help your hair grow faster.

22. Rub some garlic on your scalp

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It's a cupboard staple, and it could also be incredibly effective at combatting dandruff! Garlic contains heaps of allicin, which is naturally anti-fungal. Simply peel and crush two garlic cloves, then mix with some honey and massage into your scalp. If you don't fancy smelling like garlic all day, you can also just up your intake of garlic to help combat your dandruff.

23. Rinse your hair with bottled water

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Do you know the different between hard water and soft water? Hard water contains excess calcium and magnesium, which can actually cause problems with your scalp - as well as being worse for cleaning dishes and doing laundry. If you know you live in a hard water area and you have dandruff, you might consider washing your hair with bottled water or fitting a softener to your shower.

24. Get ahold of some Dead Sea mud

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Mud from around the Dead Sea in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan can do wonders for your skin, including clearing up dandruff. This mud contains lots of special minerals including salt and magnesium, which when applied to the scalp can help prevent dryness and flaky skin.

25. Try a boar-bristle brush

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Vegans, look away now. A boar-bristle brush is a hairbrush made of boar hair, which naturally contain keratin just like human hair. If you brush your hair with boar bristles every day, you can improve the condition of your hair and help get rid of any lingering dandruff in your roots. If you're vegan - tough luck, there aren't a lot of vegan alternative brushes, but you can try another natural remedy on this list.

26. Drink more water

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So many of us don't drink as much water as we should, and it could be causing so many problems including acne and fatigue. But dehydration can also seriously affect your skin, including the skin on your scalp. Upping the amount of water you drink can help rehydrate those scalp cells, reducing the likelihood of you getting a dry and flaky scalp.

27. Work on your anxiety

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Like stress, anxiety can be a huge trigger for dandruff. If you're struggling with serious feelings of worry, anxiety, and fear day-to-day, then this can affect your entire body functioning and make your dandruff worse. If you can, try to get some talking therapy for your anxiety, or try other solutions like mindfulness.

28. Take a bath with Epsom salt

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Epsom salts are most frequently used by athletes and sportspeople as, when poured into a bath, they can help reduce pain in joints and loosen up muscles. However, there's some anecdotal evidence that these miraculous salts can also help with dandruff - simply draw a bath, relax, and soak.

29. Make a DIY hair mask

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The natural remedies on this list may be powerful at preventing dandruff on their own, but you can also combine them to make a DIY hair mask for better effects. The lemon juice? That can be combined with yoghurt and honey for a soothing hair mask to help dandruff.

30. Or try a mayo mask

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Got a jar of mayo in your fridge? It could be just the thing for your dry scalp! Some people have reported that spreading mayo onto their scalp has actually helped reduce their dandruff. The condiment if full of good amino acids and fatty acids which can help hydrate your head and get rid of bacteria that could be contributing to bad dandruff.