Do you have a sensitive scalp? Here's how to tell!

Just as your facial skin can be sensitive, your scalp can also be sensitive and need a little extra TLC. Common symptoms of a sensitive scalp include dryness, itching, and maybe even flaking and sores. Sometimes your hair gets thinner, and the quality of the strands feels… meh. So what do you need to know?

Dry, itchy scalp

A dry, itchy scalp isn’t exactly pleasant. We know it’s no fun when flakes are falling from your scalp—even though you use anti-dandruff shampoo and really do your best to keep your scalp healthy. There are many different reasons why your scalp flakes and is dry, and it doesn’t have to be dandruff. Some people’s scalps are just drier than others, but sometimes it’s actually your hair products that are causing the problem. If you have a sensitive scalp, you might be intolerant to certain ingredients. So how do you know?

The difference between dandruff and a sensitive scalp

Unlike a dry or sensitive scalp, dandruff is most likely caused by a yeast fungus. Dandruff often results in fairly large, greasy flakes that tend to stick to the hair and scalp. They are highly visible and can be exacerbated by an oily scalp or if you don’t wash your hair often enough. What’s easy to overlook is that dandruff can also be caused by an underlying condition, such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. If you’ve tried various anti-dandruff shampoos without success, it may be that you actually have a dry or sensitive scalp instead.

With a dry scalp, the flakes are often much smaller and do not clump together. They are drier than dandruff, and dandruff shampoo has no effect on them.

And if you want a healthy scalp?

We’d love to tell you there’s a magical hair product that can make all your problems disappear (we do have products that help, but more on that soon), but the most important thing is, of course, that you eat and drink properly. If you’re dehydrated or not getting all the nutrients you need, your body won’t feel its best either. That’s why you should make sure to drink plenty of water every day, try to eat a varied diet, and if needed, you can supplement with a dietary supplement. If you’re not getting everything you need, your hair won’t look its best. It’s that simple. Stress can also lead to poor hair health or hair loss.

Products that help soothe a sensitive scalp

If you want to start taking care of your sensitive scalp, you need to reevaluate your hair care routine. Some products simply won’t work for you, and there are certain ingredients you should avoid. Just like there isn’t one size that fits all.

To start with, you can look for products designed for a sensitive scalp; our Caring Shampoo is formulated specifically to promote a healthy scalp (and, of course, gorgeous, shiny hair). What makes Caring Shampoo so well-suited for a sensitive scalp is that it contains hyaluronic acid and piroctone olamine, is rich in vitamin E and omega-6, and is sulfate-free.

Sulf… what’s that?

Sulfates are also known as SLS and are a very effective cleansing ingredient—perhaps a little too effective, since they can disrupt the protective barrier on the scalp and are also harmful to the environment. That’s why the problem for many people is that products containing sulfates can, over time, dry out the scalp and cause scalp issues. That’s exactly why we’ve left them out of all our products. In fact, we’ve eliminated most ingredients that can generally irritate the scalp or be harmful to the environment, which is why our products usually work for the vast majority of people.

Hair care products for sensitive scalps

If you have a sensitive scalp, we recommend our nourishing products. In fact, all of our products are designed to promote a healthy scalp—from our dry shampoos to our conditioner, which contains soothing ingredients. A healthy scalp = beautiful hair. Check out our nourishing products below!