Is dandruff raining on your parade? Dandruff may be irritating and embarrassing but it can be easily cured – often with items straight out of your own pantry. Why not try these 10 natural cures to eliminate dandruff and replenish the natural oils in your scalp?
Aspirin
Next time you’re at the supermarket, skip the anti-dandruff shampoo and go for the aspirin. Aspirin contains the same active ingredient (salicylic acid) so it will work just as well. Just add two crushed pills to your normal shampoo and leave in your hair for one or two minutes. Repeat each time you wash your hair.
Tea-tree oil
Some shampoos that contain tea-tree oil are said to be five per cent more effective at reducing the severity of dandruff than shampoos without the medicinal oil. Alternatively, you could try adding a few drops of tea-tree oil to your normal shampoo.
Baking soda
Itchy, flaky scalp? Skip the shampoo altogether and rub a handful of baking soda into your scalp (don’t forget to wet your hair first). Baking soda helps to eliminate the fungi that cause dandruff. Don’t be alarmed if your hair dries out at first – after a few weeks the oils in your scalp will balance out.
Mouthwash
Much like baking soda, mouthwash can be a great way to treat dandruff. Its alcohol content has anti-fungal properties that helps stop dandruff-causing yeast from growing and spreading. Simply wash your hair with your regular shampoo then rinse with a little mouthwash.
Coconut oil
Replenish the natural oils in your hair and get rid of a dry scalp by massaging several tablespoons of coconut oil into your scalp, allowing it to soak in for about an hour. Then shampoo normally.
Lemon
The acids in lemon can help to balance your skin’s pH levels and banish dandruff. Just massage two tablespoons of lemon juice onto your scalp, leave for a minute or two, and then rinse. Try to repeat this daily until your dandruff has disappeared.
Salt
Rid your head of flaky skin by rubbing in some salt before you shampoo. You can use a saltshaker to sprinkle salt onto your scalp and work it through your hair, massaging to work out the dry skin. Then shampoo as usual.
Aloe vera
To stop the itch that is often associated with dandruff, massage some soothing aloe vera onto your scalp. Aloe vera is available in gel form from the supermarket, but you can also use the sap straight out the aloe vera plant if you have one handy.
Garlic
With its antimicrobial properties, garlic eliminates dandruff by killing the fungal bacteria. To use garlic to cure dandruff, simply crush it with some honey and work it into your scalp, before washing as usual.
Olive oil
If all else fails, an overnight soak with olive oil should do the trick. Massage a good amount of oil into your scalp and leave in overnight, covering with a shower cap. In the morning, rinse out with your regular shampoo.
Why not let us know if any of these homemade dandruff remedies have worked for you?
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