Photo: Adobe Stock Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Whenever my scalp feels tight and itchy and I notice white flakes falling, I wonder whether my love of hot showers (yes, I’m guilty of turning my small NYC shower into the equivalent of a hot spring) or my daily use of hot styling tools might be contributing. Whatever the cause, I know it’s time to give my scalp some extra attention.
As Hadley King, MD, a New York City board-certified dermatologist, explains, dry skin is generally characterized by water loss and a disrupted skin barrier. The same applies to the scalp, which Dr. King says needs both water-binding ingredients and barrier-supporting lipids to stay moisturized.
Several things can cause a dry scalp. Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cofounder of LM Medical NYC, lists overwashing, using hot water in the shower, excessive hot tool use, and overprocessing hair with harsh chemicals as habits that may contribute. Certain skin conditions, like eczema or seborrheic dermatitis, and environmental factors such as cold weather or low humidity are also common causes.
Additionally, Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm, adds that sebum production can decrease with age and during hormonal changes, making your scalp even more prone to dryness. These are all things you’ll want to address because, as we know, healthy hair comes from a healthy scalp. “The scalp is an extension of the skin on the face and body,” says Dr. Chang. “It is important to maintain a healthy skin barrier on the scalp just like the rest of the body.”
Luckily, it’s not too hard to keep your scalp moisturized. Just consider adding the following steps to your routine.
The first step to moisturizing your scalp is washing it with a gentle shampoo formulated with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid . Dr. King agrees and recommends using a gentle, non-medicated shampoo rather than a harsher clarifying shampoo if the scalp is dry. “The goal is to remove sweat, sebum, and product buildup without stripping the scalp’s protective lipids,” she says.
She says to look for gentle surfactants and recommends a shampoo like the Nutrire S.1 Calm Shampoo for Dry Scalp , which contains humectants like glycerin and panthenol to retain water and watermelon seed oil to provide emollient lipids that smooth dry skin. Alexis Stephens, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in Coral Springs, Florida, likes the Vanicream Shampoo for Sensitive Skin as it is made without several of the most common irritants found in products, such as fragrance and essential oils. “It’s a good option for people with sensitive scalps or those who experience irritation from fragranced hair products,” Dr. Stephens says. “While it isn’t a moisturizer itself, it helps establish a gentler cleansing routine that supports scalp comfort.”
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Like your face, your scalp skin can get dry when you overdo exfoliation. “A dry scalp generally doesn’t need aggressive scrubbing,” Dr. King says. “If someone has significant scale, it’s important to determine whether we’re dealing with seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis rather than simply trying to exfoliate it away.”
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After shampooing, Dr. Chang recommends using a moisturizing scalp treatment. Look for n…