Essential Dandruff Shampoos for a Healthier Scalp

It’s every woman’s dream to have that clean, shiny healthy scalp, one that doesn’t itch or bring out those annoying white flakes. But the good news is with the right shampoo – that has the key ingredients needed for a healthy scalp, you can say goodbye to dandruff forever.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff is a common condition that causes the skin on the scalp to flake. Anyone can have dandruff, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It can happen for many reasons. It could be caused by build up of dead skin cells, irritated oily skin, dry skin, sensitivity to some hair products, fungal infections like Malassezia, or other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis. Sometimes it could be as a result of the weather condition, like harmattan or cold seasons where dryness is usually common.

Shampoos that are proven to be effective

These are some homegrown shampoos that can help stop dry flaky skin and give your scalp that healthy shine.

Natural Nigerian Black Soap Dandruff Shampoo

Made with the typical Nigerian black soap, salicylic acid, nettle, and red acalypha—this formula gently cleanses, calms itchiness and fights flakes naturally without leaving your scalp dry.

Toke Cosmetics Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Peppermint & Black Soap)
It’s infused with peppermint oil and black soap to soothe your scalp and prevent dandruff, it’s safe for both natural and permed hair.

Slique Mega Growth Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Affordable and easy to find in any beauty store, this is a medicated shampoo that helps stop flakes while promoting hair growth at the same time.

Sulfur 8 Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Aqua Blue)
This is available in most beauty pharmacies. The formulas are created to specifically tackle dandruff with ingredients like sulfur and zinc pyrithione.

Key Ingredients to Look For

When shopping for a shampoo that helps with dandruff, always check the ingredients before purchasing. These are some ingredients that you need to look out for:

• Tea Tree Oil: This is a natural oil that contains antibacterial and antifungal properties. It also leaves a refreshing tingle on your scalp.

• Salicylic Acid: It gently exfoliates your  scalp by decreasing the build up of dead skin cells.

• Zinc Pyrithione: This is a popular ingredient for fighting dandruff. It works by reducing the growth of fungi specifically Malassezia which is responsible for dandruff.

• Menthol: It’s a natural compound gotten from peppermint oil, it helps to soothe and reduce itching.
• Ketoconazole: A strong antifungal ingredient found in some medicated shampoos. It inhibits the growth of fungus.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes our poor habits or the way we treat our hair can cause dandruff, so after purchasing the right shampoo, make sure you indulge in a healthy hair routine and be consistent-your scalp will thank you. A clean scalp leads to a healthy hair. Keep your scalp happy, and your hair will follow.