Dandruff

Dandruff can be caused by a condition seborrheic dermatitis caused by a fungus or yeast.

The more conventional way it is treated is with traditional anti-fungal products such as ketoconazole shampoo.

According to Wikipedia: The Malassezia yeast is believed to play a role. Seborrheic dermatitis-like eruptions are also associated with vitamin B6 deficiency. My naturopath recommends taking B6 with the superior form P5P not higher than 50 mg per day.

Besides reinforcing the body with Vitamin B6 and zinc, an important factor in lowering the pH of your skin with shampoo and other products that are more acidic.

Conventional Dandruff Products 

Avoid conventional dandruff made with chemicals and synthetic ingredients that can only fix the problem temporarily. Seborrheic Dermatitis can be exacerbated by overly strong cleansing products which overstimulate the scalp and then produce as reaction excess sebum.

You could develop a secondary bacterial infection, Dermatologist will then prescribe ketoconazole shampoo and the regular antibiotics such as Mupirocin, Neosporin, Bacitracin.

They may work at the beginning and then you are back on where you started, plus side-effects and withdrawal consequences. 

Conventional Seborrheic Dermatitis can stimulate the growth of Malassezia and are often full of toxic or irritant chemicals such as:

 

  • ❌ Nizoral A-D (1% ketoconazole): This antifungal can cause scalp irritation, dryness, itching, burning, or rare allergic reactions like hives and rash. It may alter hair texture or lead to temporary shedding

  • ❌ Selenium Sulfide (Head & Shoulders Clinical): Classified as a possible carcinogen with animal evidence, it may damage liver/kidneys upon repeated exposure or absorption (higher risk with scalp lesions).

  • ❌ Coal Tar (Neutrogena T/Gel): It risks scalp stinging, redness, dryness, photosensitivity (sunburn risk), and hair/skin staining.

  • ❌ Piroctone olamine: synthetic antifungal agent. Mild irritation, dryness, itching; low toxicity, non-genotoxic, GRAS in US/EU at ≤1% rinse-off. Minimal absorption.

    ❌ Climbazole: synthetic antifungal agent. Scalp redness, rash, itching; possible dryness or sensitivity; endocrine disruption hints (hormone pathway interference in cells

  • ❌ Sulfates SLS/SLES: strip natural oils, raise skin pH, and cause dryness.

  • ❌ Fragrances including linalool, limonene, and geraniol lead to contact dermatitis.

  • ❌ Phthalates: Often hidden in fragrances, they leach from plastics, act as endocrine disruptors, and trigger allergies or yeast overgrowth in seborrheic-prone skin.

Greenwashing Dandruff Products 

Avoid greenwashing dandruffproducts made by brands that pretend to be natural, safer or eco-friendly when they are not. They will use their marketing tricks to convince you to buy their products. They contain controversial ingredients such as:

 

❌ Zinc PyrithioneAcute toxicity of Zinc pyrithione to human skin cells in vitro

❌ Salicylic acid: Widely available (e.g., Neutrogena T/Sal); exfoliates flakes but can dry skin.

❌ Phenoxyethanolpreservative classified as an irritant, toxic, and harmful. Can have adverse effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems, linked to allergic contact uritica and dermatitis. Made by the reaction of corrosive phenol with carcinogen ethylene oxide. Exposure to phenoxyethanol has been linked to reactions ranging from eczema[2] to severe, life-threatening allergic reactions.

❌ Ethylhexylglycerin: Harmonized classification: This substance causes serious eye damage. Severe eye damage observed in animal testing. Classified as an irritant, this substance causes serious eye damage. Severe eye damage was observed in animal testing. 

❌ Avoid heavy oils: olive, coconut feed Malassezia yeast.

The Best Dandruff  Remedies

Here are the natural alternatives that have been proven to help the condition:

  • 🌿 Tea tree oil: it helps treat dandruff, soothe a dry flaking scalp, promote hair growth, and unclog blocked hair follicles.
  • 🌿 Nettle: it eases hair loss and promotes fuller, more radiant, soft, and shiny hair. Nettle is also an excellent hair conditioner, great for dandruff.
  • 🌿 Rosemary: helps treat dandruff, and strengthens hair follicles, stimulates hair growth, while conditioning hair.
  • 🌿 Peppermint oil: helps with dandruff and itching, stimulates scalp circulation, and promotes hair growth.
  • ✅ Lower the Ph of your skin with shampoo and other products that are more acid than our skin Ph.
  • A shower filter:  chlorine is a strong chemical that can increase Seborrheic Dermatitis by drying out your skin. 
  • A water softening system: it is recommended if your tap water is hard. 
  • ✅ Whole-home Water filter is the best option. Before choosing the best filter you will need to test your water with TapScore.

The Best Dandruff Products Brands 

 

Shop with my links to support my research! 💖