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Help centreOur top products and shampoos for dry scalps
Written byH&B editorial team
Reviewed byOlivia Rosenvinge
Our top picks
Gentle exfoliation
Sea Magik
Sea Magik Mineral Shampoo
£8.21
RRP £10.95
For curly hair
Faith in Nature
Faith In Nature Shampoo for Curly Hair Shea & Argan 400ml
Buy 1 Get 1 Half Price
£8.49
With hyaluronic acid
Sukin
Sukin Hydrating Shampoo 500ml
£6.55
You’re brushing your hair and... eek. A flaky scalp is common, but it might not be very welcome – and it might even be tight, uncomfortable or embarrassing. But what actually causes a dry, itchy scalp and how can you switch up your haircare routine to help? We share our top shampoos and other products designed to nourish your scalp and hair alike.
What is a dry scalp and what are the symptoms?
A dry scalp can happen when the scalp doesn’t have enough sebum (the skin’s natural oil) to feel lubricated and hydrated. Anyone can get a dry scalp, but it’s more common for people with dry skin in general. Symptoms can vary from a sprinkling of dandruff to full-blown seborrheic dermatitis, a condition that causes flaky patches on the skin.1 Seborrheic dermatitis may also cause flaking or itching in other areas like the eyebrows, ears, upper chest or beard region.1 However, seborrheic dermatitis is a recognised medical condition and must be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare professional.
What causes a dry scalp?
There are lots of potential causes of a dry, itchy scalp, including:1,2
seasonal changes: air in winter tends to be drier than in summer, which can dry out any exposed skin – including our scalp
heating: your skin can dry out when you have super-hot showers or crank up the indoor heating
reactions to hair care products
skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis
It might be tricky to pinpoint the reason, but the best thing to do is try and eliminate any potential factors one at a time and see if you notice a difference.
Our top picks for a dry scalp
Hopefully you now know what to look out for, but if you’re still unsure, let’s look at some products that could help...
When your scalp feels dry and uncomfortable, a moisturising shampoo can be a simple place to start. Sukin’s Hydrating Shampoo combines nourishing shea butter, coconut extract and olive oil with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the hair and help protect delicate skin.3 Add their blend of Dead Sea minerals and organic seaweed and you’ll transform every shower into an ocean-fresh splash. Plus, it’s suitable for all hair types and for people with dry, itchy scalps. For best results, follow with the Sukin Hydrating Conditioner.
If your scalp’s feeling tight, flaky or in need of a thorough cleanse, Sea Magik Mineral Shampoo offers a combination of cleansing and conditioning ingredients. Salicylic acid helps to gently shift dry flakes and seaweed extracts pair with Dead Sea salt, chamomile and lemon balm for an ultra-fresh feel.
Maybe your dry hair dreads wash day... but it doesn’t have to be that way. Faith in Nature uses shea butter and argan oil to condition the hair and scalp and help restore moisture. Specially designed for curly hair and dry scalps, this nourishing shampoo remains gentle while helping to add shine – and a scent that’ll make you want to show off your locks. For best results, follow with the Faith in Nature Shea & Argan Conditioner.
If your scalp’s feeling a little out of sync, this is where things get back on track. This gentle shampoo helps keep flakes in check while balancing oil and supporting hydration – so you’re not stuck in that dry-but-greasy cycle. Powered by ingredients like piroctone olamine and zinc, plus soothing aloe vera and gotu kola, it leaves your scalp feeling comfortable and your hair soft and fresh.
Designed for dandruff-prone scalps, this lightweight conditioner helps bring things back into balance while keeping lengths soft and easy to manage. Neem oil and tea tree work to refresh, while nettle and moringa help soothe that tight, uncomfortable feeling. Pumpkin seed oil adds nourishment without weighing hair down. The result? A calmer scalp and hair that feels healthy and fresh.
Think of this as your scalp’s weekly reset. This nourishing pre-wash oil is designed to melt away flakes, soothe the scalp and help bring balance back – whether you’re dealing with dryness, oiliness or a bit of both. Tea tree and neem help keep things feeling fresh, while coconut oil and plant squalane deliver lightweight moisture without weighing hair down. Add in vitamin E and turmeric oil, and you’ve got a ritual that leaves your scalp feeling calm and your lengths looking glossy.
If your scalp’s feeling congested, oily or just a bit out of balance, this is a great place to start. Designed to be used once a week, this creamy scrub uses fine salt crystals to gently exfoliate away build-up, excess oil and impurities – without drying. Packed with botanical ingredients, it helps bring your scalp back to a more comfortable place. Ginger and peppermint work to refresh and soothe, while hibiscus helps keep excess oil in check. Amla adds a nourishing touch, supporting overall scalp care.
Not all scalp care needs to feel heavy and luckily this airy mousse is on hand to keep things light while still delivering on nourishment. Powered by hemp oil (known for its naturally balanced profile) and a blend of plant-based actives, it helps support a healthier-feeling scalp. With added vitamin B5 for moisture, it’s a leave-in step that fits effortlessly into your routine.4
Dry scalp FAQs
There are several potential causes of a dry scalp. You might already be prone to dry skin, but other factors can contribute to it, such as changes in weather, hot showers, central heating or reactions to hair products.1,5
The best thing to do is identify your particular trigger and limit it. However, this can be tricky to do. In the meantime, choose ingredients that nourish the scalp like coconut or olive oil or switch to a shampoo specifically designed for dandruff and dry skin.
Sometimes – an unbalanced diet or deficiencies in certain nutrients might affect your skin’s natural hydration. And if you have a skin condition like eczema on your scalp, you might find certain foods worsen your symptoms.6
The final say
Farewell, flakes – it’s time for a hydrating scalp routine. Once you identify your triggers and learn the ingredients that help you manage dryness, you’re well on your way to a more comfortable-feeling scalp and hair you can swish with confidence. For more on haircare, discover our top supplements for hair health or learn whether protein plays a role in healthy hair...
1 NHS. Dandruff [Internet]. NHS [cited 2026 Sep 16]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dandruff/
2 American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). Is your dry scalp something more serious? [Internet]. AAD [reviewed 2021 May 26; cited 2026 Sep 16]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/scalp/dry-scalp-conditions
3 European Commission. CosIng – Hyaluronic acid/polyglutamic acid crosspolymer [Internet]. European Commission [cited 2026 Sep 16]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/93223
4 Martin-Biggers J, de Campos MEBB. A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study Evaluating a Dietary Supplement for Hair Growth. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2026 Sep 16]; 17(11): 34-38. Available from: https://jcadonline.com/a-randomized-placebo-controlled-clinical-study-evaluating-a-dietary-supplement-for-hair-growth/
5 American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). Is your dry scalp something more serious? [Internet]. AAD [reviewed 2021 May 26; cited 2026 Sep 22]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/scalp/dry-scalp-conditions
6 Katta R, Schlichte M. Diet and Dermatitis: Food Triggers. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol [Internet]. 2014 Mar [cited 2026 Sep 22]; 7(3): 30-36. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3970830/
