An itchy, dry scalp is one of the most irritating skin problems you can have. From the constant need to vigorously scratch your head (and hope that others don’t think you have lice…) to the shower of flakes that falls onto your shoulders, it really is a nightmare! Dry scalp can also have a number of causes, and you need to find out which one’s behind your own dry scalp before you can fix it. If you’re itching (excuse the pun) to find out your problem, here are some common and uncommon dry scalp causes.

What is Dry Scalp?

The Wrong Products for a Dry Scalp

Whenever people ask ‘why do I have a dry scalp?’, the first thing you should do is check the products they’re using. The wrong products can flare up existing problems or cause contact dermatitis, a scalp skin condition that’s caused entirely by what you’re putting on your head.

If you’re searching for dry scalp causes, switch up your hair care routine straight away. Opt for products that are aimed at irritated, sensitive scalps, like the Nexxus Scalp Inergy line. Try Nexxus Inergy Foam Shampoo, which is designed to gently cleanse your scalp and hair while nourishing both. It’s best used alongside Nexxus Inergy Ultralight Conditioner. Both products are paraben and silicone-free to keep your scalp healthy happy.

What Causes Dry Scalp?

Dry Scalp Skin Conditions

Skin conditions are major reasons for dry scalp. The top three culprits are seborrheic dermatitis (also known as dandruff), psoriasis, and eczema. Make sure you’re diagnosed by a dermatologist if you think you have one of these, and they can prescribe medication to help treat the symptoms. If you’re suffering from a build-up of flakes as a side-effect of these conditions, get rid of them with Nexxus Scalp Inergy Gentle Exfoliating Scrub. This scalp scrub is gentle enough for sensitive skin but strong enough to rid you of pesky dead skin cells. Follow with a nourishing at-home coconut oil treatment to moisturize your scalp.

Scalp Hydration Issues

When looking into what causes dry scalp, you’re going to bump into dehydration pretty frequently. A dry itchy scalp is often lacking in moisture and unable to properly hydrate, causing the skin to dry out. While there’s often a bigger problem at play, you shouldn’t underestimate the power a little bit of hydration for your hair can do! Add moisture back into your scalp with Nexxus Scalp Inergy Leave-In Conditioner, which has been shown to reduce scalp dryness in just two weeks. This is an easy treatment to use that packs a punch, leaving both your scalp and hair nourished and soothed.

Frequent washing & a Dry Scalp

Why do you get dry scalp even though you wash and condition your hair every day? Surely keeping your scalp squeaky clean is the best way to get rid of flakes, right? Wrong. Your hair doesn’t need to be washed daily, and by doing so, you could be making your dry scalp worse. When you wash your hair every day, you strip your scalp of its natural oils and can irritate it. You’re damaging the natural ecosystem of your skin, which is never good! If you struggle with scalp hydration, try washing your hair less, aiming for - at most - once every two days. If you can go longer without shampoo, do so.

Weather Changes & Dry Scalp

During the winter months in cold climates, the humidity in the airdrops. Cold weather dries out the skin all over your body, including on your scalp. Blasting the heat can also be drying. Use warm water instead of hot water in your shower and bath to keep your skin and scalp moist.

Scalp Psoriasis

In your immune system misfires and makes your skin cells multiply much faster than usual. Those extra cells build up on the surface of your skin and create itchy, scaly patches called plaques. Psoriasis can leave itchy patches on your scalp, forehead, and on the back of your neck.

There are plenty of culprits behind what causes dry scalp, from harsh products to frustrating skin conditions. If you want your itchy, flaky skin to be a thing of the past, make sure you find out what’s causing it first! Once you know, take a look at our guide on How to Treat Dry Scalp for more top tips on keeping your head happy.

xx, Nexxus