Let your hair air-dry, and try not to apply any leave-in products. The next day, observe your scalp and roots. If they're noticeably greasy-looking, chances are good your scalp is on the oilier side. If your scalp feels tight or itchy, you likely have a dry scalp.
Greasy dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis occurs when oily and yellow flakes or scales form on your scalp and stick to your head and hair. Dry dandruff occurs when dry, white and loose flakes or scales form on your scalp and fall from your head and hair.
Symptoms of oily scalp
Your scalp may feel itchy from the buildup of dead skin cells. You may develop dandruff. The condition can be caused by too much or not enough oil. Flakes from dandruff caused by excess oil are usually larger and feel greasy, while dandruff flakes from dry skin are smaller.
If the skin on your head is itchy and flaking, you may have dry scalp. The condition occurs when your scalp loses too much moisture. Hair care products, the weather, age and various skin conditions can cause dry scalp.
The most common cause of smelly scalp is a buildup of skin cells, sweat and sebum (body oils). Smelly scalp can also result from: Bacteria: The mix of bacteria and sweat on your scalp can cause an unpleasant odor. Fungus: Fungus on your skin can lead to dandruff and a smelly scalp.
An oily scalp occurs when there is overproduction and excessive sebum build-up on the scalp. In addition to creating a shiny and greasy appearance, this accumulation of sebum can lead to other problems like dandruff, itching, flakiness, and swelling of the hair follicle.
If your hair naturally produces a lot of oil, then you might find you need to wash your hair every day. However, this isn't the case for most people, who should only need to wash their hair every 2 – 3 days - depending on the different factors listed below.
Coconut Oil – Coconut oil can moisturize the scalp, while its antifungal and antibacterial properties can reduce the risk of infection. Apply a small amount of melted coconut oil directly to your scalp and massage it into the skin. Let sit for 10 minutes, and then wash your hair as usual.
Our top pick is Briogeo, a clarifying shampoo and scalp-scrub combo treatment that our testers said banished itchy symptoms and flakes for days on end.
It can happen because: Your scalp is overworked due to changes in weather, over-styling or even simple genetics, which may make it itchy and flaky. In response, your sebaceous glands could be pumping out too much sebum to try and 'fix' the problem – cue oily hair and roots that are still dry and dehydrated.
"If you blot tissue paper on the scalp of a normal hair type two days after washing, it will leave a small translucent area," says Dr. Lombardi. "An oily scalp type will be more saturated, and the hairs will clump, and dry scalp type you may not see anything on the tissue paper."
If you have fine or naturally straight hair, or an oily scalp, wash your hair often. For example, you may need to shampoo daily and use your dandruff shampoo twice a week. If you have coarse or naturally curly or coily hair, wash your hair when needed, and use your dandruff shampoo about once a week, if tolerated.
To help solve dry scalp flaking, you need to make sure you're drinking enough water. Eight glasses a day is the recommended amount – once you've hit your goal for long enough, you may find that your scalp will recover, helping your hair to become healthier.
Q: Do you need to exfoliate your scalp? A: Dr Burg says it's important to help scalp skin cell turnover with regular exfoliation. “A build-up of cells and oils [on the scalp] can lead to imbalances, irritation, and inflammation, which can impact the scalp environment, thus affecting hair growth.”
For most people, it is best to wash their hair once every two or three days, but some people may need to wash their hair daily, while others can go without washing their hair for a week or longer. In addition to hair type and hair length, hairstyle, and environmental conditions can play a role as well.
Best hair mask for oily scalp and dry ends
There's also organic jojoba oil and coconut oil, which help promote healthier, stronger hair. The vegan formula is fairly lightweight so it will not weigh hair down or make it oily, plus it's safe for use in both natural hair and hair extensions.
Scalp massage is a simple and effective way to encourage circulation and loosen buildup. Rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar can also help remove buildup and restore your scalp's pH balance. If you prefer a more intensive exfoliation, you can try a scalp scrub or chemical exfoliant.
Use dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and neutralize odors between wash days. Dry shampoo works to absorb oil and sweat from the scalp, refreshing the hair and adding volume without the need for water.