How to Get Rid of Dandruff: 15 Effective Natural Treatments

Dandruff, also known as seborrheic dermatitis in medical terms, is a common scalp disorder. It can occur due to dry skin, a growth of bacteria and fungus on the scalp, irritated oily skin, skin inflammation and other such factors. It causes itchiness, hair falls along with the excessive formation of dry skin flakes on the scalp.

You can control dandruff by following a healthy hair care routine. You can treat this with some simple home remedies which are much effective than your chemical shampoos.

Effective Natural Remedies to get rid of Dandruff

1. Indian lilac

Indian lilac, also known as Neem has antifungal and antibacterial properties that help treat dandruff as well as many other hair problems like itchy scalp, scalp acne and hair fall efficiently.

• Boil a handful of Neem leaves in 4 cups of water.
• Cool the solution and strain.
• Use this decoction as a hair rinse 2-3 times a week.

2. Coconut oil

Coconut oil moisturizes dry scalp and provides relief from itching. It has antifungal properties which help eliminate dandruff.

• Take some coconut oil in a bowl and mix ½ the amount of lemon juice in it.
• Rub it on your scalp and massage in circular motion for a few minutes.
• Wash your hair after 20- 30 minutes.
• Follow this remedy twice or thrice times a week.

Must Read: 30 Health Benefits of Coconut & Coconut Oil.

3. Apple cider vinegar

Treating your scalp with apple cider vinegar is quite effective in getting rid of dandruff. It helps maintain the pH balance of the scalp, thereby inhibiting the growth of yeast. Also, it works as a natural hair clarifier and helps to clean clogged pores and hair follicles.

• Take 2 tablespoons of ACV.
• Mix equal amount of water and 15-20 drops of tea tree oil in it.
• Apply it on your scalp and massage.
• Rinse your hair after few minutes.
• Follow this natural treatment 2-3 times a week.

Discover 30 Science-backed Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar!

4. Baking soda

Baking soda is a mild exfoliant and helps remove dead skin cells, also absorbs excess oil. Furthermore, it also helps in balancing the pH levels of the scalp and reduces the growth of fungi that cause dandruff.

• Wet your hairs and then rub a handful of baking soda onto your scalp.
• After a few minutes, rinse your hair well with warm water.
• Repeat this remedy once or twice in a week for a few weeks.

Remember not to shampoo your hairs after this treatment.

5. White vinegar

The acetic acid present in vinegar prevents the growth of fungi on your scalp and also relieves itching.

• Add 1 ½ cup of vinegar to 2 cups of water.
• After shampooing your hair, rinse your hair with this mixture.
• Or else, massage your scalp with a mixture of 2 parts white vinegar, 1 part olive oil and 3 parts water. After ten minutes, rinse it off and shampoo your hair using a mild shampoo.

6. Olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil is an effective natural moisturizer and the regular use of it can help cure scalp dryness.

• Heat some olive oil until it is slightly warm.
• Massage it into your scalp and then wrap your hair in a warm towel.
• Leave it on for 45 minutes or overnight.
• Then shampoo your hairs the next morning followed by conditioning.
• Repeat this remedy few times a week.

7. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a good treatment for dandruff as it has strong antifungal properties.

• to your regular shampoo add a few drops of tea tree oil when you wash your hair. Add 1 drop of this essential oil per ounce of shampoo.
• Alternatively, you can dilute the oil by adding a few drops of tea tree oil to 1 tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil. Apply it on your hair, leave for at least 30 minutes or overnight and then wash your hair.
• Do this once or twice a week.

8. Lemon juice

Lemon juice helps relieve itching on the scalp. It contains acids that fight the fungi that can cause dandruff.

• Extract the juice of a ½ lemon in a one-quarter cup of plain yogurt. Apply this on your hair and scalp. Leave it for about 20 minutes and then rinse it off and shampoo your hair.
• Alternatively, just massage your scalp with a few teaspoons of lemon juice mixed with a little amount of water. Leave it for 5 minutes before rinsing it off and shampooing your hair.

9. Aspirin

Aspirin contains the salicylic acid that helps in controlling dandruff by exfoliating your scalp.

• Crush 2 aspirins to make a fine powder and mix it with a blob of shampoo. Wash your hair using this mixture, massaging it properly onto your scalp. Leave it for few minutes and then rinse your hair well. You can again wash your hair with normal shampoo to remove the powder completely.
• Else, crush 3 aspirins and dissolve the powder in 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Massage this mixture into your scalp. Leave it for half an hour and then wash your hair thoroughly.

10. Fenugreek

Fenugreek has antifungal and soothing properties that can help control dandruff and hair fall to a great extent.

• Soak 2-3 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in water overnight.
• In the morning, grind them into a fine paste.
• Add a few teaspoons of plain yogurt to it.
• Apply the paste on your scalp and leave it for a few hours.
• Rinse it out and shampoo your hair. Do this once or twice a week.

11. Argan oil

Argan oil is very lightweight and non-greasy. Apply a few drops of argan oil around the top of your scalp and massage in before going to bed. It will hydrate your scalp overnight, so you’ll wake up with fewer flakes. This treatment is also going to make your hair soft and conditioned as well. Also, no need to rinse out in the morning.

12. Listerine

You heard Listerine as a popular mouthwash but it also has amazing dandruff fighting properties. It contains an antiseptic that effectively kills the fungus that causes dandruff.

• Mix 1 part Listerine to 2 parts water. Put it into a spray bottle and use it as a pre-shower treatment.
• Spray it all over your scalp and leave for 20 minutes.
• Rinse and shampoo your hair.
• Try this remedy at least three times a week for best results.

13. Aloe scrub

You know sometimes dandruff is just a buildup of dead skin flakes. So, you can easily combat this with an exfoliation treatment.

• Make your own scrub by mixing 100 percent pure aloe vera gel with a tablespoon of kosher salt.
• Apply it to your scalp when your hair is dry and scrub for at least 5 minutes.
• Then shampoo and condition your hair.
• This at least twice a week for proper exfoliation.

14. Garlic

Garlic has antimicrobial properties that can tackle dandruff issues.

• Crush an entire clove of garlic.
• Mix it with 1 tablespoon of honey to kill the odor a bit.
• Massage into your scalp in the shower and rinse.

Also Read: 10 Health Benefits of Garlic!

15. Stay away with products of alcohol

Try to get rid of all your hair styling products that contain alcohol. You might never notice this that all your hair styling products, because of the bad form of alcohol is just drying out your scalp, creating more flakes. So eradicate all the gels, mousse, and other harsh hair products with high alcohol content. Carefully look at the ingredient label of all your hair products. Hair styling products that have words like “SD Alcohol 40”, “Ethanol”, or “Propanol” needs to be thrown out from your shelf.