Let’s be honest: We all deal with dandruff at one point or another, and it’s not for a lack of care. So many things factor into a flaky scalp — from pollution to UV damage, to product buildup, to overproduction of oil, to dermatitis (a reaction of the skin that can’t be shampooed away). But just because flakes are normal doesn’t mean they’re desirable. After all, it’s hard to feel fierce mid-hair flip when your scalp is flipping out.
Medicated shampoos aren’t necessarily the answer, especially if you’re trying to keep your beauty routine clean. Zinc pyrithione, the main ingredient in most drugstore dandruff products, has been shown to irritate the scalp; and coal tar, another common flake-fighter, is a known carcinogen (aka, it causes cancer). What’s a natural beauty lover to do? DIY, of course.
Nature has already provided the perfect cure for dandruff with apple cider vinegar. ACV has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and since dandruff is a type of fungus (I know, I know… ick), a spritz of apple cider vinegar to the scalp can kill flake-causing fungi. The substance is also great for clearing out the clogged pores on your scalp, removing product residue, and soothing inflammation — all leading causes of dandruff. Thanks to its acidic nature, it even helps restore pH balance and regulate oil production, effectively addressing almost every possible reason your scalp could be in crisis.
Of course, you can’t just pour pure ACV on your head and call it a day. The substance is potent, so it needs to be diluted in water. Find yourself a spray bottle (you can reuse an empty hair product you have at home, or buy an eco-friendly glass bottle on Amazon) and fill it with half water, half apple cider vinegar and shake well.
After shampooing, spritz the mixture onto your scalp and allow it to sit for about five minutes (an excellent excuse to indulge in a body scrub while waiting it out in the shower, I might add) before rinsing well. Apply your conditioner as usual, and that’s it! Limit your usage to two or three times a week for best results… like I said, ACV is potent, and you don’t want to overdo it. After a week or two, you should notice a significant improvement in your scalp situation, naturally.
Products:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Spray Bottles
