Why You Should Moisturize Your Scalp — And How to Do It Right

Why You Should Moisturize Your Scalp — And How to Do It Right

Why You Should Moisturize Your Scalp — And How to Do It Right

Why You Should Moisturize Your Scalp — And How to Do It Right
Why You Should Moisturize Your Scalp — And How to Do It Right
Moisturizing your face is likely a habit, and slathering your legs with lotion might be, too — but when was the last time you moisturized the skin on your scalp? And if you are caring for your scalp, how do you know you’re doing it right? With so many shampoos, oils, and products promising to transform the condition of your hair and skin, what’s really going to work?
One thing’s for sure, if you crave luscious locks that beam with health, it’s time to consider some scalp care.
Whether your hair is dry, oily — or in between — it’s not uncommon to struggle with an itchy scalp. If it’s exceptional-looking hair you desire (and who doesn’t?), combining a regular scalp exfoliation ritual with a moisturizing routine will help keep your hair follicles happy and healthy.
How to Moisturize Your Scalp
To boost your confidence and maintain your hair’s wellness, we spoke to board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse to get some expert tips. Want to look after your hair and scalp? This moisture-laden step-by-step routine will help.
Step 1: Get To the Root of the Problem
Beautiful hair begins with a healthy, moisturized scalp, which is an often overlooked part of the body. Genetics, weather changes, and hair care products with harsh chemicals can contribute to a flaky, itchy, dry scalp. And those dreaded little white flakes? Well, they’re more common than you think.
You might assume all itchy scalp woes come down to dandruff, but actually, there could be several things giving you the itch. Your dry scalp could be psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis or dandruff. Not sure what’s making your scalp feel sensitive? If the problem persists, see a dermatologist to help with your hair and scalp issue.
While it’s easy to think the skin on your scalp is different from the rest of your body, it’s surprisingly similar to the skin you find on your face. Shainhouse explained, “The winter months can mean cold, dry wind strips your scalp of its protective natural oils. Combine that with indoor heating, and you might be sucking the moisture from your hair and scalp. To combat dryness, use a humidifier to add a moisturizing element to the ambient indoor air.”
Unfortunately, we can’t blame it all on the weather. Seborrheic dermatitis — aka dandruff — is caused by a yeast called Malassezia, which loves to live on skin. Thankfully, this is a very common itchy scalp complaint, and most people don’t even know they have it.
What you might notice when you have dandruff is how slowly your hair grows. When the natural oils from your skin (sebum) mix with dead skin cells, your pores get clogged, which can stunt your hair’s growth. To encourage beautiful hair growth and help moisturize your scalp, include a hair serum in your routine. This will help soothe scalp irritation and strengthen your strands. A dry scalp will affect how glossy your hair looks, impact your hair’s wellness and potentially contribute to hair loss — especially if left untreated.
Read: What Does a Healthy Scalp Look Like?
Step 2: Detoxify With a Serum
From bouncy curls to a poker-straight vibe, trying new hairstyles can elevate your look. Unfortunately, many drugstore products contain ingredients that dry out your skin and ruin your hair’s wellness. Dry hair can lead to tangles, which is nothing but a hair-care nuisance!
If you’re wondering how to moisturize your scalp and keep your look fresh, you might want to introduce the GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum into your routine. A perfect pre-wash scalp treatment, this formula contains a proprietary vegan silk protein that eases the feel of a dry scalp. It also helps clarify persistent product buildup and forms a semipermeable barrier that locks in healthy moisture. To apply, part dry hair into sections and massage the serum into the scalp for a couple of minutes. Leave to settle for up to 10 minutes, and rinse before you shampoo and condition. Use once a week to start seeing results.
Find Out: The Best Hair Serum for Thinning Hair
Step 3: Shampoo and Condition With Care
Nothing feels better than clean hair. Unfortunately, if your hair squeaks when it’s clean, you could be experiencing some dry scalp issues. The best thing you can do is look for a shampoo without sulfates. A sulfate is a harsh detergent that will strip your hair of its natural oils and give you that squeaky-clean feeling. Sulfates are actually astringents, and you’ll find them in most of your household cleaning products — kinda scary! If you’re experiencing dryness, it’s probably time to treat your hair to some innovative holistic treatments.
To moisturize your scalp and take care of your tresses, you need a shampoo and conditioner that drenches your hair in goodness. Too much water will dry your locks out, so avoid washing daily — especially if you live in a hard water area and don’t have a showerhead filter. Washing your hair with hard water can create a buildup of calcium.
To make sure your hair and scalp stay healthy, use clinically proven products