How to Moisturize Your Scalp in 3 Steps
Oh, you didn’t know you’re supposed to be moisturizing your scalp? Well, you are. We know, it sounds like moisturizing your scalp will lead to a greasy scalp. Fear not; it’s actually a simple, little task that will make a big difference. “Task” doesn’t even seem suitable. It’s just another level of self-care. Moisturizing your scalp may even count as pampering if you will.
It All Starts at the Scalp
A dry scalp can be an itch that is seemingly impossible to scratch. Having a chronic itch accompanied by flaking with every scratch is no way to live. A dry scalp is usually accompanied by visible signs such as flaky skin. However, you can still experience that unpleasant itch without seeing any visible changes to the skin.
If you experience any hair “problems,” you should start by checking up on your scalp health. In many cases, the scalp is the root of the problem. (Hah, see what we did there?) The thing is, healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.
All of the hair on your head right now started at and came through the roots (your scalp). By caring for your scalp, hair follicles will be clean and happy. If our hair was a beautiful flower garden, the scalp is the rich, nourishing, and healthy soil necessary for the flowers to flourish.
Just like the skin on the rest of your body, scalp skin should be cleansed, exfoliated, and hydrated on the regular. And that’s exactly what we’re going to teach you how to do. Three easy steps are all it takes to have your scalp healthy, hydrated, happy.
- Exfoliate.
- Use the right shampoo.
- Use natural hair care products.
If you’re ready to learn everything you didn’t know you needed to know, let’s get right to it.
Scalp Exfoliation
Exfoliating your scalp is basically a gentle “detox” for the skin on your head. You may not have thought that your scalp is something that should, or needs, to be exfoliated, but exfoliating your scalp is actually very important..
Over time, the scalp develops a build-up from the products that we use. This residue can irritate the skin and leave it feeling dry, itchy, and downright unpleasant. Not to mention the daily sweat that our scalp endures; even on cold days, our bodies are likely to release some heat through our heads. Heat plus a head full of hair equals… you guessed it, sweat.
This build-up of residual products, coupled with continually being subjected to sweat, can leave the scalp in less than optimal condition. If hair follicles become clogged, the scalp will likely start to get itchy, red, and prone to flaking.
By exfoliating the scalp, the skin now has space to breathe. Hair follicles will be able to rebalance their natural oils and find their happy moisture level. A pre-shampoo scalp mask is the easiest way to go about exfoliating your scalp. A scalp mask will gently detox, soothe, and balance the skin. This pre-wash treatment works to purify the scalp with its micro-exfoliating texture and leaves the skin feeling cleansed and refreshed.
Use a scalp mask to exfoliate the skin before shampooing in the shower. Your hair’s cuticle is more receptive to a soothing mask before it is washed. The mask will also help your shampoo give a gentler cleanse with zero irritation.
So, the first step towards a moisturized scalp is exfoliation to create a clean base.
The Right Shampoo
Step two is all about using the right shampoo that will cleanse and nourish your scalp.
You should be washing your hair and scalp at least two to three times a week. Especially during hot summer months or in humid conditions, the scalp will be exposed to more sweat and oil and should be washed regularly. Remember, any residue on the scalp is likely to cause irritation and prevent the scalp from maintaining its desired balance.
Stretching out the time between hair washes is generally regarded as good hair-care practice. This isn’t wrong, but it may not perfectly align with our scalps’ ideal care regime. When people avoid washing their hair, they’re usually compensating by using more of other styling products. This brings us back to our first problem and the first step: exfoliating the scalp to rid it of build-up from exactly these kinds of products.
So, how do you find the perfect balance of clean, healthy hair and a clean, moisturized scalp? Use the right shampoo.
The ideal shampoo will be a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser that will do everything from rebalancing your roots to adding hydration. To ensure the shampoo is really giving your scalp a super clean, massage it into your scalp for thirty seconds using soft, circular motions. Let it sit for another minute or so before rinsing.
With ingredients like Shikakai extract to cleanse, CBD powder to soothe, and prebiotics to balance, using the right shampoo makes all the difference.
Use Natural Products
It’s all about hydration and natural ingredients. Choose quality over quantity, every time.
A dry scalp can be caused by how frequently, or infrequently, you’re shampooing. Cleansing too often can dry out the scalp, but under-washing hair will leave your scalp with build-up from sweat and styling products. The solution is to find a balancing shampoo that’s made for your specific needs, and washing your hair every few days.
Anything that has sulfates in it should be banned from going anywhere on your body. Sulfates attach onto dirt and oil and strip them away as it’s washed out with water. While this sounds like exactly what you want, it isn’t. The downside is that the sulfate also strips both the scalp and the hair of natural oils.
Look for hair masks, scalp masks, shampoos, dry-shampoos, and hair oils made with all-natural ingredients. Better hair care starts with higher standards for the ingredients we let into our products. When treating dryness, oils are your new best friend, and here are three of the best ones:
Jojoba oil is nutrition in its purest form. It’s full of vitamins and minerals that nourish and protect both skin and hair from environmental stressors. Studies have documented that jojoba seed oil works to improve the feel of skin and provide long-lasting hydration effects.
Eucalyptus oil can help relieve the symptoms of an irritated scalp, quell itchiness, and stimulate hair follicles. That’s a home run for supporting a healthy scalp and promoting healthier future hair growth.
Coconut oil moisturizes and nourishes the scalp, alleviating any dryness that causes discomfort and flaking. Coconut oil also boasts a high moisture-retaining capacity, meaning it doesn’t evaporate or break down easily. Once it’s on the skin, scalp, and hair shaft, it doesn’t let moisture escape easily.
Out with the sulfates and in with the natural oils. Using natural products will keep both your scalp and your hair healthy and hydrated.
Maintaining a Healthy, Moisturized Scalp
Maintaining your new and improved scalp is easy. Invest in the right products and keep up with your weekly treatments.
You really can feel the difference when your scalp is hydrated and clean. Once you give it the first go with exfoliation and using the correct products, there’s no going back.
There you have it. How to moisturize your scalp in three steps. Show your scalp some love so it can keep loving you back. Happy cleansing!
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