Having an itchy scalp can be frustrating and uncomfortable, especially if you’re not sure what’s causing it or how to soothe it.
At Green People, we are experts in sensitive skin, and many people come to us with an itchy, sensitive scalp. We carefully formulate our shampoos with gentle foaming agents and the ingredient Bromelain, from Pineapple, to promote scalp health.
This guide looks at the reasons why your scalp may be flaky, dry or itchy as well as some tips and product recommendations to help you with your flaky or itchy scalp.
At a glance:
- An itchy scalp can be caused by harsh shampoo ingredients, dryness or skin conditions
- Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a common ingredient in high street shampoo brands which may cause itching and irritation
- Try switching to a natural, SLS-free shampoo with Bromelain to help cleanse and soothe your scalp
- We recommend for scalp support: Green People Irritated Scalp Shampoo
- Gentle scalp massage and thorough rinsing can also help to promote a healthy scalp
Why do I have an itchy scalp?
An itchy scalp is exactly what it sounds like - a feeling of irritation or tickling on your scalp that makes you want to scratch. It can be mild and occasional, or persistent and uncomfortable. Either way, it is something most people want to avoid or resolve, particularly as there are some simple ways to soothe an itchy scalp.
There are a few different reasons you may be experiencing scalp irritation. You may be experiencing a reaction to your shampoo, or one of a range of conditions that can affect the skin on the scalp. Read on to find out more.
Which ingredient in shampoo causes an itchy scalp?
Wondering if your shampoo is causing your itchy scalp? It might be. A lot of shampoos that are readily available on the high street include harsh foaming agents, especially the detergent Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS).
SLS is what gives many shampoos their foaminess, but it is a known skin and scalp irritant. If you’re experiencing a sensitive or itchy scalp, check the label on your shampoo and hair care as you might find that it contains SLS.
If SLS is the cause of your problem, the easiest way to solve it is to avoid products that contain this ingredient. This will make a huge difference to your itchy scalp, often straight away.
At Green People, we never use SLS in our products.
For us, there are other ingredients - like coconut-derived cleansers - that work just as well to help to create a rich, cleansing lather, without the irritation. Read more about our SLS-free shampoos.
If you’d like to see if skipping SLS makes a difference to you, we’d suggest starting out with our Irritated Scalp Shampoo.
Irritated Scalp Shampoo 200ml
Soothe and balance with best organic shampoo for an irritated scalp
252 kr
Which scalp problems can cause itchiness?
SLS isn’t the only thing that can cause an itchy scalp. Itchiness and flaking can also be caused by certain skin conditions like seborrhoeic eczema and scalp psoriasis. Seborrhoeic eczema produces greasier, yellowy flakes, whilst scalp psoriasis is characterised by red patches with silver scales.
So why does flaking happen when you have a dry or itchy scalp? A flaky scalp happens when your scalp loses more dead skin cells than usual and they aren't removed when you brush or wash your hair. It can feel like it comes out of nowhere - you look in the mirror part way through the day and spot the tell-tale flakes in your parting.
If you’re experiencing flakiness without itching, you might have dandruff, which is most common in people with oily hair. Dandruff is a common condition, made worse when your scalp isn't properly moisturised. Often, keeping your hair and skin looking and feeling good is about getting things in balance.
Some brands of anti-dandruff shampoos may clear away dead skin cells but harsh ingredients can still leave your scalp feeling out of balance.
This can mean that your scalp starts to flake and itch even more. It becomes a cycle that can feel like a struggle to get out of. The good news is that there are some really easy steps that you can take to take back control of your scalp.
Natural shampoo for an itchy scalp
Our natural shampoos are just the thing for an itchy scalp.
Made without SLS, artificial fragrances and other harsh chemicals that can lead to dryness and flakiness, they instead contain organic essential oils and pure plant extracts to promote glossy hair and a healthy scalp.
In particular, we use the powerful natural ingredient Bromelain, which is an enzyme from Pineapple. This is both an anti-inflammatory and an exfoliator, helping to reduce scalp irritation and lift away dead skin cells.
If you have oily hair and a problematic scalp:
Try our Irritated Scalp Shampoo and Conditioner. Stimulating Rosemary Oil and Pineapple Enzymes help to cleanse the scalp thoroughly to relieve itchiness, whilst leaving hair naturally glossy.
If your hair is normal or dry and your scalp is very itchy:
Try our Itch Away Shampoo. It contains Tea Tree, which is strongly antibacterial and antiseptic to control microbes linked to dandruff, and Pineapple Enzymes which help to remove excess dead skin cells and rebalance a flaky scalp. It can be combined with any of our organic conditioners.
Green People for Men - No. 10 Itch Away Shampoo 150ml
A soothing natural shampoo for men with a dry, itchy or flaky scalp
252 kr
If your scalp is very sensitive to fragrances and essential oils:
Try Scent Free Shampoo and Conditioner. Made with ultra-gentle ingredients, this sensitive hair care duo leaves hair soft and silky.
See all of our natural itchy scalp products now.
What can I do to help a flaky or itchy scalp?
There are lots of things that you can do to make a difference to an itchy, flaky scalp. You don’t need to struggle, be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable with a scalp that feels tender.
Here are some of the steps you can take to help a flaky or itchy scalp:
- Avoid harsh shampoos and wash thoroughly using one of our natural shampoos for itchy scalp. Ours don’t contain SLS and are full of natural ingredients to gently cleanse and nourish your scalp and hair.
- Massage your scalp with a scalp massage tool when you shampoo your hair, but try not to scratch at your scalp. This will help to loosen flakes without leaving your scalp damaged or irritated.
- If you have a flaky, greasy scalp you may also like to massage your scalp with Jojoba Oil at least 30 minutes before shampooing. This calms the sebaceous glands in your scalp which release too much sebum to cause the greasiness.
- Tea Tree and Manuka can also be helpful in reducing the bacteria which cause dandruff. Washing your hair with a natural anti-dandruff shampoo which contains these plant-based ingredients can help.
- Avoid using styling products wherever possible, as these can cause build-up and itching which can lead to irritation and flakes.
- Have a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Increase your Omega-3&6 intake but remember to keep it balanced.
- Visit your doctor if you aren't having any success with these suggestions.
If you’d like to find out more about our natural and organic hair care, please take a look at our itchy scalp shampoos or take our hair care quiz now.
Alternatively, our friendly UK customer care team is happy to help with any questions you may have about choosing hair care for an itchy scalp. Please chat to us on social media @GreenPeopleUK or call us on 01403 740350.
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to 'Itchy scalp problems: your essential guide.' Please do not use an affiliate link.
