Dry, Itchy Scalp? Try this Organic Recipe
Posted by Bloomy Lotus, 1st December 2020
When the temperature drops, so do the humidity levels both indoors and out. When there is a drop in humidity, moisture evaporates from our skin more quickly making it more susceptible to becoming dry and irritated. Below is a remedy for relieving your irritated scalp as well as a few tips for preventing it altogether.
One of the most common problems people deal with during the winter is dry, flaky skin –– especially when it comes to the scalp. After what seems like a lifetime of trial and error, I've finally found a remedy thatactually works. The star ingredients? Apple cider vinegar and peppermint oil.
Your skin and scalp in particular have a naturally low pH (acidic) for the primary reason of making it inhospitable for bacteria. Most hair products tend to have a higher pH (basic), which can cause a pH imbalance and lead to irritation.
One study showed that using more basic products led to scalp dehydration as well as disrupting multiple variables that can lead to increased dryness and breakage of hair. Using products that are more acidic may increase strength of hair, decrease breakage, and create a better scalp environment in general. Peppermint oil is also a great ingredient for promoting a healthy scalp. It’s main constituent compound, menthol, is a known vasodilator –– meaning it can increase circulation to areas where it is used topically. This is extremely good news for people with scalp irritation since summoning fresh, oxygen rich blood can help reduce irritation as well as help with dryness. Plus, the tingly feeling from the peppermint oil feels amazing on the itchy, irritated skin! Find the recipe below.
Shop our Certified Organic Peppermint oil
Love Your Scalp Tingling Elixir
What you’ll need
- 1 Cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Cup distilled water (or boiled tap water)
- 15 drops of Peppermint essential oil
- 16-18 oz glass spray bottle or glass bottle with a spout (like what is used to pour olive oil)
Directions
First, add water and vinegar to the container you plan to store your elixir in. Next, add in your peppermint oil. Shake to distribute ingredients evenly.
Take your elixir into shower. Shampoo first to get rid of any oils or debris on the scalp. After shampooing, pour the elixir directly on the scalp (make sure you don’t miss any parts of the scalp). Massage the elixir into the scalp for about 5 minutes and then let it sit for about 5 minutes (total 10 minutes). Rinse and condition as normal and enjoy the tingle!
Note: If using on color treated hair, be careful to only apply to the scalp and rinse thoroughly.
Using products that are more acidic may increase strength of hair, decrease breakage, and create a better scalp environment in general.
Extra Tips
- Keep an ultrasonic diffuser or humidifier running when the humidity level drops below 50%.
- Always rinse your hair with cold water, especially during the winter months!
- Drink lots of water! This helps you stay hydrated from the inside out.
- Exercise! Getting your body moving helps promote healthy circulation.
- Regularly consume foods like salmon, flax seed, nuts, chia seeds, and avocados –– all of which contain healthy fats with beneficial omega 3’s and 6’s that promote healthy skin and help to reduce inflammation.
Written by Kara Montgomery
Kara believes the small choices of what we expose ourselves to on a day-to-day basis have a profound impact on our overall health. As a published neurotoxicology researcher, Kara has participated in studies that examined the link between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease, which have garnered around $1 million in NIH funding. With this knowledge, Kara takes a critical eye to the products and habits all of us engage with on a regular basis. She holds a BS in Neuroscience from King University.