These Moisturizing Treatments Will Save Your Dry, Flaky Scalp (2024)

I squeeze a little bit of this milky, lightweight scalp serum through my part whenever my skin feels a bit tight or irritated because it helps moisturize with honey and glycerin, then locks all that moisture in with a bunch of skin-loving oils (hi, safflower seed oil, sunflower seed oil, rose hip oil, and evening primrose oil). Plus, all of these moisturizers work double-duty with gold-star-level soother ectoin to help calm down some of the inflammation on my scalp.

THE REVIEWS: One reviewer writes, “I definitely had a flaky, dry scalp all winter. I used this, and after the first use, I knew it was gonna be good. My scalp felt so moisturized, and I didn’t have any flakes.”

Don’t feel like dropping a ton of cash on your dry-scalp treatment? Same, which is why I’m obsessed with this drugstore option from Head & Shoulders. Perfect for treating my scalp in-between washing my hair, this cooling spray (which uses menthol, peppermint, and tea tree oil, all of which my scalp actually loves) soothes my dry, itchy scalp. I just part my hair in sections and mist it wherever I need some relief, then lightly massage in with my fingertips.

THE REVIEWS: “During the winter, I always had dry scalp, and it was embarrassing to go one to two days without washing my hair,” writes one reviewer. “I tried this and was using it right after the shower two to three times a week, and it changed my scalp! It felt so soothing from the tea tree oil. I’m so excited I finally found something that works for me after YEARS of dealing with dry scalp.”

Dermatologist Anar Mikailov, MD, recommends this over-the-counter dandruff shampoo for those with dandruff-prone, dry scalps to exfoliate and control excess fungal growth. Why? Because it’s filled with 2 percent salicylic acid to gently lift and remove scales and dead skin, leaving you with calmed, flake-free skin when you suds up once a week for two to three weeks. Although this formula is sulfate-free, it does contain some other harsh surfactants, so make sure to follow it up with a moisturizing deep conditioner to keep your hair and scalp hydrated.

THE REVIEWS: According to one tester, “Flakes where? Dry scalp where? I absolutely love this shampoo. I have had a dry scalp for as long as I can remember. My scalp was clean and absent of flakes or dryness, and my hair was still soft and manageable. I am a believer.”

Generally, it’s best to avoid drying AHAs and BHAs when your scalp is dry, says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. But (!) if you’re dealing with flakes, try this gentle exfoliating serum to help chemically buff them away with gluconolactone and lactic and mandelic acids, she says. Bc unlike other irritating exfoliants, this one is filled with moisturizers—like sunflower seed oil, arginine, and vitamin E—along with soothing centella asiatica.

THE REVIEWS: “I have an easily irritated, super-sensitive scalp when it comes to products that state they’re supposed to ‘cool or refresh the scalp,’” writes one tester in a review. “This does not cause any flare-ups or irritation for me at all! I love that it has a very gentle, cooling sensation—not like someone dumped a whole bottle of peppermint oil on your head.”

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) is the only topical treatment that can make your hair grow faster, and it can definitely be a bit drying since you have to use it nearly every day until the end of time to keep seeing results. But you can give this dry-scalp treatment a try, because it includes two peptides to help stimulate collagen production, which can slowly boost your scalp’s health and ultimately create an optimal scalp environment for hair growth. Plus, it’s filled with moisturizers like glycerin, arginine, and glycine soja-germ extract (an ingredient that helps draw water into your skin) to help ease some dryness and flakes.

THE REVIEWS: According to one review, “I have been using this for around two months. Obviously, hair growth isn’t overnight, but I do find it’s made my hair feel thicker and definitely look fuller, especially around my temples.”

Anyone with 4c hair knows that no matter how gentle and moisturizing a shampoo is, it’s still somewhat drying, especially if you’re already dealing with an irritated scalp. Enter: this pre-shampoo oil, which combines a whole bunch of oils (meadowfoam seed oil, babassu oil, rapeseed oil, maracujá oil, and chia seed oil) that lock in the moisture on your scalp and hair to help offset some of the dryness when you shampoo. Just drip 2 to 3 full droppers onto your dry scalp, massage in, then wait 10 to 15 minutes before hopping in the shower to cleanse. Or leave it on while you sleep for a major scalp-moisturizing moment.

THE REVIEWS: “I suffer from severe dry scalp,” writes one tester. “I used this oil underneath my protective styling, and it definitely helps keep my scalp from feeling raw and filled with dandruff. I tried plenty of ‘all natural oils,’ but this oil has worked the best on my hair. It moisturizes my hair so well that I can extend my wash days out a week or two. I love it so much.”

If harsh actives still feel a bit irritating for your dry scalp, try this handheld scalp massager with soft, silicone bristles. It has two vibrating modes to help gently exfoliate some of the flakes off your scalp (and feels hella relaxing too, IMO). Just squirt your shampoo directly onto the teeth, then massage it into your roots in the shower when your hair’s wet. Or you can also massage all of your scalp treatments and serums into your dry scalp with this tool before bed.

THE REVIEWS: “The brush is silicone, so it is soft and hasn’t irritated my sensitive scalp,” writes one reviewer. “Plus, the vibration feels amazing on my scalp.”

Truly, this is the MVP of gentle shampoos, because it’s fragrance-free, sulfate-free, essential oil-free, silicone-free, and oil-free. Instead, it’s filled with moisturizing squalane and soothing bisabolol to help calm irritation and dryness while lightly cleansing. I, personally, cut down on shampooing and swap this in once or twice a week when my scalp is in a bit of a tizzy, then offset it with a clarifying shampoo every four washes to break down any buildup and oils.

THE REVIEWS: “I’ve had a sensible/itchy scalp and frizzy hair for most of my adult life,” reads one review. “I’ve been using Seen products for a couple of years now, and WOW, it’s all gone. The shampoo gives me a gentle but effective cleanse too.”

I’m blessed with scalp eczema, which can sometimes lead to a super-itchy, dry scalp, which I’ve started treating with this Eczema Honey oil. It’s lightweight, but contains so many calming ingredients to help relieve some of my itch: aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal, honey, and vitamin E, which all also help moisturize my skin too. I massage it onto my scalp at night before bed, let those oils coat my scalp and hair, then wash it out in the morning.

THE REVIEWS: “I’ve always struggled with an itchy, flaky scalp,” writes one tester. “Within one week of using this scalp oil, I had a noticeable change. I’ll be ordering more and using it daily.”

Look for moisturizing ingredients

Make sure your dry-scalp treatments includes one of these dermatologist-approved moisturizers: (1) humectants, like hyaluronic acid, honey, panthenol, and glycerin; (2) rich butters, like shea butter and cocoa butter; and (3) penetrating oils, like argan oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil. All of these will actually help hydrate your skin, while sealants (like castor oil, olive oil, and coconut oil) help lock in moisture and prevent water loss that can lead to a disrupted skin barrier and irritation.

Consider your hair porosity

Quick lesson: Hair porosity is all about how much moisture your hair can hold. Low-porosity hair has a difficult time absorbing anything, while high-porosity hair soaks up water, creams, and custards like a sponge. That said, you can sometimes get a dry scalp, even if your hair is super low porosity and typically oily. In that case, look for lightweight serums, not oils, to help moisturize and soothe your scalp. But if your hair is high-porosity and already on the drier side, feel free to load up your scalp with heavier oils and butters to not only increase moisture but help lock in water.

• Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, NY, and a clinical assistant professor at Cornell. Dr. Garshick specializes in general medical dermatology as well as cosmetic dermatology.
• Anar Mikailov, MD, is not only a board-certified dermatologist at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, MA, but also the founder of KP Away, a skincare line devoted to treating keratosis pilaris.

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with nearly five years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from shampoo for oily hair to hair-growth shampoo. She’s an authority on all hair categories but is an expert when it comes to dry-scalp treatments, thanks to years of dealing with her own itchy, flaky scalp. She regularly tests and analyzes scalp products efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and trichologists to assess new formulas and brands.

Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for three years and has written hundreds of beauty stories about hair, skin, and makeup, including shampoos for thinning hair and protein treatments. Interviewing experts, testing products, and reading reviews is how she compiled this list.

Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan with more than 10 years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle articles, including hair diffusers and 2023 hair trends. Her dry-scalp treatment picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing, along with information from experts.