winter problem scalp dandruff
Cold, wet temperatures in constant alternation with dry heating air or air conditioning can cause increased dandruff on the scalp. The annoying small particles in the hair also trickle down onto the collar and shoulders, where they are particularly visible on dark clothing and look unkempt. With the right hair and scalp care, increased dandruff formation can be successfully eliminated in the long term.
What are scalp dandruff?
Scalp flakes are small skin particles that are regularly shed by the scalp. Since our skin is constantly renewing itself, this is a completely normal process. The flakes usually remain invisible because we rinse them out with shampoo every time we wash our hair.
However, especially in the cold season, many people are plagued by flaky scalp problems. The scalp is either dry and irritated or oily and greasy. Therefore, there are two types of scalp dandruff that must be treated differently depending on the cause - dry and oily dandruff.
When the scalp is dry and itchy, small dead skin cells - made worse by the dry air from the heating system - fall off as white flakes on the shoulders. Oily flakes, on the other hand, are larger and sticky, and have a yellowish color. They are usually associated with an increased occurrence of a scalp fungus (Malassezia furfur). This is part of the normal bacterial colonization of the scalp, but under poor conditions it spreads unchecked and overgrows the healthy scalp flora.
What are the possible causes of dandruff?
In most cases, the cause of scalp dandruff is incorrect hair care. This can be blow-drying hair with too much heat, shampoos with aggressive ingredients, or styling products such as hairspray or hair gel with alcohol. However, skin problems such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis are also associated with dry scalp flakes. Seborrhoeic dermatitis usually results in stubborn, greasy flakes.
An incorrect or unbalanced diet can also play a role in the appearance of dry dandruff. Maintaining a healthy scalp also depends on an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals. In particular, the B vitamins, vitamins C and E, as well as iron, zinc and folic acid promote a healthy scalp.
How common dandruff shampoos work
Conventional dandruff shampoos promise quick relief. However, the improvement is usually short-lived, if at all. All too often, we are also plagued by a red, itchy and irritated scalp after such treatment. Why is that?
Conventional dandruff shampoos contain chemical bacteria killers such as climbazole, triclosan, selenium disulfate or zinc pyrithione, which have been shown to have skin-irritating side effects. These chemicals may help temporarily, but in the long term they make the problem even worse. All of these ingredients have a high allergenic potential, and some are considered carcinogenic or teratogenic. They are also not biodegradable, which means they accumulate in our rivers, lakes and seas. Side effects such as skin redness or itching occur more frequently with long-term use.
Our organic dandruff shampoo with clinically proven active ingredient complex
If your scalp is very oily, you should wash your hair every day, even if you should generally avoid washing your hair too often. However, make sure that your shampoo does not contain any aggressive surfactants that contain sulfates. These are usually sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, but also sodium coco sulfate, which is used as the main surfactant in almost every natural cosmetic shampoo. Instead, prefer shampoos with skin-friendly plant-based surfactants such as detergent amino acids (sodium/disodium cocoyl glutamate), which use mild detergent substances to permanently remove excess oil and dirt from the scalp.
As a natural alternative for oily scalp dandruff, we recommend the myrto Anti-Dandruff Organic Shampoo. In addition to skin-friendly surfactants, this shampoo contains a purely plant-based, antimicrobial lactylate active ingredient complex with clinically proven effectiveness against the dandruff-causing scalp fungus Malassezia Furfur. In addition, sage and rosemary gently slow down the flow of sebum. This supports the development of a healthy scalp flora. The healthy skin flora or the microbiome of the scalp consists of desirable bacteria, viruses and fungi that cover the skin and protect it from external pollutants. The lactylate active ingredient complex of our organic dandruff shampoo specifically prevents the scalp fungus that proliferates in oily dandruff from multiplying further and thus gently promotes the desired, healthy bacterial colonization that brings the scalp back into balance.
For small dry flakes, which are usually caused by incorrect, aggressive hair care or chemical treatments, we recommend the Bio Repair Shampoo Schizandra Berry. In addition to an ultra-mild base of detergent amino acids, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant plant extracts from Schizandra and Acai berry have a soothing and balancing effect on the skin.
Organic serums against oily & dry dandruff
The myrto organic scalp treatments are ideal for getting a greasy or dry, irritated scalp under control in the long term. These organic hair serums without alcohol, preservatives or other skin-irritating additives are an intensive treatment to gently and sustainably bring the scalp back into balance. The scalp serums without rinsing are suitable for daily use.
The myrto organic scalp treatment F against greasy, irritated scalp and oily dandruff contains, in addition to the particularly skin-friendly lactylate-dandruff active complex, 3 other plant active ingredients: Grape seed oil softens calluses and helps to bring the scalp into lasting balance. Burdock root extract and rosemary support healthy hair growth and strengthen the hair fiber.
The myrto organic scalp treatment T for dry scalp soothes itching, redness and irritation with anti-inflammatory hemp oil and schizandra extract. Beta-glucan rebuilds the scalp's protective barrier layer and counteracts inflammation. The serum with pure natural ingredients compensates for the negative effects of chemical treatments. All myrto organic scalp treatments are free of alcohol, emulsifiers and preservatives. They are therefore also recommended for highly sensitive scalps.
