Tips on How to: Combat a Dry & Flakey Scalp in the Winter

Winter comes with a lot of bonuses, such as holidays, gifts, and lots of food! Winter also comes with cooler weather that can have different effects on the scalp and hair. Some common scalp issues that may occur include experiencing a dry, flakey scalp, itchiness, and irritation. This can be due to the air being drier during the winter months than other times of the year. The constant shift of air between indoors and outdoors can promote these issues as well. We at Active Care know the importance of scalp care and want to share how you can combat a dry and flakey scalp this winter!

Why You Should Treat Your Scalp

The scalp is the root of all hair growth, so proper care and maintenance are crucial to the health and beauty of the hair. Having a dry and flakey scalp can be an issue, not only for your well-being but also for your hair, because it could potentially lead to worse problems such as hair loss, discomfort, and dandruff. These conditions can alter your hair's health and appearance, which is why we will be going over some tips on how to combat dry scalp once and for all!

Tip #1 Swap your hair care products

Swap the bad for the good. When you experience a dry and flakey scalp, sometimes the products you use can cause further damage. For example, if you are using products that contain sulfates, parabens, or alcohol, you may be adding more fuel to the fire. That is why we recommend swapping hair products for those that have more natural and moisturizing ingredients! Instantly, your hair should feel more moisturized and soft, as natural ingredients are more gentle to use and won't strip your hair of its natural oils.

Tip #2 Exfoliate the Scalp

Scalp scrubs usually are textured to exfoliate the scalp and easily remove product buildup, dead skin cells, dirt, and excess oils, which could cause dandruff. 

A scalp exfoliator brush is also a great way to rid the scalp of any flakiness or issues caused by the cold air. Usually, these brushes have soft bristles that, when used on the scalp, help decrease the appearance of flakes and can even be used to promote hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp. However, exfoliating an already dry scalp can cause more dryness, which is why we recommend to be gentle and follow up with moisturizing products afterward, with scalp products related to your specific scalp issue.

Lastly, use scalp care oils, such as Active Care's Serums and Boosters. Scalp massages with scalp care oils help with dry scalp issues and have a massive amount of benefits, including stimulating healthy hair growth, nourishing the scalp and hair, and preventing future scalp and hair damage. For starters, we recommend trying Active Care's Deep-Cleansing Line, which includes a Purifying Booster, a Purifying Serum, a Purifying Shampoo, and a Purifying Lotion to purify the scalp and to help combat dryness, flakiness, and product buildup. All of the products mentioned are made with natural and botanical ingredients such as Arnica, Chamomile, Rosemary, and many more plant extracts and oils to treat dry scalp issues effectively. Arnica helps calm the scalp or any irritation caused by dryness and reduce flakes and excess sebum that can promote dandruff. Chamomile helps reduce flakes and soothes the scalp, while Rosemary helps relieve dryness and itchiness. Tap here to learn more: https://progenactivecare.com/collections/deep-cleansing 

Tip #3 Moisturize 

To balance out a dry scalp, you MUST moisturize the scalp! Whether it is by using a hair mask, hair lotion, or using a hydrating shampoo and moisturizing conditioner, the scalp needs as much moisture as it can get during the dry and colder months. We mentioned a hair mask because they are a great way to incorporate moisture into your hair care routine. Hair masks are full of moisturizing agents that add hydration to the hair and scalp and make the hair softer and shinier. There are also many DIY hair masks that you can make from ingredients you might already have at home as you read this!

One of our favorite hydrating DIY hair masks is a simple four-ingredient hair mask that includes:

1.  1 tablespoon of coconut oil
2.  1 tablespoon of honey, 
3. 1/2 of an avocado
4. 1/2 of a banana

Mix these ingredients in a blender and leave-in your hair and scalp for about 15-20 minutes. Rinse and wash hair as usual, and feel the difference.

We also recommend using a hair lotion; hair lotions are great because they help the hair retain moisture and keep it from becoming dry and brittle. Switching to a hydrating shampoo and moisturizing conditioner is also great for a dry scalp. They work together to keep the scalp and hair healthy by retaining the hair's moisture and ultimately adding luster and shine back to the hair. We recommend trying our Nutrifuse line of hair care products formulated to treat dry, damaged hair, with products filled with proteins and essential oils that help restore and rebuild dry, brittle strands. To learn more, tap here: https://progennutrifuse.com/ 

We hope we have inspired you to try some of these tips out to help combat the signs of dry and flakey scalp conditions this winter! For more information about the products mentioned in this blog, please email activecare@progenglobal.com or visit: www.progenactivecare.com or www.progennutrifuse.com.