5 Super Simple Ways to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally

*Itching* to get rid of dandruff for good? Learn how to get rid of dandruff with natural remedies for flake-free scalp relief. When it comes to those dry, white flakes that randomly show up in your hairline at the most inconvenient times, about 50 million Americans experience it. But you might be asking yourself: Why me? and How can I get rid of dandruff? Keep reading for answers and lasting relief.

What causes dandruff?

Dandruff involves the skin on your scalp, on which skin cells grow and die off too fast. Why exactly this happens is a mystery, but there are several potential causes. Fortunately, basic dandruff doesn’t merit a trip to the doctor. And the good news is that it’s pretty harmless. That said, it can be itchy and embarrassing, so it makes sense to want to learn how to get rid of dandruff once and for all.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally

Now, for your long-awaited solutions: What helps with dandruff? Luckily, there are several natural remedies to get rid of dandruff—from sun to supplements for dandruff. Here are some of our go-tos.

1. Get More Sun

Quick caveat: We’re neither telling you to sunbathe for an exorbitant amount of time, nor are we giving you a free pass to ditch SPF. We’re just saying that getting a little more sun exposure has been shown to kill malassezia, a fungi and major culprit behind dandruff. Just get those rays cautiously. Remember, it takes only a few minutes for unprotected sun exposure to start taking its toll on your skin’s health.

2. Supplement with Omega-3s

Omega-3s have tons of benefits, including but not limited to:

• healthier skin
• better memory
• a regulated mood

But what you might not know is how adding omega-3s to your diet can significantly help fight dandruff naturally. Adding more omega-3 fatty acids to your diet not only regulates the oil production of your skin, but also reduces inflammation—thus alleviating dandruff symptoms and irritation. And while we always promote getting key nutrients through food, you can take an omega-3 supplement (like OMG! Omega the Great) to help cover your bases.

3. Use An Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

You’ve heard of using apple cider vinegar as a DIY shiny hair rinse, right? Luckily, it also doubles as a natural home remedy for dandruff. That’s because ACV balances the pH of your skin and can reduce the growth of fungus associated with dandruff. Our advice: Try it once a week after you shampoo and condition for a double-duty beauty boost.

4. Add Tea Tree Oil to Your Shampoo

Tea tree oil is one of our favorite beauty ingredients on account of its natural moisturizing and antifungal properties. Not only is it a terrific treatment for breakouts, but it’s also effective at getting rid of dandruff. In fact, participants in one study who used a tea tree oil shampoo over four weeks showed a 41 percent improvement in:

• dandruff severity
• itchiness
• greasiness

Getting rid of dandruff with tea tree oil is as simple as adding five to 10 drops to your shampoo. Otherwise, consider purchasing a bottle with this essential oil on your next haul.

5. Beat Dandruff by Managing Stress

I know, we hear this tip all the time. But you can’t argue with science: Reducing your stress levels is extremely beneficial for nearly every aspect of your health. (Plus, excessive worrying can also wreak havoc on your skin, hair, and body.) When it comes to dandruff specifically, an unhealthy stress response can aggravate symptoms like dryness and itching. To help make your flakes an issue of the past, follow your favorite stress reduction practices. Some of our faves include meditation, yoga, breathwork, and anything else involving self-care—even your daily skincare routine!

Final Thoughts

Flaky, itchy dandruff isn’t fun. However, it’s a common issue, so know that you’re not alone. The good news is that there are several tried-and-true solutions that can help you get rid of dandruff naturally. Plus, they’re all pretty easy to incorporate into your personal-care regimen. Feel free to use them alone or mix and match to find the routine most effective for you.