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6 super-effective home remedies for dandruff you need to try

Raid your kitchen shelf

Clean, hydrated and healthy hair is what we all aim for. But anyone who suffers from dandruff knows what a nuisance it can be from day-to-day, especially in the colder months of winter. And while there are multiple shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments that are supposed to get rid of dandruff, they don't all work and can often contain chemicals that can further irritate your scalp. We've rounded up some of the best dandruff remedies and concoctions that can be used to combat the pesky flakes that nobody wants—the best news is that you can find the ingredients for these dandruff remedies right at home. Time to raid your kitchen cupboard.

What is dandruff and what causes it?

When temperatures drop, our skin becomes dry and lacks moisture, especially on our scalp, which can often go unnoticed since it's typically covered by hair. While several causes can lead to dandruff, dry skin is the most common, predominantly in colder months when the pH balance of the skin gets thrown off due to falling temperatures. The result is itching, with flakes of skin that range in colour from white to yellow and tend to fall off, which makes dandruff treatments the need of the hour.

Try one of these six dandruff remedies to treat and cure this skin condition at home:

Take two-three egg yolks, mix with a fork and apply to the scalp. Rub in. Cover your head with plastic or a towel and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse out with shampoo and conditioner. Why it works: Biotin is essential for healthy skin and plays a major part in maintaining it, and contributes to the treatment of dandruff. Egg yolks are an excellent source of this skin-loving vitamin.


Mix two-three drops of organic jojoba oil with a fragrance-free shampoo, every other day. Why it works: Jojoba oil works as a dandruff treatment as it contains vitamin E, which nourishes dry, flaky skin and keeps it hydrated and moisturised.


Grind neem leaves in the mixer and mix with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Once it becomes a thick paste, put it all over the scalp like a hair mask and keep it on for 20 minutes. Why it works: Neem is anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory, making it the perfect dandruff treatment. Coconut oil penetrates deep into the skin, hydrating from the inside out. Mixing both ingredients together helps to get rid of dandruff.


Apply olive oil all over your scalp and massage in. Sleep on a towel and leave on overnight. When you wake up, shampoo and condition as normal. Why it works: Olive oil is easily absorbed into the skin. It moisturises the dry areas of the scalp, preventing the skin from flaking and helps get rid of dandruff.


In a mixer, blend four-five, one-inch pieces of papaya and one tablespoon of honey, and apply directly to the scalp. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash as normal. Why it works: Papaya contains enzymes which can prevent and control the excess build-up of oil on your scalp. Honey helps skin hold onto moisture while delivering an infusion of vitamins A, C, D, E, and B-complex. It also contains beta-carotene and minerals of iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, calcium, and phosphorous, all essential for maintaining healthy, balanced skin.


Crush two aspirin tablets into a powder. Mix a teaspoon of your regular shampoo with the powder. Massage into the scalp and leave on for five minutes. Rinse off. Why it works: Aspirin contains salicylic acid which exfoliates the scalp naturally, leaving the skin flake-free.

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