Your scalp is one of the most overlooked parts of your skincare routine. We exfoliate our faces, moisturise our bodies, and use targeted treatments for concerns like sensitivity or blemishes, but rarely give our scalp the same level of attention. Yet this area of skin plays a vital role in hair health, comfort, and overall wellbeing. When something feels “off” flakiness, itchiness, dryness, tightness, or excess oil, it can affect not only your hair but your confidence.
Scalp issues are extremely common, and the first step to treating them is understanding what’s actually happening beneath your hair. Many people confuse dry scalp with dandruff, or assume flakes automatically mean one thing. In reality, the causes, triggers, and treatments can be very different.
This guide helps you understand your scalp type, identify the real cause of scalp issues, and choose the right products and routine to rebalance your scalp health.
Understanding your scalp: Why it matters
Just like facial skin, your scalp has needs, and when its microbiome and moisture levels fall out of balance, symptoms start to appear. Your scalp is home to:
- Sebaceous glands (which produce sebum)
- Hair follicles
- A protective moisture barrier
- A delicate microbiome
- Nerves and capillaries
When any of these elements become disrupted, scalp issues develop. The most common signs include:
- Flakes
- Redness or irritation
- Dryness or tightness
- Excess oil
- Itching
- Sensitivity to products
- Build-up or congestion
Understanding the root cause is essential because treatments for dryness differ from treatments for dandruff or product build-up.
Dry Scalp vs Dandruff: What’s the difference?
Although both conditions involve flakes, the underlying mechanisms differ.
Dry Scalp: A lack of moisture
If your scalp doesn’t produce enough natural oil, it becomes dry. Just like the skin on your body in winter. Dry scalp is typically associated with:
- Small, light flakes
- Tightness or discomfort
- Itchiness
- Fine or frizzy-feeling hair
- Sensitivity when washing
What causes dry scalp?
- Cold weather
- Low humidity
- Harsh shampoos or overwashing
- Not conditioning your scalp
- Hot water
- Stress
- Dehydration
Dry scalp often responds well to:
- Mineral-rich hydration
- Gentle exfoliation
- Nourishing masks
- Moisturising shampoos and conditioners
Dandruff: A microbiome imbalance
Dandruff flakes tend to be larger, oilier, and may feel sticky at the roots. This condition is caused by an imbalance of the scalp’s microbiome, specifically, overgrowth of Malassezia, a naturally occurring yeast.
Signs of dandruff include:
- Yellowish or larger flakes
- Greasy roots
- Itchy patches
- Mild irritation
- Redness
What causes dandruff?
- Overactive sebaceous glands
- Fungal imbalance
- Hormonal changes
- Stress
- Product overload
- Sensitivity to certain haircare ingredients
Dandruff often improves with:
- Scalp exfoliation
- Clarifying minerals
- Ocean-rich mud treatments
- Balancing shampoos
- Scalp-friendly routines
Other causes of scalp issues
Not all scalp issues fall neatly into “dryness” or “dandruff.” Many people experience:
1. Product Build-Up
Heavy conditioners, styling products, dry shampoo, and silicones can accumulate on the scalp, clogging follicles and causing flakes that mimic dandruff.
2. Hard Water
Mineral deposits can coat the scalp, leading to dryness, irritation, and dull hair.
3. Sensitivity or Allergies
Certain surfactants, fragrances, or harsh formulas may trigger reactions on sensitive scalps.
4. Overwashing or Underwashing
Too much washing dries the scalp; too little washing causes buildup—both can lead to flakes.
5. Stress
Stress affects the skin barrier everywhere, including your scalp, and may worsen dryness or flakes.
How to Understand Your Scalp Better
Here’s a quick self-assessment:
✔ Are your flakes tiny, white, and dust-like? → Dry scalp
✔ Are flakes larger, oily, and stick to the roots? → Dandruff
✔ Does your scalp feel tight or itchy after washing? → Dry scalp
✔ Do flakes return quickly even after washing? → Dandruff or build-up
✔ Does your scalp feel greasy but flaky? → Dandruff
✔ Do you use a lot of styling products? → Build-up
✔ Is your scalp sensitive to many shampoos? → Sensitivity
Understanding this helps you choose better solutions—and adopt a routine that supports long-term scalp health.
How to rebalance your scalp (the right way)
Regardless of scalp concern, all healthy routines involve:
1. Regular Gentle Exfoliation
Removing dead skin, excess oil, and product buildup is key.
Pink salt formulas are especially effective because they exfoliate without stripping.
2. Mineral-Rich Hydration
Minerals help soothe dryness, calm flakes, and restore balance.
3. Weekly Scalp Treatments
Masks or mud treatments detox, remineralise, and strengthen the scalp barrier.
4. A Consistent Routine
The scalp responds best to consistency—not harsh “quick fixes.”
Your Next Step: Start Your Scalp Reset Journey
If you want to understand your scalp better and finally fix dryness or flakes, start with a simple, mineral-rich routine:
-
Pink Salt Shampoo to exfoliate and reset
-
Seaweed Scalp Mud to soothe and rebalance
-
Mineral Shampoo to hydrate and nourish
Take a before photo and begin your 30-day scalp journey to track your progress, stay consistent, and watch your scalp transform.
Your scalp is skin. It deserves care, attention, and balance.
