Natural Remedies That May Help Fight Dandruff

Undoubtedly, dandruff is one of the most common scalp problems, which is usually fairly unpleasant. Although a lot of people associate it with poor hygiene, the truth is that it could be caused by several different things: excessive oil production, stress, allergies, and even fungus.
Natural Remedies That May Help Fight Dandruff
Eliana Delgado Villanueva

Reviewed and approved by the nutritionist Eliana Delgado Villanueva.

Written by Ekhiñe Graell

Last update: 09 October, 2022

In this article, we’re going to give you a few natural remedies that may help fight dandruff. Keep reading!

It’s important to mention that these remedies do not work in all cases, depending on what type of dandruff you have. If it is the result of too much oil production on the scalp, these remedies will work for you. However, if your dandruff is caused by fungus, you’ll need to see a specialist, who will likely prescribe you a pharmaceutical shampoo.

What is dandruff?

Dandruff is a condition that’s characterized by the formation of, more or less excessive, small, dead skin flakes on the scalp. This process is commonly known as flaking. Individuals that suffer from dandruff produce an abnormal amount of dead skin. As we all know, new skin replaces dead skin cells.

In addition to small skin flakes, dandruff is also characterized by redness and itching on the scalp. Dandruff is most commonly produced by a fungus known as FM, or by seborrhea. On the other hand, dandruff isn’t really caused by dryness, which a lot of people believe.

Natural remedies that may help fight dandruff

Celery

Celery bits

Celery is one of the most effective natural products to fight dandruff.  In this case, all you need to do is boil one liter of water, and once it begins to boil, add two or three celery stalks with all their leaves. After adding this to the water, continue boiling for five minutes, or more. Finally, let it cool and apply to your scalp before applying shampoo .

Check out:

5 Incredible Little-known Benefits of Celery

Lemon

Lemons may also be effective to fight dandruff. Just apply the juice from one lemon to your scalp for approximately two minutes, before shampooing. This way the fruit will be able to effect its astringent properties. Another benefit of this remedy is that it makes your hair shiny.

Beets

Beet slices to fight dandruff

Beet roots, especially the white ones, are another magnificent option to naturally fight dandruff.

Boil the roots in water, at a ratio of three to one, which means to add three times more water than beets. Lastly, apply this water to your scalp every night, gently massaging with your fingertips.

Apple cider vinegar

To prevent or counteract dandruff, you could also use apple cider vinegar. All you need to do is mix half a cup of vinegar with equal parts water. Apply this to your scalp whenever you’ve shampooed and conditioned, and let it set for no longer than three minutes. Finally rinse well.

Thyme

Thyme infusion to fight dandruff

Prepare a rinse with three teaspoons of dry thyme in one cup of water. Boil for 10 minutes. Afterwards, let it cool a bit and apply to a clean scalp. It’s very important that you do not rinse it, and apply it each time after washing your hair.

Sun

As incredible as it may seem, the sun can help in the prevention of dandruff. Some people suggest that exposing your scalp to the sun for 30 or 40 minutes a day could possibly have benefits to reduce the effects of dandruff.  
It’s very important that you don’t expose yourself to the sun during the most direct hours of sunlight, because this could be dangerous.

It’s best to sunbathe during the morning, or in the afternoon after 4pm. The strength of the sun is significantly weaker during that time. We recommend going for a walk so the sun doesn’t cause you any serious problems.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Investig Dermatology. 2016;
  • Jourdain R, Moga A, Vingler P, el Rawadi C, Pouradier F, Souverain L, et al. Exploration of scalp surface lipids reveals squalene peroxide as a potential actor in dandruff condition. Arch Dermatol Res. 2016;
  • Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T. Dandruff: The most commercially exploited skin disease. Indian J Dermatol. 2010;
  • Mayo Clinic: Caspas. https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/dandruff/symptoms-causes/syc-20353850

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.