Dandruff: dry or oily? Causes and what helps
Small white flakes or yellowish, oily scales? How to tell which type of dandruff you have, and how to care for your scalp properly.
Dandruff consists of shed skin cells from the scalp that have become large enough for you to see. There are two types: dry dandruff with a dry scalp, and oily dandruff, which often involves a yeast. Which type you have determines the right care.
Dry or oily? How to tell the difference
| Dry dandruff | Oily dandruff | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Small, white, fine | Larger, yellowish, greasy |
| Behaviour | Falls easily onto the shoulders | Tends to stick to the scalp and hair |
| Scalp | Feels tight and dry | Gets greasy quickly, often itches, sometimes red |
| Common trigger | Heated indoor air, hot water, harsh shampoos | A lot of sebum, a yeast that is part of the skin flora multiplies |
What helps with dry dandruff
- A mild, re-moisturising shampoo instead of a strongly degreasing one
- Wash with lukewarm water and don't blow-dry too hot
- Moisturising care ingredients such as panthenol or glycerin – both are in our Every Day Shampoo pH 5.5
- Keep an eye on humidity during the heating season
What helps with oily dandruff
Here, anti-dandruff shampoos are the first choice. They contain active ingredients that target the yeast involved. In cosmetic shampoos, these include climbazole or piroctone olamine. Our Seboderm Cleaner Shampoo relies on climbazole and also cares with biotin, olive oil and nettle.
- Leave it on: Leave the shampoo on the scalp for a few minutes, as stated on the pack, then rinse thoroughly.
- Use regularly: Usually two to three times a week at first, later less often for care.
- No oil: Oils and rich care on the scalp can make oily dandruff worse.
You'll find shampoos for scalp and hair in our Hair care category.
When should you see a dermatologist?
- The dandruff doesn't improve after a few weeks despite an anti-dandruff shampoo.
- The scalp is very red, weeps or hurts.
- You have thick, silvery, firmly attached scales, for example at the hairline or behind the ears.
- The skin on your face, eyebrows or the sides of your nose is also flaky and red.
This may be due to seborrhoeic dermatitis or psoriasis, for example.
Frequently asked questions
Is dandruff contagious?
No. The yeast involved is part of everyone's normal skin flora.
Does dandruff cause hair loss?
Dandruff itself generally doesn't. However, a severely inflamed scalp or constant scratching can put a strain on your hair. A calm, well-cared-for scalp is therefore the best foundation for your hair.
Does frequent washing help against dandruff?
With oily dandruff, regular washing with a suitable shampoo can help. With dry dandruff, it's better to wash less often and more gently.
Summary
First determine the type, then care in a targeted way: mild and moisturising for dry dandruff, an anti-dandruff shampoo for oily dandruff. If itching is your main issue, read on in Itchy scalp.