Dandruff can sometimes be unsightly and uncomfortable. It comes in two types: dry and oily. This transient scalp condition affects both women and men and can occur at any age. If properly managed, it can disappear quickly. However, for this to happen, it is necessary to identify the type of dandruff present in the hair in order to choose the appropriate solution.
Oily or Dry Dandruff: How to Distinguish Between Them?
Summary
Published on June 20, 2024, by Sandrine, Scientific Editor — 7 min of reading
Themes:
An overview of dandruff.
In France, dandruff affects 1 in 2 people. Despite being harmless, dandruff can tarnish the daily life of those affected. Indeed, it can sometimes be unsightly and cause varying degrees of itching.
Easily identifiable, these are dead cells or scales that appear whitish or greyish on the scalp. These dead cells are the result of an accelerated cellular renewal at the scalp level. This overly rapid cellular renewal leads to a maturation defect in the epidermal cells, which cannot naturally eliminate themselves. They clump together, thus forming dandruff.
Although the mechanism of accelerated cell renewal causing dandruff is well understood, theorigin of dandruff remains a topic of debate. Indeed, the proliferation of microorganisms (Malassezia fungus), genetic predisposition, and excess sebum are the main causes identified. However, there are other factors that promote the appearance of dandruff, such as diet and periods of stress.
Dandruff is therefore a common condition of the scalp. Despite being harmless, it can negatively impact self-confidence. To effectively combat it, it is first important to distinguish between the two different types of dandruff.
Dry Flakes: How to Recognise Them?
Dry dandruff is the most common type of dandruff. Thin, dry and of a whitish colour, they fall like snow onto the shoulders. Generally, dry dandruff is mainly observed on dry or normal scalps. This type of dandruff is rarely accompanied by itching.
Although they are harmless, dry dandruff is unsightly and can give a neglected appearance. Therefore, these can be a source of discomfort for those affected.
Oily dandruff: how to recognise it?
Far less common than dry dandruff, oily dandruff is, however, more challenging to manage. Oily dandruff is distinguished by its thick appearance and yellowish hue. Unlike dry dandruff, which does not stick to the scalp, oily dandruff is difficult to remove from the scalp. It clumps together, forming thick patches that mix with the sebum. This type of dandruff is often accompanied by a sensation of itching of varying intensity. It generally appears on oily scalps.
Please note : in cases where the flaky skin condition is severe, it could be seborrheic dermatitis. Do not hesitate to consult a dermatologist.
How to effectively combat dandruff?
Whether oily or dry, dandruff can be a daily nuisance. To eliminate it, certain measures should be adopted:
The use of essential oils.
Due to their complex chemical composition, essential oils have a remarkable efficacy, particularly against dandruff. This is the case with purifying essential oils such as tea tree oil, palmarosa or even Atlas cedar oil. You can mix a few drops of these essential oils into your shampoo, adhering to the recommended dosages.
Caution : the use of essential oils is not harmless, please adhere to the usage precautions. Essential oils are not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The use of a suitable shampoo.
Dandruff requires the use of a suitable shampoo. Generally, anti-dandruff shampoos are composed of:
Of antifungal agents : they help to combat the proliferation of Malassezia type fungi.
Of anti-proliferative agents : they act against the excessive multiplication of epidermal cells in the scalp.
Of anti-inflammatory and soothing agents : to combat redness and itching of the scalp.
Our dandruff shampoo is suitable for both oily and dry dandruff. It is formulated with1% of piroctone olamine , which has antifungal activity and limits sebum secretion. It also containsjujube extract , which regulates desquamation and thus reduces the formation of dandruff. It also soothes itching and irritation. In addition to this, this treatment contains essential oils of Atlas cedar and clary sage , known for their anti-dandruff and sebum-regulating actions.
If you are prone to dry dandruff, you can supplement our anti-dandruff shampoo with our soothing scalp treatment. Formulated with1% of bisabolol which is anti-inflammatory andcotton extract which is softening, our calming treatment reduces scalp discomfort (dryness and itching). It containssweet almond oil known for its anti-inflammatory and rebalancing virtues as well as vegetable glycerin which prevents dehydration. Apply one to two pipettes to the entiredry scalponce a day, in the morning or evening, and massage. This treatmentdoes not need to be rinsed out.
If, on the other hand, you are prone to oily dandruff, you can supplement your routine with our purifying scalp treatment. It is composed of 4% of zinc PCA andnettle extract which are known for their purifying and sebum-regulating properties. In addition to this, it contains essential oils of peppermint andeucalyptus globulus which, thanks to their antibacterial and antifungal virtues, help to cleanse the scalp by fighting against the proliferation of microorganisms responsible for dandruff.
Important : although dandruff is harmless, a consultation with a dermatologist is necessary, especially in cases of severe dandruff. Moreover, dry dandruff presents a clinical picture similar to psoriasis. The doctor will thus be able to guide you in the best possible way.
Source
Luis J. Borda & Tongyu C. Wikramanayake, Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review (2015)
