5 Natural Remedies for Dandruff & Dry Scalp That Work!

Black Woman Happy B/c she No longer has dandruff and uses natural remedies.

Dandruff can be a real head-scratcher! And if you suffer from chronic dandruff, finding natural dandruff remedies and learning how to get rid of dandruff naturally, can be even more confusing. Fortunately, Butter by Q has you covered (and we don’t mean in white or yellow flakes).

At Butter by Q, we create 100% natural, plant-based chemical-free products for your face & body as well as hair and beard. All of our products are loaded with premium nutrients and vitamins designed to stop dandruff in its tracks. A few of our top anti-dandruff products are: 

Need help deciding which product is best for you? Take a quick quiz for personalized suggestions based on your unique hair, skin, and beard goals.

Let’s get down to it and scratch deeper than the surface of dandruff to learn what dandruff is, what causes dandruff, and how to stop dandruff in its white tracks. 

What Is Dandruff?

Graphic depiction of what dandruff on the scalp looks like

Dandruff is a prevalent skin condition that causes noticeable white flakes. The noticeable white flakes are dead skin cells that have been shed by your scalp. While embarrassing, dandruff is usually not a serious condition or contagious. 

What Causes Dandruff?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers don’t completely understand the causes of dandruff. Some of the suspected causes of dandruff are discussed below.

Dry Skin Can Cause Dandruff

Black Woman with Dry Skin that Causes dandruff on the scalpe.

If your dandruff is from dry skin, you may notice white and tiny flakes. Associated with dry scalp, this dandruff is itchy and can be caused by dead skin cells that have been shed. Dry skin dandruff can be exasperated by:

  • Hot water
  • Seasonal factor

Oily Skin Can Cause Dandruff

While it is obvious why dry skin can cause dandruff, most people are surprised to learn that oily skin can also cause dandruff. Just below the surface of your skin are sebaceous glands that create a natural oil called sebum. 

Anytime there is an excess of sebum, it can make your hair and scalp oily. This oil can build up to: 

  • Block your pores, 
  • Accumulate dirt, and 
  • Cause scalp irritation. 

When this happens, it can cause your scalp to itch and dandruff to form.

How Do I Know I Have Oily Skin Dandruff?

Dandruff caused by oily skin is different from dry skin dandruff. Dandruff from oily skin tends to be slightly yellow and bigger than other types of dandruff. 

Dandruff Can Be Caused by Malassezia Fungus

Black man in blue suit brushing dandruff off his shoulder

Just about everyone’s skin has a fungus or yeast called Malassezia. This fungus grows in oily areas that are loaded with sebaceous glands, which include your scalp and face. 

After the Malassezia fungus feasts on sebum oil created by your skin, it releases oleic acid. 

This triggers an inflammatory response in your body that causes skin cells to turn over more quickly. As such, the old skin cells must flake off, which causes dandruff.

Dandruff Can Be Caused by Certain Diseases and Skin Conditions

In addition to the previously mentioned causes of dandruff, it can also be caused by certain skin conditions, including:

  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a type of oily skin dandruff that leads to flaking, itching of the scalp, and red patches.
  • Eczema or atopic dermatitis leads to an itchy scalp and flaky skin. Eczema-related dandruff can create large flakes of dry skin and red skin. Learn 5 Ways to Battle Eczema Breakouts.
  • Psoriasis is a type of autoimmune disease where skin cells grow rapidly, which leads to thick, scaly patches on your skin. Dandruff from scalp psoriasis will look more silvery and powdery. 

Is Dandruff a Fungus?

Although dandruff isn’t a fungus, it can be caused by the fungus Malassezia, which exists on most adults’ scalps. This fungus feeds on the scalp oils, breaks them down, and leaves oleic acid behind. 

This triggers an inflammatory response in your body that causes skin cells to turn over more quickly. As such, the old skin cells must flake off, which causes dandruff.

Do You See Eyebrow Dandruff?

Black woman applying hydrating oil to eyebrows to treat dandruff.

Eyebrow dandruff is very similar to dandruff on your scalp. With eyebrow dandruff, the flaky skin will shed from the area. As with scalp dandruff, eyebrow dandruff can have several different causes, including:

  • Contact dermatitis
  • Seborrheic dermatitis
  • Dry skin

Can You Get Dandruff in the Beard? 

Beard dandruff or beardruff is a very real issue for many people. Like standard dandruff, beardruff occurs when your skin sheds faster than normal. This causes a noticeable buildup of snowflake-like skin cell clusters — aka dandruff of the beard. In addition to flakes, other common signs of beardruff or beard dandruff include: 

  • Itchy, flaky skin beneath the beard 
  • Inflammation and an all-around itch

Find All Natural Beardruff Treatments

Surprisingly, beardruff is one of the main reasons so many bearded men throw in the towel early on in their beard journey. Fortunately, Butter by Q offers a 100% natural beardruff treatment & beard dandruff treatment designed to treat all types of dandruff at the source:

Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?

Black woman suffering from hair loss from dandruff.

No, dandruff alone will not cause hair loss. However, if you have severe dandruff, it can cause you to scratch your hair and scalp so hard that you injure it. 

Repeated Dandruff, Inflammation & Irritation Can Hinder Hair Growth

Whether you have high porosity or low porosity hair, repeated inflammation of the hair follicles can result in scarring and damage. This can hinder, slow, and stop hair growth, which can lead to thinning or weak hair. As such, it’s imperative to effectively treat the underlying cause of your dandruff to prevent damage to your hair.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff? Natural Dandruff Remedies That Work Well

Black woman with braids before using natural dandruff remedies and after using natural dandruff remedies.

When it comes to how to treat dandruff naturally, Butter by Q uses a plethora of premium, best-in-class ingredients that are proven to moisturize your scalp and hair. Our products are designed with anti-dandruff ingredients that work individually and collectively to stop dandruff in its tracks. Some of out top natural dandruff-fighting ingredients are:

  • Jojoba Oil
  • Shea Butter
  • Rosehip Oil
  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Mango Butter

How to Stop Dandruff with Jojoba Oil? 

Jojoba oil is an excellent way to stop dandruff naturally. If your dandruff is the result of an extra oily scalp, jojoba oil can help naturally regulate oil production. 

How Does Jojoba Oil Help Regulate Oil Production? 

Jojoba oil sends a message to your hair follicles that there is sufficient oil, which can help reduce greasy dandruff flakes. Jojoba oil helps restore your scalp’s natural pH balance. 

If you want to use jojoba oil as a natural way to stop dandruff, you can apply our Itch-Away Hair Moisturizing Serum as hot oil or you can apply it directly to your scalp. 

How to Treat Dandruff & Itchy Scalp with Shea Butter? 

Shea butter is another powerful natural dandruff remedies. Shea buter helps calm your scalp, especially if you suffer from dry scalp. The fatty acids found in shea butter are easily absorbed into the scalp and provide instant hydrating qualities. 

Shea Butter Locks in Moisture to Protect Hair and Prevent Dandruff

In addition, shea butter seals in the moisture to prevent it from escaping the minute your scalp. Best of all, shea butter will not make your hair appear oily and can calm and helps soothe inflammation to stop dandruff. 

Rosehip Oil Is One of the Top Natural Ways to Treat Dandruff

Black man checking out his hair to find no dandruff

Similar to jojoba oil, rosehip oil is one of the top natural ways to stop and treat dandruff. 

Rosehip Oil Can Help Get Rid of Dandruff Fast

Due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties, rosehip oil can have a calming and soothing effect on your itchy scalp. This natural oil is amazingly non-greasy, which allows it to easily absorb into the scalp. Rosehip oil quickly penetrates deep into the scalp to help keep it nourished and moisturized. 

Rosehip Oil Can Help Repair Damaged Hair Cells

The healing properties of rosehip can help repair damaged tissues and skin cells, which works to prevent dandruff. As a bonus, rosehip oil is packed with nourishing ingredients like vitamins and fatty acids. 

Use Tea Tree Oil for Dandruff Treatment

To use tea tree oil for dandruff, simply choose an anti-dandruff treatment with tea tree oil in the ingredients, such as Butter by Q’s Itch-Away Hair Moisturizing Serum

Tea Tree Oil Can Help Treat Malassezia Fungus That Causes Dandruff

Tea tree oil boasts excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Research even suggests that tea-tree oil can even be used to treat the Malassezia fungus that is directly related to dandruff. 

Tea Tree Oil Can Treat Your Dry Scalp to Remedy Dandruff

In addition, tea tree oil is rich with terpenes, which can treat dry scalp and several other skin conditions. However, you shouldn’t use tea tree oil directly on your skin. It should always be diluted with carrier oil. 

Mango Butter Can Help Get Rid of Dandruff Fast

Like shea butter, mango butter is a perfect way to get rid of dandruff fast. Using mango butter on your scalp can help soothe the irritation and alleviate the itching sensation, which works to bolster the health of your scalp. 

Shop Butter by Q’s All Natural Products & Natural Ways to Treat Dandruff

Happy black couple in a car with the top down riding off into the sunset.

At Butter by Q, we create 100% natural, chemical-free products for your face & body as well as hair and beard. Our products are loaded with all of the previously-mentioned natural dandruff remedies and can help alleviate inflammation, nourish your scalp, and stop dandruff in its yellow (or white) tracks. Shop all our natural anti-dandruff products, including:


Shop all of Butter by Q’s Product Collections or reach out to us directly if you have questions.