How To Reduce Dandruff Naturally

Heather Dessinger

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Nana, Omi, Bunny, or Yaya – grandmothers go by very different names, but when it comes to home remedies they seem to share the same handbook. These days, science is taking a few pages from that book.

We now know that honey helps with burns, and homemade honey cough syrup allows children (and their parents!) to sleep better at night. And when it comes to Malassezia – which despite how it sounds is NOT a tropical island – they seem to know a thing or two about that as well.

If you haven’t heard of it, Malassezia is a type of fungus that causes dandruff. (source) Usually it’s pretty harmless, but when immune defenses are down it can become an opportunistic pathogen. (source)

Unfortunately, store-bought dandruff shampoos usually contain highly toxic ingredients. Coal tar, for example, carries a level 10 hazard warning from the Environmental Working Group (the highest possible).

Another common ingredient – recorcinol – has been shown to cause thyroid problems (including goiter) and effects on the central nervous system. (source) And of course, there are so many more ingredients that are thought to be toxic to us and/or the environment: polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), ketoconazole, formaldehyde, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, sodium lauryl sulfate, detergents, artificial colors, and fragrance.

Fortunately, there are home remedies that are very effective for clearing dandruff up.Natural Treatments For Dandruff

Honey

Raw honey is a natural humectant that helps hair hold onto moisture while delivering a powerful infusion of vitamins A,C,D,E, B-complex, beta-carotene and tons of minerals including iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, calcium, and phosphorous. Grandmas have long recommended it to prevent thinning hair, which makes sense if you think about it. Dandruff can plug hair follicles and prevent new hair from growing in, so a reduction in dandruff may make it easier for hair to grow normally.

In this study, thirty patients with seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff were asked to rub diluted honey on their scalp and massage for 2-3 minutes every other day, then leave it on for 3 hours. Itching was relieved and scaling disappeared within one week, while skin lesions were healed and disappeared completely within 2 weeks – those who continued the treatment once per week had no relapses. Twelve of the 15 patients who did not continue the honey regimen relapsed within 2-4 months. More on treating the root cause of dandruff at the bottom of this post.

How To Use It

Wet hair, apply diluted raw honey (90% honey and 10% water). Massage into scalp for 2-3 minutes, then let it sit for three hours while you catch up on your favorite show, read, or fold laundry. Rinse with warm water. If desired, follow with 1/4 cup vinegar and 3/4 cup water to seal the hair cuticle and make hair shiny.

Repeat every other day for about two weeks. In the study, participants reported that their dandruff was gone within two weeks. Those who continued the honey treatment once a week after that had no relapses, while those who did not relapsed in 2-4 months.

Bonus Remedy: Apple Cider Vinegar

Though there’s not a study to explain why, grandmas have long recommended rinsing with vinegar for a healthy scalp and shiny hair. According to this article, the “acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, so it’s not an ideal environment for yeast [a type of fungus] to grow.” While that’s true, the reason it works may also have to do with the natural probiotics contained in raw apple cider vinegar, which help fight bacteria and fungi. It also contains enzymes that may help open clogged hair follicles.

Whatever the reason, the participant in this informal experiment rated apple cider vinegar as one of the most effective home remedies for dandruff. The other winner – baking soda – is not one I prefer due to the potential for causing hair breakage. (When used infrequently as part of the ‘no poo” method it may not cause a problem, when used frequently to manage dandruff it might.)

How To Use It

Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water together. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and apply to freshly washed scalp and hair. Make sure not to get in in your eyes – ouch! Put on a shower cap and allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes to two hours, then rinse with warm water. Repeat twice per week until dandruff is gone, then use as needed.

Tip: Use your leftover apple cider vinegar to make a batch of spicy, lymph moving, circulation stimulating, fire cider.

Probiotics

While honey and apple cider vinegar are very effective at eliminating dandruff, they do not address possible imbalances that could be the cause of dandruff. In a small study, supplementation with probiotics provided a 70% reduction in dandruff after 4-5 weeks.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for educational purposes only and cannot diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA. Please see my full disclaimer here.

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world. 

Leave a Comment

81 thoughts on “How To Reduce Dandruff Naturally”

  1. My husband uses diluted raw acv for seborrheic dermatitis on this face and scalp (which looks like dandruff), and it’s amazing how quickly and how well it works – sooo much better than than the medicines prescribed by his doctor. And so much better for him, too!

    Reply
  2. I’ve been doing the honey treatments for about 6 days now and love that it takes away the itch! I’m not sure if I have dandruff or dermatitis but my scalp itches if I don’t wash it every day, that’s my only symptom and some flakes if I scratch it. But I’m confused b/c your e-book says to do the honey for four weeks every other day but here you say two. I’m happy if two is enough but just wanting to make sure. Also, does the ACV need to be sprayed on or is a squirt bottle ok? And can it just be left on or does it need to be rinsed off?
    Thank you SO very much for ALL your help over the years!!! You’re a lifesaver and my Hero!!! <3

    Reply
    • So glad you’re finding it helpful, Sara! I cannot diagnose or treat anything, but 2 weeks seemed to be enough for folks in this study. I personally wash the ACV off. A squirt bottle seems fine to me 🙂

      Reply
      • Hmm…I’m confused. Above, in the article, you say “Repeat every other day for about two weeks.” But here, in this comment, you say it should be every day for two weeks. Which do your recommend? Thanks!

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    • I’ve only done 4 treatments, so it’s been 8 days and already I can’t find any flakes and my scalp is significantly less itchy! Well worth the hassle of having honey-filled hair for three hours! I thought I had “dry scalp” and had just been accepting the insane itchiness for at least 7 years now! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH HEATHER!!!!!!

      Reply
  3. I used to wash my hair with honey shampoo, I think the ratios were reversed – 1tbsp honey per 1 cup water. It left hair very sticky and uncombable. From memory, I think it did help with dandruff.

    Reply
    • Krista – I think this is different from the honey shampoo, which is meant to take the place of a regular shampoo. Maybe we can get some input from the author, but this looks more like a soak or treatment rather than a shampoo. The diluted version you are suggesting rinses the hair, but if the honey is left undiluted (or barely diluted as the article suggests) it will actually stick to your scalp instead of running off of it and the increased exposure time will allow your scalp to soak in all the benefits!

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  4. Used to do honey shampoo and it worked as a good transition into no shampoo at all [did BS/ACV before honey shampoo and didn’t care for it]. Now I only rinse my hair with water and occaisonally do an acv rinse or add EVCO to the ends to keep them from getting dry (I have curly and very long hair so the natural oils from my scalp don’t really make it to my ends). My ONLY complaint has been the dandruff! Back when I used traditional (aka store bought) shampoo, I used dandruff shampoo at least once or twice a week to prevent the occaisional flakes. The dandruff did begin when I transitioned off regular shampoo, but the honey shampoo is very diluted and not meant to soak in your hair. Now that I have been off shampoo entirely for several months, my scalp has adjusted some but I still have a relatively scratchy and itchy scalp in comparison to before. And the flakes aren’t tiny snowflake-looking ones either, they’re big chunky ones (maybe around the diameter of a pencil; gross, I know).
    I had not heard of this study, but I think I will return to the honey and try doing a raw honey soak once a week! For those that are weary of having a greasy scalp, just know that it may only look greasy for a day (just go with a ponytail or bun for the day!) and that it helps if you brush your hair from scalp to ends to distribute the oils. And another perk, your hair will feel wonderfully soft the first couple times.
    I hope to report back with the success!

    Reply
  5. Wow, is there anything honey doesn’t do? 🙂 We’ve found that castile soap with tea tree oil is great for dandruff as well. My husband suffered from dandruff for years – even though he used every dandruff shampoo he could find. When he finally succumbed to my crunchy ways and started shampooing with the tea tree castile soap, the dandruff was gone within a week.

    Reply
    • I know, right? Honey fixes just about everything in my house. And if it doesn’t, coconut oil, clay, vinegar or essential oils probably will 🙂

      Reply
      • my son has has what seems to me as a fungal type of dandruff , it’s so severe im thinking of cutting his hair to better manage it. he’s 12 and is going through a long hair faze but he also hates the dandruff! any suggestions????

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      • Pls Heather can I use this remedy for my daughter? She is just a year old, nd each time she braids she experiences dandruff. Thanks

        Reply
    • Dandruff cannot be cured. In my experience it is the same as dry skin. It comes but after a shower and you just need to reapply a topical treatment such as lotion or scalpicin

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  6. Thank you! I’ve had dandruff for years and I’ve tried a bunch if natural remedies without success and the chemical store bought ones don’t work for me either. I have found that when I use white vinegar with water that it works as long as I continue using it. I have also noticed that I get less dandruff by double washing my hair. First I do a quick shampoo and rinse to get rid of the dirt and then I do a thorough shampoo with massaging my scalp (a shampoo I used recommended it). That and properly brushing my hair has worked great fir controlling the dandruff and it not getting as oily as fast. I’ll give honey a try too to see what I like better.

    Reply
  7. I was a little confused as to whether you were talking about malassezia or chronic seborrheic dermatitis which are different causes of dandruff (or dandruff-like symptoms). Vinegar is good for the first. I know from personal experience it doesn’t have to be raw. It’s the pH that keeps the pathogens down – think of pH related to kombucha. Also, I’ve had success with coconut oil which would be understandable for seborrheic dermatitis. It conditions the scalp so oil production declines. Lastly, I know a lot of people advise not to wash hair everyday. I definitely can’t do that. I get unbearable dandruff when I can’t wash out dead skin cells and dirt-filled oils. I believe with proper conditioning with coconut oil, then there’s no problem in washing hair every day.

    Reply
  8. Kefir works wonders for dandruff. I tried everything until I tried home made kefir on my scalp. Kefir worked wonders. Dandruff Is gone. ACV and honey worked partially for me for a while but then stopped working. I apply the kefir all over, let Stand for one hour and wash hair.

    Reply
  9. I have constant dry scalp and have tried many things including ACV. One thing I noticed about ACV is it doesn’t last long and I get the itch in less than 24 hours again. I instead use coconut oil with several drops of tea tree oil (leave on for an hour) wash out with shampoo. It works great and lasts the whole week.

    Reply
    • I used coconut and tea tree oil and it works great for me as well. I also used on my daughters cradle cap and she was cured in less than a week. I might give the honey a try as well.

      Reply
  10. This is a very helpful article! Thank you for sharing. I would personally try the honey, but maybe not the vinegar simply because I do not like how it smells like, and having that on my head for a while would make my family tease me a lot. Lol. Great post! I’ll let you know how it goes!

    Reply
      • I have not found this to be true and it’s so frustrating! I’ve even diluted the ACV to 1/5 and less, added herbal teas, essential oils…I can still smell the vinegar on my hair for days. My boyfriend complains about it so now I’ve just been doing herbal rinses. I miss the benefits of the ACV though.

        Reply
  11. I cannot thank you enough for posting this! My son has severe dandrif and cradle cap, he’s now 14, and he picks it until it bleeds. I’ve massaged olive oil into his scalp, now I will be trying these. Thank you thank you thank you! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Hi Heather
    Can you recommend a good book as a guide to holistic remedies for babies and children? I’m almost going to be a first time mom and I’m very interested in this subject. Hope you can help me.

    Reply
  13. I have not tried this, but coconut oil works really well as well! I’ve had dandruff most of my life. I rub a little bit of coconut oil all over my scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, then wash my hair with shampoo and conditioner…no itch, no flakiness!

    Reply
  14. Great post, 2 questions!
    1. Is it ok to do this on dry hair (not getting all my hair & ends wet first)? My hair is thick and long and having it wet and pulled up on my head for 3 hours is logistically tough. Does having wet vs dry hair make the natural peroxide in honey change the color of my light hair more or less?
    *I was trying a pure honey shampoo & this method for awhile and it seemed to be lightening my ashy blonde hair. I’m a recovering chronic hair-dyer and the leftover lighter blonde, color treated, part that hasn’t grown out yet seemed to turn brassy before when I was trying this method. I was wondering if that’s the honey’s impact?
    Thanks so much to anyone who can help… my recovering chemically treated hair is fragile and finicky! (1+ year post chemicals and counting!) 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi Juniper, I believe water activates some of the beneficial properties of honey so I’m not sure you’d get similar results with dry hair. Unfortunately, for those who do experience lightening (many don’t, including me, and I have almost black hair), water can also contribute to that 🙁

      Reply
  15. I’m so happy to have found this post! I’ve been doing it for one week now and already see a complete difference in my scalp! I’m planning to continue it for the following week as well and then on once a week. I am wondering how long after the two weeks I should do it once a week….for a month, two months, or just forever and always ha. 🙂

    Reply
    • So glad you are finding it helpful, Sage. How long the treatment is needed will vary from person to person. The good news is if you start skipping the honey and begin to see flakes you know what to do 🙂

      Reply
  16. Hy everyone, thanks for all the helpfull info, furthermore i have to add that my dandruf got a lot worse since i moved to the US, i am from east Europe and i guess the water treatment is different here, home even a regular fructies anti dandruff shampoo did the job, also over the last two years as i developed different stages of autoimmune diseases, for example colitis…my dandruff went havoc and it is out of control…so i guess its kinda of a fungus and i will have consult a medic to find out what it is…then treat it with some natural treatemnts/advices from above, also when i try a new shampoo the effect lasts only a couple of days, i tried Dove soap with high PH value and the one with moisturing effect, this lasted the longest, for about two weeks there was no itching and dandruff but after that my scalp relapsed.

    Reply
  17. Should I pre-wash my hair, before or after adding the honey? Or should I be washing my hair on the days I’m not doing the honey treatment? Just want to be totally clear on the process.

    Mommypotamus you rock! Thank you for all of your natural remedies!

    Reply
  18. Hello Heather 🙂

    This article seems very interesting and moreover its comments. You are doing a good job.
    However, could you please let me know that if i apply a Paste of (Honey + olive oil + coconut oil + yogurt), will this work better or just honey is fine ?

    Your help will really be appreciated!!!

    Looking to hearing from you soon.

    Reply
    • I tried honey and coconut oil last night – and it really did help. However, I have tried a lot of things that helped once and then stopped helping. I am going to try again tonight. I have been battling this for a year.

      Reply
  19. Hi heather
    I m suffering from severe dandruff for years reasently I have started washing my hairs on alternate days with my home made shampoo of alma reetha and shikakai but still got itching on scalp does honey before wash helps.

    Reply
  20. Hi Heather
    I am so happy to find this post. But just a little confused. Do I wash my hair with regular shampoo on the days I am not doing the honey treatment? Or would I go without shampooing for straight 2 weeks.
    Thanks a lot.
    Ashley

    Reply
    • I don’t remember whether or not the researchers mentioned their approach in the study, but I would wash my hair. 🙂

      Reply
  21. My Dermatologist recommended the Lady Soma Somaluxe Shampoo after a prescription ketoconizole shampoo cause a bad skin reaction and after minimal results with Selsun Blue. I LOVED the smell right away AND it worked so well at clearing up my scalp. I’m using it once a week to keep the seborrheic dermatitis under control

    Reply
  22. try BL cream.. over the counter pharmacy for only 25-30 pesos.. it works, promise.. my hair dandruff evaporate on earth in just 3 days..

    Reply
  23. I have been battling this for over a year now. I have a combination of dry, itchy scalp and also scalp psoriasis in spots. I have bad reaction to the over the counter shampoos that contain tar or other chemicals – causing even more flakes – all I have to do is shake my head and it’s like a snow globe. It’s so awful. I tried the honey last night and mixed it with coconut oil- I left it on overnight, washing it out this morning. It really did help. Not completely, but definitely an improvement. I will do this for a week and see how it goes and let you know.

    Reply
    • How did it go? Did it work? You sound like me. Just found this post and wondered how it went for you. Will try it and also the kefir which someone else mentioned.

      Reply
  24. I have dandruff confirmed it after I got bald for some reasons it itches like anything and my hairs started falling becouse of it. Will it be possible to get them stop and have them back by treating them with honey or acv

    Reply
  25. I have been suffering from SD for last 12 years since the onset of puberty. What was flaking on just a small portion of my scalp spread all over.
    I have tried several methods but only corticosteroids gave me relief that too for 1-2 weeks.
    Now I found this post, tried your method and my flaking and hairfall has been down by almost 80% in just a week.:)
    But its been just 2 weeks, also I am applying once in a week castor oil+olive oil mixture overnight and wash it in the morning. Is it okay?
    I will continue with it but by the way I want to know is it possible to regrow them or some of them as my hair density has come down drastically. Also because of low density and oily scalp I have been washing my hairs everyday. How can I wash them everyday, is there any natural way to wash hairs everyday without loosing hairs?

    Reply
  26. Hello!
    In between honey treatments, did the participants just use regular shampoo? Did they say how often they shampooed or what types of shampoos they used?

    Did any of them have color treated hair? Any tips for color treated hair?

    Thank you!

    Reply
  27. How much honey and water do you use? Do you use more if your hair is thicker? I just want the right proportions.
    Thanks so much

    Reply
  28. My Dr. swears by apple cider vinegar as a dandruff treatment, as the acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. Mix a quarter cup apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup water in a spray bottle and spritz on your scalp. Wrap your head in a towel and let sit for 15 minutes to an hour, then wash your hair as usual. Do this twice a week.

    On days when you do not have time for this, go with the Somaluxe Paradise Shampoo – its ultra moisturizing, and does not give me ANY dandruff. No harsh chemicals either

    Reply
  29. i have been faced this prblm since 2years but any shampoo remove dandruff if i used lemon it occuring hair fall plz claim which shampoo best with out hair fall

    Reply
  30. Sorry for chiming in so late, but I am eager to try this. I had been doing baking soda and ACV recently but wasn’t finding great results and want to try this. But, is this in place of using a shampoo? Or do you use a shampoo before the honey, or on the off days? Thanks for your help!

    Reply
  31. Sorry for commenting so late. I’ve had dandruff issues for years and the honey method sounds like exactly what I need! I was just wondering, you said it should be rinsed off with warm water, but would it still be effective if I did the honey treatment then shampooed and conditioned? Thank you so much!

    Reply
  32. Argan oil is what worked for me. Specifically, I used the Somaluxe Argan Oil and let the oil soak into my scalp. I used to wash it off, but I found it heals the dermatitis better if you leave it on!

    Reply
  33. You have shared some nice staff in your article. Recently, I have face dandruff problem and finally, solve my problem with using Onion paste in my scalp. It is really very much effective for dandruff.

    Reply
  34. Simply stop washing your hair frequently. I was plagued with dandruff for years-tried all the proprietery products but to no avail. Then about two years ago, I took to washing my hair every two weeks or so and the problem has disappeared.

    Reply
  35. I have a good result by rinsing my hair with water and vinegar but it is not yet the miracle… I will try to site the mixture for 15 minutes or more. thanks

    Reply
  36. Is there really a way to get rid of dandruff permanently for real? I have it since I can remember myself, for over 15 years maybe. When I use expensive shampoo for dandruff, it goes away for like 5-6 months and then it gets back. Has anybody really got rid off dandruff forever?

    Reply
  37. These remedies really do work. I use a shampoo with natural ingredients, along with these home remedies. Thanks to these my dandruff has been in control!!!

    Reply
  38. Every few years my head fills up with dandruff–it gets so bad that when I shake my hair above a towel, it gets completely covered with the stuff 🙁 I used to treat it with apple cider vinegar and it worked within days. The trick was to use very cold water (I washed my hair separately from showering in order to stand the cold). Recently, it has not done the trick. I am currently trying baking soda, aloe vera, and tee trea oil. It has been several weeks and although it is not terrible, the dandruff has not gone away.

    Reply
  39. I use Apple vinegar for my hair every other day and I do stopped using shampoo and use soap to wash my hair, I been doing this for a year and it cleared up my dandruff problem!

    Reply
  40. Can you wash with shampoo between treatments? Does all the honey rinse out clean? I work in an office setting and I’m not sure I can go into work with greasy hair or hair that smells like vinegar.

    Reply