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If your shampoo makes your scalp greasy, itchy, or dry, it's probably because you are applying an unsuitable hair cleanser. Shampoos are meant to cleanse your scalp and hair without causing any discomfort. However, certain ingredients or shampoo formulations can cause dryness, oiliness, irritation, and even trigger or worsen conditions on the scalp.
Solution? Finding the right shampoo for your scalp type. From oily, sensitive, to dandruff-prone – there are different types of scalps, and understanding their unique needs is the first step to finding the right shampoo. In this guide, L'Oréal Professionnel experts will guide you on how to choose shampoo based on your scalp type, best ingredients, and more!
Identify Your Scalp Type
How to choose shampoo, you ask? Let’s find out! Below are mentioned different types of scalp, best ingredients, and product recommendations.
1. Oily Scalp
When learning how to pick a shampoo, you must have a clear understanding of your scalp type. If your hair feels greasy or weighed down soon after washing, you likely have an oily scalp. Overactive sebaceous glands are the culprit behind oily scalp. These glands produce excess sebum, leading to an oily scalp as well as hair. People with oily scalp tend to believe that frequent washing will help them remove excess oil from the scalp. But this practice can push them further in the vicious cycle of over-shampooing and producing more sebum. Excessive hair washing strips the scalp of natural oil, and to compensate for the imbalance, scalp produces more sebum, leaving you with an excessively greasy scalp.
How to Choose Shampoo for Oily Scalp?
Wondering how to choose the right shampoo for oily scalp? Let’s learn!
1. Decode Labels
Look for scalp shampoos with the terms ‘clarifying’, ‘balancing’, or ‘oil control’, or ‘anti-oiliness’ on the label. These terms ensure your scalp is cleansed and oil-production levels are checked post washing.
2. Best Ingredients
When learning how to choose shampoo for oily scalp, look for the following ingredients to take the best care of your scalp.
- Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid in oily scalp shampoo helps unclogs pores, tackles seborrheic dermatitis, and dandruff, reduces oil and product buildup, minimizes scalp irritation and itching, and more!
- Tea tree oil
It is anti-microbial and, when used in a scalp shampoo, helps clean the scalp and reduce dandruff.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids
AHA aids in purifying the scalp’s surface in order to promote new cells generation. It eliminates dead skin cells, lays a clean environment for new cell growth and improved scalp health.
Product Recommendation
- Put an end to your search for how to choose shampoo for oily scalp and consider using L’Oréal Professionnel Scalp Advanced anti-oiliness dermo-purifier shampoo. This oil-control shampoo with 3% concentrated AHA purifies your hair daily, ensures 78% less scalp sebum in 1 use*, and delivers up to 67% more nutrition*.
*Instrumental test, shampoo + clay
*Instrumental test
- L’Oréal Professionnel anti-oiliness 2-In-1 deep purifier clay is a unique scalp shampoo cum clay mask that offers 78% less scalp sebum in 1 use* and leaves you with 24% instant volume**.
*Instrumental test, shampoo + clay
*Instrumental test
2. Dry Scalp
Dry scalp occurs when your skin lacks moisture, leading to flakiness, itchiness, and tightness. Factors behind dry scalp include environmental conditions like dry and cold air, aging, applying harsh products, or skin conditions such as contact dermatitis (scalp reacts to certain hair care or styling products).
How to Choose Shampoo for Dry Scalp?
1. Decode Labels
If you are wondering how to pick a shampoo for dry scalp, let us tell you a quick and easy trick. Check the shampoo label and search for terms like ‘hydrating’, ‘moisturizing’, or ‘for dry scalp’.
2. Best Ingredients
Here is a list of moisturizing and hydrating ingredients that work wonders on dry scalp:
- Hyaluronic Acid
It helps moisturise dry and flaky areas on your scalp
- Glycerin
This humectant helps condition dry scalp
- Shea Butter
The anti-inflammatory properties of shea butter aid in reducing scalp irritation.
Product Recommendation
Choose alcohols and sulfates (SLS/SLES)-free shampoo to maintain optimal natural oil balance in scalp and remove dryness.
3. Sensitive Scalp
Do you feel burning, itching, prickling, or stinging sensations on your scalp? If yes, you may have sensitive scalp. You may develop sensitive scalp due to certain factors, which includes ultraviolet radiation, heat, cold, and wind, using cosmetics, soap, etc. Stress and hormonal fluctuation during menstrual cycle can also cause scalp sensitivity.
How to Choose Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp?
1. Decode Labels
When learning how to pick the right shampoo, especially for sensitive scalp, you must search for these labels – ‘hypoallergenic’, ‘alcohol-free’, ‘colorant-free’, ‘silicone-free’ and ‘gentle formula’ etc.
2. Best Ingredients
Take a quick glance at the following list of soothing ingredients for sensitive scalp shampoo:
- Niacinamide
It helps soothe and calm scalp irritation.
Product Recommendation
Your query for how to choose shampoo ends here. Consider using L'Oréal Professionnel anti-discomfort dermo-regulator scalp soothing shampoo. Formulated with niacinamide and sorbitol, this shampoo for sensitive scalp ensures 83% soothing* sensation and leaves you with 49% hydrated hair in 1 use*.
*Self-assessment on 32 subjects after application of shampoo + mask + hair drying.
*Instrumental test
4. Dandruff-Prone Scalp
People with dandruff-prone scalp may notice white or yellowish flakes hair or shoulders accompanied by itchiness. The flakes may have a powdery appearance and can be clumped together. Malassezia fungus overgrowth, seborrheic dermatitis, using hair care products, and certain medical conditions like eczema cause dandruff-prone scalp.
Sometimes people might confuse the symptoms of dandruff with dry scalp. Read our guide on dandruff vs. dry scalp to understand the difference between the two and adopt the scalp care practices.
How to Choose Shampoo for Dandruff-Prone Scalp?
1. Decode Labels
Struggling with how to pick the right shampoo for a dandruff-prone scalp? Here’s a great tip for you – check for anti-dandruff claims and choose dermatologically-tested products. This ensures safe and effective dandruff treatment.
2. Best Ingredients
Here’s a list of ingredients that help manage scalp suffering from dandruff:
- Zinc Pyrithione
It helps reduce dandruff and maintain natural oil balance.
- Selenium Sulfide
This anti-fungal agent treats dandruff.
- Ketoconazole
It treats dandruff by reducing the fungus and lowering inflammation.
- Piroctone Olamine
An antibacterial and antifungal active ingredient that helps effectively remove dandruff and maintain healthy scalp.
Product Recommendation
Now that you know how to choose the right shampoo for dandruff-prone scalp, let’s find out an ideal scalp cleanser for you. You can trust L’Oréal Professionnel anti-dandruff dermo-clarifier shampoo. Powered with Piroctone Olamine and other gentle ingredients, this dandruff control shampoo ensures up to 100% visible dandruff removed* and up to 72h dandruff protection** with regular use.
*Clinical test on 60 subjects, after 4 weeks of use.
5. Normal Scalp
This type of scalp is characterised by balanced oil production with no signs of flaking or irritation, or any discomfort.
How to Choose Shampoo for Normal Scalp?
1. Decode Labels
Choose shampoos with ‘gentle’ and ‘daily use’ tags.
2. Best Ingredients
- Hydrating & Nourishing Ingredients
Coconut oil, argan oil, glycerine -infused shampoo work effectively on normal scalp.
- Gentle Formula
A gentle pH-neutral shampoo thoroughly cleanses without stripping away natural oils.
Product Recommendation
If you have a healthy scalp without any potential concern like dryness, itchiness, etc, you can focus on shine or volume, or length-enhancing factors and get the hair of your dreams.
L'Oréal Professionnel Hair Quiz: Find Your Perfect Match
If you are still unsure about your scalp type or what products will be most suitable for your scalp and hair, we would recommend you take the Hair Quiz by L'Oréal Professionnel. By participating in a simple question-and-answer session, you can get a professional diagnosis and a tailor-made hair care routine in just 2 minutes.
We hope, this guide answers your query - how to choose shampoo based on your scalp type. Now, go ahead, identify your scalp needs, and choose the best products with effective scalp care ingredients.
For further assistance, pay a visit to the nearest salon and let the hair pros of L’Oréal Professionnel take care of your scalp and hair.
