Dandruff is an extremely common condition, affecting about half of all adults worldwide, and unfortunately is not technically ‘curable’. This is because it is a chronic condition, which means it can be effectively managed with the correct treatments to prevent flare-ups and symptoms, but isn’t possible to ‘cure’ completely.
Since this often means using medicated shampoos or scalp treatments regularly, many people feel hesitant about applying ‘chemicals’ to their scalp week after week. So, it’s easy to see why natural remedies get so much attention online. Scroll through Reddit or TikTok and you’ll find countless posts claiming that certain household ingredients “cured my dandruff”.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular natural remedies., We’re not looking at the ones your GP or pharmacist is likely to recommend, but rather the ones that tend to go viral, to explore whether they’re actually effective, and more importantly, whether they’re safe.
What causes dandruff
The root cause is usually an overgrowth of a naturally occurring fungi called Malassezia, which everybody has on their scalp. The fungus feeds on natural oils on the scalp, breaking them down into fatty acids like oleic acid, which some people are more sensitive to. These acids can disrupt the skin barrier, inviting in irritants and bacteria which cause inflammation and trigger an immune response. This in turn causes excessive skin-cell turnover, which then clump together and shed as visible flakes. This causes a vicious cycle with the amount of Malassezia increasing, which produces fatty acids which then result in more Malassezia growth. This triggers an inflammatory and immune response, which in turn causes more growth of Malassezia. And on and on it goes - a never-ending fungal merry-go-round.
Also watch out for other triggers, like poor hygiene, oily scalp, diet, and dry scalp which have been linked to dandruff, but can differ by individual.
Natural Fixes
So let’s take a look at some of the natural remedies people turn to get rid of dandruff, and if they actually work.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is understood to have antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Some people add a few drops to their shampoo bottle or buy a tea tree oil shampoo. Given that dandruff is often linked to an overgrowth of fungus Malassezia, tea tree oil may help control levels.
Tea tree oil shampoo has been investigated in a study. 126 participants with dandruff were split into two groups: half used a 5% tea tree oil shampoo daily for 4 weeks and the placebo group did not. The group using the tea tree oil shampoo saw a 41% improvement in severity, compared to 11% in the placebo group. The difference was considered statistically significant. Overall, the study suggests tea tree oil may be an effective and safe treatment for dandruff.
Coconut Oil/MCT Oil
MCT oil is made by extracting only the medium chain triglycerides from coconut oil. These are fats with fewer than 11 carbon atoms (mainly capric and caprylic acids). This matters because Malassezia, the yeast involved in dandruff, is believed to feed on oils with longer carbon chains (11–24 carbons).
Because of this, MCT oil is often described as potentially antifungal and unlikely to act as a food source for Malassezia. However, there are no reputable clinical studies confirming this, so the idea remains theoretical and largely anecdotal.
There has been an animal study on virgin coconut oil (not purified MCT oil) for seborrheic dermatitis (a more severe form of dandruff). The findings suggested that its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and moisturising properties may help support the skin barrier and calm inflammation, which could be beneficial for symptoms.
Crushed aspirin
Salicylic acid, one of the main active ingredients in aspirin, is also commonly used in anti-dandruff shampoos. It works by helping to break apart dead skin cells so they don’t clump together, which prevents the visible flakes associated with dandruff.
Because of this, some people crush a couple of aspirin tablets and mix them into their regular shampoo. The idea is that it provides a gentle exfoliating effect that helps loosen and wash away dead skin from the scalp. However, there is limited scientific evidence to back up the effectiveness of aspirin as a dandruff treatment, so we would recommend sticking to tested treatments in the interest of safety.
Apple cider vinegar
The scalp naturally sits at a slightly acidic pH of around 5.5 (anything below 7 is considered acidic). This acidity helps maintain the scalp’s ‘acid mantle’, a protective layer of sebum and sweat that keeps bacteria in check and supports a healthy scalp environment.
When the scalp becomes too alkaline, this protective barrier can be disrupted. That imbalance can lead to issues like dryness, irritation, inflammation, and, unsurprisingly, dandruff. That’s why many shampoos are marketed as ‘pH balancing’, aiming to bring the scalp back to the level where it functions best.
Some people try to do this naturally by using acidic ingredients such as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Apple cider vinegar has a pH of around 2–3, so diluting it and using it as a rinse once or twice a week is thought to help lower an overly alkaline scalp pH and potentially improve dandruff symptoms.
However, getting the dilution right at home can be tricky. If the mixture is too strong, the acidity can irritate or damage the scalp rather than help it, so it could do more harm than good.
Medical Treatments
Over-the-counter shampoos containing ingredients like zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide or piroctone olamine (also known as Octopirox) are widely used and considered safe for the long-term management of dandruff. These ingredients work by reducing the levels of Malassezia yeast on the scalp, helping bring an overgrowth back under control and easing symptoms such as flaking and itching.
Among antifungal options, ketoconazole is often regarded as the most effective at targeting the root cause of dandruff: the overgrowth of Malassezia. It’s available in both prescription strength and over-the-counter formulations. Typically, ketoconazole shampoo is used twice a week for 2–4 weeks to get rid of a flareup, and then once weekly as maintenance to keep symptoms from returning.
A common misconception is that dandruff treatments can be stopped once the flakes disappear. However, because dandruff is a recurring condition, symptoms often return within days or weeks if treatment is stopped entirely. That’s why it’s best to keep an anti-dandruff shampoo in the mix at least once every 1-2 weeks to keep dandruff at bay.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
