Watching white flakes float down your hair each time you give it a brush isn’t appealing at all. The problem is called dandruff and is produced when a yeast called Malassezia eats the excess oil on the scalp. If your local shampoo isn’t enough to manage the condition, try a few essential oils. When diluted, these oils serve as perfect dandruff treatments. They’re also good for headaches, PMS, and low energy.

1. Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary is on the top of the list when it comes to essential oils for flaky scalp. The essential oil does more than just limiting excess oil buildup on the hair and scalp; it even boosts hair growth. Further, rosemary is known to have antimicrobial, cleansing, and astringent properties. All of these properties combined make for great dandruff treatment. You can mix a few drops of rosemary oil with coconut or jojoba oil and massage it into the scalp on wet or dry hair two or three times a week.

2. Lavender essential oil
Lavender is a versatile essential oil and has several medicinal properties. All you need to do is mix equal parts of lavender oil with coconut oil and massage it into your hair. The oil has antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, as well as, antifungal and antibacterial properties. For those with an itchy scalp, lavender oil can soothe the redness and itchiness and is even safe for younger children. The essential oil is also known to have soothing properties that lower cortisol levels.

3. Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree oil is the most popular among all the essential oils that act as dandruff treatments. With its antifungal and antibacterial properties, the oil can alleviate the source of dandruff and reduce its impact on the scalp. It can be massaged directly into the scalp, but you must dilute the concentrate to avoid side effects if you have a sensitive scalp. The oil also has soothing and cooling properties and a camphoraceous odor you’re going to love.

4. Thyme essential oil
Thyme oil has a reddish-brown color and boasts a fresh, sweet smell. It can be fused with other essential oils, including grapefruit, lavender, pine, and rosemary. Besides treating dandruff and scalp conditions, thyme essential oil can also increase blood circulation, improve the skin’s texture, and complement the immune system. As for its applications, mix about ten drops with a spoon of honey and half a cup of apple cider vinegar. Pour the contents into a spray bottle and spray it on the scalp every day until you see positive results.

The four oils mentioned above are excellent dandruff treatments. However, you can also consider several other options to fight a flaky scalp: lemon essential oil, frankincense essential oil, peppermint essential oil, and cedarwood essential oil. We recommend speaking with a doctor before trying these for your scalp.