How to Moisturize the Scalp

If you're looking for the right way to moisturize a dry scalp, know that the answer doesn't always lie with shampoos and conditioners. Scalp oils help to moisturize your scalp, and they can even work better than moisturizing products do in some cases. Your body keeps your skin moisturized naturally by secreting oil called sebum through glands in your skin. However, sometimes the skin doesn't produce as much sebum as it should, which leads to dryness. Special oil products help to make up for this deficit and keep the scalp lubricated so that it doesn't dry out.

Oil will stay on skin longer than a moisturizing cream or lotion will, which is why it works well as a treatment for dry scalp. One of the most common oils used to moisturize the scalp is jojoba oil. Other popular scalp oils to use include various mineral oils, cod liver oil and coconut oil.

Many of the scalp oil products on the market today have a mixture of natural oils, antioxidants and glycerin to protect your hair [source: Cosmetics and Toiletries]. These products can provide treatment for both your scalp and your hair, and you can find them at most spas or beauty supply stores.

Scalp oils might seem like a simple solution to dry scalp, but you're probably wondering how to use them without getting your hair too greasy. And, if you have oily hair, you might be concerned about adding more oil to the equation. Read on to find out how to moisturize your scalp while maintaining soft, clean hair.

Moisturizing your skin is a pretty simple process -- you apply a product to keep it feeling soft and smooth. Moisturizing your scalp is a bit more complex, especially if you have a lot of hair, but it can improve the health of your scalp as well as your hair. Here are a few tips on how to keep your scalp moisturized without making your hair look too greasy.

The first step is to learn how to avoid getting the oil in your hair as you apply it to the scalp. One method is to wet your hair so that it won't absorb the oil easily, and then use a cotton ball to dab the oil directly onto the scalp so that it doesn't run through the rest of your hair. After a few minutes, shampoo and rinse the oil out thoroughly.

When choosing a shampoo, look for one that includes astringents such as tea tree oil, citrus oil, rosemary or chamomile, which can help to take away oil from your hair follicles [source: Goins]. Also, try to find a clear shampoo to rinse out your oil treatment because they have fewer conditioners in them and are less likely to leave a residue.

When it's time to style your hair, try to cut back on the amount and variety of products that you use. The residue from products such as gels, volumizers, mousse and balms can build up on your scalp and weigh your hair down. If you're using oil treatments to moisturize your scalp, try to stay away from these types of products for a while in order to achieve the best results.

If your scalp is inflamed or you're dealing with a condition such as psoriasis of the scalp or seborrheic eczema, the effects can be seen in your hair. Keeping your scalp healthy can often make you and your hair look and feel better [source: Wadyka].

For more information about how to care for your scalp, check out the links on the next page.