How To Use Baking Soda For Dandruff

Is Baking Soda Good For Dandruff?

Baking soda is thought to clean the scalp and help get rid of dandruff and flaky scalp. Here are a few of the benefits one may experience after using baking soda for dandruff:

Baking soda may absorb the excess sebumi An oily substance produced by sebaceous glands which helps moisturize and protect the skin from microbes. produced by the scalp. It may also help wash off the oil and grease on your hair and further help in deep cleansing your scalp. Baking soda has antifungal properties (1). Hence, it may treat the fungal infection that is causing dandruff. Using baking soda may also calm your scalp, which may help it produce less oil. This may be because it balances the pH of the scalp. If you have oily hair, you can use it as a dry shampoo because of its oil-absorbing properties and make it part of your hair care routine.

Note: The above benefits are based on anecdotal evidence and do not have scientific backing. You can use baking soda by adding 2-3 tablespoons of it to a cup of lukewarm water. Mix well and apply it to your scalp. Massage gently and leave it on for a minute or two. You can then shampoo your hair as usual. Apart from using only baking soda, you can also add other ingredients like apple cider vinegar or olive oil to it to make an even more potent remedy for dandruff. Find the details of these combinations below.

How To Use Baking Soda For Dandruff

1. Apple Cider Vinegar And Baking Soda For Dandruff

The acidity of the apple cider vinegar (ACV) may balance the alkalinityi A measurement of water’s ability to neutralize acids that helps resist changes in pH. It is often measured using sulphuric acid. of the baking soda. This combination may work in conjunction to balance the scalp’s pH. Both baking soda and ACV have antifungal properties (1), (2). This may help get rid of dandruff.

2 teaspoons of baking soda 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

Repeat this 2 times a week. Mellow De Tray, a home and lifestyle blogger, says she and her family have been shampoo-free since 2011 and only use baking soda and ACV for hair care. She shares that she has straight and oily hair while her husband has textured and dandruff-prone hair, and this method works great for the both of them. She writes, “We use a baking soda and water solution for washing, and diluted apple cider vinegar for the conditioning rinse. We are totally happy with the texture and cleanliness of our hair (i).” Michelle, a natural hair care and lifestyle vlogger, swears by the baking soda and ACV solution for dandruff, buildup, and itchy scalp. She shares, “I literally use no shampoo for this process, just baking soda. It lifted all the build-up, all the dirt (ii).” She breaks down her routine, starting with a baking soda and water solution, rinsing it out, and then applying a diluted ACV solution. She says that her hair felt a little dry after applying the baking soda solution but the ACV balances it out, leaving her hair feeling moisturized and her curls popping.

2. Lemon And Baking Soda For Dandruff

Lemon juice is a natural astringenti An alcohol-based liquid that helps tighten pores and cleanse the skin by removing excess oil and reducing acne flare-ups. and has antifungal properties (3). This may help in getting rid of the fungus-causing dandruff and scalp buildup.

2 tablespoons of lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda

Do this 2 times a week.

3. Olive Oil And Baking Soda For Dandruff

While the baking soda may help remove excess oil and grime and eliminate the fungal infection, olive oil conditions the dry scalp, locks in moisture, and helps in getting rid of dandruff (4). The egg yolk in this hair pack can condition your hair and promote hair growth (5).

1 teaspoon of baking soda 1 egg yolk 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Apply this 2 times a week.

4. Coconut Oil And Baking Soda For Dandruff

Using coconut oil for dandruff removal is also a common practice. The oil penetrates the hair shaft and reduces protein loss in both damaged and undamaged hair (6). It may also alleviate the dryness and itchiness from the scalp and help keep it moisturized. This can help prevent dandruff. Honey acts as a conditioner and imparts shine and luster to your hair (7). Thus, it helps to improve hair and scalp health significantly.

1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda 1 tablespoon of coconut oil 1 tablespoon of honey

Use this hair mask 2 times a week.

5. Tea Tree Oil And Baking Soda For Dandruff

Tea tree oil has antifungal properties that can help in the treatment of dandruff. A study found 5% tea tree oil to be effective in treating dandruff (8). This, in combination with baking soda, can eliminate the dandruff-causing fungi from your hair.

2 teaspoons of baking soda A few drops of tea tree oil 1/2 cup of water

Do this 2 times a week until you get relief from dandruff.

6. Ginger And Baking Soda For Dandruff

Ginger is widely known for its medicinal properties and is used in anti-dandruff products. It possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and may help relieve dry and itchy scalp and flaking caused by dandruff. This way it may help keep your scalp clean and healthy (9), (10). You Will Need

A teaspoon of grated ginger 2 teaspoons of honey 1 teaspoon of baking soda

What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Apply the paste once a week to get rid of dandruff. Note: Baking soda is alkaline and abrasive. Hence, it may make your scalp and hair dry. If you have dry hair, follow the rinse with a conditioner to keep your hair and scalp moisturized. Are baking soda and baking powder the same? No. Both are not the same. Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, which requires acid and liquid to activate. Whereas baking powder, which includes sodium bicarbonate and acid, only needs a liquid to become activated. Note: Some people try to make a baking powder hair rinse or baking powder hair mask by mixing baking soda and baking powder. This mixture is thought to remove dandruff. However, there is currently no evidence to support this. Does baking soda stop hair growth? Baking soda doesn’t stop hair growth. However, over time, the high pH of baking soda can strip the natural oils from the hair and cause hair breakage. Can I use baking soda as a substitute for shampoo? Baking soda can be temporarily used as a shampoo substitute as it effectively removes excess oil and scrubs the scalp. It can also be used as a dry shampoo to absorb grease. However, you will need to use a regular or clarifying shampoo at least once in a week for deep cleansing. Can baking soda cause any side effects or allergies? Minor allergies or side effects of baking soda may include a burning and stinging sensation, dryness, flakiness, and in rare cases, nausea and swelling.