What Is Listerine?
Listerine is an American brand of antiseptic mouthwash and other oral care products, such as mouth sprays, toothpaste, and floss. Listerine mouthwash is an essential oil-containing mouthwash. It contains natural compounds such as menthol (from mint), eucalyptol (from eucalyptus), and thymol (from thyme) that help in reducing plaque and improving the health of gingival tissue (1). It is named after Sir Joseph Lister, founder of the practice of antiseptic medicine. Listerine is mainly used to get rid of bad breath and maintain oral hygiene. But can this antiseptic liquid help in getting rid of dandruff? Find out in the next section.
Listerine And Dandruff
Joseph Lawrence developed Listerine in 1879. He named it after being inspired by Dr.Joseph Lister, who was trying to create the first antiseptic surgical solution. When it first came out, Listerine was publicized as an antiseptic solution. Since the 1920s, Listerine was advertised as being able to get rid of dandruff. Lawrence conducted an experiment with rabbits that showed Listerine could indeed prevent dandruff. Later on, the company got in trouble with the law for calling dandruff a germ. A lot of anecdotal evidence suggests that Listerine can be used to get rid of dandruff. Let’s look at what science says.
How Listerine Prevents Dandruff
There is little to no scientific research to establish that Listerine helps reduce dandruff. Here are some ways Listerine may prevent dandruff:
Thyme is a well-known antiseptic that can help reduce dandruff (2)(3) Menthol has antimicrobial properties (4). It may prevent a flaky scalp and help keep it clean. Eucalyptol (1-8, Cineol) can work well as an anti-dandruff agent (5). Salicylic acid is often used in anti-dandruff shampoos, and it helps remove scalp scales/flakes (6).
Additionally, some anecdotal report also suggest the use of this product for lice! Fariha Farhana, a blogger, shared her experience of using Listerine for head lice infestation and saw great results. She said, “The result was unbelievably good. I got rid of most of my lice and nits (i).” Now that we have understood Listerine’s potential to manage some hair health issues, let us continue on to the next section to understand how to use it to tackle scalp issues like dandruff.
How To Use Listerine For Dandruff
Here’s how to get rid of dandruff using Listerine.
1. Listerine For Dandruff
You Will Need
1 tablespoon Listerine Cotton pad
Prep Time 2 minutes Treatment Time 5-10 minutes Method How Often 2-3 times a week for 2 weeks.
2. Listerine And Water For Dandruff
Listerine contains compounds that have antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. It is also antiseptic, which may help reduce symptoms associated with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. You Will Need
2 tablespoons Listerine 2 tablespoons water Spray bottle
Prep Time 2 minutes Treatment Time 5 minutes Method How Often? 3 times a week for 2 weeks.
3. Listerine And Coconut Oil For Dandruff
Coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft, passing through the cortex as well. It can prevent and repair hair damage (9). The oil helps Listerine enter the hair follicles, prevents microbial infections, and keeps the scalp clean. Further, it’s one of the simplest ways to indulge in some hair care. You Will Need
2 tablespoons Listerine 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Prep Time 2 minutes Treatment Time 5 minutes Method How Often? 3 times a week for 2 weeks.
4. Listerine And Vinegar For Dandruff
Vinegar is said to help maintain the pH balance of the scalp. It is also known to help cleanse the scalp, which may improve scalp and hair health. You Will Need
2 tablespoons Listerine 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 cup water Spray bottle
Prep Time 2 minutes Treatment Time 5 minutes Method How Often? Once a week.
5. Listerine and Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has a cooling effect on your scalp and helps eliminate dandruff and lice (10). You can add coconut oil if you feel there is too much menthol, and your scalp is tingling. You Will Need
1 cap Listerine 2 tablespoons peppermint oil 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Prep Time 2 minutes Treatment Time 5-10 minutes Process How Often Once a week.
Is Listerine good for itchy scalp? Listerine contains menthol which may help in reducing scalp itchiness (11). Should I use Listerine every day? No, you should not use Listerine daily as it may cause scalp irritation. You can use it every 3 to 4 months. Is Listerine good for scalp psoriasisi An immune-mediated disease triggered by cold, infection, or stress and causes red, scaly, and itchy patches on the skin. ? There is currently no scientific evidence that suggests that Listerine may help manage scalp psoriasis.
