Does Cold, Dry Air Cause Dandruff?
As the seasons change, so should your approach to skincare and grooming. The cold, dry air of the winter means your skin needs more moisture. You spend more time indoors in central heating - more dry air. But what does all this mean for your hair?
Many guys notice dandruff (or their existing dandruff getting worse) during the fall and winter. What gives? Is the cold, dry air causing your dandruff? Or is something else going on? And either way, what can you do about it?
Cold, dry air cannot cause dandruff by itself. That’s because dandruff is caused by fungal growth on your scalp. Malassezia is a normal fungus that lives on everyone’s scalp - but some people have too much. That leads to a change in the typical skin cell cycle, eventually causing dandruff. Most over the counter (and stronger) dandruff shampoos are made to attack that fungus, thus eliminating dandruff.
But if you’re seeing flakes for the first time in cold, dry conditions, your problem probably isn’t dandruff. Instead, you may have a dry, itchy scalp. How can you tell the difference?
- Yellow or white oily flakes
- Red, oily scalp
- Itchy scalp
- Small, dry, white flakes
- Itchy scalp
- Dry skin all over your body, not just your scalp
Treating Dandruff and Dry Scalp
Even though these two conditions are different, treating them requires a similar approach. If you have dandruff, you need to get fungal growth under control, reduce oil, and soothe your scalp.
If you have dry scalp, you need to boost moisture on your scalp, keep your scalp and hair hydrated throughout the day, and reduce irritation.
A natural dandruff shampoo for men works in both situations. Our Daily Strengthening Shampoo prevents and fights dandruff with tea tree oil, not harsh chemicals. That means its safe and gentle to use even for guys with sensitive skin. It also hydrates and soothes your scalp with aloe, preventing dryness. That’s important regardless of what exactly is causing your flakes.
Dandruff May Mean Oily Skin
Guys who frequently struggle with dandruff may also have oily skin. In that case, a skincare routine for men with oily skin can make a big difference in your complexion. A face wash for men with oily skin will significantly reduce acne breakouts - which tend to plague men with oily skin.
Two more essentials for guys with oily skin are face scrub for men and skin toner for men. Use men’s face scrub every other day after washing your face. It clears out your pores and stops oily buildup and bacteria from forming into nasty blemishes. Men’s skin toner keeps oil production under control and eliminates the greasy, oily shine that you have to contend with. Always follow up with face moisturizer for men after using either product.
Skin Flakes May Mean Dry Skin
When dandruff isn’t the issue, you likely have dry skin all over your body. On your scalp, this means itch and flakes. The same can happen anywhere else - especially in cold, dry conditions. To combat this, use a face wash for men with dry skin and always apply men’s face moisturizer afterwards.
Harsh soaps leave your dry skin even drier - you’ll notice far better results with a gentle cleanser. Moisturizer seals in hydration and forms a protective barrier over your skin that minimizes water loss.
Elbows and hands are also common dry skin spots. Use a hand cream for men and body lotion for men to prevent excessive dry skin, flakes, and redness. The best time to apply these products is after showering or washing your hands. That’s because hot water and soaps leave your skin dry and susceptible to irritation.
Once you identify the root cause of your hair flakes and skin woes, you can properly treat them. That way you can enjoy the winter weather without skincare and grooming worries.