From dry scalp to thinning hair: What to look for in your shampoo to suit your scalp type

One size fits all is not an option when it comes to choosing the right shampoo for your hair type. Most people use whatever shampoo is being advertised as the best in the beauty realm, but that shouldn’t be the case. Why? It’s because your scalp is one of a kind, and using the first thing you see in the hair care aisle at the supermarket is not going to cut it when it comes to long, luscious hair. So, you need to look for ingredients in your shampoo, depending on your hair type.
How do you choose the right shampoo and conditioner for yourself? Well, you look for the right ingredients in your shampoo.

However, it can be difficult to know what to look! That’s why Health Shots got in touch with Dr. Ramadevi, Senior Dermatologist at Kamineni Hospitals, Hyderabad to know the right ingredients you should choose.

Choosing the right ingredients for your shampoo

“Instilling the habit of reading hair care product labels is a good idea. At the very least, it is safer than relying solely on advertisements or reviews. The right shampoo, conditioner, and other hair care products are critical for keeping your hair clean, strong, and vibrant,” recommends Dr Ramadevi. Choosing the wrong ingredients in your shampoo can wreak havoc on your hair health, and lead to problems in some cases. So, here is a list of the best ingredients to include in your shampoo according to your scalp type:

Shampoo ingredients for dry scalp

The dry scalp will need mild cleansers and extra moisture. Look for mild sulfates like:

• Coco/ Lauryl/ Decyl glucoside
• Sodium coco sulfate
• Sodium/ Disodium cocoyl glutamate

And natural cleansers like:

• Soapnut Berry
• Shikakai
• Hibiscus
• Rice water
• Green tea
• Gooseberry extract

Look for some moisturizing ingredients like

• Coconut oil
• Shea butter
• Argan oil
• Olive oil
• Avocado oil
• Aloe Vera
• Glycerin

Shampoo ingredients for oily scalp

If you have an oily scalp, look for shampoos with these ingredients.

• Deep cleansing agents like Sulphosuccinates and SLS may be beneficial for oily hair, however, they should be avoided for dry, dyed, or chemically treated hair
• Clarifying shampoo
• Look for natural ingredients
• Minimal conditioning agents

Shampoo ingredients for thinning hair

Here are the ingredients for thinning hair that you should look for:

• Caffeine
• Minoxidil
• Lavender oil
• Peppermint oil
• Niacin

Shampoo ingredients for dandruff, and flaky scalp

Got dandruff or flaky scalp? Here’s what you should be looking for in your shampoo:

• Fungicidal agents like ketoconazole, selenium sulphide, and zinc pyrithion
• Natural fungicidal agents like tea tree oil
• Salicylic acid, coal tar

Caution: Make sure you consult a dermatologist before making any changes in your hair care regimen.