3 Tips for Selecting a Shampoo for an Itchy Scalp

When trying to find shampoo safe and gentle enough for the scalp, it can be really difficult to find if you have rashes or wounds on top of sensitive skin. In my experience, most conventional, well-known brand-name hair products tend to be too harsh or have ingredients that I am allergic or reactive to for one reason or another. I have had many trial-and-error experiences with finding shampoos that are good for me over the past several years. And here I am going to share my best tips with you that I hope work well for you or help guide you on your next shampoo purchases.

Tip #1

Avoid harsh chemicals. When it comes to the ingredients in shampoos, I generally try to avoid alcohol even if it is the last ingredient in the product formula (which means that in the formula, it is the smallest amount in it). This is because I find that no matter how small the amount of alcohol is in any kind of cosmetic product, it makes my skin dry, tight, and irritated.

The next ingredient I avoid is sodium lauryl sulfate because it is too harsh a detergent for my sensitive skin. I find that when I use shampoos that contain it that my skin also tends to feel very dry and irritating

Tip #2

Be a savvy shopper and pay attention to patterns. The next important thing to know while shopping for shampoo is knowing what ingredients you are allergic to. If you don’t already know what your triggers are, you could get tested for them. Or just find out through trial and error over time through life experience. Personally I've never had an allergy test of any kind and I have just gone the route of being my own guinea pig and paying attention to the ingredient list. This can be risky and if you do like I have, I highly advise you to only patch test and not use the product normally, like someone without sensitive skin. Because say, you use the shampoo you just bought all over your scalp and you end up being allergic to it? You’ll pay the price of irritation and have to spend potentially days or weeks recovering from just one use of the product. I believe it is best to play it safe and take note of certain ingredients that keep popping up in products that irritate my skin and I avoid those.

Alternatively I also keep track of ingredients that pop up repeatedly when I find products that are good and harmless to my skin.

Tip #3

My favorite shampoo brands. Using the above criteria to help me select a shampoo to use, I have found the following brands safe for me. (Disclaimer: Just because these products work well for me does not mean that they will work the same for you. I am just sharing my opinion based on my personal experience and you can take it or leave it or use these suggestions as a guide to help you select your next shampoo. Purchase and use these and other shampoos at your own discretion.)

• My current shampoo: Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castile Soap in Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint (for oozing rashes) - I just use a dime-sized amount and dilute it with water since it very concentrated.
• Other notable brands: 100% Pure Cosmetics and Pacifica Beauty

Have you ever tried any of these products or tips before? What has worked or not worked for you when it comes to washing your hair and scalp with sensitive, irritated skin? Would love to know what your favorite shampoo and hair care products and tricks are in the comments down below!