Dandruff is a real annoyance! Several individuals who have it can relate to getting out of the bath and having their scratchy moments later. Your scalp is always irritated, and you cannot always determine whether it is oily or dry. It also leaves your hair looking flat and lifeless. Although several shampoos and treatments on the market promise to reduce dandruff, the chemicals are often harmful to your tresses. However, here’s the thing: Hair masks are an option for dealing with the problem. Hair masks can help eliminate dandruff while nourishing and conditioning your hair. They address the root cause of your scalp flaking, itchiness, inflammation, and dandruff. We have compiled a list of the top 15 hair masks to help you get rid of dandruff. Keep reading.
15 Effective Hair Masks For Dandruff
1. Yogurt, Honey, And Lemon Mask
The citric acid in lemon juice can help adjust the pH of your hair (1). Yogurt can help in repairing hair damage and conditioning your hair (2). The topical application of honey can help in improving conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis (3). You Will Need
1/2 cup yogurt 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon honey
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process How Often?
Once or twice a week.
2. Green Tea And Peppermint Essential Oil Hair Rinse
Green tea exhibits antifungal effects and can help in getting rid of Malasezzia fungus that causes dandruff (4). Peppermint essential oil provides a cooling effect and helps in getting rid of dandruff (5). The vinegar in the rinse helps balance scalp pH and oil production. You Will Need
1 cup green tea 2-3 drops peppermint essential oil 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Processing Time
5 minutes
Process How Often?
Once a week.
3. Hibiscus And Fenugreek Hair Pack
Hibiscus leaves have been used to treat scalp conditions like dandruff since ancient times (6). A poly herbal hair oil that included hibiscus extracts was found to exhibit potential anti-dandruff activity (7). Fenugreek seed paste can not only promote hair growth but also treat dandruff (8). You Will Need
10-12 hibiscus leaves 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds 1/2 cup yogurt
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process How Often?
2-3 times a week.
4. Banana, Honey, Lemon, And Olive Oil
This is an excellent mask for people with dry hair. Banana can help condition your hair and control dandruff (9). Olive oil can help make your hair soft and strengthen it (2). The citric acid in lemon juice can help balance your hair’s pH (1). Honey can help in reducing dandruff (3). You Will Need
2 ripe bananas 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process How Often?
Once a week.
5. Avocado Hair Mask For Dandruff
Avocados are rich in antioxidants that help maintain scalp health. This deep conditioning mask soothes the scalp and restores luster to hair (2). Olive oil softens your hair and strengthens it. You Will Need
1 ripe avocado 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons olive oil
Processing Time
45 minutes
Process How Often?
Once a week.
- Coconut Oil For Dandruff Coconut oil has shown to help relieve mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (10). Hence, it may also help in getting rid of dandruff. Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft easily and reduces hair damage (11). You Will Need
3 tablespoons coconut oil
Processing Time
45 minutes
Process How Often?
1-2 times a week.
7. Egg And Yogurt Hair Mask For Dandruff
Eggs and yogurt provide your scalp with the nourishment and moisture it needs (2). If you have mild dandruff, a little extra conditioning and nourishment are all it takes to tackle the problem. You Will Need
2 egg whites (oily hair)/ 2 egg yolks (dry hair)/ 1 whole egg (normal hair) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup yogurt 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Processing Time
20 minutes
Process How Often?
Once a week.
8. Fenugreek Hair Mask For Dandruff
Fenugreek is one of the most common remedies for dandruff. It has strong antifungal properties that boost scalp health and tackle dandruff (8). You Will Need
4 tablespoons fenugreek seeds 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process How Often?
Once a week.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask For Dandruff
Apple cider vinegar can help in not only reducing dandruff but also cleansing your scalp and hair of product build-up (2). It also balances the pH levels of the scalp. You Will Need
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup water
Processing Time
15 minutes
Process How Often?
Twice a week.
10. Egg Yolk And Olive Oil Hair Mask For Dandruff
Egg yolk contains fatty acids and vitamin A that keeps your hair shiny while preventing dandruff (2). Olive oil, on the other hair, helps condition your hair and also contributes towards maintaining scalp health. You Will Need
2 egg yolks 2 tablespoons olive oil
Processing Time
1 hour
Process How Often? 1-2 times a week.
11. Aloe Vera Hair Mask For Dandruff
Aloe vera was found to be effective in relieving seborrheic dermatitis, a condition that can cause stubborn dandruff (12). It also has antifungal properties that can help in treating dandruff (13). You Will Need
4 tablespoons pure aloe vera gel 2-3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Processing Time
30 minutes-1 hour
Process How Often?
2-3 times a week.
12. Mayonnaise Hair Mask For Dandruff
The sour curd and aloe vera in this hair mask efficiently tackle dandruff, while the mayonnaise moisturizes your hair. Mayonnaise can also help in maintaining scalp health because of its vinegar content. You Will Need
1/2 cup sour curd 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons aloe vera
Processing Time
1 hour
Process How Often?
1-2 times a week.
13. Onion Hair Mask For Dandruff
Onion has antifungal properties (14). These properties can help in getting rid of the dandruff-causing fungus. Onion juice was also found to encourage hair growth (15). You Will Need
1 large onion
Processing Time
1 hour
Process How Often?
Once a week.
14. Garlic And Honey Hair Mask
Garlic has been used for ages to treat dandruff (16). Honey can not only condition your hair but also help in improving dandruff (3). You Will Need
6 garlic cloves 7 tablespoons honey
Processing Time
10 minutes
Process How Often?
Once a week.
15. Yogurt, Tea Tree Oil, And Olive Oil Hair Mask
Research shows that tea tree oil is effective in the treatment of dandruff and helps in cooling the itchiness and redness of the scalp (17). Yogurt and olive oil can condition your hair (2). This pack works well for all hair types. But if you have natural oil hair, limit using it to once a week. You Will Need
4-5 drops of tea tree oil 1 tablespoon of yogurt 1 tablespoon of olive oil
For The Tea Tree Rinse
8-10 drops of tea tree oil A cup of water
Processing Time
5- 10 minutes
Process How Often?
Once a week.
To find out more about how to treat dandruff using home remedies, check out this video! How often should I do a hair mask? Below is a helpful infographic that illustrates which essential oils can combat dandruff. Following the recipes and methods discussed in the article can help you manage your dandruff issue. Consult your doctor if these do not show any results. Use a hair mask once or twice per week. However, it depends upon your hair and its condition. For example, if you have severe dandruff, you may use it more often. How long should I leave the hair mask on? It is best to leave your hair mask on for at least 20 to 30 minutes. If you leave the hair mask for too long, it may lead to too much protein absorption and hair breakage. When to apply a hair mask? A hair masks work best when it is applied to damp hair. Applying the hair mask after shampooing will help it get absorbed better. Can yogurt cure dandruff? Yes. According to a study conducted in 2017, using yogurt has helped manage the symptoms of moderate to severe dandruff (18). Therefore, using yogurt hair masks may help reduce dandruff issues. Is a hair mask the same as a hair conditioner? No, both have slightly different functions. While a hair conditioner conditions hair and makes it soft and manageable, a hair mask goes deeper and penetrates the hair shaft and hydrates it. What does Cardi B use for her hair mask? The DIY mask that Cardi B uses includes 2 avocados, shea moisture, argan oil, mayonnaise, castor oil, olive oil, two eggs, honey, and a banana. However, she limits the amount of honey and doesn’t skimp on mayo or oil to ensure the mask doesn’t make her hair too sticky.
