Experiencing an itchy scalp is quite normal when you’re exposed to sweat and heat. It’s easily remedied by taking a bath since doing so gets your scalp cleansed from sweat and other impurities. However, if it’s an ongoing problem that causes you discomfort even after you’re fresh from a shower or when you haven’t been exposed to heat, it means there’s an underlying problem. The common culprit? Harsh hair and scalp care products.
With all the dust, dirt, and product build-up on our hair that might not be fully removed after a single wash, try double cleansing. It means washing your hair with shampoo twice in one session. The first wash removes all the dirt, while the second allows the shampoo to penetrate your scalp. This method can lead to cleaner, shinier, and healthier hair.
To do it, work in a modest amount of shampoo through your wet hair. Gently massage your scalp then rinse fully for at least two to three minutes. Apply a smaller amount of shampoo then repeat the process. If it’s your first time to try it out, start doing it one to two times per week before moving to two to three times per week.
How to deal with an itchy scalp
1. KÉRASTASE Specifique Soothing Shampoo
This silicone-free and hypoallergenic product helps soothe your scalp using calophyllum oil and menthol. It also contains piroctone, an antibacterial active ingredient that fights off other causes of itching.
Another reason to love it: Aside from itch relief, this product is also formulated not just for virgin hair but also for heavily treated hair that’s undergone perming, colouring, and more.
Get it at Sephora for SGD50 per 250ML.
2. Briogeo Scalp Revival™ Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Scalp Mask
Does your itchy scalp also come with a lot of flaking? This Briogeo mask’s champion ingredient, binchotan charcoal, helps unclog your hair follicles to prevent dirt buildup that causes flakes. Meanwhile, tea tree, peppermint, and spearmint oils provide triple-power cooling and bacteria-fighting to keep your scalp feeling fresh and clean.
Another reason to love it: This formula also contains hyaluronic acid and aloe vera that helps balance hydration on your scalp. This prevents flaking, dryness, and irritation.
Get it at Sephora for SGD58 per 177ML.
3. Sachajuan Scalp Shampoo
This no-nonsense formula uses piroctone olamine and climbazole to help gently but effectively get rid of itch-causing dandruff and deep cleanse the scalp. It also contains menthol for an instant cooling effect, salicylic acid to prevent bacteria growth, and ginger extract to soothe irritation.
Another reason to love it: This scalp care shampoo also helps bring back your hair’s natural shine, volume, and body with the help of rosemary extract that’s known for promoting healthy hair growth.
Get it at Sephora for SGD41 per 250ML.
4. The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
This lightweight scalp serum is made to gently exfoliate your itchy scalp with the use of salicylic acid. This helps balance excess oil production and reduce scalp redness that leads to blocked and sensitive pores. FLUIDIPURE™ 8G and panthenol in the ingredients list make sure that the scalp is well hydrated to prevent dryness that causes flaking.
Another reason to love it: It’s easy to apply and can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment morning or night on wet or dry scalp. You need to use it only once or twice a week, too.
Get it at Sephora for SGD26 per 150ML.
5. Doers Of London It Starts At The Top Shampoo
This shampoo is infused with copaifera officinalis oleoresin known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe and heal the damage caused by an itchy scalp. This ingredient is complemented with organic sage, nettle, and calendula extracts, which are all rich in antioxidants that stimulate healthy hair growth.
Another reason to love it: This product also contains hydrolysed wheat proteins that give the hair long-lasting shine.
Get it at TANGS for SGD36 per 300ML.
6. Look At Hair Loss Mild Scalp Care Treatment
Treat your scalp with a combination of rapeseed, olive, and avocado oils in this product. These ingredients are known for their reparative and irritation-prevention properties. This treatment also contains chamomile that helps restore the scalp's natural pH.
Another reason to love it: This treatment also contains mugwort, which contains vitamin C that helps repair sun-related damage.
Get it at Watsons for SGD29 per 500G.
7. Suu Balm™ Rapid Itch Relief Scalp Spray Moisturiser
In need of instant itch relief? This spray moisturiser is the answer. It contains linoleic, linolenic, and lactic acids that promote a healthy scalp microbiome. It also contains menthol that gives a quick cooling effect every time you need a refresh.
Another reason to love it: Despite it being handy, this pick contains at least 450 sprays worth of product.
Get it at Watsons for 41.90 per 100ML.
8. Moist Diane Extra Fresh Scalp Essence Mist
This product packs 48 herbs including rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint that helps rebalance, repair, and fight scalp odour and irritation. It also feels lightweight and can be used as a leave-in conditioner or a refreshing mist.
Another reason to love it: This product is clinically tested to fit Asian hair and specially formulated for hot and humid climates like ours.
Get it at Watsons for SGD19.01 for 60ML.
9. Clear Sakura Fresh Micellar Anti-Dandruff Scalp Care Shampoo
This shampoo, which comes from Clear’s first-ever micellar anti-dandruff shampoo range, helps deeply cleanse the scalp without any harshness. It also has vitamin B3 and amino acids that restore the scalp’s natural protection against external irritants by strengthening the skin barrier.
Another reason to love it: Sakura flower extract helps increase collagen production that results in healthier-looking tresses. This gives your hair incredible shine. It has an alluring fragrance too!
Get it at Watsons for SGD10.50 per 480ML.
10. Dove Fresh Nourishment Micellar Shampoo
Belonging to Dove's first-ever micellar scalp cleansing range, this shampoo is infused with aqua peptide, menthol, and micellar water which help soothe the scalp from any irritation and inflammation. These also rid the scalp of flakiness and strengthen your strands from root to tip.
Another reason to love it: It has a fresh scent and a weightless formula, making it perfect for Singapore's humid weather.
Get it at Watsons for SGD8.05 per 340ML.
11. &honey &bio Pure Moist Treatment
This J-beauty cult favourite is known for dealing with several hair and scalp woes like itchiness, dandruff, hair loss, and hair damage. Powered by vitamin C, rosehip extract, calendula, rosemary, and hyaluronic acid, this treatment also strengthens your hair and scalp against aggressors that contribute to its brittleness and lack of life.
Another reason to love it: It also contains olive oil, argan oil, and shea butter which ensure hair moisture retention and give your locks a visible shine.
Get it on Shopee for SGD34.80 per 440ML.
12. Rene Furterer Astera Head Spa
This pre-shampoo tonic calms and soothes the scalp using mint and eucalyptus. It addresses irritation and inflammation, helping the scalp recover from damage caused by harsh chemicals.
Another reason to love it: It's formulated for sensitive scalps.
Get it at Watsons for SGD82.10 per 50ML.
13. Nizoral Ketoconazole 2% Shampoo
This shampoo prevents and treats infections in which Malassezia (a form of fungi) yeast is involved, such as dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis — a scalp condition with symptoms like flaky, scaly, greasy, and itchy skin. This hair care product also helps relieve itching, redness, and flaking.
Another reason to love it: It’s made with the powerful dandruff-fighting ingredient Ketoconazole which targets the root cause of the problem.
Get it at Watsons for SGD25.70 per 100ML.
14. Shokaigan Cool Shampoo
This shampoo is made with natural refreshing ingredients to gently cleanse, revive, and calm your itchy and sensitive scalp. It also promises to nourish, rehydrate, and strengthen your hair.
Another reason to love it: It aims to reduce hair loss and prime the scalp for healthier hair growth.
Get it on iShopChangi for SGD48.34 per 500ML.
Itchy scalp shouldn’t add to your daily worries. We hope these products help ease your scalp troubles for good. Still, if irritation continues, don’t hesitate to seek the help of hair specialists or dermatologists for professional advice.
This article was first published on 14 March 2022. Last updated: 24 July 2024.
Comments, questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected].