Why Your Scalp Gets So Itchy in the Winter—And How to Fix It

From dull skin that once glistened to chapped lips on the verge of cracking, winter has a funny (read: dreadful) way of taking a physical toll on our bodies. Where hair is concerned, as you toss your toque aside after a brisk day outdoors, you may notice that your scalp is suddenly unbearably itchy and in desperate need of some TLC. Could the root cause be dandruff? Dryness? Product buildup? The lines between these common scalp concerns get easily blurred, so we reached out to expert hairstylist Cindy Duplantis of Chatters Hair Salon to break it all down. Plus, she’s spilling her biggest tips and best product recommendations for soothing dry, itchy scalps during the winter months, below.

How does winter affect our hair health?

As the seasons change, so does the weather’s impact on our hair. Outside, winter’s chill strips the moisture from our strands. Indoors, where our heating systems are blasted to the max to keep us warm, the dry air dehydrates our hair and scalps. “It’s so important to understand that the product you use in the summer is going to be completely different than the product that you use in the winter,” Duplantis says. “We understand this with our facial and skin regimes, but for some reason, we don’t really get it when it comes to our scalp and our hair.”

To the fashionistas who love sporting toasty toques and chic balaclavas during this time of year: keep in mind that your favourite winter accessories can also affect your hair. “Hats can protect your hair and your scalp from the elements—because sometimes that cold, dryness really can aggravate and irritate—but if you’re using a hat that’s really tight, or something that doesn’t have natural fibres in there, it can irritate your scalp,” Duplantis explains. She also adds that friction, sweating and trapped moisture caused by wearing hats for long periods can lead to further breakage and buildup.

What causes an itchy scalp?

If your itchy scalp has led you down a rabbit hole of dandruff-related Google searches, Duplantis is here to ease your anxiety. “I think a lot of people think that an itchy scalp can be dandruff, but there’s actually a very minute [chance] of it actually being dandruff,” she says. This particular scalp condition is caused by an overgrowth of yeast-like fungus that leads to the shedding of dead skin cells, and it can feel itchy, but it’s not always the culprit. “Usually during the wintertime you’ll notice that you’re you’re dry and itchy because it’s actually just dryness.” Her pro-tip for scoping out a parched scalp? If the skin on your face is dry, then your scalp is likely dry, too. On the flip side, she also says buildup caused by an overload of product can be another contributing factor.

“When you scratch your scalp and you get residue under your nails or sticking to your hair, then you know that it can be a little bit more of a buildup, or that your oils or your pH levels are off,” explains Duplantis. “If you can literally see flakes, then you know that there isn’t any oil. It’s just really dry.”

How to cure a dry, itchy scalp

Once you’ve gotten to the root cause of your itchy scalp, you can better understand how to soothe it. If it’s caused by oiliness and buildup, weekly exfoliation is key. “You want to go in and wash your hair thoroughly. Shampoo first, then go back in and use your exfoliator, then re-rinse,” says Duplantis. AG Care’s Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo comes highly recommended from the hairstylist, as it’ll help to balance your scalp’s pH levels. “Even if you have the tendency of getting an oily scalp, remember that when you exfoliate your hair to your scalp, you’re removing what you naturally have there, and you have to replace it. Otherwise, your oil factors are going to start to overproduce,” she adds. So, be sure to keep conditioning.

Addressing dryness? Duplantis is a fan of Olaplex’s No. 0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment, which you apply directly along the scalp and massage in to help hydrate and soothe. She also advises using shampoos and conditioners packed with essential oils, like Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Special Shampoo.

If your itchiness is caused by dandruff, pick up products specifically formulated with this scalp concern in mind, like Redken’s Scalp Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoo—which has Duplantis’ approval.