4 Simple Aloe Vera Mask Recipes for Combating Dandruff

Did you know dandruff is one of the most common types of dermatitis, affecting about 20% of the population?

Known for producing itchy and irritating scalp flaking, dandruff is hard to get rid of. It’s like that one relative that comes late to the party and stays on your couch all night.

For mild dandruff, a regular hair-washing routine may be enough to keep your scalp flake-free. Frequent shampooing is usually adequate to remove excess flaking or oil build-up. But that’s not always the case. For severe dandruff, you may have to use dandruff shampoos that are more effective at removing buildup.

Of course, there’s a catch. You knew this was coming…

Shampoos are really drying for your scalp. While this isn’t usually a problem (as long as you follow up with conditioner), shampooing your hair more often to get rid of dandruff can quickly dry out your scalp. Not to mention that people with dandruff often have dry skin already…

Long story short, shampooing your hair frequently can lead to more skin flaking and a decrease in hair growth if it is drying out your scalp.

Which leads us to aloe vera, our favorite dandruff-fighting hair mask! Moisturizing and cleansing, aloe vera is the perfect ingredient to combat both dandruff and drying shampoos in one swing.

Let’s find the right hair mask recipe for you!

1. Aloe Vera & Honey Mask

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel

• 1-2 tablespoons of honey

• 1 tsp of olive oil (optional)

Honey is a natural humectant (meaning it helps lock in moisture), making it an ideal ingredient to pair with aloe vera. Both honey and aloe vera have anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe scalp irritation due to dandruff. To make this mask, mix the honey and oil and warm them slightly to make the honey more viscous. Then combine with the aloe vera, and apply to your hair.

2. Aloe Vera & Coconut Oil Mask

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

One of the simplest aloe vera masks for dandruff is made with just two ingredients: aloe vera gel and coconut oil. Coconut oil is an excellent natural moisturizer to soothe your dry scalp, but it’s also a great mask to boost hair growth. For this double-acting hair mask, mix equal parts aloe vera gel and coconut oil. Because coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, you will need to warm it before making this anti-dandruff hair mask.

3. Aloe Vera & Apple Cider Vinegar Mask

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup aloe vera

• 2 Tbs apple cider vinegar

• 10 drops tea tree oil

If your dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the scalp, apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties that can help get rid of the excess yeast and restore balance. Meanwhile, tea tree oil is a natural cleanser with antimicrobial properties. To make this anti-dandruff mask, simply mix the ingredients together and apply to your scalp.

4. Aloe Vera & Egg Yolk Mask

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup aloe vera gel

• 2 Tbs olive oil

• 1 egg yolk

Like the coconut oil mask, this anti-dandruff aloe vera mask also boosts hair growth. Egg yolks are packed with nutrients like biotin and vitamin A that are essential for hair growth. Plus, did I mention proteins? To make this mask, just mix all of the ingredients together and you’re ready to go.

If you are combating dandruff, try one of these four aloe vera masks! Made with just a few simple ingredients, these masks can be easily whipped up using ingredients you probably already have on hand in your kitchen. Plus, they are all moisturizing and gentle enough to use on a daily basis.

For each of these masks, I suggest you use fresh aloe vera gel scooped straight from the leaf on your counter. But if that isn’t an option for you, you can also buy natural aloe vera gel. Before buying an aloe product to use on your scalp, I suggest reading my basic guide to aloe vera gel ingredients. This will help you choose a gel that won’t be damaging for your hair.

Lastly, check out any of the blog posts below to learn more about using aloe vera in your haircare routine!