Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesEfficacyHow to Use ItSide EffectsWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Efficacy
How to Use It
Side Effects
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Dandruffoccurs when excess skin cells flake off the scalp. Some people notice it as white flakes that they see in their hair or on their clothes. Dandruff can also cause itchiness, but if you scratch it, it can cause scalp irritation and worsen the condition.
There are many remedies for dandruff, including over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription shampoos that containzinc pyrithione, a common shampoo ingredient. However, some people prefer to use natural remedies to treat dandruff to avoid chemicals as well as scalp irritation and drying.Coconut oilis rich in vitamins and fatty acids and is an alternative skin care product.
This article explains how coconut oil can be used to treat dandruff, potential side effects, and signs that mean you may need to see a healthcare provider to treat the cause of your dandruff.
What Causes Dandruff?
Dandruff is a common condition and can have several causes. A few of the most common include:
How Well Coconut Oil Works
Coconut oil can be used to hydrate the scalp, prevent dandruff, and promote hair growth. Research has shown that it has the potential to offer more than one benefit for people with dandruff.
Boosting “Good” Bacteria
A 2021 study found that coconut oil can help maintain a healthy fungal scalpmicrobiome(the colony of bacteria and fungi that keep your scalp healthy).The study also found coconut oil application significantly reduced the presence of dandruff.
Reducing Inflammation
Moisturizing
A 2014 study of people with atopic dermatitis who used coconut oil on their scalp found that coconut oil effectively moisturized the scalp and prevented moisture loss.
The fatty acids in coconut oil combat the irritation and flakes associated with dandruff. The lauric acid in coconut oil provides microbial balance properties that help soothe a dry, flaky scalp and rebalance the scalp’s microbiome.
Best Hair Oils for DandruffCoconut oil is a popular choice for hair care, but it’s not the only one. Other options include olive oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, andtea tree oil. Tea tree oil, lime oil, and rosemary oil are all oils that may offer benefits with dandruff, but more study is needed.
Best Hair Oils for Dandruff
Coconut oil is a popular choice for hair care, but it’s not the only one. Other options include olive oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, andtea tree oil. Tea tree oil, lime oil, and rosemary oil are all oils that may offer benefits with dandruff, but more study is needed.
11 Best Natural Oils for Hair Growth
How to Use Coconut Oil for Dandruff
Many shampoos and hair products contain coconut oil. It may require trial and error to see which ones help reduce or eliminate dandruff and dry, itchy scalp.
You can also apply coconut oil directly to your scalp.
To get the best results, repeat this process one to two times per week. The amount of time you leave coconut oil on your scalp may vary. One study found that a twice weekly application of coconut oil massaged into the scalp for 20 minutes, and then left on the scalp for two hours before a shampoo wash, offered benefits in keeping the scalp healthy.
Dandruff: How to Spot and Manage It
Potential Side Effects
Coconut oil is generally considered safe to use on your skin and scalp. However, there is a slight risk of side effects, particularly if you havesensitive skinor eczema.
Before applying coconut oil directly to your scalp, test a small spot on your skin (such as on your arm) to check for any sensitivity. Wait a day to see if you experience side effects before applying to your scalp, as reactions might take some time to show up.
If you experience a rash, itchiness, or hives, do not use coconut oil on your scalp. You should also avoid coconut oil if you have tree nut allergies, as it can cause an allergic reaction.
Can You Be Allergic to Coconut?
Most cases of dandruff are not serious, and you can manage it on your own at home. However, there are some instances where you might need to see a dermatology specialist.
You might need to make an appointment with adermatologistif:
Your healthcare provider will examine your scalp to determine what is causing your dandruff and come up with a treatment plan based on the diagnosis. For example, your provider might prescribe a medicated shampoo to eliminate stubborn dandruff.
Conditions That Affect Your Scalp and How to Identify Them
Summary
Coconut oil is a natural way to treat dandruff. While it’s usually safe to use hair or skin care products made with coconut oil—and even straight coconut oil—on your scalp, it’s a good idea to test it first on another area of your skin to make sure you do not have any sensitivities.
Avoid using too much coconut oil or using it too often. Doing so might worsen certain skin conditions and make your dandruff worse. There are also other at-home herbal and dietary remedies to try for dandruff, such as tea tree oil.
If coconut oil or other natural products do not work, there are other ways to treat dandruff, such as over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos that contain ingredients such as zinc pyrithione. Talk with your healthcare provider about your dandruff treatment options.
The 7 Best Dandruff Shampoos for Soothing Itchy Scalps, Tested and Reviewed
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rudramurthy SM, Honnavar P, Dogra S, Yegneswaran PP, Handa S, Chakrabarti A.Association of Malassezia species with dandruff.Indian J Med Res. 2014 Mar;139(3):431-7. PMID: 24820838Saunte DML, Gaitanis G, Hay RJ.Malassezia-Associated Skin Diseases, the Use of Diagnostics and Treatment.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020 Mar 20;10:112. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.00112.Dall’Oglio F, Nasca MR, Gerbino C, Micali G.An Overview of the Diagnosis and Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2022 Aug 6;15:1537-1548. doi:10.2147/CCID.S284671.Mekić S, Jacobs LC, Gunn DA, Mayes AE, Ikram MA, Pardo LM,et al.Prevalence and determinants for xerosis cutis in the middle-aged and elderly population: A cross-sectional study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(4):963-969.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.12.038National Health Service.Dandruff.Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, Dhakan DB, Roy N, Breton L,et al.Longitudinal study of the scalp microbiome suggests coconut oil to enrich healthy scalp commensals.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):7220. Published 2021 Mar 31. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-86454-1Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, Dilip N, Raghuraman M, Pavan KB,et al.In vitroanti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. Published 2018 Jan 17. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339Jain S, Arora P, Nainwal LM.Essential Oils as Potential Source of Anti-dandruff Agents: A Review.Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2022 Jul 27;25(9):1411-1426. doi:10.2174/1386207324666210712094148.Anagnostou K.Coconut Allergy Revisited.Children (Basel). 2017;4(10):85. Published 2017 Sep 29. doi:10.3390/children4100085
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rudramurthy SM, Honnavar P, Dogra S, Yegneswaran PP, Handa S, Chakrabarti A.Association of Malassezia species with dandruff.Indian J Med Res. 2014 Mar;139(3):431-7. PMID: 24820838Saunte DML, Gaitanis G, Hay RJ.Malassezia-Associated Skin Diseases, the Use of Diagnostics and Treatment.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020 Mar 20;10:112. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.00112.Dall’Oglio F, Nasca MR, Gerbino C, Micali G.An Overview of the Diagnosis and Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2022 Aug 6;15:1537-1548. doi:10.2147/CCID.S284671.Mekić S, Jacobs LC, Gunn DA, Mayes AE, Ikram MA, Pardo LM,et al.Prevalence and determinants for xerosis cutis in the middle-aged and elderly population: A cross-sectional study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(4):963-969.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.12.038National Health Service.Dandruff.Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, Dhakan DB, Roy N, Breton L,et al.Longitudinal study of the scalp microbiome suggests coconut oil to enrich healthy scalp commensals.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):7220. Published 2021 Mar 31. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-86454-1Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, Dilip N, Raghuraman M, Pavan KB,et al.In vitroanti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. Published 2018 Jan 17. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339Jain S, Arora P, Nainwal LM.Essential Oils as Potential Source of Anti-dandruff Agents: A Review.Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2022 Jul 27;25(9):1411-1426. doi:10.2174/1386207324666210712094148.Anagnostou K.Coconut Allergy Revisited.Children (Basel). 2017;4(10):85. Published 2017 Sep 29. doi:10.3390/children4100085
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rudramurthy SM, Honnavar P, Dogra S, Yegneswaran PP, Handa S, Chakrabarti A.Association of Malassezia species with dandruff.Indian J Med Res. 2014 Mar;139(3):431-7. PMID: 24820838Saunte DML, Gaitanis G, Hay RJ.Malassezia-Associated Skin Diseases, the Use of Diagnostics and Treatment.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020 Mar 20;10:112. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.00112.Dall’Oglio F, Nasca MR, Gerbino C, Micali G.An Overview of the Diagnosis and Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2022 Aug 6;15:1537-1548. doi:10.2147/CCID.S284671.Mekić S, Jacobs LC, Gunn DA, Mayes AE, Ikram MA, Pardo LM,et al.Prevalence and determinants for xerosis cutis in the middle-aged and elderly population: A cross-sectional study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(4):963-969.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.12.038National Health Service.Dandruff.Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, Dhakan DB, Roy N, Breton L,et al.Longitudinal study of the scalp microbiome suggests coconut oil to enrich healthy scalp commensals.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):7220. Published 2021 Mar 31. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-86454-1Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, Dilip N, Raghuraman M, Pavan KB,et al.In vitroanti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. Published 2018 Jan 17. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339Jain S, Arora P, Nainwal LM.Essential Oils as Potential Source of Anti-dandruff Agents: A Review.Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2022 Jul 27;25(9):1411-1426. doi:10.2174/1386207324666210712094148.Anagnostou K.Coconut Allergy Revisited.Children (Basel). 2017;4(10):85. Published 2017 Sep 29. doi:10.3390/children4100085
Rudramurthy SM, Honnavar P, Dogra S, Yegneswaran PP, Handa S, Chakrabarti A.Association of Malassezia species with dandruff.Indian J Med Res. 2014 Mar;139(3):431-7. PMID: 24820838
Saunte DML, Gaitanis G, Hay RJ.Malassezia-Associated Skin Diseases, the Use of Diagnostics and Treatment.Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2020 Mar 20;10:112. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.00112.
Dall’Oglio F, Nasca MR, Gerbino C, Micali G.An Overview of the Diagnosis and Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.2022 Aug 6;15:1537-1548. doi:10.2147/CCID.S284671.
Mekić S, Jacobs LC, Gunn DA, Mayes AE, Ikram MA, Pardo LM,et al.Prevalence and determinants for xerosis cutis in the middle-aged and elderly population: A cross-sectional study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(4):963-969.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.12.038
National Health Service.Dandruff.
Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, Dhakan DB, Roy N, Breton L,et al.Longitudinal study of the scalp microbiome suggests coconut oil to enrich healthy scalp commensals.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):7220. Published 2021 Mar 31. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-86454-1
Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, Dilip N, Raghuraman M, Pavan KB,et al.In vitroanti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil.J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. Published 2018 Jan 17. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012
Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L.The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339
Jain S, Arora P, Nainwal LM.Essential Oils as Potential Source of Anti-dandruff Agents: A Review.Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2022 Jul 27;25(9):1411-1426. doi:10.2174/1386207324666210712094148.
Anagnostou K.Coconut Allergy Revisited.Children (Basel). 2017;4(10):85. Published 2017 Sep 29. doi:10.3390/children4100085
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