Sensitive or irritated scalp: what natural treatments should you choose?

Itching, tightness, redness, dry flakes… A sensitive scalp turns every wash into an ordeal. The good news: with the right natural care and proper techniques, it’s possible to restore a soothed scalp and healthy hair.

Signs of a sensitive scalp

• Persistent itching after washing
• Sensation of tightness or burning
• Visible redness on the scalp
• Dry flakes (not oily)
• Hair that dries out quickly after washing
• Reaction to certain hair products

If these symptoms persist, consult a dermatologist. In parallel, adapting your hair care routine is essential.

Mistakes that aggravate a sensitive scalp

1. Shampoos with aggressive sulfates or an unsuitable pH (4.5-5.5): they strip the scalp's protective film.
2. Only one shampoo per wash. A properly cleansed scalp with two successive shampoos per wash limits the accumulation of sebum and product residue, all factors that can promote discomfort and irritation. 
3. Water that is too hot: it stimulates sebum production and irritates.
4. Aggressive rubbing or brushing: massage gently, without scratching.

Ingredients to avoid and to favor

To avoid: sulfates (SLS, SLES), parabens, silicones, artificial colors.
To favor: gentle plant-based cleansing agents, nourishing oils, soothing active ingredients, pH close to 5.

Our article on endocrine disruptors in cosmetics details the ingredients to watch out for.

Which solid shampoo for a sensitive scalp?

Fortifying Detox Shampoo

The Fortifying Shampoo is a 2-in-1 product that gently detoxifies and purifies the scalp, eliminating impurities and excess sebum, and restoring scalp balance. Formulated with 96.2% natural ingredients, fragranced in Grasse.

Radiance-Revealing or Illuminating Shampoo

If your scalp is sensitive but your hair doesn't have a strong tendency to become greasy, the Radiance-Revealing Shampoo is perfectly suited. Its formula gently cleanses while hydrating and nourishing the hair fiber, to reveal shinier and more supple hair.

The Illuminating Shampoo offers the same qualities of softness and care, with an additional benefit for blonde, white, and grey hair: it helps reveal their natural luminosity and limit the appearance of yellow tones.

Sensitive scalp care

The gentle 2 or 3-step routine

For a sensitive scalp, we recommend:

1. Fortifying Shampoo (or Radiance-Revealing depending on your profile)
2. Intense Nourishing Solid Conditioner on lengths only
3. Optional: High Protection Serum on ends

Discover our 3-step natural hair routine.

Sensitive scalp and oily hair: the double challenge

A scalp can be both sensitive and oily. In this case, the Fortifying Shampoo is your ally: it detoxifies without aggression. Also read our article Solutions for oily hair.

Additional tips

• Shampoo twice per wash
• Wash with lukewarm water, never scalding hot
  
• Avoid touching your hair
• Store your shampoo in its case for hygienic drying
• Avoid overly tight hairstyles that irritate the scalp or excessive use of film-forming styling products

Questions? → Maison Jearom FAQ · Our expertise

Article written by Claire Flandin, co-founder of Maison Jearom.