The Best Ingredients to Combat Scalp Irritation
If your scalp is feeling itchy and irritated, there are certain hero ingredients designed to give it everything it needs to ensure it stays calm, healthy and hydrated and prevent any future flare ups. (Look after your scalp and it will thank you for it!) Read on to find out more about the essential ingredients you need to soothe scalp irritation.
Witch Hazel
When it comes to natural ways to soothe scalp irritation, witch hazel comes with a whole heap of benefits – particularly if your scalp is oily, flaky or prone to irritation. Most of its extracts come from tannins found within its leaves and bark, which then get processed and formulated into topical treatments for your skin and scalp. Witch hazel is a natural anti-inflammatory, which means it’s ideal for preventing and treating irritated and inflamed scalp-skin. It’s also an astringent – which means it works to tighten pores and dry out any excess oil on the scalp, preventing greasy roots and irritation.
Aloe Vera
You might already be familiar with this ingredient as a popular after-sun or sunburn remedy. It’s a succulent plant that grows in arid landscapes around the world and is full of what’s known as polysaccharides which are famous for their hydrating and anti-inflammatory powers by inhibiting the effect of chemicals (enzymes) called cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes. These COX enzymes release chemicals called prostaglandins, which are involved in the production of pain and inflammation at sites of injury or damage. So less prostaglandin, means less scalp irritation (so it’s a hero for preventing issues like redness, itching and dryness).
Pro Vitamin B5
Otherwise known as ‘pantothenic acid’, this is a great ingredient if your scalp is dry and flaky. It works in many different ways, notably as a humectant – which means it works like a sponge – rapidly absorbing moisture and locking it in. It’s also used to treat wounds and irritation, possessing anti-inflammatory properties and helping to activate the proliferation of cells that are important for wound healing and restoring the skin barrier function. It additionally encourages skin cell regeneration, so your scalp is left fortified and soothed.
Allantoin
Despite its technical-sounding name, this is actually an extract from the root of the comfrey plant. Famed for their healing and soothing properties, comfrey leaves have been used for centuries to help heal cuts, grazes and swelling. It acts as an emollient to lock in moisture, preventing flaky skin and irritation. It’s also a keratolytic, which means it exfoliates dead skin cells as well as increasing cells’ water content, working like a sponge to absorb and retail moisture.
All of the above ingredients can be found in our Hydrate and Soothe Scalp Serum, which you can shop here.
