Our scalp is a very delicate and sensitive organ, even more sensitive than the skin on our face! It contains over 230 receptors per square centimeter, which is why itching, redness, and burning sensations can be quite common. Let’s look together at the best way to care for a sensitive and irritated scalp, so it can be happy again!

A healthy scalp is smooth, free of flakes, and light pink in color. However, when it faces issues like sensitivity and irritability, it quickly becomes red, burns, and flakes easily, even from simple touch or due to the use of harsh shampoos, stress, dry or humid air, and excessively high temperatures.

Clinical studies show that this is a very common issue, affecting approximately 60% of women and 40% of men. Let’s explore why this happens and how we can best care for a sensitive and irritated scalp. In this article, we’ll cover:

-What causes a sensitive and irritated scalp?
- How to treat a sensitive and irritated scalp
- The perfect hair routine for a sensitive and irritated scalp
    - Pre-treatment for sensitive and irritated scalp
    - Shampoo for sensitive and irritated scalp
    - Conditioner for sensitive and irritated scalp
    - Styling for sensitive and irritated scalp

What causes a sensitive and irritated scalp?

The stratum corneum of the scalp acts as a protective barrier, and when it becomes insufficient to perform this function, aggressive agents such as heat, cold, and chemicals can penetrate. The scalp reacts to these factors with inflammatory responses, redness, itching, and tightness, which are the most common symptoms.

The causes can stem from either external or internal factors:

External Factors

• Harsh shampoos and overly frequent washing with unsuitable products
• Dry, dehydrated skin caused by dry air, heating, etc.
• Coloring, bleaching, and perm treatments
• UV rays and chlorinated water
• Mechanical damage from brushes or sharp tools
• Pollution, which deposits harmful elements on the hair that can sensitize the scalp
• Use of medications for skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis

Internal Factors

• Imbalance in sebum secretion
• Stress, which generates free radicals, altering scalp structure
• Irregular metabolism
• Hormonal imbalances and changes
• Natural aging process, as the skin produces less sebum to keep itself hydrated
• Food allergies and intolerances

How to treat a sensitive and irritated scalp

For sensitive scalps, the first step is definitely to remove any irritants from your beauty routine that could further aggravate your scalp!

Here are a few tips:

- Avoid harsh shampoos, especially those with alcohol. Choose natural products with soothing ingredients that help reduce itching. Low-foaming, emollient-rich products are ideal.

- Limit hair washing frequency to avoid over-washing. Aim for no more than three times per week unless you frequently exercise or engage in activities that cause heavy sweating, as sweat can further irritate the scalp.

- Be gentle with heat styling tools like hairdryers and straighteners. Keep the hairdryer about 10 cm away from your scalp, and choose a moderate temperature to avoid burning the roots.

 -Protect your scalp from the sun! If you'll be exposed for an extended period, wear a hat to shield from UV rays, which could make your scalp even more sensitive.

- Treat yourself to a scalp massage now and then! Place your hands gently on the center of your head and move your fingertips in circular motions with light pressure. This boosts scalp microcirculation, bringing relief and benefits to your skin. For more on this, check out our article How Scalp Massages Can Help You Achieve Your Most Beautiful Hair Ever.

Once you've eliminated these harmful habits, it’s essential to use specialized products that care for your scalp. After all, beautiful hair is rooted in a healthy scalp!

The perfect hair routine for a sensitive and irritated scalp

A complete beauty routine includes a pre-treatment, specific cleansing, scalp treatment, hair treatment, and styling—all tailored to a sensitive, irritated scalp in need of extra care and comfort!

Pre-treatment for sensitive and irritated scalp

Soothing and moisturizing scalp lotion

Scalp health is closely tied to the balance of microorganisms that inhabit it, and the chicory prebiotic in the Soothing and Moisturizing Scalp Lotion strengthens the natural scalp microbiota, restoring balance and improving its resistance to external irritants.

The calming, hydrating, and soothing effects of this valuable lotion are enhanced by extracts of chamomile, licorice, witch hazel, and green tea, which, together with beetroot amino acids, restore integrity and strength to both scalp and hair.

We recommend applying this lotion as needed directly to the entire scalp or only on targeted areas (in this case, one bottle can be used for 2 or 3 applications). Gently massage with your fingertips and leave on for at least 20 minutes. If necessary, wash your hair afterward.

Looking for an intensive treatment? Apply the lotion for four consecutive days, then repeat the application twice a week for a month.

Shampoo for sensitive and irritated scalp

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Shampoo

Simple and pure, the Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Shampoo is made with virgin oils and natural extracts. It contains no fragrances or irritating substances, gently cleansing without harming hair or scalp. If you’ve been looking for a shampoo suitable for the whole family, even for the most sensitive scalps, this is it!

Use a small amount of product diluted with water or hydrosol (1 part shampoo to 3 parts water), gently massage into the scalp, and rinse thoroughly.

Strengthening Solid Shampoo

Thanks to beetroot amino acids and flaxseed in the Strengthening Solid Shampoo, your hair is deeply hydrated and rejuvenated. The chicory prebiotic strengthens the scalp’s natural microbiota, restoring balance and soothing the skin. With added marshmallow root, calendula, and witch hazel, this gentle formula brings calm to the scalp and a healthy shine to your hair.

Choosing a solid shampoo over traditional liquid shampoo provides a compact, concentrated product that’s good for you and the environment! Just 50 grams of this shampoo is equivalent to 300 ml of a conventional shampoo—perfect for travel in your carry-on! The packaging is minimal and fully recyclable (recyclable cardboard and biodegradable film).

To use, rub the solid shampoo directly onto wet hair, or lather it in your hands first and apply to scalp and hair, then rinse thoroughly.

Conditioner for sensitive and irritated scalp

Nourishing Conditioner

The Nourishing Conditioner is free from silicones and harmful environmental ingredients, offering a heavenly fragrance for dry, stressed hair. It works wonders on all dry, treated, and moisture-starved hair, providing essential hydration and nourishment. Organic flaxseed, aloe vera juice, and avocado enrich hair, helping keep it soft, hydrated, and flexible.

Organic sunflower adds intense restructuring and repair, combating dryness and dehydration. Arginine repairs heat damage from dryers and straighteners, acting as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals. Finally, the synergy of these ingredients, along with hydrating coconut oil and orange blossom extract, brings out your hair’s natural beauty, leaving it radiant and healthy.

Apply this conditioner after every wash, if desired, onto wet hair after shampooing. Leave it on for a few minutes, rinse thoroughly, and get ready to shine!

Styling for sensitive and irritated scalp

If you have a sensitive and irritated scalp, it’s best to avoid sensitizing ingredients. As a post-wash treatment, we can use hydrolates—toners that preserve all the properties of the plants they’re derived from, helping to smooth the hair cuticles, making hair shinier and easier to comb. They can be used as a final acidic rinse. Specifically:

These hydrolates are perfect for relieving discomfort and itching from an irritated and sensitive scalp! Both chamomile and witch hazel have soothing, purifying, anti-inflammatory, and calming properties.

Plant Crystals

A true beauty elixir to nourish, protect, tame, and smooth hair. We’ve created Plant Crystals by blending wonderful organic coconut, flaxseed, and hemp oils with argan oil sourced from a women’s cooperative in Morocco to nourish hair without weighing it down, leaving it shinier than ever.

It contains only natural active ingredients, providing the same effect as conventional liquid crystals used in the market, so you can say goodbye to silicones for good! You can use it after shampooing on damp hair to make it soft and manageable, or apply it to dry strands to set your style, tame frizz, and give your hair a gorgeous shine!

If you'd like more personalized advice, feel free to take our Hair Test 👇.