Oily Dandruff: What It Is and How to Get Rid of It

Picture this: You’re preparing for a date, and just when you’re giving your hair one final comb-over, you see chunky white flakes drifting down to your shoulders like you're in the middle of a morbid snowstorm. With mounting horror, you realize what's happening: you have oily dandruff.

Dandruff is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, a condition that causes the skin to scale, flake and itch. According to researchers from Unilever UK, dandruff is one of the most common skin problems in the world. It affects about half of the global adult population and appears in spots other than the scalp, such as the beard area and eyebrows.

According to a Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology study, the proliferation of a fungus called Malassezia yeast in the scalp generally triggers oily dandruff. This yeast party results in flaky skin and causes other frustrating and uncomfortable side effects such as itchiness, dryness, redness, and general irritation.

Aside from that, many other factors contribute to severe dandruff in people, such as the following:

Poor hygiene can cause oil to build up in the hair and scalp. It means more food for the yeast and can lead to further breakouts and more flaking.

Unpredictable weather is another factor that causes severe dandruff. For example, cold weather can dry out the skin, which can cause flaking in the scalp. Humid weather, on the other hand, creates an environment the encourages Malassezia yeast to thrive.

Underlying health conditions. Dandruff can occur on its own due to hormonal imbalances, as well as underlying skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis. In this case, you might want to go to the dermatologist to have an expert’s opinion. 

Using the wrong type of products. Using products incompatible with your skin type can irritate the skin, or worse, cause allergic reactions on the scalp, both of which can aggravate existing dandruff.

Unfortunately, you can't get rid of or prevent oily dandruff completely. However, there are many effective ways to keep it under control, such as the following: 

Another way to keep dandruff under control is to give a little bit of stimulation to the scalp. You can do this by using a scalp-massaging shampoo brush, which can aid in the removal of dead skin cells, dirt, and sebum from the scalp. 

According to experts, while stress doesn't cause dandruff in itself, it can aggravate oily dandruff in some individuals. Stress changes the body’s hormone levels, which, in turn, can disrupt the existing microflora in the scalp.  

Cutting your hair is undoubtedly a drastic method compared to the other tips. However, it can reduce dandruff flare-ups significantly. Cutting hair can help air out the scalp, thereby making it less hospitable for the Malassezia yeast. 

Anti-dandruff shampoos are the best way to control dandruff production. The best shampoos for this task have ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, benzoyl peroxide, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, coal tar, sodium sulfacetamide, and ketoconazole.

You can control dandruff with CLEAR Cool Sport Menthol Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men. Not only does it contain active ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, but it also has activated charcoal and citrus peel to effectively remove dirt, product residue, and excess sebum from the scalp, leaving it clean and feeling fresh.

Oily dandruff can be quite a stressful scalp condition. However, you don't have to let it run your life (and your hair). Be proactive with your hygiene and endeavor to find products that work well with your needs.