If you’re noticing snowy flakes in your child’s hair or on their scalp, neck or shoulders, there’s an obvious culprit: dandruff. Dandruff can occur at any age, and is super common in adults and children alike. In addition to being itchy, uncomfortable and annoying, dandruff can also cause a major shift in your kid’s confidence. Dry skin from the scalp can present noticeably all over hair, and sometimes even clothes. Fortunately, dandruff poses no serious medical threats and is treatable with a consistent hair care routine and gentle, natural products. Here are a few tips and tricks that work wonders to keep your kid’s dandruff off of their head, and off your mind.

What is dandruff?

Most of us can recognize dandruff by the appearance of white or yellowish flakes on the scalp and head. But what exactly is dandruff? Dandruff, formally known as seborrheic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes flaky skin to form on the scalp. The form of dermatitis can also form in other areas of the body. Head dandruff is not contagious, and is not particularly dangerous, but it can certainly be a nuisance.

Often, the foremost symptom of dandruff is the appearance of these flakes. That said, even if you haven’t spotted dandruff yet, there are other signs and symptoms that indicate a dry scalp. They include:

• Dry and flaky skin that worsens in cold weather
• Dry skin on the face, ears, or area surrounding the eyebrows and forehead
• Flaky skin on other parts of the body with hair
• Mild to moderate redness in the area affected
• Temporary patches of hair loss in extreme cases

If your kid’s scalp is looking dry and/or flaky, don’t sweat it. Once you’ve identified the issue as dandruff, you can begin to understand the causes and put your kiddo on the road towards dandruff recovery!

What causes dandruff in children?

Although dandruff can be unpleasant to deal with, it is not an indication of poor hygiene. Dandruff is quite common in children, teens, and adults! The exact cause of dandruff is not known, but there are many factors that could potentially contribute to the presence of dandruff.

Some researchers believe that dandruff could be caused by an overproduction of oil in skin glands and hair follicles. This can be related to shifting hormone levels — which is why pre-teens and young adults may be more prone to flaky scalps.

Additionally, there are several other existing skin conditions that can cause dandruff-like symptoms. The flakes associated with dandruff could also be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Dry skin caused by cold weather
• Skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, and eczema — all of these conditions can cause dead skin cells to build on the scalp
• Washing and shampooing hair too often, or not often enough
• Harsh or toxic hair-care products

Whatever the cause, dandruff can be easily treated with the right scalp and hair care.

What are the treatment options for my child’s dandruff?

While there is no one-size-fits-all cure to dandruff, there are many products and techniques you can use to give your little one’s head some reprieve. A consistent hair-care routine and gentle products are your best line of defense against dandruff. Here are a few tips to find the hair care routine that works best for you and your kid.

Safe and Gentle Hair Care Products

The best thing you can do to help treat your kid’s dandruff is to ensure that their hair care products are non-toxic, free from harsh chemicals, and full of natural ingredients. Look at the label on your kid’s hair care products — parabens, sulfates, and even formaldehyde could be lurking in plain sight. These harmful ingredients are all too common, even in “kid-friendly” products. They can strip away natural oils, and leave the scalp feeling raw and dry.

Look for hair care products with natural ingredients instead. Essential oils such as tea tree and lavender, soy, kiwi and rosemary extracts, and Vitamin B5 are all excellent examples of natural ingredients that calm sensitivity and provide safe and gentle moisture. 

Consistent Washing Routine

Did you know that it’s possible for your kiddo’s hair to be too clean? If you’re washing your little one’s hair every single day, this may also be contributing to their dandruff. Important natural oils build on the scalp over time, and washing too frequently can strip the hair and scalp of its natural oils. 

To prevent over-washing, find a consistent hair-care routine that works for you and your little one. Two to three days between washes (or sometimes longer for curly hair), is the best way to maintain a healthy and balanced scalp. 

Over-The-Counter Dandruff Shampoo 

For moderate to severe cases of dandruff, a medicated shampoo is sometimes needed to mitigate the dandruff. If you’re finding that your child’s dandruff persists in spite of your efforts, it may be time to take a trip to the drug store for a dandruff shampoo. 

Hair Care Routine for Dandruff

Here are a few of our favorite safe and natural products that can help to keep dandruff at bay.

SoCozy 3-in-1 (Shampoo + Conditioner + Body Wash) 

SoCozy’s combination Body Wash, Shampoo, and Conditioner is a great defense against dandruff. This gentle product is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic colors, and other harsh chemicals. The great-smelling formula contains Vitamin B5 to repair and nurture the hair, kiwi extract which moisturizes the hair and scalp, and Keratin for smoothness and strength! SoCozy’s products are nut-free, gluten-free, and non-toxic for kids with additional sensitivities. The convenient 3-in-1 formula assures all-over cleanliness, and saves you time and tears!

SoCozy Sensitive Styling Foam 

This product is a life-saver for sensitive scalps! SoCozy’s Sensitive Styling Foam adds softness and bounce to hair, without any of the buildup that can cause flaking, dryness, and dandruff. The foam provides a natural-looking hold without disrupting the balance of oils on the scalp. It features Rosemary Extract to stimulate the scalp, as well as Soy Protein for softness and volume. Simply pump the foam, and apply evenly through damp hair.

SoCozy Detangler & Leave-in Conditioner

If you’ve ever worked to detangle your kid’s hair, you know that tangles and dandruff don’t go well together. Avoid the tugging, and make the detangling process painless with SoCozy’s Detangler & Leave-in Conditioner. The Detangler works in seconds, providing sensitive scalps with a quick reprieve from knots and leaving hair smooth and easy to manage. Spray generously and then gently comb through damp hair to detangle. The Kiwi Extract and Keratin in the product make it a great Leave-in Conditioner, moisturizing the hair and scalp all day long!

Help your kid break free from the flakes! If your child is suffering from annoying dandruff, there are lots of ways to find relief. With the help of SoCozy’s best-selling and great-smelling products, you can help to rescue your kid from an itchy scalp, one shampoo at a time!