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What causes dandruff: The truth behind the myths

Whether you suffer from a flare up every now and again, or you’ve been dealing with it for years, dandruff is super common. Most of us have had to face the flakes at one time or another, and there’s a variety of dandruff causes. Doing some research can help you get to the bottom of what’s triggering yours and hopefully bring it under control, but the Internet is full of myths. We’ve all searched ‘why do I have dandruff?’ – but is what you’ve found on how to get rid of dandruff true?

1
Your shampoo.
Finding the right shampoo doesn’t just mean choosing the most refreshing scent, or creamiest lather (although we’re a big fan of both). If your scalp is sensitive to an ingredient in your shampoo, it can lead to dandruff – so the milder your shampoo, the better. So, try switching to Dove Dryness & Itch Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (our best dandruff shampoo yet) twice a week for gentle but effective care
2
Your diet.
People often say healthy eating helps keep your scalp and hair in top condition, and that may be true in some cases – but not with dandruff. You might have read that tucking into plenty of good fats (such as avocado and fish) and foods with vitamin B can help your hair cells and dandruff – but this is all theory without any proof. So not one to add to your ‘causes of dandruff’ list just yet
3
Hair styling.
If you’re feeling guilty about your love of styling products, it’s more likely that they’re causing a dry scalp rather than dandruff. And if you feel any irritation, it might be from products like mousses, hairsprays or serums building up on your scalp and trapping oil and dirt – but that’s not what causes dandruff. So, cutting down on your styling isn’t the answer to getting rid of dandruff; just make sure you’re massaging in your anti-dandruff shampoo for a thorough clean
4
Stress.
Just like your skin can flare up when you get stressed, so can dandruff. Of course, you can’t just switch off stress – but you can make extra time to take care of yourself when you are. A hot bath, a podcast – whatever helps you chill
5

Your DNA.
You may have won the genetic lottery: dandruff is often caused by an overgrowth of a yeast on the skin – and some people are simply more sensitive to the process than others. The yeast feeds on your skin’s oils and that leads to dandruff – which is why if you have an oily scalp you’re probably more predisposed to seeing those white flakes. But you don’t have to accept dandruff as your fate – try our Invigorating Mint Anti-Dandruff 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner instead
6

The seasons.
Notice more flakes in the winter than in summer? This doesn’t necessarily mean your dandruff is any worse then – but in summer dandruff tends to be less flaky, with more of an itch (yay). Since stress is linked to dandruff, there’s a chance it could just be a reaction to busy periods of the year, like festive holidays. So it’s not because of the season itself, but more about what the season brings