How Can I Clean My Scalp Naturally?
In our quest for shiny, beautiful hair, we put our aging hair and scalps through a lot — we switch from sticky gels to mousses, to sprays, trying to infuse life into our dull, frizzy locks. The more products we use, the more residue is left behind on our scalps.
Product buildup can interfere with the natural pH of your scalp, making it impossible to sprout glossy, hydrated locks. Cleaning the gunk and toxin buildup from your scalp unclogs your hair follicles, balancing your natural sebum oils and scalp pH.
Once clean, your conditioners and other hair products will be able to penetrate your strands and skin, performing better and helping you attain the tresses you have long desired. But be mindful of the products you use to clean your scalp. Clarifying shampoos and other harsh solutions containing sulfates can trigger further inflammation and disrupt your scalp’s pH. Read on to learn about a sulfate-free alternative that allows you to clean your scalp naturally.
What Is pH?
pH measures a substance’s level of acidity or basicity. It is crucial for determining your hair's ability to retain water and support its sebum — the oil that locks in moisture. A pH level less than seven is considered acidic; higher than seven is considered alkaline, or basic.
Hair and sebum’s average pH falls between 4.5 and 5.5, meaning they are slightly acidic. When your hair is in this range, it keeps your cuticles closed (your hair’s protective outer layer) and damage-free; when your scalp is in this range, it is acidic enough to prevent itchy bacteria and fungi from thriving. Many scalp-related conditions, including psoriasis, folliculitis, dandruff, and eczema, begin with a change in pH levels that permit bacteria to flourish.
Scalp Buildup and pH Levels
Buildup from dead skin cells, old sebum, sweat, waxes, and silicones can remain on your scalp even after you shampoo, suffocating your follicles and leading to a pH imbalance. Symptoms of a pH imbalance include a scalp that is:
- Inflamed or red
- Excessively oily
- Dry, flakey, or feels tight
If left unchecked, a pH imbalance could eventually impair your follicle function and lead to scalp infections and hair loss. Your scalp needs an occasional deep detox to invigorate your skin, remove buildup from your pores, and restore your pH to optimal levels.
Natural Solutions to Remove Buildup
For a naturally balanced scalp, there are three distinct methods that you can use to eliminate buildup: rubbing it away, dissolving it chemically, and absorbing it.
- Rubbing — Some products leverage sea salt, seeds, or ground-up nuts to remove buildup. Rubbing these coarse materials into your scalp exfoliates the skin and wears away buildup. You can also break up residue by massaging shampoos and scalp cleansers into your skin at your hair’s roots using your fingertips.
- Dissolving — The acidity in substances like vinegar, lemon juice, or lactic acid beaks the molecular bonds holding residue to your hair, allowing you to wash it away. These acidic liquids reduce your scalp’s pH, restoring its natural balance.
- Absorbing — On the other end of the pH spectrum, alkaline compounds like activated charcoal or baking soda provide a deep clean by drawing out and absorbing the impurities and excess oils in your scalp.
An excellent way to naturally clean your scalp is by using Better Not Younger’s New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser, a cutting-edge hair care solution that incorporates all three methods.
New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser
By utilizing all three scalp cleaning methods, sulfate-free New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser provides the deepest natural clean for unrivaled results. The gentle applicator brush rubs away buildup, while ingredients like lactic acid and activated charcoal dissolve and absorb impurities so you can wash them away.
New Dawn clears away buildup from your scalp and restores pH balance using natural ingredients like:
- Lactic acid— New Dawn includes lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) found naturally in plants and milk. Lactic acid dissolves the chemical bonds that retain impurities and dead skin cells on your scalp, making them easier to rinse off. It also dissolves buildup around blocked pores and gently exfoliates your scalp.
- Activated charcoal— Activated charcoal (activated carbon) is an absorbent substance made from natural carbon-rich materials like coal; it attracts and absorbs dirt and excess oils lodged deep in your pores.
- Birch extract — Birch extract is an astringent that helps maintain a healthy oil balance by reducing inflammation and constricting your pores. It is abundant in vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins A, C, B1, and B2.
- Menthyl lactate— Menthyl lactate soothes and cools irritated skin, reducing the irritation and inflammation that often accompanies scalp buildup.
- Argan Oil — Argan oil deeply nourishes your scalp and roots and incorporates omega-6, vitamin E, anti-inflammatories, and antioxidants, essential for smooth skin and hair.
- Caffeine — Caffeine is a natural stimulant that invigorates your scalp by opening up blood vessels and improving blood flow, ensuring your follicles have access to a steady supply of nutrients.
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) — Tocopheryl acetate is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your scalp retain moisture lost during cleaning.
Clean Your Scalp Naturally with Better Not Younger
Cleansing away scalp buildup is essential to balancing your scalp’s pH and unlocking your follicles’ true hair-growing potential. To clean your scalp naturally, avoid products containing sulfates which can over-clean, strip away oils, and dry out our skin.
Use sulfate- and paraben-free New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser. This scalp-centered product refuels your follicles, minimizes irritation, and creates a balanced environment for healthier, fuller tresses.
Better Not Younger is the first and only hair care line specifically created for the unique hair challenges of women 40 and up. From breakage and grays to thinning and dryness, check out our shop page for more aging hair solutions.