The winter dry scalp reset your hair needs right now!

Breaking down winter’s impact on scalp health and how to keep it balanced and flake-free all season and beyond.

Jan 05, 2026 | by Surina Sayal

The cooler temperatures may feel like a welcome break from heat and humidity, but your scalp tells a different story. And if you’re dealing with symptoms like dryness, flaking, tightness, and irritation, you know exactly what we mean.

We spoke to leading skin expert, Dr Jamuna Pai, cosmetic physician, author, and founder of SkinLab, who explains that this seasonal shift is no coincidence. “Colder air simply holds less moisture,” says Dr Pai. “When humidity drops, the scalp loses water faster.” Add indoor heating, long hot showers and aggressive blow-drying to the mix, and the scalp’s natural lipid barrier takes a hit. The result? A compromised barrier that manifests as dryness, flakes and sensitivity.

DEALING WITH DRYNESS

We wonder if certain hair and skin types are more prone to winter dry scalp issues? “Yes, people with naturally dry skin, finer hair, or weakened barrier function are more susceptible,” confirms Dr Pai, adding that she often sees this in individuals with eczema-prone skin. “Curly and coily hair types are also at higher risk because the natural sebum struggles to travel down the hair shaft, making both hair and scalp prone to dehydration in winter.”

One of the most common misconceptions Dr Pai encounters with her clients is the assumption that all flakes equal dandruff. “Seasonal dryness usually presents as small, white, powdery flakes with a feeling of tightness,” she says. Dandruff, on the other hand, is linked to yeast overgrowth and appears as larger, yellowish, oily flakes accompanied by itching and redness. Whereas more chronic conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, are marked by persistent inflammation, thicker scales and sometimes even fissures. If flaking continues beyond winter or worsens despite care, Dr Pai strongly recommends a medical evaluation.

INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR

Winter hair and scalp care should focus on hydration and barrier repair, she advises. Dr Pai recommends looking for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, ceramides, squalane, and nourishing oils like coconut, jojoba or argan. For itchy or flaky scalps, actives like zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole or salicylic acid can be helpful when used appropriately. And what to avoid? “Harsh sulfates, excessive alcohols and heavily fragranced products,” she warns, as these can strip the scalp further and worsen dryness.

POST-WASH CARE, A MISSING STEP?

While most people stop at shampoo and conditioner, the scalp is often left bare post-wash, with only a hair serum to smooth any frizz or for heat protection. But the scalp is left vulnerable to moisture loss and irritation, which leads to an even drier scalp. So, just as you would moisturise your skin after a shower, your scalp needs post-wash care too, something Dr Pai calls ‘the missing step’ in most haircare routines. Post-wash scalp care helps replenish hydration, soothe sensitivity and reinforce the scalp’s protective barrier, especially during winter when dryness is amplified.

Dr Pai recommends lightweight, water-based scalp serums containing hyaluronic acid, peptides, or niacinamide as they absorb quickly, soothe irritation, and hydrate without weighing the hair down. “Overnight scalp masks with aloe vera, oat extract or low-molecular-weight oils are also excellent, just ensure the product is non-comedogenic and formulated for scalp use. For very dry scalps, even a pea-sized amount of a ceramide-based lotion can be transformative,” she reveals.

A WINTER-PROOF SCALP ROUTINE

To prevent dryness from returning year after year, Dr Pai encourages a proactive approach. Here are some of her scalp care tips:

• Use a gentle, hydrating shampoo twice a week.

• Apply a lightweight scalp serum after every wash.

• Massage the scalp with warm coconut or argan oil once weekly.

• Avoid very hot showers.

• Minimise heat styling.

• Protect the scalp with a scarf in cold, windy weather.

“Consistency is everything,” she says. “When the scalp barrier is supported throughout winter, dryness rarely returns the following season.”

Take a look at products that can help with winter scalp dryness:

OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub; ₹4,825