Find yourself super confused when the ends of your strands feel dry and brittle, but the scalp feels like an oil slick? Combination hair can be tricky to take care of. The hair type requires a tailored haircare approach to target specific concerns of the scalp and the hair lengths. We put together some of the most common combinations—and the routine you can follow for each.
Oily scalp + dry ends:
Oily scalp and dry ends is one of the most common combinations. The excess sebum production on the scalp often results in greasy roots, while the ends of the hair lack the natural oils necessary for moisture retention. Mostly experienced by individuals with finer hair, it’s best to use a clarifying shampoo once a week to target this concern—this will help you get rid of excess sebum at the roots. The upside-down method of shampooing could work, as well. Flip your head and only focus on massaging the lather into the roots, instead of on the length.
Besides, a clay mask for the scalp helps balance combination hair and deep conditioning the lengths helps add moisture back without flattening the hair at the roots.
Tira recommends:
Bioderma Node G Purifying Shampoo For Hair With Tendency To Oiliness
Wella Professionals Invigo Nutri Enrich Deep Nourishing Conditioner
Minimalist Oil Control Hair Serum Scalp Post Shampoo Treatment with Vitamin B6 + Carnitine 3%
Sensitive scalp + oily lengths:
The delicate balance between a sensitive scalp and an oily length demands a specialised approach. Sensitive scalps are prone to irritation and require gentle, fragrance-free products, while oily strands need a strategic deep-cleansing routine. Try using two different shampoos—just massage a soothing formula on the scalp and use a clarifying shampoo to the mid-length and ends.
A soothing scalp serum could also help. Look for one with calming ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, panthenol and calendula—they are known to leave the scalp hydrated and soothed. Avoid ingredients that may weight down tour hair, like heavy oils and thick silicones. If you like to indulge in an occasional champi, opt for a lightweight oil. Jojoba and grapeseed oils are a great choice. In case you find that pure oil is too heavy, consider diluting it with a carrier oil or adding a few drops to your regular conditioner to create a lighter mixture.
Tira recommends:
Minimalist Hair Repair Complex 3.5% Hair Shampoo With Ceramide
Dandruff-prone scalp + dry hair
Managing a dandruff-prone scalp with dry hair by using a medicated or anti-dandruff shampoo that contains ingredients like pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole or coal tar. When you have dandruff, dermatologists usually suggest washing your hair two to three times a week—and then tapering it down if you can go longer between washes. Apply a nourishing conditioner to the length and ends of your hair, but don’t take it up to the scalp.
If you have dandruff (and not seborrheic dermatitis), you can also add a scalp scrub to your routine. Choose a gentle scrub with natural ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil. After cleansing, apply a scalp leave-in treatment with calming ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile or oatmeal.
Tira recommends:
Inde Wild Moonlight Scalp Serum, Bare Anatomy Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
