When we think about sensitive skin, we often think about our face—but the scalp deserves just as much attention. If your scalp feels itchy, dry, tight or uncomfortable, choosing a gentle hair care routine can be an important part of caring for sensitive skin.
And because healthy-looking hair starts at the scalp, finding hair care products that fit your needs can help you feel more comfortable from scalp to strands.
What Causes a Sensitive Scalp?
Your scalp can be affected by many of the same environmental factors that affect the rest of your skin. Heat, wind, sun exposure and changes in weather can all contribute to dryness or discomfort.
If your scalp feels dry, itchy, flaky or tight, consider simplifying your hair care routine and looking for formulas designed with sensitive skin and scalp in mind.
October Is Eczema Awareness Month
October is Eczema Awareness Month, an annual opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of eczema and the ways it can affect everyday life. The National Eczema Association reports that more than 31 million people in the U.S. live with eczema.
For anyone living with sensitive or eczema-prone skin, choosing hair care products thoughtfully can be especially important. While hair care products aren’t a treatment for eczema, a gentle, simplified routine may be a consideration for people who are mindful of potential irritants.
Meet Paul Mitchell Clear: Gentle Hair Care for Sensitive Skin
If you’re looking for hair care for sensitive skin—or simply want a simpler routine—meet Paul Mitchell Clear.
The Clear collection features gentle, dermatologist-tested formulas that are fragrance-free and dye-free, with fewer than 10 ingredients in each formula. The collection is designed to provide straightforward hair care for people with sensitive scalps, skin or senses.
Recognized by the National Eczema Association
All Paul Mitchell Clear products have received the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™, including Clear Essential Shampoo, Clear Essential Conditioner, Clear Smoothing Serum, Clear Styling Glaze and Clear Jelly Mask.
The Seal of Acceptance program recognizes products that meet the National Eczema Association's criteria for people with eczema and/or sensitive skin. The Association also notes that individuals should review product ingredients and consult a healthcare provider with questions about whether a product is appropriate for them.
Build a Simple Sensitive-Scalp Hair Care Routine
1. Start with a gentle shampoo
Paul Mitchell Clear Essential Shampoo gently cleanses while keeping your routine simple. The fragrance-free, dye-free formula is dermatologist- and pediatrician-tested and made with eight essential ingredients.
2. Follow with lightweight conditioning
Paul Mitchell Clear Essential Conditioner helps leave hair feeling soft and manageable. Like the shampoo, it is fragrance-free, dye-free and formulated with a short list of essential ingredients. For a weekly hydration treat, Paul Mitchell Clear Jelly Mask delivers improved manageability with shine.
3. Add care based on your hair’s needs
Sensitive-scalp care doesn’t have to mean giving up styling or hydration. The Clear collection includes targeted products such as Paul Mitchell Clear Smoothing Serum and Clear Styling Glaze, so you can customize your routine while keeping things simple.
For additional scalp concerns, Paul Mitchell also offers targeted scalp care, including products designed for dryness, excess oil and pollution defense. To try: Tea Tree Scalp Wellness Serums. These water-based, lightweight leave-in scalp drops with skincare-quality ingredients target the three main scalp care concerns: excess oil, dryness and pollution defense.
Simple Tips for Caring for a Sensitive Scalp
A few changes can help make your hair care routine feel more comfortable:
- Keep it simple. Look for products with straightforward formulas and ingredients that work for your individual needs.
- Pay attention to your scalp. Dryness, tightness, itching or flaking can be signs that your scalp needs additional care.
- Be mindful of fragrance and dyes. If you’re sensitive to certain ingredients, fragrance-free and dye-free formulas may be worth considering.
- Avoid overly aggressive cleansing. A gentle shampoo and a consistent routine can help you avoid unnecessary stress on the scalp.
- Know your needs. Everyone’s skin and scalp are different. If you’re experiencing persistent irritation or have questions about eczema or another skin condition, talk with a dermatologist or other healthcare provider.
Healthy Hair Starts with a Healthy Scalp
Whether you have sensitive skin, a sensitive scalp or simply prefer a more minimalist approach to hair care, the right routine can make all the difference.
With fragrance-free, dye-free formulas, dermatologist- and pediatrician-tested products, and recognition from the National Eczema Association, Paul Mitchell Clear makes gentle hair care simple.
Made with Care
From day one, we have vowed to formulate products with zero animal testing. It all begins at our PIC (product innovation center) where we create all of our vegan, cruelty-free hair care and stylers. Not only do we have those with sensitivities in mind while producing new products, but also the animals that we cherish every day. Learn more about our cruelty-free promise here.
