Product Review: Homemade Exfoliating Sugar Scalp Scrub

Smell: The scent of the Australian Tea Tree Oil is overpowering in its potency.  However, I believe this is an easy fix since I didn't use essential oils with this mixture. If you can stand the scent of the tea tree oil during application you should be fine without essential oils since the scent rinses out.

Texture: Obviously since it is a scrub (with sugar) the texture will be grainy.  You will do just fine using your fingertips for application since the product is not noticeably sticky.  When I washed my hands after application, they were extremely soft.  My mixture was very thick, however for liquid results and easier application with an applicator brush you can use double the amount of ACV.

Application: I parted smaller sections of hair in the front and the crown to ensure better coverage since these sections are my problem areas when it comes to dandruff. I parted bigger sections in the back.  In each part, I scrubbed the product directly into the scalp.  In the front, where I could see, I scrubbed until my scalp was no longer white from dryness.  It was not painful and my scalp responded immediately.

Rinsing: This I feel is the best part! While I stood under the shower massaging my scalp, the warmth of the water melted the sugar away soaking all the ingredients into my pores.  No more worrying about getting all the shampoo out! My scalp felt so clean that I didn't feel the need to shampoo (a first).  Instead, I co-washed, something I've never felt comfortable doing before!!!

Results: A clean, skin-colored, dandruff free scalp. And a happy naturalista!

The Fight Against Dandruff cont. Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

I doctored Glamazini's Exfoliating Sugar Scrub http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODhCKqG3gug to cater to my dry scalp.  While Glamazini's recipe is great, I had to change the recipe in order to 1.) attack my dry scalp and 2.) avoid a trip to the store to buy the Castile Soap.  Here are the ingredients I used to make my Exfoliating Sugar Scrub.

1. I replaced the Pure Castile Soap with Apple Cider Vinegar. ACV is a natural hair cleanser which fights the bacteria that causes dandruff. The acids in the ACV are natural antiseptics that also balance the pH of your hair after shampoo washes.



2. Brown Sugar & White Sugar exfoliate the scalp scrubbing away any dandruff or dead skin while stimulating the hair follicles for growth and moisture retention.



3. Honey is a natural humectant (attracts and retains moisture)



4. Olive Oil not only moisturizes but it also adds a healthy shine to the hair strands.



5. Tea Tree Oil like ACV is a natural antiseptic working to rid the scalp of dirt, build up, and itchy dry skin.

 

6. Vitamin E is a well known moisturizer that helps with growth of the hair and counters hair loss.

 

7. I also used Hollywood Beauty's Dry Scalp & Skin Therapeutic Oil which ingredient list contains Soybean Oil, Aloe Leaf Extract, Safflower Seed Oil, Cumin Seed Extract, Black Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Almond Oil, Lavender Extract. I picked this bottle up from CVS since the label claims the product treats Eczema and Psoriasis.



The Fight Against Dandruff cont. My Story

     I have recently self-diagnosed myself with either Seborrheic Dermatitis or Psoriasis (both conditions cause a severe case of dry scalp and dandruff).  Since I was a little girl, I struggled with the fact that my dandruff was abnormal in its abundance.  I remember countless sessions of laying in my mother or sister's lap while they scratched the dandruff out of my hair.  As I type, I can imagine readers wincing at the thought of this seemingly painful practice; however, I can assure you the sessions were so regular I felt nothing and even came to see it as somewhat therapeutic. 
     The switch from relaxed to natural has made my struggle with dandruff and dry scalp more intense. Since natural african american hair is dryer than other hair types, I have begun to lose the fight against dandruff. Searching for oils, shampoos, sprays and basically anything that will offset the white specs that inhabit my scalp and hair strands has drained me of money and hope. 
   All in all, comments such as "You need to wash your hair." and "What's that in your hair" have begun to hurt and I have to  find a time efficient, affordable solution.

Click the photos below to get a better view of my scalp issues