Can stress create dandruff? 6 Tips to treat unwanted flakes right now

Searching for the right shampoo to treat your dandruff can be stressful enough with the numerous amounts of products on the market. The key is to look for active formulations that not only prevent but treat your roots. “If you experience flaking, you’ll want to focus your search on products that include “active ingredients,” defined loosely as FDA-listed ingredients that are designed for a specific purpose,” explains Jupiter founders. In this case, an active ingredient would target the prevention and/or treatment of the underlying cause of dandruff versus the symptoms of dandruff (what it looks like or how it makes you feel). Understanding the medical factors that go into crafting a scalp treatment line, the dynamic duo further explain why they use this element within their line. “We use Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT) as our active ingredient for a few reasons. Perhaps most importantly, we found the depth and abundance of medical literature surrounding the safety and efficacy around ZPT. We also love it because of how gentle it is relative to other active ingredients, is safe for daily use, and has low toxicity,” said Robbie Salter and Ross Goodhart.

We’ve all tried to use the 2-in-1 method to save time, but does it really work? “We think there’s enough compelling data and logic in order to recommend decoupling your 2-in-1 for a single shampoo and conditioner. A dandruff shampoo with an active ingredient clears away impurities and helps control the underlying issue causing flakes, while a conditioner conditions and moisturizes the hair and scalp after the shampoo has done its job,” explains the brand.

Putting genetics aside, there are a host of lifestyle factors that play into your scalp health, including (but not limited to): diet, fitness, hydration, pollution, travel, hardness of water, and stress. Since quarantine, you may have found yourself trapped in your home with nothing but junk food and poor air circulation, stressed out, with an ever-dying will to exercise. According to the Jupiter team this is simply a recipe for dandruff disaster. “Do whatever you can to stay hydrated and of sound mind and body - for instance, try meditation, do yoga, replace sweets with fruits and vegetables, and as safely as possible, get some fresh air,” encourages the brand.

“We suggest using our Balancing Shampoo, $21 three to four times per week, and our Nourishing Conditioner, $21 every time you wash even if you didn’t shampoo,” explains Rob and Ross. They heard from loads of women that they simply don’t wash their hair that often - some less than once a week. It’s the reason the dynamic duo developed their Restoring Serum , $23 which is quite the innovative product. It contains the same active ingredient as our Shampoo (ZPT) so you can control your flakes in between washes. They recieved raving feedback from women using it to freshen up their curls or braids. You simply apply the pointed tip onto your scalp, rub in, and go about your day. The new-age dandruff line has a full collection with caters to all dry scalp and flake reflected hair needs. From shampoos and conditioners to clarifying treatments and tools, the array of products are the perfect routine for those looking to target buildup.

From left to right:

Jupiter Balancing Shampoo, $21, Nourishing Conditioner, $21, Restoring Serum, $23, Soothing Elixir, $23, Purifying Mask, $26, and Scalp Brush, $15

When it comes to treating dandruff on texture hair, there is no silver bullet explains the two co-founders. “We generally recommend products that lock in the moisture without clarifying properties - like our Jupiter Nourishing Conditioner, $23- and as well, those without sulfates, parabens or phthalates - which are often the source of dryness and irritation. Products containing smoothing ingredients like aloe, coconut oil, and brazil nut should be your go to. These formulas also work wonders for detangling.

When companies use the term “fragrance” in their ingredient list for products that claim to fight buildup or dandruff, it oftentimes is simply a black box for hiding synthetic or less clean ingredients such as parabens and sulfates. “Despite Jupiter smelling like a million bucks, it’s naturally-scented with essential oils containing properties shown to provide calming, soothing or otherwise ameliorative effects on the scalp,” explains the founders.