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A dry scalp in winter is mainly caused by cold outside air, dry air from the heating and long, hot showers. This combination removes moisture and the natural oil layer from your skin, making your scalp feel tight, itchy and causing small white flakes. What helps: take a shorter and lukewarm shower, use less and milder shampoo and don't scratch. Do you see greasy, yellowish flakes or red spots? Then it is more likely to be dandruff or seborrheic eczema, and then an anti-dandruff shampoo works better. If you use minoxidil, the lotion itself may also be the culprit. In this article you can read how to recognize the cause and what you do for each cause.
In this article
- Why does your scalp become drier in the winter?
- Is it a dry scalp, dandruff or something else?
- What can you do yourself against a dry scalp?
- Can minoxidil damage your scalp? drying out?
- When does an anti-dandruff shampoo help?
- When do you go to the doctor?
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
Why does your scalp become drier in the winter?
Your scalp is just skin, and it gets tough in the winter. Thuisarts.nl mentions a few clear causes of dry skin:[1]
- Dry indoor air. It is warmer inside than outside, which makes the air drier. That dry, warm air removes moisture from your skin.
- Take a long, hot shower. Hot water rinses away the natural oil layer of your skin. Especially when it is cold, we spend longer in the hot shower.
- Soap and shampoo. Shower gel, soap and shampoo dry out the skin, especially if you use them often and a lot.
- Age. The older you get, the less oil your skin produces.
There is something else in the winter: cold, dry air also makes dandruff and seborrheic eczema worse, and this also applies to often wearing a hat or cap.[2][3] Flakes in the winter are not always 'just dry'.
Is it a dry scalp, dandruff or something else?
The flakes themselves tell a lot. A dry scalp produces small, dry, white flakes and a tight feeling. Dandruff causes many small white flakes to fall off, which are also loose in your hair, often with itching.[2] Seborrheic eczema produces yellow or brown, greasy flakes and redness, also in the eyebrows, nose and ears.[3]
| Cause | How do you recognize it? | What helps? |
|---|---|---|
| Dry scalp | Small, dry white flakes, tight feeling, worse in winter | Short and lukewarm shower, less shampoo, do not scratch[1] |
| Dandruff | Many small white flakes loose in your hair, itching, sometimes red[2] | Anti-dandruff shampoo, if the effect is insufficient ketoconazole[2] |
| Seborrheic eczema | Yellow or brown greasy flakes, redness, also on the face or ears[3] | Anti-dandruff shampoo, wash without scent, fewer hats and caps[3] |
| Irritation from minoxidil lotion | Itching, dryness, flaking or redness where you apply the product[5] | Consult with your pharmacist, if necessary switch to foam[7] |
| Psoriasis | Red, dry plaques with white flakes, often on knees, elbows or nails[4] | Have it assessed by your doctor |
What can you do yourself against a dry scalp?
Relieve most winter dryness up with a few minor adjustments. This advice comes from Thuisarts.nl and Health and Science:[1][4]
- Do not shower more than once a day, preferably less, and keep it short.
- Use lukewarm water of a maximum of 37 to 38 degrees instead of hot water.
- Use as little as possible shampoo and do not wash your head too often with soap and water.
- Dry your scalp well and do not scratch, even if it itches.
- If necessary, use a moisturizing oil or cream for the scalp.
- Do not wear a hat or pet if you are prone to dandruff or seborrheic eczema.[3]
Do you use minoxidil? Do not apply an oil or cream to the same spot immediately before or after your minoxidil, so that the lotion or foam is properly applied to a dry, clean scalp. Scalp and hair should be completely dry before applying minoxidil.[9]
Can minoxidil dry out your scalp?
Yes, you can. The leaflet for minoxidil foam 5% lists irritation of the scalp, such as stinging or burning, dryness, itching and flaking, as a common side effect (in less than 1 in 10 users).[5] You often notice this more quickly in the winter, because your scalp is already drier.
Often it is not in minoxidil itself, but in the solvents. Many lotions contain propylene glycol and alcohol. The package leaflet of a minoxidil solution 5% literally says that propylene glycol can cause skin irritation.[6] Research in people with an allergic skin reaction to minoxidil lotion showed that propylene glycol was the culprit in the majority of cases.[8]
Minoxidil foam is usually made without propylene glycol.[7] In a review article, itching occurred in 1.1% of users of 5% foam, compared to 6% in a separate study with 5% lotion. Please note: these are two different studies, not a direct comparison.[7] Foam does contain alcohol and other additives that can irritate the skin, so foam is not free of complaints for everyone.[5] Therefore, always check the ingredients list on the packaging. You can read more about itching and other complaints in our article about minoxidil side effects.
Minoxidil 5% as foam, which is quickly absorbed. An option if your scalp cannot tolerate lotion. For women there is also Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% For Women.
Would you rather stick to a lotion? There are also lotions intended for people who are sensitive to irritation from alcohol-containing products.
Minoxidil 5% lotion for those who are sensitive to irritation from alcohol-containing products.
Important: Do not apply minoxidil to a scalp that is red, inflamed or painful. If your scalp remains red or irritated, stop and consult your doctor or pharmacist.[5] Minoxidil is not intended for people under the age of 18, not during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and not for high blood pressure or indications of cardiovascular disease.[5] Stop immediately and contact your doctor if you have chest pain, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, sudden weight gain or swollen hands or feet. Always read the leaflet of your own product.
When does an anti-dandruff shampoo help?
If your flakes are greasy, yellow or loose in your hair, moisturizing alone usually does not help. According to Thuisarts.nl, an anti-dandruff shampoo often helps. If that does not work enough, the doctor can prescribe a shampoo with ketoconazole, which you use twice a week for 2 to 4 weeks and let it work for about 5 minutes.[2] The Belgian guideline also mentions an anti-dandruff or anti-fungal shampoo such as Nizoral for seborrheic eczema.[4]
For seborrheic eczema. You often see improvement in eczema.[3]
With dandruff, the skin and itching should decrease.[2]
Seborrheic eczema is usually gone, although it often returns. No improvement? Go to your doctor.[3]
Anti-dandruff shampoo with 1% ketoconazole, easy to combine with your minoxidil routine.
Do you use minoxidil? Wash your hair first, let your scalp dry completely and then apply minoxidil. You can read exactly how to combine the two in our article about ketoconazole shampoo for hair loss.
When do you go to the doctor?
A dry scalp is annoying, but usually harmless. Dandruff is not contagious and does not lead to baldness.[2] Make an appointment with your doctor if:[1][2]
- your complaints do not improve despite the advice, or are getting worse;
- the flakes are in one place or a few places;
- in addition to flakes, you also have crusts, moisture or blood on your scalp;
- you also have flakes on your forehead or face have;
- you have red, sharply defined spots, also on knees, elbows or nails (possibly psoriasis);
- in addition to an irritated scalp, you also lose hair suddenly or in spots.
Minoxidil is not a solution for a scalp condition. So first have the cause determined.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dry scalp cause hair loss?
A dry scalp itself does not make you bald, and according to Thuisarts.nl, dandruff does not lead to baldness. Scratching a lot can damage your scalp. If you are clearly losing more hair, have it examined separately from the flakes.
How often should I wash my hair with a dry scalp?
As little as is comfortable for you. Thuisarts.nl recommends showering no more than once a day, preferably less, and using as little shampoo as possible. Wash with lukewarm water instead of hot.
Can I use minoxidil if my scalp is flaking?
In case of mild dryness, usually yes, but not on a scalp that is red, inflamed or painful. If the irritation persists, stop and consult your pharmacist or doctor. Switching from lotion to foam can help if propylene glycol is the cause.
Does oil help a dry scalp?
A moisturizing oil or cream can help with a dry scalp. An anti-dandruff shampoo often works better for greasy, yellow flakes. If you use minoxidil, apply it to a clean, dry scalp and not immediately after an oil.
Is dandruff the same as a dry scalp?
No. With dandruff, the skin cells of your scalp renew about twice as fast as normal and yeast probably plays a role. A dry scalp is mainly caused by dry air, hot water and too much soap.
A minoxidil routine that suits your scalp
Choose the foam, a lotion for sensitive skin or an anti-dandruff shampoo with it.
View minoxidil foam →120-day money-back guarantee · Free shipping from €40 · Ordered before 23:00, shipped today
This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are from November 2026.
Sources
- Thuisarts.nl (NHG), I have dry skin
- Thuisarts.nl (NHG), I suffer from dandruff
- Thuisarts.nl (NHG), I have eczema on my head with a lot of flakes
- Health and Science, Rash on the scalp (March 2021)
- Medicine Evaluation Board, Medicines Information Bank: Package leaflet Minoxidil Bipharma 50 mg/g, foam for cutaneous use
- Medicine Evaluation Board, Medicines Information Bank: Package leaflet Minoxidil Teva 50 mg/ml, solution for cutaneous use
- Gogtay JA, Panda M. International Journal of Trichology, 2009: Minoxidil Topical Foam: A New Kid on the Block (English)
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2002: Allergic contact dermatitis to topical minoxidil solution: etiology and treatment (English)
- Apotheek.nl (KNMP): Minoxidil on the skin
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