Does dandruff smell? These and more dandruff questions answered

Clinical studies estimate that as much as 50% of the world’s population are suffering from dandruff – yet we don’t hear as much conversation around this hair and scalp concern.

The reason? It’s difficult to talk about dandruff because it’s seen as an “embarrassing” problem and sometimes even a social faux pas to have flakes fall from your scalp and visibly on your clothes.

But today, let’s be “shameless” and talk about this subject objectively.

To begin this conversation, we’ve rounded up five myths that we commonly hear about dandruff – and of course, we’re here to bust them with facts.

Myth #1: Dandruff is contagious

Let’s get the easiest question answered; it is a definite no.

Dandruff is not infectious; you can’t pass it to someone from contact – not even if you share pillows or combs (we don’t encourage that for hygiene reasons, but you get what we mean!)

Myth #2: Dandruff is caused by poor hygiene

This is the next myth we want to get out of the way. It’s a common misconception and possibly why letting people know you have dandruff is such a taboo, especially among women.

Whether you have good or poor hygiene doesn’t cause dandruff. (Let’s repeat this three times before we move on.)

For most adults, the main cause of dandruff is the presence of a yeast-like fungus called malassezia that feed on sebum on the scalp. This means that those with oily scalps are usually more susceptible to it.

Other possible causes of dandruff include hormonal fluctuations, sensitivity to products leading to contact dermatitis, and skin conditions such as eczema.

But not shampooing? It doesn’t cause dandruff although may worsen it if it leaves you with more sebum for the yeast to “feed” on.

DV tip: Using a good anti-dandruff shampoo makes all the difference to your scalp’s cleanliness and the prevention of dandruff altogether. We recommend the CLEAR Frozen Peony and Sakura Fresh, two new anti-dandruff shampoos that are about to change your mind regarding regular anti-dandruff solutions.

Both boast the CLEAR triple zero technology: zero dandruff, zero itch, zero grease, thanks to the active ingredients in their formulas, which can fight dandruff while preventing malassezia (yes, that pesky dandruff-causing fungus) from coming back.

Myth #3: Anti-dandruff shampoos are oily and feel heavy on hair

A common “complaint” for anti-dandruff shampoos is how oily and heavy they feel, effectively giving a bad shampooing experience that you don’t look forward to.

If this is your concern, consider a micellar formula that tends to be gentler and lighter. Here’s a picture to show you what we mean:

The texture for regular anti-dandruff shampoos tend to look more similar to what you see on the right, which is heavier, thicker, and oilier. On the left is the texture of the CLEAR Frozen Peony, a micellar formula that’s significantly more lightweight.

CLEAR Frozen Peony also contains 0% silicone, which reduces that heavy and oily feeling you get with some hair care products. Besides providing a gentle cleanse to the hair and scalp, Frozen Peony is infused with fresh peony extract to give you a more sensorial experience during shower, thanks to its floral scent.

The result? Deeply cleansed scalp that’s free from dandruff, and a hair-washing experience that you finally look forward to.

(Psst, CLEAR Sakura Fresh has a refreshing floral scent too – so check that one out if you want a great-smelling anti-dandruff shampoo for oily scalps.)

Myth #4: Anti-dandruff shampoos are very drying

This is sometimes heard among those who have tried anti-dandruff shampoos and then give up after a while. Many users lament that while the anti-dandruff shampoo they use gets rid of dandruff, it also dries out their hair and scalp, which feels like another problem altogether.

And there’s a reason why some anti-dandruff shampoos may really be so. After all, dandruff-causing yeast feeds on sebum, so some anti-dandruff formulas curb the problem by aggressively controlling sebum production, and those that overdo this can make scalps and hair feel uncomfortably dry.

But not all anti-dandruff shampoos are the same.

We are currently in love with the new CLEAR Frozen Peony, which is made for those with normal to dry scalp, apart from effectively eliminating dandruff.

Together with the CLEAR Sakura Fresh, the shampoo is specially formulated for women, who typically have longer tresses than men and are looking for hydrating formulas that leave their hair feeling smoother and softer.

With micellar formulas, CLEAR Frozen Peony and Sakura Fresh is able to deeply cleanse the scalp while being gentle on the hair. It also helps that they are infused with glycerin to further hydrate your tresses intensely.

This way, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a dandruff-free scalp without any harsh dry-outs. You don’t need to compromise when it comes to great haircare!

Read on for our review of the CLEAR Frozen Peony to see what we meant when we talk about giving our anti-dandruff haircare routine a more sensorial upgrade.

Review of CLEAR Frozen Peony

Reviewer: Wan Kee

I have dry scalp and occasional dandruff, and I also often go for hair colouring which dries out my hair.

This is why I’ve been looking for an anti-dandruff shampoo that cares for my scalp but isn’t too harsh on my hair.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had luck finding one that I really like because most of them are too drying for me.

I decided to try the CLEAR Frozen Peony, an anti-dandruff shampoo designed for normal to dry scalps.

After trying CLEAR Frozen Peony for around a week on alternate days, I could already feel that my hair is softer than before – and this is even before using the conditioner. This shampoo is definitely less drying compared to other anti-dandruff shampoos I’ve tried. The benefit of having no harsh dry-out is one that stood out to me that I was pleasantly surprised by.

I also noticed that there is reduced dandruff (I see less flakes!) and my scalp doesn’t feel oily on the second day.

The overall experience is enjoyable because the shampoo has a floral-minty scent, thanks to the fresh peony extract in the formula, which is very pleasant!

Most anti-dandruff shampoos don’t come with very pleasant scents, which presents a dilemma to me: I love when my hair smells good but I also want an effective anti-dandruff solution.

Thankfully, I no longer have to compromise on either and am able to enjoy the best of both worlds with CLEAR Frozen Peony.

In terms of its texture, it is a lightweight gel that foams up easily to a luxurious lather. My scalp immediately feels refreshed and clean after washing.

As a bonus, this shampoo is specially formulated for women and is paraben- and silicone-free, which assures me that it cares specifically for my hair and scalp concerns in the long run too. I will definitely continue using it!

CLEAR Sakura Fresh and CLEAR Peony retail for S$10.50 each.

• A gentle micellar formula that deeply cleanses scalp, yet is gentle on hair.
• Infusion of Glycerin to provide intense hydration for hair.
• See dandruff-free scalp and no harsh dry-outs. Why compromise?

They are now available at major Fairprice and Giant supermarkets and selected Watsons stores, as well as Redmart, Fairprice Online, Watsons Online, and Shopee.

Enjoy a promotional price of S$8.90 for the month of April at any of the above-mentioned retailers!

CLEAR wants you to be shameless

CLEAR has launched the Be Shameless campaign to de-stigmatise dandruff for women. Calling for transparency and conversations around dealing with dandruff – a concern that affects many yet is often seen as “embarrassing” – CLEAR is getting women to share their “shameless stories” about dandruff and to treat dandruff shamelessly with CLEAR.

This article is brought to you by CLEAR.