Dandruff can be one of the most embarrassing beauty woes to have. Unlike other concerns that we may have on our skin and hair, which can sometimes be concealed, it’s hard to hide these pesky white flakes. They are stuck stubbornly on our hair, contrasted against our naturally black hair; it’s definitely not a good look.
What exactly is dandruff?
You may find dandruff disgusting – and you probably should. Dandruff are caused by the proliferation of the malassezia yeasts, a type of fungi that is naturally found on skin surfaces of many animals, including human beings. They feed on natural oils produced by our scalp, known as sebum, and then break down into by-products such as oleic acid, which causes irritation, dryness, itchiness, and flakiness of scalp.
How can you treat dandruff?
Typically, sufferers of dandruff go for anti-dandruff shampoos that are made up of antiseborrheic chemicals. These chemicals slow down the production of skin cells, which in turn reduces flakiness of the scalp.
However, there are a few problems with this traditional method of eliminating dandruff.
Anti-dandruff shampoos that contain chemicals have been known to cause skin irritation.
The second problem is that, most of the anti-dandruff products out there don’t cater to individual scalp and hair needs. What this means is that, instead of being able to find a shampoo that’s great for oily scalp and anti-dandruff, you can only find a generic product for eliminating dandruff.
With these concerns in mind, I was intrigued by the promise of the new L’Oréal Paris PhytoClear Anti-Dandruff range. This is the first anti-dandruff haircare range formulated with Tea Tree Essential Oil that promises not just to eliminate dandruff-causing organisms, but also prevent them from coming back. At the same time, the range includes different variants of shampoo that are tailored for different scalp and hair types, so I will be able to find products that really address my hair needs.
Wait. How does PhytoClear work then?
L’Oréal Paris taps into the natural anti-fungal efficacy of Tea Tree Oil to control the root cause of dandruff (remember Malessezia?), stopping dandruff generation from its roots. Moreover, this natural ingredient can help regulate scalp’s balance!
On top of this, the products also contain other essential oils that can help hydrate hair and leave them smooth and soft.
L’Oréal Paris PhytoClear Anti-Dandruff products review
While the science behind this range of natural-based products may sound fascinating, they don’t count for much unless they really work. I decided to put the products to the test, to see if natural-based products can really be an effective solution to dandruff.
I have dry scalp and sometimes see dandruff flakes that look powdery. While I am definitely not a good example of a chronic case, but the occasional appearance of dandruff still makes me self-conscious.
I have previously used chemical-based solutions and they have worked for me and kept the powdery dandruff that I observe in check. However, dandruff reappears whenever I stop using these products, which means that if I want to keep dandruff at bay, I won’t have the opportunity to use other products that can help keep my hair and scalp healthy.
Based on my scalp and hair condition, I tried the PhytoClear Anti-Dandruff Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner, which are formulated for dry scalp and hair, and the PhytoClear Scalp Regulating Spray.
My first impression of the PhytoClear Anti-Dandruff Shampoo was good, because of how it smells. Instead of an artificial fragrance (that most anti-dandruff shampoos have), the PhytoClear Shampoo smells botanical, which is pleasant, while subtle. The shampoo has a gel-like texture which goes on smoothly onto wet hair, and lather up easily so it didn’t require too much for it to cover all my hair.
After rinsing off the shampoo, it leaves a refreshing sensation that I don’t usually get with a chemical-based anti-dandruff shampoo.
The other product that I really loved was the PhytoClear Scalp Rebalancing Spray. From what I learnt, this is probably the first dandruff prevention treatment in the market. It is a leave-on treatment that can help fight dandruff relapse effectively with continuous usage, thanks to the high concentration of Tea Tree Essential Oil in the formula.
The PhytoClear Scalp Rebalancing Spray is very easy to use. Simply spray it evenly on scalp at a 2cm distance when your hair is clean, then use fingers to massage scalp in a circular motion to encourage better absorption. It is best used as part of the regimen with the entire PhytoClear range.
The product absorbs quickly, feels very refreshing, and leaves a nice scent, which I appreciate since I use it right before bed-time.
After using the PhytoClear products for a week, I see no re-occurrence of dandruff, but most importantly, my hair and scalp seem to be healthier than before – a great result that I don’t get from chemical-based anti-dandruff products. My hair felt softer and smoother, and I like the fresh feeling my scalp has.
The surprising results make me convinced now that natural-based products can work as well – if not better – than chemical-based products, and you should probably try it for yourself to see they work for you too!
The L’Oréal Paris Elseve PhytoClear Anti-Dandruff range consists of the Pre-Shampoo Scrub (SGD15.90), Shampoo for oily, dry, and sensitive scalps (SGD9.90 each), Conditioner (SGD11.90), and Scalp Rebalancing Spray (SGD17.90).
The range is available at Watsons, Guardian, leading supermarkets and selected department stores.
This article is brought to you by L’Oréal Paris.
