‘I’m Very Low Maintenance, But I Swear by Using This Scalp Serum on my Winter Dandruff’
The motivation to wash my hair drops directly in line with the temperature- which always feels a bit ridiculous.
Even if the usual oily scalp isn’t as bad thanks to the cold chill, my flakes get worse.
What put me over the line to introduce a new scalp care step? The familiar just washed / just hair dried hair that still has flakes- and my dark brown hair wasn’t hiding anything.
Why is my Dandruff Worse in Winter?
Having a flaky scalp or more product build up in winter is more common than you might think.
Both the air outside and the artificial heat inside strip moisture from your scalp, making irritation, itching, and flakes far more likely.
My hair before and after using Dercos shampoo & scalp serum. Before: Left. After: Right
Add to that the understandable urge to wash your hair less and you’ve got a recipe for a stressed scalp.
My Step-by-Step Routine for Flake-Free Hair
Here’s exactly what’s worked for me this winter, after far too many flaky hair days and a lot of trial and error.
Step 1: Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Shop: Dercos Anti-Dandruff Ds Shampoo Normal To Oily Hair, $31.99 from Chemist Warehouse
What’s different about this shampoo? It claims to remove up to 100% of visible dandruff from the first use, and in my experience, that is completely true.
I wasn’t expecting the mustard yellow colour, but the texture foams up well and spreads through the hair.
Here’s how to use it:
Start by wetting your hair thoroughly
Apply Dercos Anti-Dandruff DS Shampoo (I use the formula for normal to oily hair)
Massage it into your scalp and leave it on for two minutes-this is key for the most effective results. Even if you’re not using Dercos, any “active” shampoo that has extra ingredients from your scalp should sit for 2 mins.
Rinse well
Image: Showing Dercos’ Shampoo texture before and during lathering
It worked from the first wash, and my hair didn’t feel stripped or extra dry afterwards.
If you have an extra sensitive scalp or a dry scalp, there’s also the Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp and Dry Hair.
Step 2: The Winter Hero- Dercos Anti-Dandruff Serum 10
Image: Spraying the Dercos Anti-Dandruff Serum 10
After washing, I move straight to the Dercos Anti-Dandruff Serum 10.
If you’re nervous about serums weighing down your roots or making your scalp feel heavy, don’t be.
This one is lightweight, hydrating, and not greasy.
Here’s how I use it:
Apply it to damp hair, after towel drying
I section my hair into four parts and do small sprays five times per section
Massage in gently
PS: There’s a fresh scent to it which I really appreciated, and the bottle is 90ml, so don’t be fooled by the “serum” label
Shop: Dercos Anti-Dandruff Serum 10, $60.69 at Chemist Warehouse
This serum is designed to address 10 different causes of dandruff (Dryness, itching sensations, visible flakes, discomfort, excess sebum, oxidation, tightness, redness, weak moisture barrier, and microbiome imbalance), which includes those common winter triggers.
Since adding it to my routine, my scalp feels more comfortable, hydrated, and flake-free, with no extra heaviness at the roots.
I did also notice I’ve gone longer between hair washes, and there’s much less flakes on day 2 and day 3 hair.
Dercos is Kinda a Big Deal…
This is the only anti-dandruff combo I’ve found that delivers results without stripping my hair or making my scalp sensitive.
The Dercos range is science-backed, and it’s the number one recommended anti-dandruff brand by dermatologists- which I didn’t know until I trialed and learnt about the brand, and realised very quickly why.
Plus, for a clinically tested solution they’re surprisingly affordable and easy to find.
Final Thoughts
You can pick up the Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Serum 10 both at Chemist Warehouse and Priceline, if you want to add it to your regular pharmacy shop.
When you don’t have dandruff, you just don’t think about it, and that’s worth a lot to me.
Are You a Visual Learner?
Here’s a video I made with Dercos, but this write up isn’t sponsored- I was just very excited to share more about this combo here. Watch more below or here via Instagram.
