Dandruff? Six home remedies that work

Dandruff can be caused by a dry scalp, or a skin condition known as seborrheic dermatitis. The white flakes may also be the result of eczema, psoriasis, or an overgrowth of a yeastlike fungus called malassezia. If medicated anti-dandruff products are too harsh or don't work, try one of these natural remedies to stop the itch and leave your hair flake-free...

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1. Mix aspirin with your shampoo
Many medicated dandruff shampoos contain salicylic acid - which is also found in aspirin. Try crushing two aspirins to a powder and then mix in with your everyday shampoo. Leave the mixture on your hair for a couple of minutes, then rinse thoroughly and wash again with neat shampoo.

2. Add a few drops of tea tree oil
Many anti-dandruff treatments contain tea tree oil – but there's no reason why you can't add a few drops to your normal shampoo. Alternatively, you could try Avalon Tea Tree Scalp Treatment Shampoo (£7.88 for 325 ml).

3. Aloe vera
To soothe and cool the itch, try massaging your scalp with a few drops of pure aloe vera oil (£8.99 for 50ml), or switch to a shampoo that contains aloe vera as a main ingredient.

4. Wash with apple cider vinegar and water
Many people swear by apple cider vinegar as a dandruff treatment. The acidity of the vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it difficult for yeast to grow. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water, and wash through your hair. Leave on for 30 minutes before washing out with normal shampoo. For best results, repeat the treatment at least twice a week.

5. Rinse with lemon juice
Lemon juice is another anti-dandruff ingredient that helps balance the pH of your scalp. Squeeze a fresh lemon into a cup of water, then cover your scalp. Leave to work for 30 minutes, before shampooing as normal.

6. Massage in some coconut oil
Is there no end to the wonders of coconut oil? If you suffer from a dry scalp, try massing a few tablespoons of coconut oil (4.49 for 100ml) into your scalp and leave on for an hour, then shampoo normally. Alternatively, try using a shampoo and conditioner with coconut oil.