Jojoba oil is a natural answer to skin and scalp care.  It is a non-greasy oil that is extremely similar to the body’s natural sebum.  Jojoba oil is also hypoallergenic and odorless.  It is closer to the natural human sebum than any other substance. 

The scalp can really benefit from jojoba oil.  It provides need moisture to the scalp and encourages the sebum gland to produce the correct amount of oil.  Most chemical ingredients take away too much oil and leave the scalp dry causing more problems.  Jojoba oil is good for inflamed scalps because it is non-irritating.  It is able to work from the inside out rather than just coating the hair.  This allows it to restore hair that it damaged or frizzy.

Jojoba oil is great for the skin also.  It is able to penetrate, remove excess oil, and clean pores.  It is useful on all skin types.  Jojoba oil contains vitamin E and antioxidants that fight free radical and reduce wrinkles.  The antibacterial qualities of jojoba oil are great for treating acne also.

Seborrheic Dermatitis and Conditions Affecting the Scalp

Scalp problems  and dermatitis are often very common place.  Many are simply annoying, but some are very itchy and even painful at times.  Scalp conditions are often chronic and require long term care.    Here are some more common scalp conditions: 

• Dandruff
• Seborrheic Dermatitis
• Seborrhea
• Psoriasis

Dandruff comes to mind first when thinking about problems with the scalp.  In its mild form dandruff is itchy with a small amount of white flakes.  However, it can be worse.  Large amounts of flakes may become stuck together in mounds on the head.    

Seborrheic dermatitis is another common scalp condition. Greasy yellow colored scales form covering red inflamed skin on the scalp.  This condition is usually very itchy and uncomfortable.  It is hard for most people to resist scratching which causes inflammation and infection. When infants suffer from seborrheic dermatitis it is called cradle cap.  It is usual for adults to get this condition between thirty and sixty.   It may affect other areas such as the forehead, face and ears.   

When the scalp becomes excessively oily it is often due to a scalp condition called seborrhea.  The sebum gland is where the oil on the scalp is produced. The scalp must have oil to be healthy, but too much oil will lead to problems.  The sebum gland tends to overproduce more often in teens than it does in older adults.     

Psoriasis is a condition affecting many parts of the body and often including the scalp.   It is characterized by dry silvery patches that look powder and have very dry scaly skin.  It will usually be present on other areas of the body as well, but not always.  Psoriasis can also affect the bone joints.       

These can be treated successfully by creating a balanced healthy scalp.  It is a mistake to use products with a lot of chemicals.  Harsh chemicals dry the scalp too much and can actually make the condition worse.  There are natural ingredients that have shown to regulating the sebum gland.  If the sebum gland is working correctly the scalp will be balanced and fight off bacteria as well as many other condition.  Zinc is a natural regulator of the sebum gland and jojoba oil, and emu oil  promote a healthy scalp and add moisture to the hair and scalp.

Crusty Scalp Causes

Crusting and flaking on the scalp is a concern for many people.  There are several scalp conditions that cause crusty scalp.  Some of the typical culprits of the crusty scalp are scalp seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and seborrhea. 

Seborrheic dermatitis is a scalp condition that consists of flaking and scaly crusty patches.  These tend to be yellowish in color and usually cover red inflamed skin.  This is sometimes called seborrheic eczema or scalp eczema as well.  When infants have seborrheic dermatitis it is known as cradle cap.  Cradle cap usually goes away in a few months.  In adults the condition often continues for years. 

Psoriasis also causes crusting on the scalp.  The scales with psoriasis are thick white with a silvery sheen.  Psoriasis often affects the scalp, but it is usually present on other areas of the body as well.  It may be on elbows and behind knees.  In severe cases it may cover the entire scalp and spread to chest and neck.  Scalp sores are what some people call seborrheic dermatitis which is a severe form of dandruff. These scalp sores can become open and even bleeding at times.

Seborrhea may also cause crusting and bumps on scalp.  Seborrhea is characterized by a very oily and greasy scalp.  With this condition the hair will generally be very greasy as well.   The sebum gland produces too much oil, or sebum, causing yeast to grow and the scalp to become enflames.  This causes a rash, redness and itching. 

All of these crusty scalp conditions are ultimately due to an imbalance in the scalp, of either too much oil or too little oil.  To control these conditions the scalp needs to be balanced.  Most hair and scalp products contain chemical ingredients that dry the scalp causing an itchy scalp.  Natural ingredients such as zinc, thyme, emu oil and jojoba oil work to create a healthy scalp and to get rid of an itchy scalp or fkaly hair and scalp.  Zinc is a natural scalp neutralizer.  It cleans as well as regulates the sebum gland.  Thyme has detoxifying agents.  Jojoba oil and emu oil moisturize the scalp.