Healthy hair is more than just styling tools and finishing sprays. For locks that truly look and feel their best, you have to support them from where they grow—because ICYMI, the condition of your scalp is absolutely connected to the state of your strands.
“The health of [your] scalp is intricately linked to overall health of hair,” says dermatologist Jenny Liu, MD, FAAD. “Our hair follicles lie beneath the scalp and directly connect to the skin on our scalp.” Those follicles respond to conditions like inflammation, dryness, or flakiness, which means if you want your healthiest head yet, you’ll need to prioritize scalp care from the inside out.
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AVOCADO
ALMONDS
MANUKA
HONEY
SALMON
Coconut
“Coconut oil has been shown to benefit the hair shaft [by] temporarily nourishing and improving hair shaft strength, and reducing breakage,” Dr. Liu says. This versatile fruit—which serves up healthy fat, protein, and iron, just to name a few—deserves a permanent spot on your grocery list for tasty things like coconut curry, roasted veggies, and smoothie bowls.
As for your topical hair-care routine, you can tap into the benefits of coconut with Head & Shoulders™ Supreme Detox + Hydrate Shampoo, which is formulated with coconut water and argan oil for luxurious hair hydration and a light, beachy scent. Island vibes, activated.
GREEN TEA
COCONUT
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The simplest way to do it? Make sure that the main ingredients in your products and your diet have mane-boosting benefits. From nourishing manuka honey to hydrating coconut (both of which are found in Head & Shoulders’ scalp-supporting products available at Kroger) you can effortlessly fill a grocery cart that’s both hair-healthy and delicious.
Check out these derm-approved ingredients—for your overall health and the state of your mane—and get shopping. Pantry (and shower caddy), stocked.
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in hair growth and health, according to Dr. Liu, so getting a daily serving of the ingredient (on your plate or as a supplement) is essential. For a good dose of vitamin D—as well as vitamins A, B, C, E, zinc, iron, and healthy fats—look no further than avocados.
All these nutrients in your favorite green fruit are key for overall scalp health, Dr. Liu says. So go ahead and order avocado toast at brunch. You can chalk it up to doctor’s orders.
Avocado
Encouragement to up your honey intake? *Ears perk.* Manuka honey is packed with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, Dr. Liu says, which are key for supporting scalp health if you deal with dandruff. Plus, its moisturizing qualities may help hydrate your hair shaft, making it a win-win for your overall hair and scalp health.
Add an extra drizzle to your cup of tea or your morning toast, but skip the messy DIYs and give your hair a dose of honey with Head & Shoulders™ Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Dry Scalp Rescue. The shampoo and conditioner duo leans on manuka honey alongside clinical-strength ingredients to tackle flakes and provide relief from dryness.
Manuka Honey
Nut butter lovers, be glad: Almonds have full-body benefits, mane included. According to Dr. Liu, the fatty acids and vitamin E packed in these powerhouse nuts can help nourish and add moisture to your hair shaft and scalp.
Complement the nuts in your diet (almond butter and berry smoothie, anyone?) with hair products that are supportive and nourishing, like Head & Shoulders™ Dry Scalp Care Shampoo + Conditioner. It can help restore your scalp’s moisture balance, is gentle enough for daily use, and with fragrant notes of almond oil, will have you smelling—and looking—fresh, all day.
Almonds
Lemons, limes, oranges, oh my! Citrus fruits are packed with nutrients—from vitamin C, to fiber, to antioxidants—and they’re key for hair health, too. In addition to helping your tresses shine, lemon may help improve the condition of your scalp by effectively removing sebum, Dr. Liu says.
(FYI: Sebum is the oily substance that surrounds hair follicles and, when overproduced, can block scalp pores that can lead to inflammation and discomfort.)
So whip up some frozen lemonade, roast a lemony chicken, and grab Head & Shoulders™ Lemon Oil Shampoo + Conditioner. It deeply cleans the scalp and is infused with lemon essential oil for a clean, bright scent.
Citrus
For a solid serving of healthy fats and protein, Dr. Liu recommends wild salmon. The fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation throughout the body (ahem, including on the scalp). Protein-rich foods are also especially important for hair and scalp health, Dr. Liu says, because your follicles are composed of protein and need to maintain the right balance of the nutrient to look and feel their best.
If cooking fish isn’t exactly your forte, go for a canned option, which is just as nutritious as the fresh and frozen stuff—and makes for effortless meal prep.
Wild Salmon
There’s a reason matcha is the poster child of wellness beverages: Green tea is packed with nutrients such as vitamins B and C and catechins—antioxidants with proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antibacterial power.
These antioxidants are especially important for your hair and scalp as you age. Dr. Liu says that regular consumption of green tea may help reduce oxidative stress from the environment, which is a contributing factor to premature graying and hair thinning. So if you’re considering swapping your afternoon coffee for tea, your hair will thank you—now and down the road.
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