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Skin, Hair & Nails

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Reviewed by the Nimbera editorial team · Last updated May 2026

Chronic inflammatory skin condition driven by the Malassezia yeast and an overactive sebaceous response. Causes flaking, greasy scale, and redness on the scalp (dandruff), eyebrows, nasolabial folds, and chest. Very common - affects up to 5% of the general population.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if lesions spread rapidly, become crusted or infected, affect your eyelids, or do not respond to OTC antifungal shampoos and creams after 4 weeks of consistent use.

Natural remedies · 4

Tap any remedy for the full how-to and citation.

How we rate evidence▾

Strong - Multiple randomised controlled trials or systematic reviews with consistent positive outcomes.

Moderate - At least one RCT or several high-quality observational studies with plausible mechanisms.

Limited - Small trials, animal studies, or traditional use with limited human clinical evidence.

Sources link directly to PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, or NCCIH.

Tea Tree Oil Shampoo (5%)

topical
Satchell et al. 2002 single-blind RCT (n=126, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, PMID 12451368) found 5% tea tree oil shampoo produced a 41% improvement in dandruff severity score vs. 11% for placebo (P < 0.001), with no adverse effects.
$8-$22 per bottle

Zinc Pyrithione Shampoo

topical
Pierard-Franchimont et al. 2002 multicenter RCT (n=331, Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, PMID 12476017) found zinc pyrithione 1% shampoo produced a 67% improvement in total dandruff severity score over 4 weeks - the established OTC benchmark for this condition.
$5-$15 per bottle

Selenium Sulfide Shampoo (1-2.5%)

topical
Turcu et al. 2023 multicenter observational study (n=1,407, European Journal of Dermatology, PMID 37098775) found selenium disulfide shampoo used 2-3 times per week for 4 weeks produced at least clear improvement in 89.6% of participants, with 95.6% reporting reduced itching. Mechanism and efficacy are well-established across decades of clinical use.
$8-$18 for OTC; prescription cost varies

Diluted Raw Honey Scalp Treatment

topical
Al-Waili 2001 pilot study (n=30, European Journal of Medical Research, PMID 11485891) found 90% diluted crude honey applied every other day for 4 weeks completely resolved lesions within 2 weeks in all treated patients; 6 months of weekly prophylactic use prevented relapse in 100% vs. 80% relapse in untreated controls. Small sample and no blinding; replication needed.
$5-$40 depending on honey type (raw local honey is cheapest; Manuka is premium)

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Remedy information is compiled from primary clinical sources including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Evidence ratings reflect published human trial data at time of writing. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our full disclaimer.