Dandruff is simply dead skin cells that flake off. While it’s not directly related to how hygienic you are, dandruff may build up more the longer you go without washing your hair. Dandruff can also be caused by dry scalp, sensitivity to hair products, or a yeast like fungus (known as malassezia), which feeds on oils on the scalp. What makes dandruff unique, however, is its tendency to be tricky to treat. Luckily, dandruff specific shampoos contain ingredients like ketoconazole, coal tar and salicylic acid, which banish dandruff quickly.

However, you don’t necessarily have to use store-bought shampoos when you can find these natural home remedies for dandruff:

1. Tea tree oil

Tea Tree oil has been used for a variety of ailments from acne to dermatitis. In 2002, there was one four-week study with 126 participants at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s Department of Dermatology. They were assigned to either the tea tree oil or a placebo group. They found that even just five percent tea tree oil helped to alleviate dandruff and boost scalp oil by just slightly over 40 percent. Tea tree, however, is a rather harsh oil. So if you have a sensitive scalp, try adding a few drops of a carrier oil such as coconut.

2. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is famous for boosting skin hydration. Since dryness is what worsens dandruff, it only makes sense that the opposite is what helps to alleviate it. There have been multiple studies of its effects on other severe skin issues, such as eczema and dermatitis. A 2014 study at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center Department of Dermatology on its effects on atopical dermatitis showed that coconut oil alone helped to alleviate the itchiness and redness by 68 percent compared with mineral oil at just 38 percent.

3. Lower stress levels

It is well known that too much stress triggers a variety of health issues. Dryness and itchiness are also on the list. Stress itself does not directly cause dandruff. However, it often weakens the body’s ability to find off infections, including fungal ones and other contributors to dandruff. As a result, regular exercise and breathwork can be a couple of lead-ins for how to get rid of dandruff naturally.

4. Aspirin

Aspirin contains salicylic acid. It’s also found in many anti-dandruff shampoos. Salicylic acid is one ingredient that loosens and removes the flakes. Salicylic acid has also been found to reduce the scaling severity within the month’s time.

If your current shampoo is not anti-dandruff, one thing you can do is crush a couple of aspirin tablets and mix them in before washing your hair.

5. Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are good for a lot of things, including boosting skin oil and hydration. Both of the above are essential to alleviating and prevention of dandruff. Fish supplements are great for this. However, omega 3 acids are also found in foods you can consume, like fish (especially salmon), flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.

6. Baking soda

Aside from making a good cleaning agent, baking soda contains anti-fungal properties. It kills fungal infections at as high as almost 80 percent. It is also known to help alleviate itching and irritation. For best results, try putting it onto your hair and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then you can go back to shampooing.