Listerine For Hair and Scalp!  

A well-known process in many hair care circles is the use of Listerine for hair and scalp. The traditional sugar free version of Listerine is used to clarify hair to remove styling or other product build-up.

The well-known mouthwash can be used to amp up hair’s natural shine. The Listerine or similar, can be diluted with water and mixed in a spray bottle before being misting on damp hair before drying.

Listerine also can be used as a final rinse much like Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to guarantee hair is completely free of shampoo or soap residue.

Although it may be a little drying for some hair types and textures, using Listerine or a diluted Listerine mixture as a final rinse will also help to add a natural shimmer.

Listerine is also used to treat dandruff, seborraeic dermatitis, fungus and even lice.

What Is Listerine?

Listerine is a brand of antiseptic mouthwash. The product is marketed under the slogan “Kills germs that cause bad breath”.

It was named after Joseph Lister who promoted the idea of sterile surgery by sterilizing instruments.

Originally marketed by the Lambert Pharmacal Company (which later became Warner-Lambert), it’s currently manufactured and distributed by Johnson and Johnson since that company’s acquisition of Pfizer’s consumer healthcare division in late December 2006.

The Listerine brand name is also used on toothpaste, Listerine Whitening rinse, new Listerine Fluoride rinse (Listerine Tooth Defense), Listerine Agent Cool Blue (children’s teeth tinting rinse), PocketPaks, and PocketMist. In September 2007, Listerine began selling their own brand of self-dissolving teeth whitening strips.

Active Ingredients – Listerine For Hair And Scalp

The active ingredients listed on Listerine bottles are essential oils menthol 0.042%, thymol 0.064%, methyl salicylate 0.06%, and eucalyptol 0.092%.

In combination all have an antiseptic effect and there is some thought that methyl salicylate may have an anti inflammatory effect as well.

Ethanol, which is toxic to bacteria at concentrations of 40%, is present in concentrations of 21.6% in the flavored product and 26.9% in the original gold Listerine Antiseptic. At this concentration, the ethanol serves to dissolve the active ingredients.

Listerine As A Dandruff And/Or Dermatitis Solution

Utilizing Listerine to eliminate dandruff, itchy scalp and/or dermatitis is easy to do.

Follow the steps below to utilize Listerine for hair and scalp:

Note:  Don’t use this treatment if you have open sores or irritation spots on your scalp since the Listerine may sting, burn or irritate any sores or similar.

1.  Cleanse detangled hair in lukewarm water with the product of your choice. You may or may not wish to utilize a shampoo which addresses dandruff. 

If you prefer, you may use an alternative formulation such as a Diluted Shampoo (DS), Low Poo (LP), No Poo (NP), Conditioner Only Wash (CoWash) or some other method of cleansing your strands.

2.  Rinse shampoo and/or cleaning formula completely from strands.

3.  Use fingers to gently squeeze out excessive water.

4.  Pour a mixture of 1/2 cup of Listerine mixed with 1/2 cup of lukewarm water over the top of your scalp. You may want to catch the Listerine and water mixture in a clean plastic style style container so that you can continue to pour it over your scalp.

Once the entire mixture has been completely poured over the scalp, use the pads of your fingertips to make sure the Listerine mixture is massaged into your scalp.

Note:  You may wish to apply rinse out conditioner on the middle of the strands to the ends before applying the Listerine mix to the roots to prevent drying out this section of your strands.

5.  Rinse Listerine completely from the scalp with lukewarm water. If you added a rinse-out conditioner to your hair before the Listerine mixture be sure to completely rinse that out as well.

6.  Finish with a cool/cold water rinse to close the cuticles.

7.  Towel blot strands to remove excess water.

8.  Air dry or blowdry and style as usual.

Because the Listerine may be drying, you may only wish to use the rinse in the shower only once a week.

If you wish to continue to utilize the Listerine on a daily or regular basis, use a clean cotton ball, dip into some Listerine and dab on the spots of your scalp where dandruff, itching or dermatitis is present right before stepping into the shower. Cleanse, condition, rinse and style as usual.

Add Shine To Hair – Listerine For Hair And Scalp

Follow the steps below to use Listerine to add shine and shimmer to tresses:

1.  Mix 1/4 cup of Listerine and 1 cup of lukewarm water into a brand new sterilized spray bottle.

2.  Shake spray bottle vigorously to mix water and mouthwash completely.

3.  Spray Listerine mix on damp, towel blotted, newly cleansed hair which has been detangled and prepped with leave-in conditioners and/or styling products. Saturate hair completely with Listerine mixture.

4.  Dry hair with a blowdryer and style as desired.

If you prefer, you can apply the mixture to second or third day hair. When applying to dry hair, douse the hair well and comb through. Allow to air dry if possible.

Summary – Listerine For Hair And Scalp

Depending upon your hair type, texture and current condition you may or may not benefit from the use of Listerine for hair and scalp. If you wish to try Listerine to clarify hair, address scalp issues or as a shine enhancer, start slow and experiment.

Most admirers of utilizing Listerine for hair and scalp insist the original gold formula is the best compared to some of the newer versions. Be willing to experiment to find the best solution for you and your strands.