Martine McCutcheon just shared her go-to shampoo that she uses after tap water ‘ruined her hair’ – and the £11 bottle soothes itchy, flaky scalps after just a single use
The winter weather can be tough on our skin, and even harsher on our scalps. The lack of moisture in the air coupled with harsh winds, excess heating, and constant hat wearing can leave your scalp feeling itchy, sore and dry.
Other factors can also trigger scalp psoriasis, like hormones, genetics, or even the tap water you use, as Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon knows all too well. The actress recently became a brand ambassador for medicated shampoo brand Polytar, after revealing she swore by the brand’s Polytar Scalp Shampoo for helping ease her dry, sensitive scalp.
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Martine shared that, after moving to London, she realised that the city’s hard water was causing endless issues with her scalp such as dandruff and scalp sensitivity. She said: “Dandruff and a sensitive scalp can be something you really worry about, especially when your hair is part of your job. I knew that because of what I do for a living, it was just another issue that I didn’t need coming back to haunt me. I’m so glad that I went back to Polytar and tried it, because it genuinely does make all the difference.”
According to Polytar’s Hard Water Hair Report, one in two Brits (52%) report experiencing dandruff, and residents of London, the South East, and the East of England are most likely to report that their local water affects their scalp health. It also showed that these hard water regions report the highest levels of scalp flare-ups and dandruff, with more than half of adults (53%) nationwide believing their local water worsens dandruff and itchiness. In London, that rises to 71%.
To tackle it you can swap your shower head for one that filters water before it reaches your scalp, like the Hello Klean Shower Head 2.0 (£60 down from £75) or the Showery Water Softening Electric Shower Head (£29.99 down from £55). However, it’s much quicker and more affordable to switch up which shampoo you use – plus it means you can make sure wherever you travel to your hair and scalp are protected from hard water.
The Polytar Scalp Shampoo uses liquid concentrated antiseptic tar to help cleanse your scalp and treat all kinds of conditions like seborrhoea, psoriasis, dandruff and itching scalp. It also helps get rid of product build up, leaving your hair feeling ultra-clean and shiny.
It’s currently on sale at Superdrug, where it’s down from £10.99 to £8.24, with two five star reviews. One said: “Whenever my scalp feels ‘itchy’, I use this shampoo. Lovely clean hair! However it is a slightly medicinal smell, & a bit drying. I cannot use conditioner due to my age and increased risk of falls. So I use it first then use Dove shampoo for 2nd wash as it is creamy.”
Meanwhile you can find more reviews on Amazon, where it’s priced at £11.24 and has more than 5000 ratings. One said: “Very easy to apply, reduces itching and flakes from first use.”
Whilst another wrote: “Received today and used this evening , felt the difference after the first wash on my ears and the nape of my hairline ! first use and although it’s expensive for a small bottle ! IT WORKS ! no embarrassing itch at all!”
However some found it was less effective on their dandruff and dry scalp, whilst another said: “Helped with my itchy scalp. Slightly affected my hair colour.”
