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Let’s start with the basics. A dry scalp is just what it sounds like: a scalp that is dry. Now, this could be due to a variety of reasons, such as:

• Overwashing
  Washing your hair too often can strip both your hair and scalp from sebum (the natural oil produced by your scalp) and nutrients they need to stay healthy and hydrated. How do you figure out how often to wash your hair? Everyone is different, but generally you should wash your hair more often if you have finer hair or oilier skin, and less often if you have coarser hair or drier skin.
• Using certain hair products
  Harsh hair or scalp products can wreak havoc on your scalp, so try to opt for gentler ones with mild formulas instead. Also, if you experience any redness, flakiness, or irritation on your scalp after using a product, you could be experiencing contact dermatitis or an allergic reaction to one (or more) of the product’s ingredients.
• Naturally dry skin 
  If you have naturally dry skin, you may be more prone to developing a dry scalp as well.
• Weather changes
  Just like the rest of your skin can get drier during winter, so can your scalp.
• A medical condition
  You could be experiencing a dry scalp as a symptom of a medical condition, such as eczema or scalp psoriasis. In this case, things can get a little more complicated, as caring for your scalp might involve using treatments specific to your condition or avoiding triggers that lead to flare ups.

Dandruff, on the other hand, refers to an itchy or irritated scalp that is shedding skin flakes, leaving those notorious white bits in your hair. The root cause of dandruff is still under investigation, though there is a strong link between dandruff and sensitivity to Malassezia yeast (unrelated to the yeast in baked goods!), a fungus living on the scalp . In most people, this fungus is a normal part of the skin’s microbiome and causes no issues, but some individuals are sensitive to Malassezia and may experience dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis as a result . 

Other factors can cause or contribute to dandruff as well. For example, a dry scalp itself can sometimes lead to dandruff. Other reasons you may experience dandruff include:

• Naturally dry skin, overwashing, or certain products
  Like dry scalps, dandruff can also be caused or exacerbated by these.
• Having oily skin
  Though it may seem contradictory, dandruff can actually be caused by oily skin OR dry skin. This is because Malassezia feeds and thrives on the natural oils produced by your scalp. Excess sebum means more Malassezia, which can then lead to worsened dandruff.
• Genetic predisposition
  Dandruff can have a hereditary component, as it tends to run in families .
• A medical condition
  Dandruff can be a symptom of a medical condition, such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis.

Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is NOT caused by poor hygiene, although shampooing less frequently might make the little white flakes appear more apparent, especially in darker hair.