Gone are the days of haircare involving shampoo, conditioner, and perhaps a leave-in treatment at the most. Much like we’ve acknowledged that skincare encompasses a variety of factors, savvy haircare brands have recognised the importance of proper scalp health. Haircare products are no longer merely targeted towards the ends of your strands, with good hair starting at the roots; your scalp.
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Your scalp health sets the foundation for the health of your hair, making it essential to treat issues like dryness, flakiness, dandruff, and product buildup, as these can lead to hair concerns like dullness, thinning, and hair loss.
Why should you exfoliate your scalp?
Exfoliating your scalp is just as necessary as exfoliating the skin on your face. Regular scalp exfoliation leaves your hair feeling cleaner, removes product buildup, unclogs hair follicles, and can aid in eradicating dandruff. Implementing regular scalp exfoliation into your haircare routine will contribute to more full-bodied, lustrous hair.
The best products for proper scalp health
Whether you’re dealing with hair that just never seems to feel clean enough regardless of how many times you shampoo or a sensitive scalp, there’s a way to address the root (sorry) cause. From scrubs and serums to specialised shampoos and pre-shampoo treatments, these are our favourite products for optimum scalp health.
1. R+Co Acid Wash
Designed to cleanse your hair of product build-up (think dry shampoo, styling products, heat protectants), R+Co Acid Wash utilises natural exfoliant apple cider vinegar to soothe and moisturise the scalp, while adding shine to your hair. Tamanu oil and aloe vera work to strengthen hair, seal in moisture, and restore vibrance to dull locks.
2. Philip Kingsley Flaky Scalp Calming Toner
Utilising camphor and piroctone olamine, Philip Kingsley Flaky Scalp Calming Toner provides instant relief from scalp irritation, while working to fight bacteria and fungus and promote optimal microflora balance to prevent outbreaks of dandruff.
3. R+Co Crown Scalp Scrub
Perfect for sensitive and oily scalps, R+Co Crown Scalp Scrub is a verdant, citrus-scented scrub that utilises BHA salicylic acid to exfoliate the scalp; reducing build-up, removing dandruff flakes, and improving hair follicle health. Meanwhile, kaolin clay works to remove excess oil on the scalp, in turn improving hair volume.
4. Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo
Another product courtesy of old Hollywood, Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo was created for Laurence Olivier. This mild formula works to eliminate dandruff and relieve flaking and oil build-up, without drying your scalp.
5. Kristin Ess Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub
A nourishing scrub that combines a sugar complex with soothing plant-based oils to gently exfoliate the scalp, without stripping the skin and hair of its natural moisture.
6. Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub
Combining physical and chemical exfoliants (polymer beads and AHAs), Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub works to remove product build-up, cleanse the scalp, and relieve itchy, dry skin.
7. Kyn Scalp Scrub
Made with charcoal and coconut oil, Kyn Scalp Scrub detoxifies and exfoliates your scalp, pulling out toxins and providing your hair with nourishing fatty acids. Spearmint and peppermint oil soothe itchy, irritated scalps while promoting increased blood circulation, which aids with hair growth.
8. Levara Amazonia Growth Bomb Hair Growth Serum
Harnessing the power of yerba mate and caffeine, Growth Bomb Hair Growth Serum works to stimulate hair cells from the roots and promote hair growth.
9. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer
Initially created by Philip Kingsley for Audrey Hepburn herself, Elasticizer is a pre-shampoo treatment that works to strengthen and hydrate hair. Enriched with castor oil, olive oil, and elastin, the formula is suitable for all hair types.
10. Grow Haircare Grow Longer Stronger Stimulating Scalp Scrub
A sea salt-based product, Grow Haircare Grow Longer Stronger Stimulating Scalp Scrub works to physically exfoliate your scalp to remove build-up and impurities, while peppermint oil cools and soothes the skin.
Words by Arabella Johnson
