We spend ages looking for the right shampoos, conditioners and styling products to make our hair look shampoo commercial-worthy, but most of us are overlooking one major area: our scalps. It’s time that everyone is in on the secret because good hair doesn’t start with our strands — it starts with a healthy scalp. While the right shampoo is brilliant for keeping scalps in check, a scalp exfoliator is an under-the-radar product that can turn every day into a good hair day.
Exfoliation is a regular part of skin care yet it has probably never crossed the majority of our minds when it comes to hair care. Carolyn Aronson, CEO and founder of It’s a 10 Haircare, explains that the benefit of scalp exfoliation is that it removes dead skin cells, dirt, dandruff, oil and product buildup. This is different from a regular shampoo which only removes surface dirt and impurities. Crucially, a scalp treatment’s deep cleansing formula gives roots an ideal environment for hair to grow. It also ups the volume of strands because they’re no longer weighed down by all of the buildup.
Another way scalp exfoliators differ from shampoos is in terms of ingredients. Ebony Bomani, master cosmetologist and educator at The Mane Choice, explains that scalp exfoliators can either come in liquid or more “gritty” formulas. Plus, they contain ingredients known for their sloughing effects, such as salicylic acid and/or granules. It’s important to note that there are also exfoliating shampoos that combine the best of both products.
Just like with body exfoliation, everyone can benefit from scalp exfoliation. There are even scalp treatments that are specifically formulated for certain hair types and conditions like oily hair, dry locks or even those suffering from dermatitis. Regardless of hair type, the experts agree that scalp exfoliation about once a month is sufficient.
Honey Artists celebrity hairstylist Corey Tuttle says that fans of DIY beauty can make their own scalp treatments by mixing one cup of water with one tablespoon of baking soda, one tablespoon tea tree oil and one tablespoon sulfate-free shampoo. For those who prefer a ready-made version, scroll through the gallery to see the best scalp exfoliators that will keep heads balanced and hair looking gorgeous.
Why You Should Be Using A Scalp Exfoliator
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Aveda
Invati Exfoliating Shampoo, $34 at Aveda
Prefer to keep a streamlined beauty routine? Then swap regular shampoo with this exfoliating one every so often. It's clinically proven to remove the oil and product buildup that can clog pores on scalps. (Yes, scalps have pores, too.) Furthermore, it rebalances the area thanks to a combination of milk thistle and millet seed.
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Drunk Elephant
T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub, $36 at Drunk Elephant
Itching for a healthier scalp? Try Drunk Elephant’s stable, supercharged AHA/BHA acid blend solution. The mix dissolves dead skin cells and all that product buildup courtesy of biodegradable and gentle plant cellulose exfoliating beads.
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Davines
SOLU Sea Salt Scrub Cleanser, $42 at Davines
Get your scrub on with this sea salt-based cleanser. It gets rid of product residues, polluting particles and impurities. It even adds texture to limp locks.
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Philip Kingsley
Exfoliating Scalp Mask, $29 at Philip Kingsley
Philip Kingsley was a master trichologist who understood that a healthy scalp is as important as healthy hair. This exfoliating scalp mask is just one product from his scalp range. It soothes itchy, irritated scalps as well as managing sebum so dandruff and greasy roots will be things of the past. The anti-dandruff treatment is suitable for those with thin, medium, coarse or Afro-textured hair.
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IGK
Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub, $36 at IGK
This cooling scrub features some of our favorite pantry staples, including apple cider vinegar and walnuts. Crushed walnuts gently remove buildup, while apple cider vinegar helps clarify the area. Then vitamin-rich walnut oil helps to nourish the scalp. The scalp exfoliator is vegetarian, gluten-free, sulfate-free and color-safe.
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Keranique
Micro-Exfoliating Follicle Revitalizing Mask, $45 at DermStore
An exfoliating treatment that helps repair split ends and thicken hair shafts? Yes, please. This multipurpose product does it all. For a quick scalp exfoliation, apply it to wet hair for two to three minutes after shampooing, then rinse out. Alternatively, use it as a deep conditioning treatment before shampooing. Apply it to damp hair, then cover with a shower cap for 10 minutes. When the time is up, rinse it off and follow up with shampoo.
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Alterna
Caviar Exfoliating Scalp Facial, $16.99 at Walmart
It's a facial, but for scalps. The easy-to-use formula combines exfoliating microbeads with a bristle applicator. Run the bristles along your scalp in a circular motion while squeezing the bottle to dispense the product. The dual action effect will dislodge dead skin and rebalance the scalp.
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Nexxus
Clean and Pure Scalp Scrub, $14.99 at Target
Whip your scalp into shape with this gentle exfoliator. It balances, detoxifies and even purifies both your scalp and your strands by removing impurities. Win-win.
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Briogeo
Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo, $42 at Sephora
Here's proof that charcoal is just as good for scalps as it is the rest of the body. Binchotan charcoal draws out impurities, while vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators sweep away dead skin. Moisturizing coconut oil combined with a blend of tea tree, peppermint and spearmint oils calm itchiness, inflammation and that annoying "tight scalp" feeling.
