If your goal is to have the healthiest hair yet, then you need to incorporate scalp scrubs and serums in your wash day regimen. These tonics and scrubs effectively exfoliate your scalp, removing dead skin cells, product buildup, and debris.
Since sometimes, leave-in conditioners, hair sprays and gel can’t fix an unhealthy scalp. However, like with most products, there’s specific scalp scrubs and serums for each hair type and hair concern. 21Ninety culminated a list of the best scalp scrubs addressing different hair types, issues, and overall cost.
Our Top 5 Picks
- Best Versatile Scalp Scrub: Cécred Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub
- Best For Protective Styles: Pattern Scalp Serum
- Best Plant-Based Scrub: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo, 8 oz
- Best For Thin Hair: Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum
- Best For Dry Hair: The Crown Affair The Cleansing Scalp Scrub Shampoo
Best Versatile Scalp Scrub
The Cécred Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub is the best multi use scalp scrub on the market: it cleans natural hair and human hair wigs and extensions. If you always find clarifying shampoos and scrubs not cleansing enough, this product will leave your hair clean as a whistle! One of its key ingredients is fermented Purple Willow Bark, which breaks down buildup while nurturing your scalp at the same time.
Pros:
•Provides the best deep clean
•Doesn’t require a lot of product to work
•Features a nozzle for easy application
Cons:
•May be too stripping for weekly use
•Price point may be a little expensive for some
Best For Protective Styles
Although protective styles give you some breathing room in terms of styling your hair each day, some variations can cause scalp issues. For example, a fresh set of knotless braids may feel initially tight and itchy on the scalp. Enter the Pattern Scalp Serum, which soothes and moisturizes the scalp without running your new style.
Pros:
•Specifically catered for dry scalps
•More soothing and calming than stripping
Cons:
•May not cleanse and clarify the scalp deeply
•Key ingredient Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, may leave your scalp feeling sticky
Best Plant-Based Scrub
Those in between an oily scalp and a dry scalp should reach for the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo. This scrub shampoo is best for sensitive scalps, featuring ingredients like Binchotan Charcoal to absorb scalp impurities and coconut oil to restore moisture back into your strands. Essentially, it’s not too stripping and not totally ineffective: it’s just right to incorporate into your weekly wash days.
Pros:
•Its vegan so its clean enough for sensitive scalps
•Hybrid of clarifying and nourishing
Cons:
•Need a lot of product to clean deeply
•Price point is a tad expensive for the amount of product needed based on your hair type
Best For Thin Hair
Not all Black hair is the same — some folks have thick, dense curls, while others deal with finer, more delicate strands. If your hair leans on the thinner side, the Ouai Hydrating Scalp Serum is worth a spot in your routine. It helps create the look of fuller, thicker hair while supporting a healthy scalp barrier. Plus, if your strands are heat-damaged and prone to breakage or split ends, this serum works overtime to restore strength and promote healthy growth.
•Catered for thinner, less full hair strands
•Helps restore heat-damaged hair
Cons:
•Probably not best for thicker, fuller hair types
•Price point is expensive for a 2 oz package
Best For Dry Hair
The Crown Affair The Cleansing Scalp Scrub Shampoo is a great pre-shampoo or biweekly treatment to use on your dry scalp. Just because your scalp is dry, doesn’t mean it isn’t prone to product buildup. With ingredients including Bolivian pink salt and Tsubaki seed oil, this scrub shampoo gently removes dirt and adds back moisture.
Pros:
•It’s gentle enough for all hair types
•It contains 6 oz of product per package
Cons:
•The container packaging makes it hard to apply directly on the scalp
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Dermatologists Recommend Scalp Scrubs? Essentially, yes. Most dermatologists believe scalp scrubs are an effective product to remove oil, product buildup, and dead skin cells from your scalp. However, there are some things to keep in mind. Since these products tend to be more stripping, it’s recommended by dermatologists to use them sparingly. Overusing scalps scrubs can cause irritation and intense dryness to your scalp, which isn’t the right direction for healthy hair.
How Often Should I Exfoliate My Scalp? It really depends. For example, perhaps it’s best to exfoliate your scalp after a long protective style to remove product buildup. Additionally, it also depends on your scalp type. Those prone with oily scalps should exfoliate 1-2 times a week, while those with a normal scalp can exfoliate once a week or less.
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