We’ve put the best scalp scrubs to the test and show you how to use a scalp scrub to help with dandruff, grease and more
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We’re well versed in using skincare to look after our face and body, but the health of our scalp is often overlooked.
However, if you want great hair, then you need a good, clean, and healthy scalp.
A good scalp scrub will give your scalp and hair follicles a refreshing deep clean.
That’s because exfoliating your scalp will remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells around your hair follicles, and doing so will encourage your hair growth and improve its health.
The benefits of a scalp scrub are the same as when you use an exfoliator on your face. It encourages skin cell turnover, which is fantastic for the health and appearance of your hair.
By exfoliating your scalp you’ll also get the benefits of a scalp massage. Massaging your scalp will enhance the blood circulation in your head and neck area. It also strengthens the roots of your hair, which helps your hair to grow.
When it comes to choosing which scalp scrub is best, a lot will depend on your hair type or what you’re hoping to improve. Maybe you have a dry scalp, or you need a scalp scrub for dandruff, or maybe you need a scalp scrub for oily hair. It could be that your hair isn’t growing quickly or thick enough, so you’re looking to use scalp exfoliation for hair growth.
There are many scalp scrub benefits, but it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and found the best scalp scrubs for 2023.
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£42 | BUY NOW
Christophe Robin This is a great product for a scalp detox scrub. It’s an award-winning deep cleansing shampoo that detoxifies and soothes your scalp. Using it once a week will help to remove product build-up and rebalance your scalp, so that your hair looks much fresher and shinier.
It contains sea salt crystals, which are a natural scalp scrub ingredient that help to exfoliate. There’s also a natural carbohydrate complex that helps to rebalance your scalp’s natural defences by reducing the effects of dehydration.
Another natural scalp scrub ingredient in this Christophe Robin scalp shampoo is Bisabolo, which is extracted from the Brazilian candeia tree and helps to calm your scalp as it cleans it.
It’s expensive but it’s a great all-rounder and the tub is huge so you get good value for money.
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£9.95 | BUY NOW
Umberto Giannini This is a great scalp scrub for reducing dandruff, so if you think you need an exfoliator for a flaky scalp then give this one a try.
It’s also a great option if you’re looking for a scalp scrub with natural ingredients because it has a 97% natural formula that includes super fruit enzymes and micro grains of walnut shell.
It features piroctone olamine, which is clinically proven to remove dandruff and leave a flake-free scalp; is a sulphate-free scalp scrub without any silicones or parabens, and it’s also a vegan scalp scrub that’s cruelty-free.
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£47 | BUY NOW
ESPA The ESPA Tri-Active Resilience Detox and Purify Scrub Shampoo combines the functionality of a shampoo with the exfoliating benefits of a scalp scrub.
It’s a gentle scrub that removes dead skin cells, product buildup, and excess oil, while also cleaning the hair.
The use of natural extracts and essential oils helps nourish both the scalp and hair because these ingredients are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
It doesn’t leave any residue behind either, as some scalp scrubs can. It’s suitable for a range of hair types but it’s particularly good for hair that gets greasy and flat quickly.
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£19 | BUY NOW
Nature Lab Tokyo This exfoliating scalp scrub from Nature Lab has lots of five-star scalp scrub reviews from users saying it’s really improved the appearance of their hair.
It uses sugar crystals to exfoliate dead skin cells and includes probiotic sake water, which helps to feed your scalp’s natural flora and fauna.
There’s also hyaluronic acid, which regularly features in other skincare products because it’s a humectant meaning it retains water in your skin. This makes it an excellent ingredient for moisturising your scalp.
This is another scalp scrub without sulphates and it’s also cruelty-free. It’s advertised as being, “spa-in-a-jar,” so if you’re looking to recreate a professional scalp treatment at home this one is worth a try.
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£25 | BUY NOW
Grow Gorgeous The Grow Gorgeous Scalp Detox Scrub is designed to cleanse and rejuvenate the scalp by exfoliating and removing impurities, such as dead skin cells, product buildup, and excess oil.
The exfoliating action of the scrub also helps in stimulating the scalp, boosting blood circulation which helps improve hair follicle health and helps promote thicker, stronger hair growth.
By removing unwanted build-up, the scrub also gets the scalp ready for other hair care products, such as conditioners or treatments, enhancing how well they work.
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£13.99 | BUY NOW
The Inkey List This is a chemical exfoliant that’s designed to give your scalp a healthy microbiome, which will then improve your hair growth. This scalp scrub ant will remove build-up from your follicles and balance the oils on your scalp, so it’s a great scalp exfoliator for hair growth.
The scalp scrub benefits of this one from The Inkey List is that it contains a mix of both physical and chemical exfoliants.
It contains 7% glycolic acid, which when left on your scalp for ten minutes, will remove dead skin. It also contains biodegradable castor beads and synthesised natural sugars to work as a physical scrub.
This is also an eco-friendly scalp scrub because it comes in recyclable packaging and is cruelty-free, without sulphates and silicone.
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£11.24 | BUY NOW
The Inkey List If you’re looking for a scalp scrub for sensitive skin then you’ll want to try this scalp scrub that includes salicylic acid.
That’s because it’s a great ingredient for regulating any excess sebum (what your skin produces to keep moisturised) but less inflammatory than other acid ingredients.
If you want a scalp scrub for an itchy scalp, or maybe you find your scalp to be a bit oily, then give this salicylic acid scalp scrub a try.
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£17 | BUY NOW
Awake Organics If you’re looking for an eco-friendly scalp scrub then you’ll love this natural scalp scrub.
It’s made with 100% natural and biodegradable ingredients that will improve the health of your scalp and encourage your hair to grow thicker and stronger.
It’s suitable for all hair types, even curly hair and coloured hair because it doesn’t include any silicones, sulphates or fragrances. What also makes this an eco-friendly scalp scrub is that the packaging is 100% plastic-free and fully recyclable because it comes in a glass container with an aluminium cap.
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Just like when you’re shopping for skincare for your face, anything you put on your scalp needs to match your skin type and hair type.
If you’re looking for a scalp scrub for sensitive skin you’ll want ingredients that work chemically, rather than a physical exfoliating scalp scrub. Look for ingredients such as glycolic acid, or salicylic acid.
The best scalp scrubs for dry or itchy scalps contain Vitamin B5. This is because Vitamin B5 provides your scalp with nutrients that help to lock in moisture.
If you want a scalp scrub for hair loss then look for Vitamin B6 listed in the ingredients. This will help your hair follicles incorporate important nutrients like cysteine into the hair-building process and therefore help to grow new strands.
If you’re looking for a scalp scrub for greasy hair, look for products that feature BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) chemical exfoliators like salicylic and glycolic acid, as well as zinc. These ingredients help keep the follicles clear and target excess oil.
No matter your hair or scalp skin type, we recommend using a scalp scrub once or twice a week. If you use a scalp scrub too often then you might risk inflaming your scalp, making it irritated and feel more sensitive.
Pay attention to how your scalp reacts after using the scrub and if you notice any irritation or sensitivity, you may need to switch to a gentler formula or reduce how often you use it.
Yes, scalp scrubs are good for dandruff but only under certain conditions and when used appropriately. Dandruff is typically caused by a yeast-like fungus known as Malassezia, excessive oil production on the scalp, or skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis.
One of the primary benefits of using scalp scrubs for dandruff is their ability to exfoliate the skin on the scalp. This can remove dead skin cells and reduce the flakiness often associated with dandruff. Many scalp scrubs are formulated to help balance the oil production on the scalp, too. By controlling this excess oil, scalp scrubs get rid of the buildup that often feeds the Malassezia yeast.
What’s more, regular exfoliation with a scalp scrub can enhance the effectiveness of other anti-dandruff products, allowing them to penetrate the scalp more effectively.
However, the type of scrub is important and it’s best to choose ones specifically for dandruff-prone scalps. Understanding the underlying causes of dandruff is also key.
If dandruff is due to a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, we recommend you speak to a dermatologist before using a scalp scrub.
Lastly, maintaining scalp hydration is important after exfoliation. This means choosing scrubs with moisturising ingredients or following up with a hydrating conditioner to help maintain a healthy balance on the scalp.
Kat is a freelance journalist, photographer, and the founder of Simply Gender Free – a company dedicated to smashing gender stereotypes in kids’ products. As a mum of two, Kat is passionate about making the world a better place for the next generation
