Whether you're dealing with dandruff, dryness, or oiliness from product buildup over time, a flaky scalp is far from ideal. So, when your crown looks like it could use a good pick-me-up, it's time to break out a handy-dandy scalp scrub to clarify your head.
What Is a Scalp Scrub?
“In general, scalp scrubs can be a good way to cleanse the scalp of any buildup or residual oil,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dhaval G. Bhanusali. However, he notes that you'll want to be careful, as overusing scalp scrubs can lead to more harm than good.
“I see a ton of hair loss in our office, so you always want to be careful not to overdo it,” he says. “I usually tell patients to not use scalp scrubs or treatments more than one to two times per month.”
Plus, Bhanusali says that people with other skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or eczema might want to shy away from scalp scrubs, which are typically best for people who suffer from general buildup or excess oils.
As Best Products’ resident beauty editor, and a woman with a flaky AF scalp, it’s quite literally my job to test out the newest and trendiest beauty products. You can rest assured that I’ve tried every single one of these scalp scrubs, and they also have great reviews from shoppers on Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, and more.
As an added bonus, many of these scalp scrubs have also gotten shout outs from other major beauty and lifestyle publications like Elle, Women's Health, and Byrdie.
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1
Best Overall
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub With Sea Salt
Christophe Robin's purifying scalp scrub has been a favorite of beauty editors for years now, and Business Insider even named it their number-one pick. Reach for it any time your oily scalp needs rebalancing, or after a color treatment to relieve itchiness and irritation.
Got a slick, oily scalp? Then you might need a scrub that works overtime to control oil buildup. This one in particular will do just the trick through its tea tree oil-infused formula. The best part: It's less than $10!
This mask harnesses the benefits of apple cider vinegar, avocado oil, and aloe vera to relieve your scalp of dandruff, itchiness, and buildup. Even better? It has color-locking technology to help hair color last even longer.
One downside of most scalp scrubs is their gritty, almost painful texture. If you have a sensitive scalp, try switching over to this scrub, which uses tiny salt crystals to exfoliate while witch hazel and pomegranate extract unclog your follicles.
Based off of the clean beauty brand's best-selling T.L.C. skincare line, this scalp scrub works twice as hard to get rid of any lingering debris and impurities straight from the source. It combines alpha and beta hydroxy acids to break down and dissolve dead skin cells, while gentle plant-based exfoliating beads slough dirt and grime away for a flake-free feel to your scalp.
6
Best of Clean Beauty
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
You've probably heard of charcoal as a detoxifying beauty treatment before, and that applies to your scalp, too! Briogeo's scrub uses 98% natural ingredients to take care of buildup and flaking, including a soothing blend of peppermint and tea tree oil.
Is your relationship with your scalp on the rocks? Patch things up with this Drybar scrub that contains detoxifying charcoal and exfoliating sugar for a deeper clean than you can get with just a shampoo. Make it part of your shower routine up to twice a week.
Give your crown the royal treatment it deserves with R+Co’s exfoliating scrub. Along with rebalancing the pH levels of an oily scalp, it makes hair softer and shinier, and even provides UV protection.
One whiff of Oribe's signature scent, and they can take all our money. Give your scalp the feeling of a spa trip with this exfoliating scrub that hits reset by clearing away dead skin and oils.
It also nourishes and hydrates hair with a blend of AHAs, glycolic acid, and a soothing flower complex.
We love a multitasking product, and that’s exactly what this scrub from Jen Atkin’s haircare line OUAI is. The exfoliating foam cleanser can be used on your scalp — and the rest of your body, too, so you can soften skin and save some shelf space in your bathroom!
If your scalp resembles an oil slick, then it's time to break out this shampoo. It's filled with charcoal, pink clay, and sea salt to detoxify your crown and control oil buildup. The results: a fresh and clean feel that you'll always want to run your hands through.
With Cuvée Beauty’s champagne-infused products, washing your hair feels more like a celebration than a chore. This sugar-based scrub is gentler than salt-based formulas, and it also features hydrolyzed pea protein and salicylic acid to cleanse away any lingering oil, dirt, or buildup. We’ll say “cheers” to that!
Ashley PhillipsBeauty & Style EditorAshley is the beauty and style editor at BestProducts.com, and her work has been featured on Cosmopolitan and Town and Country.
Jennifer HusseinBeauty EditorJennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.
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