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Jessica Timmons Contributor Content written by Forbes Vetted Contributors is assigned, reviewed and edited by Forbes Staff
Forbes Vetted
Reviewed By Jane Sung
It’s important not to forget about the scalp when looking to maintain strong, healthy strands. “Scalp health determines the vitality of your hair, and different scalp types benefit from specific ingredients,” says trichologist Tabitha Osman. The best scalp treatments (like Act+Acre’s Stem Cell Scalp Serum) tackle a multitude of issues, ranging from product buildup to inflammation, and keep your hair looking its best.
Identifying your main scalp concerns is an important first step when selecting the right product for your needs. For example, oily or itchy scalps can benefit from formulas with salicylic acid, tea tree oil and ginger root. If on the flip side your scalp tends to be dry, consider moisture-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and botanical oils. Below, find the best scalp treatments to suit a variety of needs.
Best Scalp Treatment For Hair Growth: Act+Acre Stem Cell Serum
Best Dry Scalp Treatment: Ouai Scalp Serum
Best Itchy Scalp Treatment: Vegamour Gro Scalp Detoxifying Serum
Best Oily Scalp Treatment: Moroccanoil Oily Scalp Treatment
See AlsoThe 27 Best Overnight Beauty Treatments to Improve Your Skin and Hair While You SleepHow to Treat and Prevent a Dry Scalp, According to DermatologistsI've Tried Everything—This Under-$20 Scalp Scrub Soothes My Scalp InstantlyTurns out, looking after your scalp is imperative if you want healthy hair—here's what to knowBest Scalp Serum: Goldie Locks Scalp Serum
Best Scalp Scrub: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub
Best Scalp Treatment For Dandruff: Briogeo Scalp Revival Spray
Best Scalp Treatment Oil: Evolvh Better Roots Hair Oil
Best Scalp Treatment For Hair Growth
A Stimulating Treatment For Thicker Strands
MOST POPULAR
Act+Acre Stem Cell Serum
What’s notable: This strengthening, hydrating and balancing serum promotes thicker hair for all hair types.
What could be better: The recommended application requires a lot of serum and it’s a pricey product.
This splurge-worthy pick made our list of the best hair growth serums thanks to its ease of use and powerful ingredients. Apple-derived stem cells, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and bamboo extracts combine to revitalize hair stem cells, protect the scalp microbiome and lock in hydration. It’s free of synthetic fragrance, phthalates, parabens and silicones and can be used on all hair types. Reviewers say it doesn’t feel greasy and they began noticing less hair fallout and thicker locks with regular use.
Best Dry Scalp Treatment
A Fragrant Option For Deep Hydration
Ouai Scalp Serum
What’s notable: This pick features skincare-inspired ingredients that hydrate and soothe dry scalps to reduce flakiness and irritation.
What could be better: It’s a great pick for scalp health, but reviewers don’t report miracle hair growth.
This scalp serum eases dryness with hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and adaptogens derived from arctic root, Siberian ginseng and chaga mushroom. Red clover flower extract soothes irritation, while peptides promote the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. The leave-in serum should be applied daily for best results and works on all hair types. Reviewers rave about the fragrance, which includes notes of ginger, basil and spearmint, and say the formula dramatically improves scalp hydration.
Best Itchy Scalp Treatment
A Top Pick That Reduces Dryness And Itching
Vegamour Gro Scalp Detoxifying Serum
What’s notable: This weekly treatment uses vegan ingredients to ease dryness that leads to flakes and itching.
What could be better: Some reviewers report issues with the packaging and the texture is thinner than expected.
Formulated as a weekly treatment, this detoxifying serum helps remove buildup, absorb excess oil and refresh the scalp. Vegan silk protein, zinc and willow herb extract soothe irritation and lock in moisture to mitigate dryness, which can lead to itching and flakes. Baobab and marula oils also add a moisturizing antioxidant boost with omega 6 and 9 fatty acids. The pointed applicator tip makes this easy to apply, and reviewers noticed a difference in their scalp health after a few uses.
Best Oily Scalp Treatment
A Pre-Shampoo Salve To Balance Oil Production
Moroccanoil Oily Scalp Treatment
What’s notable: This five-minute treatment works before shampooing to purify and balance oily scalps.
What could be better: The recommended application requires a lot of product (three to six drops of product per section of hair).
This concentrated pre-shampoo treatment is specifically designed to tackle oily scalps. Apply it five minutes before cleansing to give the ginger root, lavender and argan oils time to balance oil production and soothe inflammation, while biotin peptides stimulate the scalp for healthier follicles. The professional-grade treatment leaves hair shiny and clean, and reviewers say they can go longer between wash days. It smells great, too—scented with a fragrant ginger-lavender blend.
Best Scalp Serum
A Soothing Formula With Powerful Ingredients
Goldie Locks Scalp Serum
What’s notable: This fast-absorbing scalp serum uses powerful ingredients to support hair growth and a balanced scalp.
What could be better: Some reviewers say it has a prominent menthol scent.
Although it’s on the pricier side, this lightweight and soothing serum promotes visible hair growth, protects against environmental damage and supports the microbiome. The hero ingredient is capixyl, made with a biomimetic peptide and red clover flower extract to support hair growth and volume. The formula also includes ginseng and bakuchiol to strengthen and protect hair at the roots, while probiotics, niacinamide and eucalyptus oil balance and invigorate the scalp. The lightweight serum absorbs quickly and reviewers say it doesn’t leave fine strands feeling oily or sticky.
Best Scalp Scrub
A Refreshing Salt Scrub For Dry, Itchy Scalps
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub
What’s notable: This exfoliating scrub removes buildup and emulsifies into a cleansing shampoo that leaves strands clean, shiny and healthy.
What could be better: Some reviewers say it left their hair tangled, so it can be helpful to follow up with a detangling conditioner.
This multitasking product uses sea salt crystals to gently exfoliate the scalp, remove buildup and more. The gritty crystals increase circulation and offer a mild scalp massage, and the formula emulsifies into a rich shampoo to cleanse strands. Other notable ingredients include bisabolol, a soothing agent, and sweet almond oil, which is packed with nourishing vitamins. It’s designed to be used weekly and works particularly well on sensitive and oily scalps. Reviewers say it smells divine and offers a refreshing cleanse.
Best Scalp Treatment For Dandruff
A Pre-Wash Treatment That Unclogs Hair Follicles
Briogeo Scalp Revival Spray
What’s notable: This exfoliating pre-wash spray lifts buildup and decongests clogged follicles for shiny, flake-free hair.
What could be better: The scent can be off-putting for those with sensitive noses.
Designed as a pre-shampoo spray, this product gently exfoliates the scalp and lifts buildup so your regular shampoo can work better. A blend of tea tree oil, charcoal, hyaluronic acid and a triple-acid complex reduces flakes, absorbs oil, hydrates and unclogs congested follicles. Plus, it’s safe for color, keratin and chemically treated hair, and reviewers say it improves dandruff with a single use. Spray the formula onto the scalp and gently massage for 15 minutes before washing.
Best Scalp Treatment Oil
A Multitasking Pick For Scalp And Hair
What’s notable: This hair oil is rich in ceramides to nourish the scalp and hydrate hair.
What could be better: Those prone to oily hair should use sparingly or only before shampooing.
This multitasking oil nourishes hair follicles and scalp for healthier, hydrated strands. Hero ingredients include bataua oil to hydrate, hemisqualane (a natural alternative to silicone) to smooth and ceramides to soothe scalp inflammation and dryness. It’s a versatile oil that can be massaged into the scalp for about 30 minutes before washing or worked into dry ends. A true multitasking formula, it can also be used on damp strands before heat styling.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written dozens of haircare stories. Author of this piece Jessica Timmons is a regular contributor with more than a decade of experience covering lifestyle topics.
- This story was overseen by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads the beauty and grooming category and has 15-plus years of experience covering beauty and wellness topics.
- Timmons also gathered key insight and guidance from several industry experts: Tabitha Osman, a hair loss specialist and holistic trichologist; Meerika Khanna, a certified trichologist; Dr. Candace Spann, a board-certified dermatologist and hair loss specialist; Dr. Christina Han, a board-certified dermatologist; and Gretchen Friese, a certified trichologist at BosleyMD.
How We Chose The Best Scalp Treatments
- To select the best scalp treatments, we carefully evaluated options from various brands, paying special attention to each product’s formula, texture and consistency.
- We prioritized options with active ingredients that hydrate, balance and cleanse. Our final list includes products for varying concerns, ranging from inflammation to dryness to product buildup.
- Additionally, Sung and our experts made recommendations based on testing and market knowledge, while customer reviews were examined for standout product traits.
- As everyone’s budget looks slightly different, we included affordable and luxury options.
What To Consider In A Scalp Treatment
When shopping for the best scalp treatment, consider your main concerns and what you want to achieve. Here’s what to look for.
Scalp Health
“A healthy scalp promotes hair growth, prevents hair loss and minimizes problems such as dandruff, folliculitis, scalp psoriasis and itchiness,” says Khanna. Symptoms of an unhealthy scalp can include dryness, flakiness, itchiness, excessive oil production and inflammation, all of which can contribute to lackluster strands, thinning hair and even hair loss. The key is figuring out what you’re dealing with to find an appropriate remedy. It’s not always easy to identify the issue yourself, so double-checking with a dermatologist or your stylist can be helpful.
Ingredients
“Look for formulas and ingredients that can benefit your scalp type or address existing issues you may have,” says Khanna. For example, if you’re concerned about preventing hair loss, she suggests using rosemary and caffeine-infused serums. “For an itchy scalp, opt for a serum that contains tea tree oil,” she says. There are ingredients worth avoiding, too. “Scalp treatments should be gentle and free of harsh sulfates, fragrances and alcohols,” says Spann.
Formula
You should tailor your treatment plan and products to your individual scalp concerns. “If a patient simply suffers from dandruff with mild flaking and itching, using an anti-dandruff shampoo can be very helpful,” says Han. She says this type of scalp treatment is convenient because it’s simply used in the shower. “If patients are able to tolerate leave-on treatments, then a scalp oil or a serum can be advantageous due to its longer contact time with the scalp than a shampoo,” she says.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Scalp Treatment Is Best?
The best scalp treatment largely depends on your needs. For most people, Act+Acre’s Stem Cell Scalp Serum is a great choice because it works on all hair types to create a beneficial environment for healthy hair growth. It includes powerful ingredients like apple-derived stem cells, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera and it doesn’t contain synthetic fragrance. Another great option is the Vegamour Gro Scalp Detoxifying Serum, which is a weekly treatment designed to hydrate and refresh dry, itchy scalps.
How Do I Get Rid Of Bad Scalp Buildup?
According to Osman, product residue, infrequent washing and shampoo quality can all contribute to product buildup on the scalp. “Regularly using clarifying shampoos can help cleanse the scalp,” she says. Adding a scalp scrub, like the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub, can also be beneficial.
What Is The Best Treatment For Scalp Inflammation?
“Tea tree oil has great anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe an inflamed scalp,” says Friese. “A warm compress can also be beneficial.” In addition, Osman emphasizes the importance of considering internal factors behind scalp inflammation, such as diet and potential allergies. “An anti-inflammatory diet and attention to gut health can significantly benefit scalp health,” she says. She also recommends incorporating a gentle clarifying shampoo to prevent buildup from clogging follicles and leading to inflammation.
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