After days of layering dry shampoo and using heat protectant, it’s time to give your scalp a good reset. The best scalp scrubs gently remove product buildup from your roots to leave your hair feeling oh-so-clean. Some formulas can even help treat itchiness, oil buildup, or dry flakes at the source.
To find the scrubs that are really worth your time (and money), we collected plenty of recs from dermatologists and SELF editors. Dive into their favorites below.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo, $42
- Best for Itchy Scalps: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt, $54
- Best for Oily Scalps: Fekkai Apple Cider Detox Scrub, $38
- Best for Flaky Scalps: Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub, $52
- Best for Dry Scalps: Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub, $40
- Best for Shine: Bumble and Bumble Bb. Seaweed Whipped Scalp Scrub, $22
In this article
Shop the best scalp scrubs
These take that freshly-washed-hair feeling to the next level.
Best Overall: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
A true multi-tasker, this shampoo and scrub combo uses microcrystalline cellulose—an exfoliant that comes from plants—to gently remove dead skin cells and product buildup that might be causing flaky or greasy roots. But it’s not too harsh on skin, thanks to soothing botanicals, Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, tells SELF.
After one wash with this, you’ll notice a major difference, according to SELF’s senior commerce editor, Sarah Felbin. “This leaves my hair feeling squeaky clean,” she says. “My roots tend to get oily pretty quickly in the summer, and I often struggle with clogged pores on my scalp. When I use this, I notice that my hair stays cleaner longer—I can go another day without washing it—and my scalp gets less irritated. It also smells heavenly—fresh and minty.”
Sizes: 8 oz | Other notable ingredients: Hydrating glycerin, soothing bisabolol, moisturizing coconut oil
Best for Itchy Scalps: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt
Christophe Robin
Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt
Dr. Camp calls out this scrub’s ability to “detoxify and relieve itchiness post-product buildup.” Sea salt crystals physically exfoliate dirt and grime away, while bisabolol (an oil derived from a Brazilian candeia tree) calms inflammation that might be causing you to scratch.
To combat a dehydrated scalp—which can also lead to itchiness—the scrub contains moisturizing ingredients like butylene glycol (a humectant that draws water into the skin) and saccharide isomerate (a plant-based moisturizer that locks hydration in).
Sizes: 8.5 oz | Other notable ingredients: Sweet almond oil (source of vitamins), menthyl lactate (cooling agent)
Best for Oily Scalps: Fekkai Apple Cider Detox Scrub
Fekkai
Apple Cider Detox Scrub
Greasy roots have finally met their match. Fekkai’s treatment contains antibacterial and antifungal apple cider vinegar, an astringent that removes oil to prevent scalp acne and flakes between washes. Meanwhile, salicylic acid (a chemical exfoliant) goes deep, regulating oil production and stopping clogged pores before they can form.
SELF’s lifestyle writer, Jenna Ryu, has a very oily scalp and uses a lot of styling products—heat protectant, volumizing spray, and dry shampoo, to name a few. But she says this mask cuts through all of it. “It removes buildup without leaving my scalp overly dry or irritated,” she explains. “I’m honestly super impressed—it feels like I just got one of those Japanese head spa detoxes. This is a 10/10 for me.”
Sizes: 2 and 7.5 oz | Other notable ingredients: Rice powder (a physical exfoliant), glycerin, hydrating panthenol, soothing vitamin E
Best for Flaky Scalps: Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub
Oribe
Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub
For one SELF Healthy Beauty Awards tester, this scrub was the solution to their flaky scalp. It uses a combination of physical and chemical exfoliants (polymer beads that break down as you scrub, plus glycolic acid and a blend of fruit and sugar extracts) to buff away dead skin cells. (Side note: It could help with flaking from dandruff—which occurs when yeast feeds on a buildup of oil on your scalp—because of its oil-regulating ingredients like niacinamide, but you may need something stronger to get to the root of the issue.)
“I loved this scalp scrub a lot,” our tester said. “It washed out really easily with no residue, and my scalp did feel better after each use. Definitely no flakes, especially toward the front of my scalp, which is a big problem area.”
Sizes: 4.2 oz | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, butylene glycol, vitamin E, strengthening vitamin C, panthenol
Best for Dry Scalps: Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub
The sugar crystals and probiotics in this scrub go to work “exfoliating and balancing the scalp microbiome,” Dr. Camp says. At the same time, moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil, panthenol, and glycerin nourish your scalp and hair, so you don’t feel stripped post-shower.
As a nice bonus, you can use this scrub on your body too. Two products for the price of one? You’re actually saving money, according to girl math.
Sizes: 8.8 oz | Other notable ingredients: Sweet almond oil, soothing aloe vera, menthyl lactate
Best for Shine: Bumble and Bumble Bb. Seaweed Whipped Scalp Scrub
Bumble and bumble
Bb. Seaweed Whipped Scalp Scrub
This Healthy Beauty Award winner gets rid of residue from curl cream, dry shampoo, hairspray, and other styling heavy hitters using sea salt. After each use, you’re left with clean hair (thanks to humectants like glycerin and butylene glycol) that’s extra shiny (from conditioners like coconut oil and sea kelp extract).
“This is the best product if you need to give your hair some oomph,” our tester says. “I use this about two times a week to get rid of product buildup. After massaging it into my scalp and letting it sit for a few minutes, I rinse it out. It makes my hair feel creamy and soft.”
Sizes: 2 and 6.7 oz | Other notable ingredients: Cetearyl alcohol (an emollient), moisturizing algae
How we chose the best scalp scrubs
First, we asked dermatologists what to look for in a scalp scrub. They shared their favorite ingredients for combatting dry, itchy skin and named some standout products. Then, we perused past SELF Healthy Beauty Awards to find scrubs that impressed our editors and testers. That narrowed our list down to a few seriously great options that’ll refresh your hair while making wash day a delight.
FAQs about scalp scrubs
What are the benefits of using a scalp scrub?
“Scalp scrubs remove product buildup, excess oil, and dead skin cells, promoting a cleaner, healthier scalp,” Dr. Camp says. Plus, “they can reduce flaking, improve scalp circulation, and enhance the effectiveness of other hair products.” Using one regularly (say, once a week) can also reduce itchiness and prevent clogged follicles that might lead to scalp acne. They also feel great and help create an at-home spa moment.
Which ingredients should you look for in a scalp scrub?
Dr. Camp recommends keeping an eye out for these as you shop.
- Salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant, helps regulate oil and limit flaking.
- Glycolic acid is a gentle chemical exfoliant that’ll banish buildup.
- Tea tree oil and witch hazel offer antibacterial benefits.
- Sugar and microfine salt are physical exfoliants that’ll buff away dead skin cells and product residue.
Can scalp scrubs help with hair growth?
Scalp scrubs don’t directly impact hair growth. But taking good care of your scalp promotes stronger and fuller hair, Dr. Camp says. He adds that “by unclogging follicles and increasing blood flow, they may enhance the effectiveness of other hair growth treatments.” Consistently using one to keep your scalp healthy is key.
Related:
Get more of SELF’s stellar product recommendations delivered right to your inbox (for free!).
