9 of the best scalp treatments to soothe, exfoliate, moisturise and more

Healthy hair starts at the root, so incorporating one of the best scalp treatments into your beauty regime is a great way to boost your hair's health. After all, as many trichologists will confirm, a healthy scalp is key to happy hair. From soothing irritation to restoring balance, the latest crop of scalp treatments promises many a good hair day ahead. 

Scalp care's popularity is on the rise and, according to Alexia Inge, co-founder and co-CEO of beauty e-tailer Cult Beauty, it's the next category to be dominated by the wellness trend. “Traditionally, haircare products have been about stripping the strands of their natural oils before rebuilding the hair with humectants and silicone, so it feels healthy,” says Inge. “Now, there’s a whole movement towards gentle corrections, micro-dosing active ingredients and holistic solutions.” 

Both haircare and skincare brands are getting involved to create some of the best scalp treatments on the market. Dr Barbara Sturm, Augustinus Bader, Drunk Elephant and Aesop (to name but a few) have all moved into scalp care, launching some of the best hair masks and scalp oils for hair growth with formulas not worlds away from the best skincare products. From toners and serums to masks and shampoos, our picks of the best scalp treatments tackle everything from added shine to offering a scalp facial experience and boosting growth.

How to choose the best scalp treatments for you

“The skin on your scalp is an extension of the skin on your forehead,” says Anabel Kingsley, consultant trichologist and brand president at Philip Kingsley. “It contains sebaceous (oil) glands and is constantly replacing old skin cells with new ones.” Therefore, it deserves the same level of care as our facial skincare routine. Below are a few things to keep an eye out for when shopping for scalp treatments. 

• Reducing flakes: Want to know how to get rid of dandruff? “You need to treat [it] consistently for best results,” Kingsley confirms. “Use a daily shampoo containing an anti-microbial active, such as piroctone olamine, that targets the yeast responsible for dandruff and rebalances your scalp’s microflora,” explains Kingsley. Tony Maleedy, trichologist and founder of EarthKind, adds: “For persistent or heavy scaling disorders, it’s best to use shampoos made with tar (coal tar or tree tar such as juniper) or consult a qualified trichologist."  
• Exfoliating: "Weekly exfoliation of the scalp helps to keep the skin hydrated and supple while also removing dead skin cells and flakes,” says Kingsley. Maleedy recommends: “Go for exfoliants made from natural materials such as seeds or ground tree bark, not small plastic beads as these are a disaster for the environment."
• Hydrating: “If you have a dry scalp, applying pure oil is not going to do much good; oil-in-water emulsions are much better,” Kingsley says. “Dry skin is not just due to lack of oil, it is also due to lack of moisture or excessive water loss from the skin. Pure oils can cause irritation and weigh down your roots."
• Soothing: "Use a daily rehydrating scalp toner containing ingredients such as sodium salicylate – an anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant active that helps to soothe the scalp,” advises Kingsley. “Twice weekly, apply a moisturising scalp mask containing ingredients such as aloe vera, and mild exfoliants, such as betaine salicylate.”
• Tackling oiliness: “Oily hair can be annoying but it’s the best hair type to have as the oils ensure your hair remains in good condition,” says Maleedy. “Do not apply conditioner to the scalp as this is likely to make hair oily and it’s not needed there. Instead, just apply it to mid-length and ends where the hair becomes dry and brittle.” 

The best scalp treatments, chosen by our experts

Dreaming of thicker and fuller hair? Let us introduce you to The Nue Co., whose offering is one of the best scalp treatments across the board. A dream to apply, the soft bottle is easy to squeeze with a nozzle attachment that distributes just the right amount of the lightweight gel-like formula. Simply massage it into the scalp and leave it on for 20 minutes before washing your hair as usual. 

As for ingredients, this scalp-savvy treatment contains the brand’s patented probiotic technology that supports scalp health by stimulating circulation to the follicles, nourishing roots and reducing dandruff. Peppermint and rosemary oil also work together to promote thicker, healthier hair. After use, hair instantly looks lifted and bouncier, while this top treatment claims to boost hair growth over time, too. 

Known for her innovative, science-led skincare treatments, Dr Barbara Sturm has recently branched into the world of haircare with a hard-working range of luxurious products, including this serum. A savior for those who struggle with an itchy or flaky scalp, this treatment helps soothe skin and reduce irritation with a powerful cocktail of skin-savvy ingredients. 

Japanese camellia, brown and green algae, and lavender all soothe skin, while sunflower sprouts and tara extract protect hair from heat, pollution, and UV stress. That’s not all – hyaluronic acid and purslane extract boost hydration and stop itching. It's expensive, yes, but this hair hero really does it all and is a godsend for anyone experiencing irritation. 

Looking to invest in one of the best hair clarifying treatments? This purse-friendly product from The INKEY List is just the ticket. The gentle scrub is blended with both chemical exfoliants (7% glycolic acid) and physical exfoliants (biodegradable castor beads) to remove dead skin cells and product build-up and reveal a happier, more balanced scalp.

Suitable for all hair types, it also contains Mediterranean microalgae to help regulate sebum levels and balance your microbiome. Apply onto a wet or dry scalp, using the nozzle to evenly distribute, before massaging it in with fingertips. Leave on for ten minutes before rinsing hair with shampoo. To avoid drying the scalp, only use this treatment once or twice a week. 

Flaky, itchy scalp? Turn your head to this soothing scalp toner from Philip Kingsley. Water-based and fragrance-free, the clear formula is loaded with piroctone olamine to fight fungus and bacteria, camphor to cool and soothe, plus benzalkonium chloride to provide instant and long-lasting relief from itching. 

“Just like your face, your scalp benefits from daily use of the best toner,” says Kingsley. “After towel-drying your hair, apply the scalp toner to the scalp (directly from the nozzle) in one-inch partings from ear to ear.” There's no need to rinse, as the formula can be left on to help prevent the recurrence of flakes and build-up of dead skin cells. 

If you have a dry, itchy or flaky scalp, give this pre-shampoo scalp treatment from Jonathan Van Ness' haircare brand, JVN Hair, a whirl. The nutrient-dense golden oil is brimming with bisabolol to soothe and calm the scalp, basil root extract to help reduce hair shedding and hemisqualane to strengthen and smooth strands. 

A multi-tasking hair hero, the oil is extremely lightweight and doesn’t weigh hair down – it also washes off easily with one of the best shampoos and conditioners. Simply massage a dropper full on the scalp 15 minutes before washing to hydrate and soothe skin. The brand recommends using this treatment weekly for the best results. 

If you want to make your scalp and haircare regime a little greener, you could make the switch from bottle to bar with eco-friendly beauty brand EarthKind. Plastic-free and cruelty-free, these shampoo bars are designed to be kind to the planet as well as your hair. Formulated with tea tree and eucalyptus oils, which have antimicrobial properties, this specific shampoo bar helps reduce the level of bacteria and yeast on the scalp that can lead to dandruff and other scalp concerns. 

To use, wet your hair before applying the bar all over strands to create a rich lather. Massage it into the scalp and then rinse off. Our top tip? To make your bar last longer, it’s best to store it in a tin or container away from water. 

The ideal solution for combating hair thinning, this luxurious scalp treatment is designed to boost volume from the root and stimulate growth with a cocktail of skin-savvy ingredients. First up, there’s the brand’s patented Trigger Factor Complex (TFC8®), which promotes skin renewal and hair growth. Then there’s a clever complex of magnesium, copper and zinc to help revitalize the skin. Alongside this, you’ll find watercress, Indian cress, and maca root extracts to strengthen keratin production.  

A leave-in treatment, this is designed to be applied to a clean, damp scalp in sections before being massaged in. While it is very expensive, the product packs a potent punch and delivers healthier, shinier and thicker hair in a matter of weeks – so if you want and are in a position to splurge, this could be the one for you.  

Scalp care is key to caring for thinning hair and this treatment from Living Proof is a brilliant pick. The overnight treatment is powered by the brand’s Healthy Follicle Complex – essentially, a cocktail of yeast proteins and zinc salts – that work together to nourish and strengthen strands from the root. Jojoba esters and vitamins also provide hydration, moisturise the scalp, and restore the skin barrier function. 

Designed to be used daily, you apply the treatment directly to the scalp, straight from the nozzle, on wet or dry hair and massage in (with the included massager). This tool is a nice touch that really works the product into the scalp. While it can take up to 90 days to see thicker, fuller results, it does have an immediate plumping effect, thanks to something called NaturePep Amaranth.   

If you find that exfoliating scalp scrubs are too harsh, try this Detox Scalp Mask from Malin + Goetz. The foaming formula sweeps away product build-up and oils with a clever combo of salicylic acid and AHAs to provide gentle exfoliation. It takes just five minutes to work its magic and can be applied to a dry scalp before rinsing off.

To help prevent dryness, the treatment boasts fatty acid-rich oils which deliver essential hydration to nourish and soothe the scalp. Double tick! While the bubbling mask can be a little tricky to spread across the scalp evenly, once you do (and rinse it off) hair feels refreshed and healthier.