The best scalp treatments to soothe irritation, banish flakes and promote healthier hair
Our beauty contributor reviews the best scalp treatments to help achieve healthier, happier hair
Healthy hair starts at the root, so incorporating one of the best scalp treatments into your beauty regime is a great way to boost its overall health. After all, as many trichologists and hairdressers will confirm, a healthy scalp is the key to happy hair. From soothing irritation to restoring balance, today's range of targeted 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 set to dominate. “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.”
The best scalp treatments, reviewed by a beauty expert
RRP: £40 for 100ml | Key ingredients: Peppermint, rosemary oil, probiotics
Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart
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 help promote thicker, healthier hair. After use, we found hair instantly looks lifted and bouncier, while this top treatment claims to boost hair growth over time, too.
Pros
- Promotes thicker, healthier hair
- Supports scalp health by stimulating circulation at the root
- Reduces flakes and dandruff
Cons
- Requires a 20 minute wait before rinsing
RRP: £14 for 150ml | Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, Mediterranean algae, castor beads
Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart
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.
Pros
- Removes product build-up and dead skin
- Helps regulate sebum levels
- Castor beads are biodegradable
Cons
- May be drying
RRP: £25 for 250ml | Key ingredients: Piroctone Olamine, camphor, benzalkonium chloride
Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart
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.
Pros
- Anti-microbial formula
- Refreshes soothes and comforts scalp
- Fragrance-free and vegan-friendly
Cons
- Hard to fault
RRP: £28 for 50ml | Key ingredients: Basil root extract, hemisqualane, bisabolol
Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart
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.
Pros
- Leaves hair looking healthier
- Clarifies, calms and cleanses the scalp
- Safe for coloured hair
Cons
- Requires time pre-hair wash
RRP: £74 for 30ml | Key ingredients: TFC8 complex, magnesium, copper, zinc and Indian cress, water cress
Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart
A great 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.
Pros
- Reduces shedding and volumises strands
- Calms irritation
- Clears blocked follicles
Cons
- Expensive for the size
RRP: £32 for 100ml | Key ingredients: Healthy Follicle Complex™, jojoba esters and vitamins
Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart
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.
Pros
- Helps achieve thicker, healthier hair
- Rich in vitamins and nutrients
- Comes with massager
Cons
- Takes a while to see real results
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.
- Exfoliating: "Weekly scalp exfoliation helps to keep the skin hydrated and supple while also removing dead skin cells and flakes,” says Kingsley.
- Hydration: Consider if your hair needs hydration or moisture, i.e. oil. “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 properties: A daily soothing tonic can help here. "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.”
- Oil regulation: Look for formulas that are described as helping to regulate the scalp's production of sebum, AKA our skin's natural oil. Exfoliating properties can help here, namely AHAs and BHAs, while rosemary is also thought to be beneficial.
Our expert panel
Emma Stoddart is a freelance beauty journalist who has worked for some of the UK’s top titles including NET-A-PORTER, Stylist and Grazia. Her experience covers both online and print, including producing editorial shoots with some of the industry’s biggest artists. As a beauty expert, she tested a plethora of scalp treatments for consideration for this guide, sharing her detailed reviews to help you decide which one is right for you.
Anabel Kingsley is a consultant trichologist and the owner of the Philip Kingsley haircare brand and clinic. In this guide, she has advised on choosing and using the best scalp treatments to tackle various hair and scalp concerns.