People

Hair

The 7 Best Scalp Scrubs of 2024 for All Hair Types, According to Experts

 

Deep clean your scalp with these top picks

From toners to serums and everything in between, exfoliation is a typical part of your skincare routine — your facial skincare routine, that is. The skin on your scalp, on the other hand, oftentimes doesn’t receive the same kind of TLC.

On top of regular shampooing, conditioning, and maybe some detangling, adding a scalp scrub to your routine can feel like an extra step, but we promise it is worth it. Think of your scalp as topsoil and your hair as the blooming flowers growing on top. Healthy plants require healthy soil. The same goes for your hair. 

The More You Know

Much like facial exfoliators, scalp scrubs break down dead skin, remove product buildup, and flush out excess oil. This can help treat dandruff, relieve itchiness, and aid product absorption. In other words, they create a clean slate for your scalp.

We researched the best scalp scrubs on the market, considering their exfoliation type and what hair types they worked best with. Keep reading to discover our picks for the best scalp scrubs, along with expert tips and insights.

Best Overall

Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Star Qualities

• Sulfate-free shampoo and scrub combined
• Gentle yet effective formula
• Ingredients loosen oil and product buildup

Red Flags

• Application can get a bit messy

When you think "scrub," your mind may go straight to chunky goops or harsh beads. Never fear; you won’t find either of those here. Our top pick goes to Briogeo for its gentle yet effective, ultra-fine exfoliating crystals. A quick rubdown with the Binchotan charcoal-enriched formula loosens oil and product buildup. Since it functions as both a shampoo and a scrub, it does this without getting caught between strands. This sulfate-free formula helps your hair retain its natural moisture. It promises to soothe, hydrate, and refresh your scalp and includes peppermint and coconut oil in its invigorating formula. 

For extra-tangly strands, we recommend using a coloring brush to ensure the first application makes it all the way to your roots. If we could change one thing about this talented twofer, we would add a targeted applicator instead of the jar. We admit this complaint is minor, but the dark gray goop can make a mess of your shower floor as well as the sides of the jar.

Size: 8 ounces | Exfoliant: Binchotan charcoal | Hair Type: All 

Best Budget

L'Oreal Paris Scalp Care + Detox Shampoo

Star Qualities

• Exfoliates without stripping the scalp
• Safe for color-treated hair
• Comparable to luxury products

Red Flags

• Icy-hot sensation on the scalp

Chances are your makeup bag already includes a few items from L’Oréal Paris, and for good reason — but it is time to make room for one more. This sulfate-free formula is suitable for color-treated hair. Crushed apricot seeds break out built-up dirt and unwanted debris without stripping the scalp, but the real star is the menthol. The cream finishes with a cooling shot that not only makes you feel refreshed but also makes your follicles tingle. 

We love this product, which is also a favorite of beauty professionals. Jerome Lordet, owner and director of Jerome Lordet Salon in New York City, stands behind this affordable scrub as a worthy dupe for higher-end options. “In my experience, this scalp scrub performs as well as other luxury items in the category,” he tells PEOPLE.

As much as we can't resist the icy-hot effect, this scrub does come in a jar. In order to avoid consistent dipping, we wish that this came with a spatula to help prevent losing some product as we scoop it out.

Size: 8 ounces | Exfoliant: Apricot seed | Hair Type: All

Best for Fine Hair

The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Star Qualities

• Targeted hygienic nozzle places product where you need it
• Uses both chemical and physical exfoliators
• Gentle enough for sensitive scalps

Red Flags

• May not be strong enough for thick, oily hair

Fine hair gets easily weighed down, especially by styling products. Thick, chunky scrubs can get caught in strands, so for fine hair, we recommend choosing a scrub with a more lightweight texture as well as a chemical exfoliant. This scrub has both. 

Chicago-based professional colorist Lorena Valdes loves this scrub for its versatility. “Consider it a step up from your run-of-the-mill scrub since it contains both chemical and physical exfoliating properties,” she says. “It helps remove buildup and balances the scalp's microbiome. Plus, the gentle AHA (a.k.a. glycolic acid) is fantastic for sensitive scalps.”

Use the targeted nozzle to place this product directly in your part, and then use your fingers or a scalp massager to massage it in to clear your scalp of debris. It's also worth mentioning that this product is slightly smaller in volume than most others on this list; however, because the price point is relatively lower, you can justify needing to rebuy more often.

Size: 5 ounces | Exfoliant: Glycolic acid, castor beads | Hair Type: All, especially fine hair

Best for Oily Hair

Christophe Robin Purifying Scalp Scrub

Star Qualities

• Easily removes excess oil and product buildup
• Leaves hair shiny
• Thick texture and effective lather

Red Flags

• Can be hard to fully wash out of hair

A favorite of stylists, this chunky (but in a good way) classic scrub earned a spot on our list for its thick texture and real results. The sea salt helps remove excess product buildup. Lordet uses it when he needs to pack a more powerful punch. “This is a bit more exfoliating than others on the list,” he says. “Use it when you need a deep scrub. The almond oil nourishes and prevents irritation.

This is a great option when your hair is especially oily or your normal shampoo treatments don’t seem to be working anymore. Reviewers praise this scrub’s lather, which makes it easy to bust through grime, oil, and buildup. Keep in mind, the rich texture may be hard to rinse out, so wash out thoroughly after massaging in.

Size: 8.4 ounces | Exfoliant: Sea salt | Hair Type: All, especially oily hair

Best for Curly Hair

Ouidad Heavy Lifting Bubbling Scalp Mask

Star Qualities

• Keeps hair moisturized and shiny
• Soft foam doesn't weight down hair
• Rinses out easily

Red Flags

• Best for one hair type

Calling all curly girls! If you know curly hair, you know that the most important thing for bouncy, healthy strands is moisture. Translation: You can’t wash and exfoliate daily. However, curly scalps get buildup like everybody else. For a curly girl-friendly scrub, try this one from Ouidad. 

We love that this mask — which comes out as a lightweight gel and transforms into a pillowy foam that washes out easily — doesn’t weigh down hair. Powerful white charcoal pulls out impurities without drying out the skin. Instead, linseed oil, hyaluronic acid, pineapple extract, and vitamin E keep your skin and mane hydrated. 

Size: 6.8 ounces | Exfoliant: White charcoal | Hair Type: Curly, coily

Best Multitasker

Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub

Star Qualities

• Works on body and scalp
• Impressive lather
• Exfoliates and hydrates

Red Flags

• Scent may be overbearing for some

This talented twofer not only creates space in your shower but also sloughs away dead skin from head to toe, simultaneously cleansing and getting rid of debris. Not to mention, it delivers probiotics to both the skin on your scalp and the skin on your body. Hello, healthy microbiome. 

“Ouai uses sugar as the physical exfoliating agent to remove buildup; this helps break down dead skin and dirt,” explains Valdes. “After, coconut oil swoops in to help moisturize the skin.”

Exfoliating sugar crystals, hydrating coconut oil, and balancing probiotics make a good case for this scrub, but what stood out to us was the impressive lather. We had our doubts at first that a product could work equally well on the scalp and body, but we were delighted by the quantity of satisfying bubbles and the scent, which smells like a vacation.

Size: 8.8 ounces | Exfoliant: Sugar | Hair Type: All 

Best Sea Salt

Davines Sea Salt Scrub

Star Qualities

• Packaging is fully recyclable
• Adds beach wave texture
• Good for all hair types

Red Flags

• Wavy texture may not be for everyone

Ingredient transparency can be important for some. The good news is that more brands than ever are making an effort to show what they are putting into their hair products; however, Davines was doing this before it was cool. 

Lordet loves using this in the summer because it adds a beachy texture to the hair. “Thanks to sea salt, this great summer scrub is strong enough to remove the buildup of sand and sunscreen after a beach day,” he says. “But it is also packed with easy-on-the-strands ingredients that help nourish hair.”

Size: 11.9. ounces | Exfoliant: Sea salt | Hair Type: All 

The 18 Best Hair Growth Products of 2024, Tested by Real People

What to Know About Scalp Scrubs

Hair Type

The most important part about picking a scalp scrub is to think about your hair type and your desired outcome. 

• Fine hair: Fine hair is easily weighed down and more prone to buildup, so try dual exfoliant options. 
• Sensitive scalp: To prevent irritation, avoid chunky scrubs if you have a sensitive scalp. Instead, use finely milled crystals and lightweight options.
• Curly hair: Curly hair products must provide your hair with moisture to maintain bounce and separation. Make sure the scrub you choose contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, rosehip oil, ceramides, etc. 
• Oily scalp: If you use a lot of hair products or simply wait awhile in between washes, don’t be afraid to go for a heavy-duty scrub. Ingredients like sea salt or sugar will effectively break down leftover oil and residue.

Exfoliant Type

There are two main types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants often include natural ingredients like sugar and salt to remove dead skin. Those with oily hair might get better results with a chemical exfoliant. Chemical exfoliants often include alpha-hydroxy acids to give oily scalps a deep clean. Some scalp scrub products, like The Inkey List’s Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub, contain both physical and chemical exfoliants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you use a scalp scrub?

According to Lordet, you should apply a scalp scrub about every two weeks to remove product buildup. “If your hair tends to get greasy fast, then exfoliating once a week is recommended,” says Lordet. “When applying the scalp scrub, be sure to apply in circular motions using the tips of your fingers, not your nails.”

Who should use a scalp scrub?

“Anyone can use a scalp scrub, especially those with oily or flaky scalps,” says Valdes. Scalp scrubs are meant to remove dead skin, product buildup, and excess oil, which plague everyone to some extent. 

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Anneke Knot is a freelance beauty and fashion writer with nearly a decade of experience and a penchant for skincare. For this piece, she thoroughly researched and reviewed the top scalp scrubs on the market. She also consulted beauty professionals Jerome Lordet and Lorena Valdes for their favorite scalp scrubs, advice on different types of exfoliants, tips for using these products, and how to select the best scalp scrubs for all types of hair.

Our Expert Panel

Jerome Lordet is the owner and director of Jerome Lordet Salon in New York City.

Lorena Valdes is a professional colorist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.