The Best Scalp Treatments for a Happy, Healthy Scalp (2024)

Show your scalp some TLC with Christophe Robin's exfoliating scrub. Infused with sea salt, this deep-cleansing treatment helps slough away dead skin cells and product residue, while calming any itchiness and irritation. Use once a week to reap the benefits of an utterly reinvigorated and squeaky-clean scalp.

"Not only does this take care of any flakiness or dry irritated scalp, I love using this occasionally for invigoration," raves a reviewer. "It’s cooling and soothing on your scalp. Helps detox or purify the scalp and hair when needed."

Experts are unanimous: Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. And to achieve that, you're going to want to reach for Act+Acre's Scalp Detox. In just 20 minutes, the lightweight pre-cleanse formula breaks down oil and removes buildup, soothes any irritation or inflammation, and tackles stubborn flakes and itchiness to improve hair growth.

Reviewers also love how relaxing it feels and report fast results, with one writing: "Instantly my scalp feels less dry and irritated. I also noticed improved shine and for sure look forward to using it again!"

When it comes to flake-busting formulas, Briogeo doesn't mess around. The leave-in treatment contains charcoal that helps sucks up any impurity accumulation, while tea tree oil reduces flakiness and promotes a cleaner, more purified scalp. Oh, and don't get us started on the minty formula—the cooling sensation is utterly divine.

"I wish I could stick my entire scalp in a bucket of this stuff it smells so nice and goes on the scalp very easily," raves a reviewer. "I was worried that it would make my scalp or hair oily but it doesn't at all! It helps so much with itchiness and dry patches."

When winter rolls around, Moroccanoil's oh-so-nourishing formula will be your dry scalp's best friend. Meant to be used prior to shampooing, the 5-minute treatment provides instant relief by gentle exfoliation and delivers a dose of hydration (thanks, argan oil!) for a healthier look and feel. And the scent of the treatment? Heavenly is the only way to describe it.

"I suffer from a chronic condition that I get dry skin," explains a user. "This has helped greatly!! It doesn't take a lot and I use it most times I shower and I am so happy with it. I dont have scalp irritation anymore."

This serum is your best bet if you want to get your scalp into tip-top shape. The no-rinse treatment is formulated with a blend of naturally-derived good-for-scalp ingredients—such as sage extract, exotic verbena essential oil, and piroctone alamine—which all work together to revitalize, repair, and rebalance clogged hair follicles. For best results, use with the Soothing Rebalancing Shampoo.

One reviewer calls the complex a "winner" because "it's helping soothe my itchy irritated scalp" and "helping with fallouts because I'm no longer scratching and pulling my hair."

Klorane's exfoliating mask is the perfect solution for those suffering from dandruff and an aggravated scalp. Thanks to a powerful blend of galangal, white clay, and perlite, the powder treatment helps keep flakes at bay without stripping the hair and promotes a healthy scalp microbiome. Use twice a week for a month in place of your shampoo for best results.

"I love how it was so easy to apply and keep my scalp healthy and nourished," raves a reviewer. "I also love that it doesn't make me look greasy or oily after use. The mask lasts a long time (about 4 weeks in my hair) so I love that it doesn't wash out quickly. It smells great and doesn't smell medicated like a lot of dandruff products."

An irritated, oily scalp will be a thing of the past when using Shaeri's detoxifying scrub. Infused with a combination of aloe vera, prickly pear oil, sea salt, and lemon essential oil, the exfoliator works wonders to deeply cleanse and remove impurities deep in the hair follicle. Even better: The treatment doubles as a body scrub!

"This product is great, it cleans the scalp perfectly," says a reviewer. "The smell is nice. It restores shine to the hair! I absolutely recommend!"

When you're seeking quick relief, look no further than Oribe's leave-on treatment. Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) eliminates flakes by gently exfoliating the scalp, while a blend of peppermint oil and extract soothes itchiness and a specially-formulated complex defends the hair from environmental aggressors.

"This stuff really does work!," reports a reviewer. "I instantly felt relief on my scalp after applying it. I have a super dry scalp during the winter which makes my head itchy and since using this I haven’t been needing to itch at all."

During the colder months, it's crucial to use a formula that nourishes your scalp and hair. Living Proof's leave-in treatment works on all hair types and textures and delivers lasting symptom relief and hydration with the help of a Vitamin-B3-based microbiome complex and a hyaluronic acid-based Molecular Patch.

One reviewer, who calls this formula a "lifesaver," says: "This has been a cure-all for me and I don’t plan on ever being without it. I have honestly tried everything for my dry, sensitive scalp. Everything. This works."

If you want to get to the root cause of your dry scalp problem, you're going to need to bring out the big guns. And by that, we mean Nioxin. This leave-on serum contains 1% pyrithione zinc which helps bust flakes and relieves dreadfully annoying itchiness associated with a scaly, dry scalp.

One reviewer, who suffers from seborrheic dermatitis, says "this has worked wonders for my dermatitis and itchy scalp when all other dandruff shampoos failed."

It's all in the name with Kiehls's elixir. Formulated avocado and rosemary oil, this pre-shampoo treatment works its magic to promote a happier scalp while also delivering an extra boost of hydration to strands, leaving your tresses looking and feeling lusciously beautiful.

Another plus, according to a reviewer: It's incredibly lightweight. "The oil goes on smoothly and goes to the scalp without making it oily," writes the user. "Once my hair is dry, my skin is NOT itchy and I love that. Plus the ends of my long hair are shiny."

The activated charcoal in this cleanser treatment does some serious heavy lifting on the scalp, but it's not the only superstar ingredient in the tube. Other key ingredients include lactic acid, birch extract, and menthyl lactate, which all work together to dissolve excess oil and buildup, gently exfoliate clogged follicles, and promote healthy hair growth. The treatment also comes with a built-in brush applicator that makes for an utterly soothing and relaxing scalp massage experience.

One reviewer touted it as "like a spa treatment for your scalp," adding that it "makes my scalp feel fresh. After continued use, I have noticed my hair looks shinier and healthier."

All the treatments stated in this list go above and beyond in detoxifying and purifying the scalp. It all comes down to the kind of treatment you'd like to use. If you prefer a traditional pre-cleanse serum, Hezekiah recommends the Rene Furterer Complexe 5 Stimulating Plant Concentrate, or you can use Act+Acre's Scalp Detox. If you have oily roots and want to lift product buildup, the Christophe Robin or Shaeri scalp scrubs keep grease at bay. Or if you want an easy, leave-on treatment, the Oribe Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On Hair Treatment or Living Proof Scalp Care Dry Scalp Treatment is your best bet.