5 Scalp Products for Healthier, Happier Hair

Just like healthy roots lead to healthy trees, a healthy scalp is the key to healthy hair. 

Scalp health is important to keep your hair follicles strong, sturdy, and free from debris that can build up on your scalp skin and impact hair growth. In fact, a healthy scalp not only helps with hair growth, but also reduces your risk of dandruff, hair loss, and other common scalp conditions, like itchiness and oiliness 

The even better news is, with so many potions, formulas, and miracle scalp-focused products available today, it’s easier than ever to find a scalp moisturizer and hair care routine that’s right for you. 

To make things even easier on your scalp health journey, we created this complete guide to at-home scalp care. Read on for the best products, tips, and tricks to keep your scalp–and your hair!–healthy, happy, and strong.

You already know a nourished, healthy scalp means thicker, denser, and faster-growing strands, in addition to less dandruff and flaking. But how exactly do you figure out if your scalp is healthy or unhealthy, anyways?

One of the easiest ways to evaluate your scalp health is to look at your hair. If you feel like your hair is thin, dry, or seems limper or oilier than usual–or if you’ve been experiencing signs of hair loss, like excess shedding or bald spots–you might want to take a closer look at your scalp. This is because a healthy scalp has a pH level between 4.2 and 6.5, and anything more or less than that can affect the skin’s sebum (aka oil) production and cause either dry or oily hair. While we don’t expect you to track your scalp’s acidity on the daily (and for the sake of your sanity, you shouldn’t), if you feel like your hair’s been on the fritz, try using a pH-balancing shampoo once in a while. A hair growth-stimulating formula like SEBAMED’s Scalp Activating Shampoo is a great way to make sure you’re keeping your scalp’s pH levels happy and your hair follicles clean and clear.

Of course, another surefire way to test your scalp health is to evaluate how it feels. If your skin feels continuously dry and flaky or oily and dense, something’s probably going on up there. An itchy scalp, for example, is most often a sign of dryness from conditions like psoriasis or dandruff, or caused by a buildup of dead skin cells. While a visit to a licensed dermatologist is your best bet for a diagnosis and care, swapping out your hair care products for scalp health-focused ones–like AVEDA’s Scalp Remedy Dandruff Shampoo–is a quick and easy at-home way to alleviate symptoms.

There are many causes and many different factors that affect the health of your scalp. Some of these are environmental or lifestyle factors, like pollution or poor diet, while others are factors out of your control, like genetics and skin conditions like psoriasis.

If you have been noticing a change in the health of your scalp and it doesn’t seem to be caused by genetics or a more-serious skin condition, though, you might want to try altering some common habits. Simple things, like wearing hats too often or not shampooing and conditioning your scalp frequently enough (or shampooing and conditioning too often), can drastically affect your scalp health. Too-hot showers, living in a dry environment, or excess sun exposure (not to mention, heat tool use and hair dye) can also affect your scalp health, as can sudden changes in your hormones, stress levels, or diet and exercise.

Whatever the reason, your best bet to addressing your scalp health concerns is to talk to both your hairstylist and doctor about your hair care and concerns. While only a licensed medical professional can diagnose a more serious skin issue, your hairstylist might be able to alter or adjust your hair care regimen to better suit you.

It never hurts to give your skin some extra love, especially an area that works as hard as your scalp. While we’re always ones to some paid-for pampering at a dedicated scalp spa or dermatologist office, if there aren’t any scalp-centric establishments in your area–or if you’d just rather do it at-home–we’ve got a few great products to shower your scalp with some TLC.

1. BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

If you’re serious about stepping up your scalp game, then BRIOGEO’s dedicated Scalp Revival line is your one-stop shop to jumpstarting a healthy scalp. This shampoo is made with Binchotan charcoal to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and product build-up from your hair follicles, while peppermint, tea tree, and spearmint oils soothe scalp itchiness and reduce scalp irritation and inflammation.

2. OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub

OUAI is known for its clean, high-quality, effective products, and this scrub is no different. Made with rose and cedarwood extracts, this scrub removes scalp buildup and dead skin to leave your hair shiny, bouncy, and beautiful. Formulated with probiotics and deeply-exfoliating sugar crystals, this multi-use scrub can be used from your head to your toes–literally!

3. NEON & CO Hair & Scalp Mask

Think of this mask like a facial for your hair. Specially-formulated silk amino liquid hydrates, removes impurities, and strengthens your hair cuticle, while simultaneously balancing your scalp skin’s microflora balance. Because it’s so gentle and protective, this mask is ideal for damaged, chemically-treated, or bleached hair.

4. IGK HAIR Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub

It’s in the name: this low-key scrub is gentle enough for all hair types while packing a major punch. This fan fave removes scalp buildup, dead skin cells, and grime to unveil shiny, luscious locks. Salt-free and formulated with body-friendly botanicals, this formula also balances scalp pH for better hair and scalp health now and in the future.

5. BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Scalp Revival Charcoal + Peppermint Oil Conditioner

Don’t be fooled by the heavenly scent: this conditioner is a powerful scalp treatment designed to hydrate, soothe, and balance your scalp. Designed to normalize natural oil production, this conditioner uses Binchotan charcoal to strip impurities from the skin while simultaneously cooling and relieving scalp itchiness for healthy, flake-free hair

While you might not often think about it, the health of your scalp is vital to building a foundation for beautiful, stress-free hair. Whether you have an itchy scalp or an oily one, dandruff or psoriasis, or no scalp health problems at all, we can all benefit from giving our scalps a little extra care. After all, a healthy scalp means a happier and healthier you.

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