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Scalp serums are trending right now, but do they actually work? Get the truth from this licensed esthetician
I hear all the time that people don’t believe scalp serums work, or that they are gimmicky. But what people may not realize is your scalp is just an extension of your skin — and when you have a healthy scalp you create healthy hair.
Fable + Mane HoliRoots™ Pre-wash Hair Treatment Oil
Amara Beauty Aloe Vera
Matrix Instacure Tension Reliever Leave-In Scalp Serum
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution
Mizani Scalp Care Soothing Scalp Lotion
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
Head and Shoulders Scalp Elixir Treatment
Your scalp contains between 80,000 and 120,000 hair follicles, which are tunnel-like structures in your skin where your hair grows. Each hair follicle plays an extremely important role in supporting hair growth and giving your hair its fullness and volume. And that’s why it’s so important you treat your scalp just like any other part of your skin.
I’ve personally spent a lot of time trying out different hair products, including natural ingredients not only for my hair but for my scalp as well. Many people don’t know this but for about four years, I suffered from seborrheic dermatitis. And years ago while I was going through this, I thought I was doing everything right to help my scalp and hair.
So what was I doing wrong? Well, I kept it suffocated with protective styles, like wearing wigs for too long, not washing my hair as frequently as I should, and not using the right products for my hair and scalp (I was using coconut oil years ago to hydrate my scalp which I didn’t realize made my seborrheic dermatitis worse over time).
And since your scalp is just like your skin, it can go through many of the same issues like dryness, irritation, sweat overproduction and clogged pores which cause scalp acne. And of course, product buildup, using too many oils (or pore-clogging oils) and tension can also contribute to scalp inflammation and irritation.
Thankfully my seborrheic dermatitis is gone, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. So when it comes to perfecting your scalp care routine, I learned it’s important to focus on two main things: First, maintaining the right habits like washing your hair regularly and using a scalp massager while shampooing to help remove dead cells and alleviate itching. And secondly, make sure you’re incorporating the correct shampoo, conditioners, deep conditioning masks and scalp serums in your routine by understanding the ingredients in the products and how these ingredients can help (or trigger) your scalp and hair.
So to finally answer the question: Yes, scalp serums work, and should be incorporated into your routine. Read on below to learn more about some of the best scalp serums and products on the market:
Best to Strengthen Scalp + Hair: Fable + Mane HoliRoots™ Pre-wash Hair Treatment Oil
Most Underrated Scalp Care Ingredient: Amara Beauty Aloe Vera
Go-to Scalp Serum for Protective Styles: Matrix Instacure Tension Reliever Leave-In Scalp Serum
Best for Exfoliating + Reducing Flakiness: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution
Great for Soothing Inflammation: Mizani Scalp Care Soothing Scalp Lotion
Best to Balance + Detoxify Scalp: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment
Best for Extreme Itchiness + Dandruff: Head and Shoulders Scalp Elixir Treatment
1. Best to Strengthen Scalp + Hair: Fable + Mane HoliRoots™ Pre-wash Hair Treatment Oil, $36
I personally use this hair oil, and I apply it the night before I wash my hair. It is a one-of-a-kind scalp product on the market right now, inspired by Indian hair secrets with ingredients like amala, which hydrates strands and helps reduce hair loss, ashwagandha (one of my favorite ingredients) which builds resilience and strengthens roots, and also nourishing castor oil which visibly thickens hair and rescues damaged strands.
2. Most Underrated Scalp Ingredient: Amara Beauty Aloe Vera, $19.95
Pure, cold-pressed aloe vera has many benefits beyond soothing and treating sunburn. Because aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory ingredient, when you apply it to your scalp it will alleviate inflammation, redness, flakiness and dryness. It also helps with oil production, which is great for oily scalps. This is the exact product I started using on my scalp a few years ago and it alleviated my seborrheic dermatitis. (Now I also use it on my face when I start getting breakouts, it’s great for acne too!)
3. Go-to Scalp Serum for Protective Styles: Matrix Instacure Tension Reliever Leave-In Scalp Serum, $24
Inflammation can occur from tension caused by wearing protective styles like braids. This product is great because gives a cooling sensation to relieve the feeling of tension, plus moisturizes the scalp without leftover buildup or flaking.
4. Best for Exfoliating + Reducing Flakiness: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution, $13
You might be seeing this product go viral on TikTok and although it’s not a serum, it’s a perfect choice for exfoliating the scalp. Glycolic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), that exfoliates the skin. So if you are dealing with a lot of flakiness, this product will help remove those dead skin cells. One caveat, it could increase dryness, so like any chemical exfoliator I would recommend using it once or twice a week (if you wash your hair daily) and once a month (if you’re like me and wash your hair bi-monthly).
5. Great for Soothing Inflammation: Mizani Scalp Care Soothing Scalp Lotion, $24
This product is a great one for curly hair and to soothe the scalp. With more of a lotion texture, it’s formulated with aloe vera, avocado oil and eucalyptus to cool, calm and refresh.
6. Best to Balance + Detoxify Scalp: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment, $32
Created with a unique complex of tea tree oil, biotin, and witch hazel to help soothe a dry, flaky scalp. Plus, charcoal helps absorb impurities in the scalp to diminish product buildup. It is great for all hair types and works to clarify both dry and oily scalps without overdrying.
7. Best for Extreme Itchiness + Dandruff: Head and Shoulders Scalp Elixir Treatment, $8.97 (Org. $10.99)
This leave-in product combats even the worst dandruff and itchiness. Included on the ingredients list is cooling menthol, which chemically triggers cold receptors and stimulates the hair follicles to help deliver nutrients and ultimately improve the scalp's health.
If you enjoyed this story, check out this $10 shampoo that’s the industry’s best-kept secret for curing bald spots and dryness.
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