What Is Scalp Exfoliation?

Scalp exfoliation involves applying a cream or a mask that helps remove excess oil, dandruff, product build-up, and dead skin cells from your scalp. Ideally, the cream contains solid granules that get rid of the stubborn dandruff or other impurities stuck to the roots of your hair. Scalp exfoliation is key to getting healthier and shinier hair. Don’t know how to exfoliate your scalp? We’ve got you covered! Check out the next section.

How To Exfoliate Your Scalp

Step 1: Divide your hair into four sections right after you step out of the shower when your hair is wet. Apply the scrub to your scalp with your fingertips. Step 2: Use a comb or a hair brush to tease your scalp. This will dislodge the dead skin cells that will then appear on your scalp in the form of flakes. Step 3: If you are using a scalp exfoliation cream, massage the mixture onto your scalp gently in a circular motion. Step 4: Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing with hot water. Finish the process by conditioning your hair to prevent damage. Now that you know how to exfoliate your scalp, check out the best scalp exfoliation scrubs you can lay your hands on.

Top 10 Scalp Exfoliation Scrubs To Buy In 2022

1. Best Overall: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Have a dry and itchy scalp? Here’s a product that solves your scalp issues in no time. This creamy shampoo removes dead skin and impurities from your scalp. It soothes itchiness and prevents scalp irritation by restoring moisture to it. It contains natural ingredients like binchotan charcoal, coconut oil, peppermint oil, and tea tree oil that exfoliate and hydrate your scalp. Its antimicrobial properties reduce scalp infection and flakiness while promoting healthy hair. Pros

98% naturally derived ingredients Free of silicones and parabens Maintains the pH level of your scalp Makes your hair feel fresh and clean Ideal for oily and dry scalps

Cons

Expensive

2. Best For Oily Scalp: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub With Sea Salt

Treat your sensitive scalp with this purifying scrub that contains natural sea salt. This oceanic ingredient purifies and restores balance insensitive and oily scalps. It refreshes and lightens your scalp by washing away all impurities. It also balances the moisture levels and keeps your hair and scalp hydrated throughout the day. This multi-award winning product detoxifies your scalp and improves its overall health. Pros

Suitable for oily scalp Soothes itchy scalp Requires very little product per use Prevents dandruff

Cons

Sticky consistency

3. Best Non-Drying: R+Co Crown Scalp Scrub

This purifying and soothing scrub exfoliates and cleanses your scalp, leaving your hair feeling clean and refreshed. It contains rare botanical extracts of aloe vera, passionflower, mango, and ginger root. These nourishing ingredients add strength and luster to your hair. This scrub softens and smoothes your hair right from the first use. This exfoliating scrub is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Pros

Promotes healthy hair Helps hair retain moisture Softens your tresses A little product goes a long way

Cons

Difficult to rinse off

4. Best Sea Salt Cleanser: Purorganic Pure Cell Natural Vitamin Salt Cleanser

This multipurpose cleanser contains high-quality natural ingredients that get rid of impurities from your scalp. It is loaded with sea salts that give it a grainy texture and help in exfoliating your scalp effectively. The nourishing oils and minerals in this scrub heal and purify your scalp and balance the moisture levels from root to tip. It clears dead skin cells and product build-up, leaving your hair scalp healthy and flake-free. Pros

Leaves your hair looking silky and shiny Removes dirt and impurities Promotes hair growth Adds shine to your hair

Cons

Availability issues

5. Best For Exfoliation: dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub

dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub is a natural exfoliant formulated to remove dead skin cells and product build-up. It unclogs the pores and leaves you with a healthy and clean scalp. The Himalayan pink salt, aloe vera, and avocado oil in it help soothe your scalp. This organic scrub balances the pH level of your scalp, improving its overall health. It also contains color-locking technology, which helps keep your hair color intact for weeks. Pros

Safe for color-treated hair Imparts shine to your locks Antimicrobial properties Clears dandruff Prevents itchiness

Cons

Very big granules

6. Best For All Hair Types: IGK Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub

This cooling scrub is designed to eliminate impurities from your scalp. It is packed with nutrients and sea salts that gently soothe a sensitive and over-processed scalp. It contains apple cider vinegar and walnut oil that nourish your scalp to give you soft, silky, and shiny hair. It also contains peppermint oil, walnut shell powder, and silica that help maintain a clean scalp while strengthening your hair follicles. Pros

Suitable for all hair types Vegan and cruelty-free Provides UV and heat protection Safe for color-treated hair

Cons

Expensive

7. Best For Dry Scalp: L’Oreal EverFresh Micro-Exfoliating Scrub

This micro-exfoliating scrub gently removes impurities, dirt, and excess oils from your scalp that weigh down your hair. It contains apricot seeds that gently exfoliate your scalp. It controls oil secretion and flakes for up to three days and leaves your hair feeling clean and refreshed. Pros

Good quantity Softens your hair Soothes dry scalp Hydrates your scalp

Cons

Contains too many chemicals

8. Best For Damaged Hair: Kopari Coconut Crush Scrub

This coconut crush scrub is an excellent formula for sensitive skin. It is a multipurpose scrub that can be used both on the hair and the skin. It exfoliates your scalp to give you smoother and silkier hair. It contains pieces of Tahitian coconut shell that help in scrubbing away the dirt and impurities from your scalp. It is made with 100% organic coconut oil, coconut milk, and vitamin E that moisturize your scalp. It also contains restorative proteins and antioxidants that soothe a dry and flaky scalp. Pros

Repairs damaged hair Softens dry strands Free of silicone and parabens Pleasant fragrance

Cons

Can weigh your hair down

9. Best For Itchy Scalp: Philip Kingsley Exfoliating Scalp Mask

This exfoliating mask is ideal for treating dandruff. It soothes and clears your scalp of any flakes, redness, or irritation. It removes the dead skin cells, product build-up, and other impurities that are clogging your roots. It also controls sebum production to a great extent. This intense formula is suitable for all hair types. Pros

Treats scalp infection Promotes hair growth Soothes itchy scalp Strengthens the roots

Cons

Availability issues

10. Best Cruelty-Free: Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub

Remove excess oil from the scalp without any irritation with the Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub. This exfoliating scrub has a powerful combination of both chemical and physical exfoliating agents. They remove dirt, cleanse pores, and nourish your hair. Peppermint oil infused in the scrub provides instant cooling and promotes healthy hair. Caffeine rejuvenates hair follicles and energizes the scalp. Moreover, the extracts of lychee, watermelon, and edelweiss flower that form the Oribe’s Signature Complex protect your tresses from photoaging, protein loss, and oxidative stress. Pros

Vegan Cruelty-free Gluten-free Parabens Sulfate-free Pleasant scent Dermatologist-tested

Cons

None

Why Trust StyleCraze?

StyleCraze has curated a list of the best scalp exfoliation scrubs. Author Pooja Karkala is a skin and hair care enthusiast. She has carefully researched to bring forth a list that features the best scalp exfoliation scrubs. If you try the products, they will help you achieve a fresh and clean scalp devoid of dandruff, dead skin cells, and dirt. How often should I exfoliate my scalp? Exfoliate your scalp not more than once or twice weekly. Exfoliation helps clear the excess scalp oil and sebum. However, regular exfoliation can make the scalp panic and produce even more oil. Do you use a scalp scrub before or after shampoo? Use scalp scrubs before applying shampoo or conditioner. Are scalp exfoliation scrubs good for natural hair? Yes. Scalp exfoliation keeps the scalp healthy and improves hair growth. So, exfoliating your scalp once in a while will enhance any type of hair, whether fine or curly. Can scrubbing the scalp too hard cause hair loss? Yes. Over scrubbing or over-exfoliating your scalp will make your strands fall out.

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