Who Should Use a Pre-Shampoo Scalp Scrub?

We get it: Nobody wants to add more steps to their hair care routine. Shampoo and conditioner, maybe even a deep treatment, feel like enough. But trust us when we say a scalp scrub is worth the extra few minutes in the shower. “We don’t always wash our hair in the right manner,” trichologist and Colour Collective founder Kerry E. Yates says. “This can lead to product buildup and dead skin accumulating.” A scalp scrub can help with that.

A scalp scrub works the same way as a face scrub. It’s a physical exfoliant that you use to slough away dirt and dead, flaky skin on your scalp, helping keep the area clean so it’s a good environment for hair growth. “Scalp scrubs use pulverized materials that gently eliminate buildup without causing aggressive cleansing,” Yates says. Those can come in the form of sugar crystals, charcoal granules, rice powder, and a host of other ingredients. 

“Try to find scrubs with round-edge exfoliating materials that are natural and very small,” Yates advises. Those mentioned above are all safe, as are most from popular hair care brands. “The key reason: Hard edges can cause little cuts in the scalp that can lead to inflammation and follicle damage,” she continues. “The end result is hair loss, which no one would ever ask for.” The best scrubs will, as Yates explains, also have a shampooing element included in the formula. “The action of the foam will add a buffer for your exfoliating material and will make the whole experience feel like a proper hair treatment.”

So, when and how do you use them? Once you get in the shower, wet your hair, then scoop or squeeze out the amount suggested on the label. “Apply the scrub to damp hair,  gently massaging from the nape to the front hairline,” Yates instructs. Be gentle — you don’t want to scrub too hard and irritate your scalp. Use your fingertips (not nails) and go in circular motions for as long as the label says. Rinse out as normal and condition how you usually do. If you have an especially dirty scalp with tons of buildup, leave it in a little longer, allowing the additional detoxifying ingredients to go to work. 

Now that you know how to use them, which scalp scrubs should you pick up to try at home? Yates likes the Goop G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo. “The pink Himalayan salt scrub blended with the natural oils gently cleanses the scalp of any buildup while also reconditioning the hair,” she explains. Oribe Serene Scalp Scrub is another one worth checking out. “It contains rounded polymer beads, which protect the scalp while gently eliminating any product buildup without causing inflammation.” Shopping at the drugstore? TPH by Taraji Never Salty Exfoliating Sugar Scrub contains apple cider vinegar and peppermint oil to cleanse the scalp while giving it a refreshing feel.