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Design by Sarah Olivieri / Images courtesy of brands Beauty Hairstyles, Cuts & Color Trends The 15 Best Scalp Scrubs for an Instant Root Refresh The 15 Best Scalp Scrubs for an Instant Root Refresh Satisfying formulas from Crown Affair, Cécred, and more minimize buildup and encourage healthy hair growth
The best scalp scrubs provide two self-care benefits in one. The wash day favorite encourages deep relaxation with a stimulating in-shower head massage, making it easy to break up hair buildup before shampooing, though experts typically suggest using scrubs as a weekly treat. Scalp flakes and oiliness can sometimes be exacerbated by frequent use of dry shampoo and other styling products, which is why a gentle scrub can be a game-changer in your haircare routine.
Trichologist Shab Caspara tells Bazaar that scalp scrubs are optimized to clear away dead skin, excess sebum, and product buildup that regular shampoo may not remove on its own. “This not only prevents irritation and flaking, but also creates the optimal environment for stronger, healthier growth . Think of it as resetting your scalp the same way exfoliation resets your skin,” the expert explains.
Much like face and body exfoliators, scalp scrubs from popular brands like Briogeo and Oribe come in a range of formulations. Physical exfoliators use ingredients like jojoba beads or sugar to gently buff away product buildup, while chemical exfoliators, including salicylic acid , break down excess sebum that can clog hair follicles. “Scalp type matters significantly when choosing ingredients,” says dermatologist Kate Edwards . Fellow dermatologist Michelle Henry recommends people with sensitive skin look to formulas with chemical exfoliants or fine, dissolvable particles.
If your maintenance rotation could use a refresh, one of the gentle scrubs below may be just the solution. These expert and editor-approved formulas make it simple to give yourself and your roots a little extra TLC.
This two-in-one favorite from Briogeo uses charcoal to absorb buildup deep within the follicles, plus microcrystalline cellulose to clear scalp residue. Edwards says this pick is an ideal choice for oily scalps in particular, since its formula also contains bacteria-fighting tea tree oil and rebalancing coconut oil to hydrate the area without adding extra greasiness. Henry adds that it “uses a fine, plant-derived dissolvable exfoliant rather than a very coarse scrub” to gently purify the skin, while also featuring panthenol to aid in hydration.
Key ingredients: Coconut, mint, and tea tree oils, microcrystalline cellulose, charcoal
Here's a scrub that makes it easy to bring the salon experience to your bathroom. Oribe's Serene Scalp scrub pairs a blend of chemical exfoliants with soft polymer beads to lift away dirt, oil, and dead skin while helping to minimize irritation. As an added bonus, it also provides hair with UV protection once it's rinsed away.
Key ingredients: Polymer beads; watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts; AHAs, glycolic acid
Created by celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak , this color- and chemical-safe shampoo-scrub hybrid combines physical and chemical exfoliation for a deep yet gentle cleanse. “It has Himalayan and Bolivian salt, which run throughout the creamy formula—giving it a gorgeous pink hue—coconut-based surfactants to clean, and g…