Despite its importance to hair health, the scalp is frequently overlooked. When your scalp’s microbiome is irritated, hair does not grow to its full potential, which can cause irritation, flaking, and overall discomfort. Unfortunately, these symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors, including weather, heredity, lifestyle, stress, and hair care habits. “Maintaining scalp health requires a balanced approach, including gentle cleansing, adequate hydration, and avoiding triggers that disrupt the scalp’s natural barrier,” says Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center and the founder of AziMD Skincare. Enter: a scalp treatment that keeps hair follicles clean and fresh, hence stimulating hair growth.
Our editors spent months researching and testing solutions to treat dandruff while also nourishing, soothing, clarifying, and stimulating the scalp. The end result is this list of the top scalp treatments for each condition and hair type. We also consulted with experts to determine how to provide this specific patch of skin with the nutrients it requires to be healthy.
Why We Love It: Aveda is a legacy brand known for its forward-thinking, environmentally friendly products. This liquid gel treatment is another addition to the brand’s list of champions. The treatment, which aims to “transform hair from the source,” has natural chemicals that reduce sebum while also removing product buildup and surface impurities. The pleasant, fresh scent of essential oils and spearmint in the treatment instantly took our InStyle tester, Isaac, to a premium spa. The narrow nozzle on the tube made application to his scalp simple and accurate, and the chilling effect started as soon as he applied it. The improvements were obvious after the first application—it immediately alleviated his cold weather-induced dryness and flakiness. No residue was found in his type 4 loci either. Overall, his hair felt healthier and more hydrated.
Who This Is For: A good exfoliation treatment can help anyone, much like skin care. It gives a rapid scalp refresh for a wide range of hair types, including color-treated and chemically processed hair. This treatment can help everyone, whether they have flare-ups on a daily basis or just during the dry winter months.
Isaac, tester with type 4C hair and a dry scalp: “My hair naturally grows fast but I think this treatment made my hair healthier and [more] fast growing.”
Why We Love It: Act+Acre’s breakthrough scalp care products have helped it become a cool-girl brand. This best-selling detox is applied before shampooing to break down buildup and perspiration. It comprises a combination of oils that balance and soothe the scalp while replenishing the moisture barrier. Sarah, our tester, used it every other wash day and was pleased with how clean her scalp felt. Working in parts and applying a few drops to each, she massaged the oil into her scalp, which was simple due to its thin texture. Sarah reported that after shampooing and conditioning, her scalp felt clean. The applicator tip does a decent job of controlling how much product is released, but it’s a good idea to lay down a towel or cape to prevent an oily bathroom.
Who It’s For: Our tester Sarah has a sensitive scalp due to an autoimmune form of alopecia, and she found this oil nonirritating and quite neutral in terms of feelings. She believes that this cleanse works particularly well on delicate skin. The cost is pretty high, but a little goes a long way.
Sarah, tester with type 1B hair and normal/oily scalp: “I tend to go four or five days between washes, so getting my scalp cleansed when I do shampoo is important to me, and adding this detox to my regimen helps my hair feel lighter and fresher for longer.”
Why We Love It: Most women may experience thinning hair at some time in their lives. This Augustinus Bader scalp treatment combats hair loss at its base by targeting the scalp’s skin. The recipe includes plant extracts, a multi-mineral complex (magnesium, zinc, and copper), vitamin B5, and l-arginine, the amino acid that makes up keratin. Associate Editor Claudia Willen tried applying the serum directly to a newly cleaned scalp with the built-in dropper and squeezing a few drops onto her palm before massaging it in. She could tell the cream was working after the first application—her skin tingled and she noticed some redness that went away within minutes. When applied to damp hair, the solution dissolved effortlessly into her scalp, leaving no residue. It did an excellent job of keeping oily roots under control.
Who It’s For: This treatment is a simple addition to your routine that will help you grow your hair and rejuvenate your scalp, which is especially beneficial for thinning hair. Willen’s hair grew so much after just a few weeks of using the product once or twice a week that she had to reschedule her haircut.
Claudia, associate editor, has type 2 hair and a dry scalp. “My hair had thinned out as I hit my mid to high 20s, and while this treatment did not magically restore that, I did appreciate the increased length. It also felt light, healthy, and renewing on my scalp, so I’m delighted I added it to my routine anyway.”
