You probably already know why it’s so important to exfoliate your complexion, but did you know that your scalp can benefit from a similar type of sloughing? Whether you’re battling greasy hair, a dry and flaky scalp, or any other strand- or skin-related woes, a scalp scrub offers an effective solution. That’s because shampoo alone really isn’t enough to cut through layers of product buildup, oil, sweat, and dead cells that accumulate on the scalp’s surface.
“Scrubs break down product, sebum, and environmental buildup before you shampoo it all out,” Why is that important? Healthy hair needs a healthy environment (read: your scalp) to grow; this type of regular exfoliation keeps your scalp in tip-top condition.
Scalp products of any kind, scrubs included, are having a major moment with more options out there than ever before. So, to determine which ones are best—for a wide array of hair and scalp types and different scenarios—we spent over 600 hours testing 19 products. Ultimately, the ones below outperformed the competition, proving that your best hair day is just a scrub away.
1.Crown Affair The Cleansing Scalp Scrub Shampoo
Why We Love It: When it comes to efficacy, this formula really can’t be beat. Our tester with fine, wavy hair raved about how well (and fast) it dissolved excess product buildup and oil, all without leaving her strands or scalp feeling stripped or overly dry. Even though the texture is on the grittier side, the scrub is suspended in a gel-like base, ensuring easy and even spreadability; it also rinses out extremely fast. Also nice: It minimized flaking and scalp itch too.
Who It’s For: This is an effective choice for any and all hair types and textures. Per our testing, it’s also ideal for anyone who has lots of product buildup. Since it works very quickly, anyone who tries to keep their showers speedy will also appreciate this pick. FYI, while the scrub itself is gentle and nonabrasive or irritating for skin, the formula does contain fragrance, something those with sensitive skin may want to avoid.
Key Ingredients: Bolivian pink salt, Tsubaki seed oil | Scented: Yes | Size: 6.8 oz
2.Head & Shoulders Supreme Exfoliating Scalp Scrub
Why We Love It: A top-notch scalp scrub for less than $10? Yes, please. According to our tester, this works even better than most other more expensive options she’s used. Everything was truly impressive, from the gentle yet effective consistency to the easy-to-use tube packaging, as well as the effectiveness in breaking down buildup and leaving hair nice and bouncy.
Who It’s For: If you’re in the market for an affordable scalp scrub that still checks all of the boxes when it comes to efficacy and experience, this is the one to try. Plus, a little goes a long way, adding even more value onto the approachable price tag. And if you hate the idea of the mess that comes with scrubs in tubs, you’ll love the squeeze tube packaging.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, hydrogen peroxide, argan oil | Scented: Yes | Size: 3.3 oz
3.Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Why We Love It: This works as both a scrub and shampoo in one and in our experience was extremely effective for battling flakes (as well as product buildup). Credit the charcoal in the formula which works to dissolve impurities, alongside microcrystalline cellulose that helps manually slough off dead skin. It also left our tester’s scalp feeling clean and refreshed, thanks to the combo of peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oils in the mix.
Who It’s For: Anyone fighting flakes should consider trying this option, which is also a winner if you’re trying to streamline your routine. It comes in three different sizes, including a travel-friendly version that frequent flyers will appreciate. That being said, it’s definitely best reserved for those who don’t mind a little bit of a mess; we find the tub format and runnier consistency of the product makes for a fairly messy and challenging application.
Key Ingredients: Binchotan charcoal, coconut oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, tea tree oil | Scented: Yes | Size: 2, 8, 32 oz
4.Ceremonia Papaya Scalp Scrub
Why We Love It: Scalp scrubs may be effective for helping the scalp, but they are notorious for leaving hair feeling dry and stripped. That certainly wasn’t the case here. In fact, our tester is pleased to note how nice and soft this left her strands. Still, the exfoliating prowess is legit. There are both papaya enzymes for chemical exfoliation and pink salt for physical sloughing in this scrub, which is part of the reason why we found it to be so effective at removing buildup.
Who It’s For: This is a top choice for all hair types, although those who have thicker tresses may find it a bit challenging to evenly distribute the product. And if you’re a sucker for nice-smelling hair care, you’ll love the sophisticated scent that is a perfect blend of woody and clean.
Key Ingredients: Bolivian mountain salt, papaya enzymes, prickly pear extract | Scented: Yes | Size: 8 oz
5.Christophe Robin Purifying Scalp Scrub
Why We Love It: A scalp scrub is the perfect product to reach for when you feel like you really need to up your hair/scalp cleansing game, a great addition to an ‘everything shower,’ as it were. We called out this one in particular for how deep of a cleanse it offered (but don’t worry, it’s still safe for color-treated hair). And while that may be synonymous with dryness, that isn’t at all the case here. Rather, it left our tester’s scalp feeling fresh and clean. Similarly, buildup didn’t stand a chance; the formula removed every last trace.
Who It’s For: The slightly less abrasive texture makes it a nice option for those with more sensitive or easily irritated scalps. Given how effective it is at busting buildup, anyone with an oily scalp would benefit from using this too. FYI, it definitely is a bit on the grittier side, making application a bit challenging; it does require some pretty thorough rinsing to fully remove it.
Key Ingredients: Sea salt crystals, bisabolol, carbohydrate complex | Scented: Yes | Size: 8.5 oz
6.dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub
Why We Love It: Apple cider vinegar gets lauded as a panacea for a whole host of issues, including scalp concerns. Here, it chemically exfoliates, while also optimizing the pH of both hair and scalp. Meanwhile, Himalayan sea salt does the scrubbing part of things. It’s a pairing that proved to be extremely effective for combating excess oil. Our tester specifically calls out how well it works for balancing out and removing unwanted oil without causing any dryness.
Who It’s For: Definitely try this if you’re dealing with excessive oil, although it’s a top contender for those with color-treated hair too. It’s not only color-safe but actually boasts a unique technology to help lock in your hue and keep it extra vibrant. The namesake ingredient definitely is noticeable; we didn’t love how prevalent the smell of the ACV was, but it did dissipate quickly post-shower.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, Himalayan sea salt | Scented: No | Size: 9 oz
7.Kérastase Symbiose Exfoliating Antidandruff Scalp Scrub
Why We Love It: Dandruff-focused hair care admittedly isn’t the sexiest product category out there, but here’s proof positive that you can deal with dandruff and still have a pleasant sensorial experience. Our tester can’t get over how luxe this winner was, from the silky texture and feel to the salon-like scent. But it’s effective too—ideal for combatting flakes thanks to a 2 percent concentration of salicylic acid. It was so good that our tester even called it the best anti-dandruff product she’d ever used.
Who It’s For: Dandruff sufferers, this one’s for you—particularly if you’re tired of flake-fighting shampoo that smell medicinal or just generally aren’t that enjoyable to use. While it is a bit pricier, the efficacy and overall experience justify the price tag. And even if you don’t have actual dandruff, this is still a top scalp exfoliant, great for purifying and removing buildup.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Scented: Yes | Size: 6.8 oz
8.Living Proof Scalp Care Exfoliator
Why We Love It: If your primary scalp concern is irritation, reaching for a scalp scrub can admittedly feel somewhat counterintuitive. Happily, that’s where this alternative comes in. It technically doesn’t fall into the scrub camp—rather, it’s a serum-like scalp treatment meant to be applied onto your scalp for five minutes before shampooing. Our tester (who did in fact have a sensitive scalp) was pleasantly surprised by how effective yet gentle this was. They also noted it fully dissolved buildup and left hair thicker too.
Who It’s For: Try this if you don’t want to deal with some of the messier in-shower scrubs. The liquid consistency and targeted nozzle of the pre-shampoo treatment make it incredibly easy to use and work evenly all over your scalp. Those who are looking for long-term effects will also appreciate that the efficacy just keeps getting better and better.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, BHAs, PHAs, prebiotic | Scented: Yes | Size: 3.4 oz
9.Moroccanoil Purifying Pre-Wash Scalp Scrub
Why We Love It: It may be the cult-classic hair oil from this brand that gets all the attention, but don’t sleep on this product. It relies on argan shell powder for a light exfoliation, one that our tester feels was especially effective at combating itchiness and flakes. Using it is also an incredibly enjoyable sensorial experience, particularly thanks to the calming scent—an aromatherapeutic, spa-inspired blend of lavender, tea tree, and bergamot.
Who It’s For: This boasts the oh-so-coveted combination of efficacy, gentleness, and a pleasant scent and texture. It knocks out flakes, oil, and buildup, and has a targeted nozzle tip that keeps application easy and mess-free too. However, be prepared to do a few extra rinse cycles, since this was a bit challenging to fully wash out of the scalp and hair.
Key Ingredients: Argan shell power | Scented: Yes | Size: 4.2 oz
10.Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub
Why We Love It: This dual-exfoliant formula packs a major buildup-busting punch. An alpha hydroxy acid blend does the chemical exfoliating duties, while polymer beads slough off dead cells and buildup mechanically. Speaking of buildup, our tester notes how well this removed excess product residue, leaving her scalp fresh, clean, and never irritated. The precise applicator tip was another pro, as was the thicker texture that dissolved and rinsed out nicely.
Who It’s For: Reach for this anytime you need to really de-gunk your scalp; the combination of exfoliation makes it supremely effective. It’s also easy to use, and in true brand fashion, boasts a bright, citrusy scent. You just may go through the smaller tube pretty quickly, especially if you have thicker hair.
Key Ingredients: Alpha hydroxy acid blend, Oribe signature complex | Scented: Yes | Size: 4.2 oz
11.Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub
Why We Love It: Head, shoulder, knees and toes—this multitasker really does work equally well on dry spots anywhere on your body. Our tester confirmed this, lauding how it removed scalp buildup, as well as dead skin on her body. Despite the fact it’s loaded with coconut oil and very moisturizing, it doesn’t leave behind any greasy residue (always a good thing). The icing on the cake? A beachy, fruity scent that’s truly a one-way ticket to the tropics.
Who It’s For: Anyone who is short on bathroom storage or generally wants to consume less could use this in their life. It doesn’t offer a super deep clean for the scalp, but if you merely want light exfoliation or buildup removal, it’s more than sufficient. Suckers for fine fragrances will also be enthralled by the scent, which combines dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and baltic amber.
Key Ingredients: Sugar crystals, panthenol, glycerin, coconut oil | Scented: Yes | Size: 3.4, 8.8 oz
12.Pattern Deep Scalp Detox
Why We Love It: As anyone with curly hair will tell you, developing a ringlet-friendly routine and lineup of products definitely requires a bit of dedicated time and effort. This pick is a no-brainer, a serum that removes buildup and unclogs pores without causing excessive dryness (curls’ arch nemesis). In fact, our tester finds it actually made his hair more hydrated. He also appreciated how easy it was to apply and rinse out, leaving his scalp cool, refreshed, and with fewer flakes and less buildup. What more could you ask for?
Who It’s For: Those with curls, as mentioned, will reap the benefits, but this also works well if you’re sporting protective style, such as braids, acting as a quick scalp refresh. To that point, it’s worth mentioning that this doesn’t even have to be washed out. Apply it via the targeted nozzle, then rub it into your scalp. It can then be rinsed, rubbed off with a damp cloth, or even left in.
Key Ingredients: Australian tea tree oil, pink clay | Scented: No | Size: 4 oz
