10 best scalp scrubs that will transform lacklustre locks

This is the scalp scrub we reach for when our hair has been looking and feeling greasier than usual or when there’s product build-up on our hair and scalp. With a good amount of lather, this cleansing and purifying scrub can be worked into the scalp effectively and leaves both the scalp and hair looking noticeably cleaner, calmer and flake-free.

The natural ingredient of sea salt crystals helps to stimulate circulation on the scalp, which in turn can have an effect on new hair growth and the health of the scalp more generally. While this is one of the coarser scrubs, out of the ones included here, this thicker texture works particularly well to deal with everything from excess product to dandruff and dry patches.

Even though it is suitable for all hair types, this scrub really comes into its own on oily or greasier hair, as well as sensitive scalps.

At less than £10 (it’s also often on offer), this scalp scrub from Umberto Giannini is our favourite budget-friendly option. Not only can it be applied as a pre-shampoo treatment, but it can also be used once a week in place of your shampoo.

For the price, you might not expect it to include so many impressive ingredients but it contains piroctone olamine – a compound clinically shown to destroy the fungus that can cause dandruff. This scrub also benefits from the hydrating qualities of coconut oil and a gentle natural physical exfoliant in the form of crushed walnut shells. After just one use, we found our scalp felt like it had a deep clean and we saw an immediate reduction in flakes and dandruff.

If you have a particularly sensitive scalp, you may have been wary about using a scrub but this one from Arkive has some of the smallest particles of all the scalp scrubs we tested. This means that instead of relying on a rough or coarse texture, it utilises chemical exfoliants, such as lactic acid and pineapple enzyme bromelain, to break down dead skin and product build-up.

It also has a creamy serum-like consistency. While it does produce a slight tingling feeling when applied, which might not be for everyone, we appreciated the cooling and refreshing effect it had on the scalp. This is particularly true when our scalp is itchy and feels tight. Apply this specific scalp scrub after you’ve shampooed your hair, and it will leave your hair and scalp feeling thoroughly nourished.

If you prefer a combination of physical and chemical exfoliation, this option by Oribe is one of our top picks. The little polymer beads give you the physical feeling of scrubbing the scalp, without feeling too harsh or abrasive. An impressive blend of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid, work deeper into the skin to remove excess and dead skin cells and aid with cell turnover.

This scrub should be applied to wet hair before shampoo/conditioner and used once a week – any more than this may cause further irritation, because of the number of actives. At almost £50, it is one of the most expensive scalp scrubs on the market but our tester thinks the results are worth the splurge.

If you want to cut down the number of products you use on your hair, this shampoo scalp scrub from Briogeo is one of our absolute favourites. Applied to wet hair, a little goes a long way, as this quickly works to buff away dead skin, dandruff and built-up products.

We’ve been using this scalp scrub for well over a year and when used consistently, it really helps our scalp feel less itchy and irritated. It also has a cooling effect on the scalp, with an accompanying minty scent, which makes it a great choice for those who struggle with an itchy scalp or even seborrheic dermatitis.

Briogeo also has a number of other products in its scalp revival range, which is well worth checking out.

If you have a naturally oily scalp or find that your hair can become greasy almost instantly, you’ll want to look out for a scalp scrub designed with this in mind. Enter Paul Mitchell’s special detox tea tree foaming salt scrub.

The clay-like texture lathers and foams up quite nicely and feels especially calming on the scalp, as a result of its natural ingredients. Because of the beautiful minty fresh tea tree fragrance, it instantly gives you that at-home spa experience. 

This is the scalp scrub we reach for when we feel the urge to wash our hair more frequently, due to it looking greasy or oily within a day or so after washing it. Using this scrub, normally once a week, enables us to go a few days longer between washes.

This budget-friendly option from The Inkey List can be used on both dry and wet scalps. While it is suitable for all hair types, as well as coloured hair and sensitive scalps, it performs particularly well on fine hair that can sometimes become weighed down by heavier and coarser scrubs.

We’ve found applying it to damp hair and leaving it for around 10 minutes before washing it off provided the best results. The application is a real breeze, thanks to the handy nozzle, which enables you to get right into the scalp, to ensure you have covered it in its entirety. Not only is this particular scalp scrub vegan-friendly, but it’s also free of fragrance, sulphates, silicone and alcohol.

If you’re looking for a multitasking scrub, Ouai has two great options: the limited edition St. Barts scalp and body scrub and the brand’s original scalp and body scrub. Both perform equally well on the scalp as they do on the body but we prefer the more tropical scent of the St. Barts variety. Combining notes of dragonfruit, orange blossom, tuberose and baltic amber, it immediately transports you somewhere warm and sunny, regardless of the weather here in the UK.

When applying it to the scalp, you only need a small amount, which should be applied to wet hair that has been sectioned, to allow you to make sure you get right into the roots. This lathers up nicely when you start to rub it into the scalp in circular motions and can be used instead of shampoo or before you shampoo, depending on your preference. We tend to use this once a week in place of shampoo and as a body scrub, too.

Suitable for all hair types and textures – including coloured or chemically treated hair – this scalp scrub should be used every week to help soothe and balance the scalp. It does lather up nicely and doesn’t dry out the scalp, making it a great option for those with dry skin.

The only slight negative with this particular scalp scrub is it can leave your scalp and hair feeling a tad gritty if you haven’t washed it out fully. This means you will most likely have to shampoo your hair after using the scrub, which can add extra time and energy to your haircare routine. The brand describes it as a ‘pre-treatment,’ so it shouldn’t necessarily be used on its own or instead of a shampoo, like some of the other scrubs we tested.

Dandruff can be an unsightly and irritating problem but this is when a scalp scrub can help. With a creamy, whipped texture and a gentle grain, this option from Fable & Mane doesn’t irritate or exacerbate any existing scalp issues, while effectively dealing with dandruff and flakes.

After just one use of this scalp scrub, we noticed a visible reduction in the number of flakes and we were impressed by how this formula foamed up. We couldn’t get enough of the beautiful fragrance, either. Our hair also looked much cleaner at the roots after washing, and we felt we could go longer between washes after using this scrub.