Trust Me: These Are the 23 Best Products for a Dry, Itchy Scalp (2024)

Straand

The Crown Fix Soothing and Protecting Serum

Strand is an Australian scalp care brand which landed in the UK at the end of last year, and I've been blown away by their products.There's a shampoo, conditioner and scrub, but it's thisprebiotic serum that hasimpressed me the most. You apply itpost-hair wash (or to a dry scalp throughout the day) and itinstantly alleviates itchiness while hydrating and protecting stressed skin. With regular use my scalp definitely feels less dry which means less dandruff.

Philip Kingsley

Flaky Itchy Scalp Toner

This is truly one of the best scalp products I've ever tried. Philip Kingsley is renowned in the beauty industry as one of the go-to brands for hair-and-scalp care, and this leave-in toner provides immediate relief from an intensely itchy scalp. Just massage it into damp, clean hair to leave your head feeling soothed and to prevent flakiness over time.

Hello Klean

Clarifying Scalp Soak

Apple cider vinegar has long been touted as one of the best natural ingredients to use for detoxifying congested scalps, and it's the star ingredient in this trending product. It cuts through follicle-clogging product buildup and deeply cleanses your scalp to leave it clean and healthy, while provitamin B5 and rice seed protein leave it nourished and flake-free.Simply apply it after shampoo, leave it for a few minutes and then rinse away to reap the benefits.

Aveeno

Clarify and Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

I'm lucky to receive a lot of products to try for my job, but I happened upon Aveeno's new line of scalp-soothing haircare while I was in Bootsa while backand picked up this shampoo. I have to say I'm really impressed andwill definitely be checking out the other products in the line. Just like the product above, it contains the holy-grail ingredient apple cider vinegar to clarify the scalp but is also enriched with colloidal oats and botanical ingredients to leave hair feeling soft and seriously shiny.

Head & Shoulders

Deep Cleanse Itch Prevention Anti Dandruff Shampoo

It might not be the most luxe of brands, and I could be going out on a limb here, but when it comes to tackling dandruff, Head & Shoulders really works for me. The brand's deep-cleansing formulations in particular are brilliant, and I really like thisitch-prevention one with its invigorating peppermint scent. It's refreshing, leaves my scalp feelingsoothed, and keeps flakes at bay, and my hair was so clean after using it that I could actually stretch the days in between washes.

Gallinée

Scalp and Hair Serum

Taking a gentle approach to scalp-care,Gallinée'spre- and postbioticserum is specifically formulated to balance your scalp's microbiome to prevent itchiness, dandruff and even hair loss, and it also contains gently exfoliating lactic acid. You can spray this on to your scalpbefore bed to let the ingredients work overnight before washing it out in the morning, but I've found it works just as well applied onto a clean scalp at the start of the day for a more intense treatment. Plus, it leaves hair nice and glossy.

Ameliorate

Clarifying Scalp Exfoliant

This pre-shampoo treatment contains exfoliating lactic acid to gently slough away dead skin cells and Ameliorate's unique LaH6 skin hydration complex, which improves the texture and clarity of the scalp. Massage it into your head, and then let it sit for a few minutes before shampooing it away. It's slightly gritty—which I love—so you might need to shampoo twice to get rid of any residue. My scalp is always left squeaky-clean without feeling stripped after using this.

Aveda

Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer

This leave-in scalp treatment isspecifically tailored toward anyone dealing with hair loss or breakage. It's infused with Japanese knotwood and tangerine peel to support the hair's natural keratin and lifts hair at the roots to leave your strands looking thicker and fuller. Spray it daily onto your scalp for best results.

Living Proof

Restore Dry Scalp Treatment

I adore Living Proof as a brand, and thislightweight scalp treatment is truly brilliant if you're currently dealing with that horrible itchy feeling. It uses hyaluronic acid to tackle dryness at the roots as well as vitamin B3 to rebalance your scalp long-term.I tend to massage it directly onto my scalp and find that not only does my head feel instantly more comfortable, but my hair looks softer and shinier too.

Frank Body

Exfoliating Scalp Serum

This is the very product that Margot Robbie's hairstylist recommended to me a few years back, and I'm now totally obsessed with it. I've raved enough about itherealready, but effectively, it's an AHA-based, exfoliating toner that nibbles away at all the dead skin cells on your scalp to leave it clear and healthy. I normally whack it on about 10 minutes before my hair wash, but you can leave it on for even longer for a more intense exfoliation treatment.

Vita Coco

Scalp Coconut & Guava Hair Scrub

I'm a tiny bit in love with the Vita Coco hair range because it smells so good, but this scalp scrub is genuinelygreat if you suffer from sensitivity on your head. Basically, it's like a body scrub for your head—just massage it into your scalp, and it will work away any flaky skin to leave your head feeling refreshed and smelling incredible.

Christophe Robin

Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt

Chemical exfoliators are all well and good, but when only a truly gritty scrub will do, this sea salt one from Christophe Robin is top of my list of recommendations. Yes, it's scrubby in the truest sense of the word, but the addition of sweet almond oil means it isn't abrasive in the slightest. Massage it generously in to wet hair—I actually use this in place of shampoo—then rinse it away for a lovely, moisturised scalp.

Briogeo

Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Scalp Mask for Dry, Itchy Scalp

Just reading the ingredient list of this scalp mask is enough to make me feel soothed, but the good news is that it genuinely works. Charcoal, tea tree and aloe are the star ingredients thanks to studies proving that they're all brilliant at rebalancing, nourishing and detoxifying. Plus, it contains a healthy dose of hyaluronic acid and a cooling mint oil blend to instantly deal with itchiness while preventing future cases of flakiness.

Amika

Reset Exfoliating Jelly Shampoo

After I was lucky enough to visit the Amika salon in Brooklyn a few years back, where the stylist used this shampoo as my first wash, I've always had a tube of this in my bathroom cupboard. Just like the name suggests, it has a jelly-like texture with just the right amount of grit to slough through dry shampoo and product buildup with ease. While the sea salt gets to work with the scrubbing, a calming blend of magnesium, calcium andsalicylicacid gently exfoliates and pampers irritated scalps. It's a brilliant weekly treatment to maintain scalp health.

Aesop

Sage & Cedar Scalp Treatment

Not only does this scalp treatment smell incredible, it’s perfect for hydrating and cleansing a dry scalp. The formula includes sage, cedar and rosemary for their soothing and clarifying benefits. Simply apply to detangled, dry hair, massage in and allow it to sit for around fifteen minutes before you wash your hair. Using pre-wash a few times a week will help to keep your scalp feel more hydrated.

Coola

Classic SPF30 Organic Scalp & Hair Mist

It’s so easy to forget your scalp when loading onSPF on sunnier days but if you’re easily affected by the sun you might want to think about protecting your hairline and partings. This mist gives your scalp UV protection without weighing down hair. In fact, if you want you can mist on to the lengths of your hair too as the spray will also help prevent colour fading.

JVN Hair

Complete Pre-Wash Scalp Oil

JVN Hair is one of the besthaircare rangesI've tried in a long time and the scalp oil is a standout. It contains basil root to help prevent hair loss and bisabolol to soothe an irritated scalp. Use weekly to keep your scalp and your roots as healthy as possible.

Ouai

Scalp & Body Scrub

Who doesn’t love a multi-tasking product? This scrub by Ouai can be used on the scalp and body for a deeply cleansing and exfoliating experience. I love that it foams so you can cleanse and exfoliate in one go– definitely a good pick if you have an oily scalp but not one for dry hair.

R+Co

Acid Wash: ACV Cleansing Rinse

Apple cider vinegar is clearly a favourite when it comes to scalp care. This rinse is excellent for cleansing when your hair is in protective styles such as braids or cornrows to lift build-up and flakes without disrupting the scalp’s PH Levels.

Centred.

En-Root Scalp Treatment

With peppermint, rosemary, jojoba, hemp seed, tea tree oils and salicylic acidthis scalp treatment has a blend of the best ingredients for maintaining a healthy scalp. This oil emulsifies into a cream when met with water making it easy to rinse out.

Pacifica

Scalp Love Rosemary Mint Serum

Scalps that are feeling congested from product build-up willlove this detoxing scalp serum. The concentrated formulaincludes rosemary, mint and witch hazel and you only need 3 or 4 drops massaged into the scalp for you to feel the difference.

Fable & Mane

Saha Scalp Amla Soothing Serum

This is one of the best scalp serums I have ever tried. Aloe vera strengthens and nourishes dry scalps and the vitamin E cools itchiness. The formula is lightweight and sinks into the hair so it’s comfortable to wear overnight before rinsing out to reap the full benefits.

Bouclème

Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo

Created specifically with curly hair types in mind, this vegan formula is designed to care for fragile scalps. Itcontains conditioning seabuckthorn oil and castor oil beads that stimulate your hair follicles to boost growth at the same time asit works away dead skin cells. Plus, it smells incredible—a rejuvenating mix of spearmint and grapefruit oils.
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