The 8 Best Scalp Scrubs of 2024

From toners to serums and everything in between, exfoliation is a typical part of your skincare routine - your facial skincare routine that is. The skin on your scalp, on the other hand, oftentimes doesn’t receive the same kind of T.L.C.

We get it. On top of regular shampooing, conditioning, and maybe some detangling, adding a scalp scrub to your hair care routine can feel like an extra step, but we promise it is worth it. Think of your scalp like topsoil and your hair like the blooming flowers growing on top. Healthy plants require healthy soil. The same goes for your hair. 

Much like facial exfoliators, scalp scrubs break down dead skin, remove product build-up, and flush out excess oil. This can help treat dandruff, relieve itchiness, and aid product absorption. In other words, they create a clean slate for your scalp. We researched the best scalp scrubs on the market, considering their exfoliation type and what hair types they worked best with.

Keep reading to discover our picks for the best scalp scrubs, along with expert tips and insights.

Best Overall

Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Sephora

Who It's Good For

• Packed with high-quality ingredients like Binchotan charcoal, peppermint, and coconut oil, this sulfate-free formula is gentle yet effective.

Who It's Not Good For

When you think scrub, your mind may go straight to chunky goops or harsh beads. Never fear, you won’t find either of those here. Our top pick went to Briogeo for its gentle yet effective, ultra-fine exfoliating crystals. A quick rubdown with the Binchotan charcoal enriched formula loosens oil and product build-up. Since it functions as both a shampoo and a scrub, it does this without getting caught between strands. This sulfate-free formula helps your hair retain its natural moisture. It promises to soothe, hydrate, and refresh your scalp and includes peppermint and coconut oil in its invigorating formula. 

For extra tangly strands, we recommend using a coloring brush to ensure the first application makes it all the way to your roots. If we could change one thing about this talented twofer, we would add a targeted applicator instead of the jar. We admit this complaint is minor, but the dark gray goop can make a mess of your shower floor as well as the sides of the jar.

Size:  8 oz. | Exfoliant: Binchotan charcoal | Hair Type: All 

Best Budget

L'Oreal Paris Scalp Care + Detox Shampoo

Amazon

Who It's Good For Who It's Not Good For

Chances are your beauty bag already includes a few items from L’Oréal Paris and for good reason, but it is time to make room for one more. This sulfate-free formula is suitable for color-treated hair. Crushed apricot seeds break out built-up dirt and unwanted debris without stripping the scalp, but the real star is the menthol. The cream finishes with a cooling shot that not only makes you feel refreshed but it also makes your follicles tingle. 

We love this product which is also a favorite of beauty professionals. Jerome Lordet, co-director of Pierre Michel Salon in New York City stands behind this affordable scrub as a worthy dupe for higher-end options. “In my experience, this scalp performs as well as other more luxury items in the category,” he tells PEOPLE.

As much as we can't resist the icy hot effect, this scrub does come in a jar. In order to avoid consistent dipping, we wish that this came with a spatula to help prevent losing some product as we scoop it out.

Size: 8 oz. | Exfoliant: Apricot seed | Hair Type: All

Best for Fine Hair

The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Sephora

Who It's Good For

• The targeted, hygienic nozzle allows you to place the product exactly where you need it, while the scrub has a lightweight texture with a chemical exfoliant.

Who It's Not Good For

Fine hair gets easily weighed down, especially by styling products. Thick, chunky scrubs can get caught in strands and have a hard time escaping. Instead, for fine hair, we recommend choosing a scrub with a more lightweight texture as well as a chemical exfoliant. This scrub has both. 

Chicago-based professional colorist, Lorena Valdes loves this scrub for its versatility. “Consider it a step up from your run-of-the-mill scrub since it contains both chemical and physical exfoliating properties,” she says. “It helps remove build-up and balances the scraps microbiome. Plus, the gentle AHA (a.k.a. glycolic acid) is fantastic for sensitive scalps.”

Use the targeted nozzle to place this product directly in your part and then massage it to clear your scalp of debris. It's also worth mentioning that this product is slightly smaller in volume than most others on this list; however, because the price point is relatively lower, you can justify if needing to rebuy more often.

Size: 5 oz. | Exfoliant: Glycolic acid and castor beads | Hair Type: All, especially fine hair

Best for Oily Hair

Christophe Robin Purifying Scalp Scrub

Blue Mercury

Who It's Good For Who It's Not Good For

A favorite of stylists, this chunky (but in a good way), classic scrub earned a spot on our list for its thick texture and real results. The sea salt helps remove excess product buildup. Lordet uses it when he needs to pack a more powerful punch. “This is a bit more exfoliating than others on the list,” he says. “Use it when you need a deep scrub. The almond oil nourishes and prevents irritation.

It’s also a favorite of Erika Reals, PEOPLE’s senior commerce editor. After noticing her dandruff shampoo stopped providing its typical results of relieving itchiness and preventing flakes, Reals realized she may need a scalp detox in order to remove some product build-up allowing the shampoo to work from a clean slate. “The luxe texture of this scrub feels so good when massaging it into your scalp,” she says. “After using, my scalp feels so much cleaner and healthy since it instantly removes all the gunk, and as a result, my hair is the shiniest it’s been in months. I don’t know why it took me so long to start using this.”

Furthermore, this is a great option for when your hair is especially oily or your normal shampoo treatments don’t seem to be working anymore. Reviewers praise this scrub’s lather, which makes it easy to bust through grime, oil, and buildup. Keep in mind, the rich texture may be hard to rinse out, so wash out thoroughly after massaging in.

Size: 8.4 oz. | Exfoliant: Sea salt | Hair Type: All, especially oily hair

Best for Sensitive Scalps

Kerastase Scrub Apaisant Soothing Scalp Scrub

Sephora

Who It's Good For Who It's Not Good For

If you have sensitive skin and are looking to splurge, we recommend giving this option from Kerastase a go. Jojoba beads gently slough off dead skin while orange peel dissolves excess dirt. These ingredients may be powerful, but we promise they will not irritate your skin. 

Another one of Lordet’s favorites, he recommends this scrub for those with sensitive skin. “Some scrubs can be harsh,” he explains. “However, for those with a more sensitive scalp, this one is one of the more gentle options out there.”

After the beads and the orange peel lift away impurities, madecassoside acts as an anti-inflammatory to calm itching and scaling while vitamin B soothes redness for a fresh scalp. We loved the lightweight texture and fresh finish this scrub provided, but wish that it was available at a more affordable price point or at least have smaller sizes available to buy to cut down on the cost.

Size: 8.5 oz. | Exfoliant: Jojoba beads and sweet orange peel | Hair Type: All, especially sensitive scalps

Best Multitasker

Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub

Sephora

Who it's Good For Who It's Not Good For

This talented twofer not only creates space in your shower but also sloughs away dead skin from head to toe. This Ouai sugar scrub simultaneously cleanses and gets rid of debris. Not to mention, it delivers probiotics to both the skin on your scalp and the skin on your body. Hello, healthy microbiome. 

“Ouai uses sugar as the physical exfoliating agent to remove build-up — this helps break down dead skin and dirt,” explains Valdes. “After, coconut oil swoops in to help moisturize the skin.”  

Exfoliating sugar crystals, hydrating coconut oil, and balancing probiotics make a good case for this scrub, but what stood out to us was the impressive lather. We had our doubts at first that a product could work equally well on the scalp and body, but were delighted by the quantity of satisfying bubbles, and the scent which smells like a vacation.

Size: 8.8 oz. | Exfoliant: Sugar | Hair Type: All 

Best for Curly Hair

Ouidad Heavy Lifting Bubbling Scalp Mask

Amazon

Who It's Good For Who It's Not Good For

• This scrub is formulated specifically for curly hair, so if that's not you, we recommend look to other options on this list.

Calling all curly girls. If you know curly hair, you know that the most important thing for bouncy, healthy strands is moisture. Translation: You can’t wash and exfoliate daily. However, curly scalps get build-up like everybody else. For a curly girl-friendly scrub, try this one from Ouidad. 

We love that this mask — which comes out as a lightweight gel and transforms into a pillowy foam that washes out easily — doesn’t weigh down hair. Powerful white charcoal pulls out impurities without drying out the skin. Instead linseed oil, hyaluronic acid, pineapple extract, and vitamin E keep your skin and mane hydrated. 

Size: 6.8 oz. | Exfoliant: White charcoal | Hair Type: Curly and coily

Best Sea Salt

Davines Sea Salt Scrub

Davines

Who It's Good For Who It's Not Good For

Ingredient transparency can be important for some. The good news is that more brands than ever are making an effort to show what they are putting into their products; however, Davines was doing this before it was cool. 

Lordet loves using this in the summer because it adds a beachy texture to the hair. “Thanks to sea salt, this great summer scrub is strong enough to remove the buildup of sand and sunscreen after a beach day,” he says. “But it is also packed with easy-on-the-strands ingredients that help nourish hair.”

Size: 11.9. oz. | Exfoliant: Sea salt | Hair Type: All 

How to Pick the Right Scalp Scrub

Hair Type

The most important part about picking a scalp scrub is to think about your hair type and your desired outcome. 

• Fine Hair: Fine hair is easily weighed down and more prone to build up, so try dual exfoliant options. 
• Sensitive Scalps: To prevent irritation, avoid chunk scrubs if you have a sensitive scalp. Instead, use finely milled crystals and lightweight options. 
• Curly Hair: Curly hair products must provide your hair with moisture to maintain bounce and separation. Make sure the scrub you choose contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, rosehip oil, ceramides, etc. 
• Oily Scalps: If you use a lot of hair products or simply wait awhile in between washes, don’t be afraid to go for a heavy-duty scrub. Ingredients like sea salt or sugar will effectively break down leftover oil and residue. 

Exfoliant Type

There are two main types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants often include natural ingredients like sugar and salt to remove dead skin. Those with oily hair might get better results with a chemical exfoliant. Chemical exfoliants often include alpha-hydroxy acids to give oily scalps a deep clean. Some scalp scrub products — like The Inkey List’s Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub — contain both physical and chemical exfoliants. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should you use a scalp scrub?

  According to Lordet, you should utilize scalp scrub about every two weeks to remove product build-up. “If your hair tends to get greasy fast, then exfoliating once a week is recommended,” says Lordet. “When applying the scalp scrub be sure to apply in circular motions using the tips of your fingers, not your nails.”
  

• Who should use a scalp scrub?

  “Anyone can use a scalp scrub, especially those with oily or flaky scalps,” says Valdes. Scalp scrubs are meant to remove dead skin, product buildup, and excess oil which plague everyone to some extent. 

Take Our Word For It

Anneke Knot is a freelance beauty and fashion writer with nearly a decade of experience and a penchant for skincare. For this piece, she thoroughly researched and reviewed the top scalp scrubs on the market. She also consulted beauty professionals Jerome Lordet, co-director of Pierre Michel Salon in New York City, and Chicago-based professional colorist, Lorena Valdes for their favorite scalp scrubs, expert advice on different types of exfoliants, tips for using these products, and how to select the best scalp scrubs for all types of hair.

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