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You take good care of the skin on your face and body — it's time to give your scalp some TLC. "Scalp health dictates hair health," says Lauren Penzi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York. "A healthy scalp allows for hair that grows well and is vibrant and shiny." But while the scalp may have been overlooked in the past with more emphasis put on hair care and styling, "the focus is now shifting to the scalp and the importance of maintaining a healthy scalp microbiome," says Shab Caspara, a trichologist in New York City.
Our top picks:
The skin on your scalp differs from other skin areas, so you need to treat it differently. Since the scalp is oilier than skin on the rest of our body, it can have more types of microorganisms, making it "prone to problems such as dandruff, itchy and flaky scalp conditions, psoriasis, skin allergies and hair loss due to oxidative stress — all things to keep an eye out for," says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D.
There are a variety of types of scalp treatments available "that are designed to either clean and maintain a healthy scalp microbiome essential for healthy hair growth, or nourish the scalp and hair follicles to encourage stronger hair quality and prolong the life cycle of hair," says Caspara. They include exfoliating scrubs, pre-shampoo detoxifying oils, shampoos and topical treatments to be applied after cleansing. Each of these has slightly different benefits depending on your scalp struggle, but the common theme is always getting the scalp back to a hydrated and healthy state.
While the GH Beauty Lab hasn't formally tested scalp treatments, our experts have a history of evaluating all types of hair products both in the Lab using technical instruments as well as on consumer testers. We combined this expertise with advice and product picks from dermatologists, trichologists and our own editors and scientists to select the best scalp treatments for every issue and hair type.
Pros
- Clean, pleasant scent
- Contains pyrithione zinc, an anti-dandruff active
- Helps with scalp dryness and itchiness
Cons
- Can be drying on strands
When it comes to dandruff, Head & Shoulders is usually one of the first brands that comes to mind. And for good reason: "The shampoo contains pyrithione zinc to treat dandruff and help with the dryness and itch that comes with it," says Danusia Wnek, a senior chemist at GH's Beauty Lab.
Wnek typically experiences dryness with flaking in the winter months and always turns to these shampoos to help with it, especially the classic formula due to its pleasant, clean scent. "It’s a tried-and-true product for me and one that I can trust with dandruff dryness." Some users do find that the formula can be drying on hair, though.
Pros
- Soothing and gentle
- Works quickly, per online reviews
Cons
- Not ideal for thick hair
Deemed the best shampoo for dry, sensitive scalps by our Beauty Lab pros, this shampoo from Aveeno contains soothing collodial oatmeal to help nourish both skin and hair. The soap-free formula is gentle and won't strip the skin on your scalp. "After the first shampoo my scalp calmed down and it is getting better every day," says one reviewer. It has a light, sheer texture, so the brand recommends it's used by people with thin, fine hair — those with thicker strands may not benefit as much.
Pros
- Exfoliating formula
- Smooths and softens skin
- Can be used on scalp and body
Cons
- Strong scent that some users don't love
Dr. Penzi loves that this deep-cleansing scrub from Ouai is good for all hair types, including color-treated hair. "It exfoliates product buildup from your scalp and smooths out dry skin while nourishing it," she says. It's also a multitasker and can be used on the body in addition to the scalp. Most users rave about the rose scent, but a few found it a little too strong.
Pros
- Deep-cleansing ingredients
- Doesn't leave residue behind
- Good value
Cons
- If water gets in, it can diminish the product's efficacy
In addition to being a good value — a big tub but not a big investment — this scrub from Nexxus is infused with elastin protein to help to keep your hair shiny and smooth. A favorite of GH Beauty Director April Franzino, the formula deeply purifies the scalp "without feeling rough or leaving any hard-to-rinse particles behind," she says. Reviewers love the scent and that a little bit goes a long way. Just be mindful not to let water get into the jar in the shower, as it can dissolve the exfoliating beads.
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Pros
- For product buildup and excess oil
- Can be used on color-treated hair
- Leaves hair shiny
Cons
- Can be drying
"Clarifying shampoos can help debulk the skin on the scalp and allow better circulation of the scalp and penetration of nutrients," says Kseniya Kobets, M.D., director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore Einstein in New York. "Clarifying shampoo can typically be used at the roots once or twice a week depending how oily the scalp is and how much buildup there is."
Dr. Kobets loves this one from Redken, which claims to be safe for color-treated hair, and suggests using it specifically at your roots to get rid of any and all residue and leave hair shiny. While it will remove residue from the scalp and roots, it can be drying so follow up with a hydrating hair mask or deep conditioner.
Pros
- Gentle formula
Cons
- Not ideal for fine hair
Biotera's nourishing shampoo was created with a "kind-to-scalp" formula that contains a pre-and post-biotic blend of coconut yogurt and ginseng. "It not only helps to maintain an optimal foundation for healthy scalp and hair but also deeply hydrates your strands," says Caspara. Recommended for dry, damaged and coarse hair, it may be too heavy for those with fine hair.
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Pros
- Formulated with mild cleansers
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Can potentially be drying
Chances are, if you have sensitive skin on your face or body, you may have it on your scalp too. And if that's the case, pros say to "avoid harsh smells and fragrances, as dry scalp can be predisposed to absorbing allergens and irritants," says Dr. Kobets.
She recommends Vanicream shampoo (and also the brand's dandruff shampoo if you struggle with that), as it is a mild formula that the brand says is pH-balanced and free of fragrance and many common chemical irritants. While it should not be irritating, a few reviewers found it could be a little drying, so make sure to use a hydrating conditioner with it.
Pros
- Nourishing formula
- Multi-use
- Leaves hair smooth and shiny
Cons
- Pricey
Caspara shares that this luxe oil is her go-to hair oil for a dry scalp. "It's full of antioxidants that stimulate, moisturize and purify the scalp," she says. "Scalp oils can be used as needed at the scalp and throughout the hair and sometimes even before washing the hair," Dr. Kobets says.
Apply a few drops after shampooing onto hair and scalp and gently rub it in for instant hydration and smoothness. You can also use it as a pre-shampoo massage treatment or mixed with conditioner as a weekly hair mask. A pricey pick, reviewers love the scent and instant shine. Oil can reduce volume in hair so keep that in consideration depending on your hair type.
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Pros
- Absorbs instantly
- Lightweight and luxe texture
- Skincare level ingredients
Cons
Franzino tested out this new formula from Dove and was amazed by the texture and effects. "It was totally undetectable and absorbed instantly — it felt more like a skincare serum than a hair serum." Containing vitamins B3 and E, zinc and peptides, it nourishes the scalp and helps fortify and strengthen strands.
Vitamin E is an "antioxidant essential for scalp health and healthy hair growth as it minimizes hair loss caused by oxidative stress," says Caspara. "Best used in a topical leave-on product, it soothes and moisturizes the scalp and nourishes hair."
10
Best Scalp Treatment For Seborrheic Dermatitis
Scalpicin Maximum Strength Scalp Itch Liquid Treatment
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Pros
- Easy-to-use nozzle applicator
- Provides itch relief fast thanks to 1% hydrocortisone in formula
- Doesn't leave residue on the scalp
Cons
- Not for prolonged use; follow use guidelines on packaging
Stop the scratching with this leave-in liquid that contains soothing hydrocortisone for instant relief. (But keep in mind that hydrocortisone should not be used for long periods of time as it can thin skin over time.) "The applicator has a small nozzle that makes applying it directly to the scalp a breeze," says Wnek. "I love that it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave any residue."
Wnek is very sensitive to the feeling of leftover product on her hair or scalp and finds that "this one feels invisible yet is still effective with just occasional itching." One reviewer found that it dripped a little when applying, so just use a small amount to start.
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How we chose the best scalp treatments
The GH Beauty Lab has over 100 years of history of testing hair care products including shampoo, hairspray and dry shampoo. While the Lab hasn't formally tested scalp treatments, we compiled this list by considering haircare brands consistently vetted by GH Beauty Lab pros and expert recommendations from dermatologists, trichologists and GH editors and scientists who have personally tested their picks.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Dori Price interviewed all of the experts quoted above, compiling their top product picks and expertise on scalp treatments of all types. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories and is an expert in all hair product categories, from shampoos, conditioners, treatments, styling products and tools to hair color, professional services and more.
For this story, she worked alongside Birnur Aral, who shared her knowledge on scalp treatments. In addition to her 15 years of leading clinical and consumer testing in the Beauty Lab, Birnur has R&D experience through her seven-year stint at Unilever U.S. She has contributed to content in countless beauty categories ranging from anti-aging products to sunscreen safety. She also has helped to tease out the science behind beauty products and debunk misconceptions, like the effects of sulfates in shampoo.
Dori Price
Contributing Beauty Editor
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
Reviewed byBirnur K. Aral, Ph.D.
Birnur (she/her) led the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2007 to 2023. In addition to overseeing product testing and GH Seal applications, she conducted our annual Beauty Awards selection process and was an active leader in GH’s green initiatives, including the Sustainable Innovation Awards and Raise the Green Bar Summit. In addition to earning M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering, she also has a professional certificate in sustainability management from Columbia University.