The best scalp scrubs help deep clean your scalp by removing dead skin cells, excess oil, and product buildup. Essentially, they exfoliate and create a cleaner environment for healthy hair, which can improve scalp circulation, and overall hair growth, says Jeffrey Rapaport, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New Jersey, noting they’re particularly helpful for people experiencing dandruff, itchiness, or an oily scalp.
Experts recommend looking for ingredients that are gentle yet effective—and avoid harsh chemicals (like sulfates and parabens), heavy fragrances (like synthetic fragrances), or overly abrasive particles, since these things can all be irritating to the scalp. Some key ingredients to consider include Himalayan pink salt or sugar for physical exfoliation, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, or salicylic acid to help cleanse and purify the scalp, rosehip oil or other soothing natural oils to provide hydration and nourishment, and rosemary oil and orange peel oil for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, says Dr. Rapaport.
To help you find the hair products that actually work to soothe a dry, itchy scalp, we asked dermatologists for their recommendations, then tapped our editorial team—myself included—to give them a whirl. During evaluations, each tester reviewed ingredient lists, and took notes on ease of use, scent, and overall efficacy.
Our top pick is Briogeo, a clarifying shampoo and scalp scrub combo treatment that our testers said banished itchy symptoms and flakes for days on end, but there were plenty of other great options—including budget-friendly salt and sugar scrubs—that yielded surprisingly great results, too.
The best scalp scrubs, at a glance
Your scalp scrub questions, answered
Do dermatologists recommend scalp scrubs?
“Dermatologists may recommend scalp scrubs, but with some caution,” says Dr. Rapaport. “They can be helpful for individuals dealing with buildup, an oily scalp, or mild dandruff. However, they should not be overused, as excessive scrubbing or harsh formulations can cause irritation, especially in those with sensitive skin or conditions like psoriasis or eczema.”
How often should you use a scalp scrub?
In general, dermatologists say it’s safe to use a scalp scrub once per week, but say even more sparingly—like once every two weeks—might be more appropriate for those with sensitive skin or an excessively dry scalp.
What’s the difference between a salt scrub, a sugar scrub, and a chemical exfoliant?
Not all scalp scrubs have the same exfoliating ingredient. Sugar and salt are examples of physical exfoliators, which manually slough off dead skin cells and product buildup via gentle abrasion. Chemical exfoliants harness the powers of acids, like glycolic acid, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Both can get the job done, but chemical exfoliants may be too irritating for those with sensitive skin or excessively dry scalps.
Best Overall: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo
Original image by Glamour tester Briggit Early
- Why we love it: Small exfoliating particles that are easy to work into hair; great scent; cooling and soothing effect; doubles as a shampoo
- What could improve: Doesn’t lather as well as some others we tried
- Key ingredients: Charcoal, coconut oil, peppermint, spearmint, tea tree oil
Open this scalp scrub, and you’ll immediately notice something different: It’s dark gray, like a mud mask. It’s all thanks to the charcoal in the formula, which is touted as a detoxifying ingredient that helps draw out any impurities clogging the hair follicle and causing buildup on the scalp. The scrub also contains coconut oil to moisturize the scalp and prevent dryness and flakes, as well as a peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oil complex that lends a cooling effect that’s great for soothing itchiness and irritation. Our tester says you’ll smell the latter ingredient right away and that it’s “heavenly.”
We love that this particular scalp scrub doubles as a shampoo, so it’s not an extra step in your routine. Simply apply it to wet hair, massage it into the scalp, and rinse away. It’s suitable for all hair types. Our tester has long, wavy hair and has always struggled with a “distractingly itchy scalp prone to white flakes from giving into the urge to scratch,” and said she couldn’t believe how well it worked. “I think I went two to three whole days before I started itching—I usually can’t go more than a few hours!” She also liked how small the exfoliating particles are. “Other products I tried had big pieces of salt or sugar that were harder to fully work into my scalp,” she said. On the downside, the sulfate-free formula doesn’t lather quite as well as some others.
Best Value: Head & Shoulders Supreme Exfoliating Scalp Scrub
Original image by Glamour tester Briggit Early
- Why we love it: Small exfoliating particles that are easy to work into hair; lathers well; clean scent
- What could improve: Formula is a bit runny
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, argan oil
Head & Shoulders shampoo is often billed as one of the best drugstore options to treat a dry, itchy scalp, but the brand’s exfoliating scrub is just as worthy of a look—especially for the budget-conscious. Like our top overall pick, this scrub has small exfoliating particles that are easy to work into the scalp. Our tester also praised its “clean” scent, noting it smells like a classic bar of soap.
You’re supposed to massage it into your scalp prior to shampooing and conditioning, so it is an extra step in your hair routine. On the upside, it’s a leave-in treatment, so you don’t have to rinse it. Those with a dry scalp or strands will appreciate that the formula has moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E and argan oil. “Even though the formula is a bit runnier than other scalp scrubs I tried, I was impressed by how little product I had to use to get a good lather,” our tester said. “It did a great job of removing product buildup from my three-day hair.”
Best for Scalp and Body: OUAI Cleansing Scalp and Body Scrub
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Original image by Glamour tester Briggit Early
- Why we love it: Lathers well; great scent; can be used from head to toe
- What could improve: Larger crystals can be hard to evenly work into hair
- Key ingredients: Sugar crystals, panthenol, glycerin, coconut oil
