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11 of the best scalp serums to try for stronger, healthier and flake-free hair
2 years ago
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4 min read
Want a happier scalp and healthier hair? A weekly serum treatment could be the answer.
Potent, stylish scalp care products have become increasingly popular in recent years – and it’s about time, considering dandruff is the most common hair concern in the UK.
“Scalp treatments are essential for maintaining healthy hair,” explains expert Samantha Stewart, consultant trichologist at The Spencer Clinic of Trichology. “The scalp is the foundation of the hair and provides essential nutrients to the hair follicles. Therefore, regular scalp treatments help to improve blood circulation and nourish the scalp, which promotes healthy hair growth.”
Stewart adds that scalp treatments can also help to address specific scalp issues such as dryness, dandruff and oiliness, which can all contribute to hair problems like shedding and thinning. By addressing these issues with scalp treatments, she says, “it’s possible to promote a healthy and balanced scalp, which in turn can lead to thicker and fuller hair”.
Consider us sold. And if a flake-free scalp and more lustrous hair are also on your wishlist, then you don’t want to sleep on scalp serums. They’re designed to do away with dandruff, dry flakes and product build-up while adding targeted moisture to this often-forgotten area.
The best part? These treatments only need to be used around once or twice a week, depending on your hair wash schedule.
Read on for the Stylist-approved serums to try for a happier scalp and healthier hair.
Ouai Scalp Serum
Celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin founded Ouai with a mission to make hair care less complicated. Inside this sleek, sophisticated packaging is a blend of Siberian ginseng, chaga mushroom, arctic root and red clover to help hydration and soothe scalp irritation.
Typology Densifying Scalp Treatment
For thicker locks, Typology is getting to the root of the issue. This serum promises to add volume while working to strengthen hair roots and lengthen the hair growth phase, turning us into real-life Rapunzels.
Boots Ingredients Exfoliating Scalp Serum With Salicylic Acid
For a real bargain buy, Boots’ scalp serum sits nicely under £5. With salicylic acid as its star ingredient, it does away with dandruff and dry flakes for a cleaner-feeling scalp.
Shop Boots Ingredients Exfoliating Scalp Serum With Salicylic Acid at Boots, £4.50
Hair Gain Scalp Foam
Frothing up to more of a foam than a standard serum, this is a good option if you want to treat your entire scalp with ease. Pea shoots and caffeine work to catalyse hair growth and reduce the number of lost strands for thicker, shinier locks.
Act+Acre Cold Processed Scalp Renew
The before-and-after shots of this product may make you feel a bit queasy, but they sure do show that it works wonders. With cold-pressed peppermint extract, papaya extract and salicylic acid, the potent formula dissolves dead skin while soothing sore scalps and works on all hair types from fine to coily.
Shop Act+Acre Cold Processed Scalp Renew at Cult Beauty, £42
Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment
Moroccanoil is a fan-favourite hair oil, and the brand has now ventured into scalp health too. Infused with argan oil and lavender and geranium essential oils, this treatment sets about soothing the scalp with moisture and much-needed nutrients.
Shop Dry Scalp Treatment at Moroccanoil, £25.66
Paul Mitchell Clean Beauty Scalp Therapy Drops
These scalp drops contain zinc to help with sebum production and chamomile to calm, plus grapevine sap (said to boost elasticity).
Shop Paul Mitchell Clean Beauty Scalp Therapy Drops at Sally Beauty, £31.49
Nécessaire The Scalp Serum
A pricier pick than some of our other options, Nécessaire’s serum is built around a biomimetic peptide blend that battles thinning and helps with hair growth. Containing hyaluronic acid, consider it a scalp-friendly version of your favourite hydrating skincare.
Noughty Care Taker Scalp Soothing Tonic
For anyone with an itchy, scratchy scalp, this toner-esque product can be trusted to ease any irritation. Oat extract and bisabolol carefully calm inflammation, while piroctone olamine combats irritating microbes for a more manageable scalp.
Shop Noughty Care Taker Scalp Soothing Tonic at Lookfantastic, £9.99
This Hair Of Mine Scalp Serum
The word ‘clarifying’ gets bandied about when it comes to scalp products, and this serum certainly fits that description. It gently but deeply cleanses the scalp of product build-up, dead skin, sebum and more, all while stimulating hair growth.
Revlon Re:Start Balance Moisturizing Milk For Scalp
If itchiness is your concern, this may be your best bet. Hyaluronic acid sits as one of the key ingredients, flooding the scalp with much-needed moisture and combatting any dry flakes.
Shop Revlon Re:Start Balance Moisturizing Milk For Scalp at Notino, £17.60
Images: Courtesy of brands.
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