Name any area of exposed skin and there is a slew of beauty products targeted at it. We dutifully apply serum and SPF, and dry brush and jade-roller away at our skin (at least, when we remember to). But one body part in the world of skincare that may have (until now) escaped your attention: the scalp.

Lurking beneath your hair is a unique ecosystem working tirelessly to promote hair growth and regulate oil production, but when was the last time you gave your scalp a second thought beyond an absent-minded massage mid-shampoo?

As the temperatures start to dip and the heating gets turned up: you might’ve noticed a drier scalp than usual. Autumn is after all: dandruff season and it’s one of those beauty bugbears we’d all like to nip in the bud, thank you very much. 

Plus, modern-day issues such as increasing pollution and the rise in skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema mean our scalps are more antagonised than ever, and worthy of the same attention we give our face. In fact, Cult Beauty saw searches for ‘scalp’ increase by 196% in the 2019 alone.

We’re also starting to understand the connection between scalp and hair health. “With the heightened awareness in overall health and wellbeing, people are now taking more notice of their scalp and valuing its vital role in hair health,” explains Anabel Kingsley, trichologist at Philip Kingsley.

“Dirt, pollution, dead skin and sebum can easily build up, making hair dull over time and potentially leading to irritation on the skin.” Her advice? If possible, a daily scalp cleanse to keep it free of irritants. “Many people think they have dandruff, but it’s actually dead skin cells sitting on the scalp, not washed away frequently enough.”

If you’ve noticed a few flakes or spotted some redness on your scalp, now is the time to take action, and if a cleanse is your starting point, what else should be on your scalpcare to-do list? “Masks, exfoliants and serums can also effectively tackle a myriad of issues, from oiliness to dandruff,” says trichologist Stephanie Sey.

Targeted scalpcare products mirror the steps of a skincare regime – from serum to SPF, mask to massage tool – and they are powered by the same ingredients you’d expect from the most powerful skincare formulas. But, unlike the super- coarse, super-abrasive scalp scrubs of the past, they do the job without upsetting the delicate scalp skin.

Thankfully you don’t need to implement a laborious 12-step regime either – the key is to only address obvious problems to avoid overloading a sensitive area.

Here, Stylist selects the most effective products to soothe and revive stressed scalps.

Whatever your scalp is suffering from, we’ve found the formula to fix it.

Main image: Getty