A Guide To Scalp Cleansing

When it comes to our skincare routines for our face and body, we tend to have a collection of products that we love to use to keep our skin firmly in check. From exfoliators and brightening serums right through to moisturisers and mists. But when it comes to our scalp? Many of us simply opt for a shampoo and conditioner. And unless you’ve struggled with imbalanced skin or had a painful scalp, it’s quite possible that you’ve not given your scalp routine much more thought.

So how exactly should we be taking care of our scalp to reap the benefits for both our skin and hair? In today’s post, we’ll be discussing what a healthy scalp looks like, and sharing some of our top-rated products that are helping our customers maintain a healthy scalp and stronger hair. 

What should a healthy scalp look like?

A healthy scalp is one that’s balanced – not oily, not dry - without itchiness or irritation. It should be free from signs of redness and inflammation, and you shouldn’t be seeing signs of buildup or scales. A healthy scalp feels comfortable and shouldn’t feel tender or painful at all.

What should a scalp cleansing routine consist of?

Your scalp cleansing routine will look different depending on your specific concerns, but a typical scalp cleansing routine could include:

Scalp scrub – to remove product, oil, and dirt buildup on your scalp
Shampoo – to clarify your scalp and hair and remove buildup
Treatment – to deeply condition your scalp and hair and provide nourishment
Conditioner – to condition your hair
Scalp serum – to provide further nourishment and often, nutrients to encourage healthy hair growth

The type of products you use, and the number of steps you include, will change depending on whether you have an oily scalp, a dry scalp, or an irritated scalp. Discover some of our bestselling scalp care saviours as rated by you, our wonderful customers. 

To Cleanse Your Scalp

Pharmaceris H - H-Sensitonin Soothing Shampoo for Sensitve Scalp

If you're in search of the best shampoo for a dry scalp, Pharmaceris have a great range of options. Working to soothe and protect your scalp whilst offering gentle exfoliation, this soothing formula is recommended for daily care of sensitive or irritated scalps.

With mint extract to cool and refresh whilst offering antibacterial properties, and canola oil, vitamin E, and emollients, the formula helps to deeply nourish your scalp whilst offering protection from environmental aggressors.

What our customers say:
“I have scalp psoriasis and most shampoos aggravate it pretty badly. This doesn’t and is great maintenance after any scalp treatment. Smells nice and lathers well. Can’t recommend this enough!” – Kasia Z

Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo For Dry Hair

Eradicate up to 100% of dandruff from the first use with this oil-reducing shampoo.

The formula includes ingredients like cohesyl, 1% selenium disulfide, and 1% salicylic acid to purify, exfoliate, and stimulate your scalp.

With a lightweight formula that won’t weigh your hair down, the shampoo makes styling easier.

Grow Gorgeous Repair Strengthening Hair & Scalp Mask

This deeply hydrating mask works to lock in moisture whilst strengthening your hair strands.

The formula includes a bio-active blend of five ferments to condition your hair and nourish your scalp, along with niacinamide to moisturise your scalp and support your skin’s protective barrier. The mask also includes bio-functional peptides and amino acids to strengthen your strands and tackle damage, and murumuru, shea and cupuassu butter to condition your hair and lock in moisture.

To treat your scalp

ESPA Tri-Active Resilience Clarify & Fortify Scalp Serum

Tackle impurities and exfoliate your scalp with this red seaweed-infused scalp serum. Clinically proven to clarify your scalp, the formula works to soothe dryness and itchiness whilst relieving redness.

Leave your scalp feeling hydrated and your hair more manageable.

Eucerin DermoCapillaire Calming Urea Scalp Treatment

This leave-in dry scalp treatment helps to calm and relieve scalp itchiness and irritation. With key ingredients of urea and lactate, the formula helps to improve your scalp’s ability to bind in moisture.

The formula is suitable for you if you have atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or a very dry, itchy scalp.

From the very first use, your scalp will benefit from increased moisture levels, and itchiness will be improved.

To protect your scalp

Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist SPF 50

Protecting the skin on your scalp is equally as important as protecting the skin on your face and body. The skin on our scalp can burn easily, causing pain, inflammation, and damage,

This transparent, water-resistant mist protects your scalp from UVA, UVB, Infrared A, and blue light, as well as including an antioxidant complex to protect against external aggressors.

The lightweight mist is suitable for vegans and is reef friendly and ocean safe.

What our customers say:
"The best spray/mist sun filter I’ve used. Numerous ‘next-generation’ filters, seems a very photo-stable formula. Has a very slight ‘sunscreen’ smell, but that’s only to be expected with organic sunscreens. It is completely transparent in use, and I’ve not found it to be sticky or greasy. Have to disagree with reviews here (and elsewhere) about its size vs cost. 75ml for £18 is pretty decent value, especially given its formula and use of very up-to-date filters. I don’t think I’d want to see it in a bigger size. It’s practical to carry around everyday at 75ml and bigger sizes just mean more preservatives and propellants." - Anon

Enjoyed this blog post and want to stick around to read another? We think you might enjoy our haircare post all about how to combat seasonal hair loss with pharmaceris. Learn what seasonal hair loss is, why it happens, and how to treat it with the help of scalp-loving products.