by Natasha Wolff | June 7, 2021 9:00 am
We often forget that scalp is skin. We can’t see it, but indeed it is just as important as the skin on our faces and bodies. Now, skincare-grade ingredients are finally being added to haircare products.
“Seasonal changes can always affect our skin, and the sweat, humidity and heat that summer brings with it can create a moist, warm environment on your scalp in which microbes, the bacteria that causes dandruff and irritation, thrive,” says Dr. Barbara Sturm[1]. It’s important to note the positive effects a healthy scalp can have on hair’s strength, texture and appearance. “Hair that’s grown from an unhealthy scalp shows signs of roughness or breakage and in some cases, shine reduction, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis.”
Months spent swimming in a chlorinated pool or in salty ocean water can be harsh on the hair and scalp, so your scalp needs more TLC. “Fall is a good time to reset and develop a consistent haircare routine to repair the damage to our tresses and encourage stronger hair growth,” says Fable & Mane’s co-founder, Akash Mehta, a vegan, plant-based hair wellness line inspired by ancient Indian beauty secrets. The brand’s products feature ingredients like centella asiatica and adaptogenic ashwagandha to help the scalp microbiome adapt to changes in environment, internal hormonal changes and stress. Exfoliating the scalp is crucial to removing buildup and toxins from color treatments and styling products. “A balanced scalp microbiome is key for healthy hair,” says the brand’s other co-founder Nikita Mehta. Using products with silicone also causes damage to hair, so exfoliating the scalp should be done weekly to reboot the scalp. “Talking about the scalp wasn’t a sexy subject before but now people are much more open to discussing the details,” says Helen Reavey, a trichologist and founder of hair and scalp care brand Act+Acre[2]. “Now scalp care is part of the conversation.” Act+Acre’s products, like its Scalp Renew, Scalp Detox and Stem Cell Serum, treat the scalp like your skin cleansing and exfoliating while leaving all the good bacteria.
Robbie Salter co-created Jupiter[3], a line of shampoos, conditioners and repair products to address dandruff and dry scalp. “While the summer has its share of scalp damaging moments, the winter is often your scalp’s worst enemy,” Salter explains. “We tend to go longer in between washes, wear hats to stave off the cold or hide a little greasy buildup—each creating a breeding ground for oil and fungal buildup. Look to gentle formulations with medicated ingredients to not only target those issues at the source, but to establish the strongest foundation for healthy hair growth.” Jupiter is the only salon-quality dual system scalp repair company to offer both a line for those treating dandruff and, with the launch of its new dry scalp focus system, dry scalp.
After achieving success with her skincare line Drunk Elephant[4], it was only a matter of time before the brand’s founder and CEO, Tiffany Masterson, tackled the scalp with a new line of fragrance- and sulfate-free shampoo, conditioner and styling products. “You can’t have good hair without a healthy scalp,” says Masterson, whose son and husband both struggle with long-term scalp issues. “It’s super important to exfoliate weekly to have a clean and healthy scalp.” Drunk Elephant’s T.L.C. Happi Scalp Scrub has both physical (plant cellulose beads) and chemical exfoliation in the form of AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic or lactic acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acid, like salicylic acid). “Traditionally, haircare products have contained all sorts of ingredients, like silicones, that could disrupt the health of the scalp and cause buildup,” Masterson explains. “Our biocompatible line focuses on healthy pH levels, formulations the skin recognizes, small molecular structure that’s easily absorbed and effective active ingredients.”
“Your diet is also so important because your hair needs certain vitamins and minerals to be healthy and if the hair doesn’t have them at the birth stage it can weaken the hair,” says Reavey. “Your hair is the last to get nutrients, so you need to have a healthy surplus of vitamins and minerals in your body.” Act+Acre’s new Plant Based Hair Capsules[5] help provide all the nutrients your hair needs outside of your diet.
Entrepreneur Nancy Twine founded plant-powered, vegan haircare line Briogeo[6] to fix damaged locks. “I can see how the scalp can be overlooked—traditionally, we are accustomed to cleansing and conditioning just our hair,” says Twine. “This is why I created Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo. It is formulated with plant-based exfoliators that gently remove buildup from the scalp and coconut oil that moisturizes to help prevent a dry, flaky scalp.” She also recommends using a scalp exfoliator once or twice a week like her Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment, which is included in the brand’s Scalp Revival product set and features detoxifying Binchotan charcoal that draws out impurities from the scalp. “This formulation contains a cooling blend of tea tree, peppermint and spearmint oils that help reduce itchiness, irritation and inflammation,” she says.
Click through the gallery above for a look at our top favorite scalp products.
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