Meet the 15 Best Scalp Scrubs for Healthier, Shinier, and Flake-Free Hair

I love this light, whipped scalp scrub because it utilizes physical and chemical exfoliants (beta hydroxy acid and fruit enzymes) to remove impurities, like flakes and product buildup, while coconut, jojoba, and Kalahari melon oils don't over-strip the scalp. Like all Virtue products, it contains its unique Alpha Keratin 60ku, a protein identical to the keratin that repairs damaged hair with regular use.

Sephora reviewers are also enamored with this scalp scrub because it's genuinely effective and uses salon-quality ingredients at home. "All stubborn buildup from the past few months (hard water, BUNCH of dry shampoo, skipping washes, etc.) is now gone just from one use," says one 5-star review.

It's worth noting that some reviewers with tight curls say it left behind some grit, but I have a similar hair type and never experienced that issue.

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Christophe Robin's purifying scalp scrub has been a favorite of beauty editors for years now, and you can reach for it any time your oily scalp needs rebalancing or after a color treatment to relieve itchiness and irritation.

Reviewers love this salt scrub because their hair is no longer greasy whenever they use it. “I never knew I needed a salt scrub in my routine until I tried this! My hair has never felt 'natural' since getting it colored for years, but salt scrub transforms it every time,” says one elated reviewer. This reviewer also likes using it weekly and is impressed that it does a fantastic job removing product buildup on their scalp.

Got a slick, oily scalp? Then you might need a scrub that works overtime to control oil buildup. This one in particular will do just the trick through its tea tree oil-infused formula. The best part: It's less than $8!

This TSA-size-compliant tube has a built-in comb applicator for easy product distribution. Speaking of the applicator, it’s the only option on our list that features a twist closure with arrows indicating it's closed to help prevent spills during travel.

And to say Amazon reviewers are obsessed with this product would be an understatement. With more than 7,100 5-star reviews, it’s no wonder this cheap scalp scrub earned a spot on our list. To quote one highly-satisfied reviewer who has struggled with an itchy scalp for years, “This is the first thing that actually worked. It also stopped the itch the very first time I used it. I bought a tube 5 months ago and still have half of it left because I only use it about once a month. I am not one to write reviews, but this is a life changer for me. Give it a try!

dpHUE’s scalp scrub harnesses the benefits of apple cider vinegar (ACV), avocado oil, and aloe vera to relieve the scalp of dandruff, itchiness, and buildup. In my experience, it also does an excellent job of relieving a dry scalp since ACV removes buildup and soothes the scalp.

Even better? It has color-locking technology to help hair color last even longer, so it’s perfect for anyone who is low-maintenance about getting touchups or just rather not shell out on frequent and expensive pro-grade coloring.

Looking to streamline your haircare routine without compromising on quality? Look no further than Briogeo, one of our favorite clean beauty and Black woman-owned small businesses. Not only is it safe for relaxed and naturalistas alike, but those with color- and keratin-treated hair can indulge in this sulfate-free scalp scrub.

This 2-in-1 scalp scrub combines the gentle exfoliating and build-up-removing powersof a scalp scrub with the cleansing and hydrating ability of a creamy shampoo. The gentle formula relies on plant-based exfoliators and binchotan charcoal to remove unwanted gunk, oil, and flakes from the scalp. Nutrient-rich ingredients, such as coconut oil and panthenol, add a dose of hydration. There’s also tea tree oil to help soothe a tired, itchy scalp.

Kiehl's hair products are underrated, and their scalp scrub is a winning option because it carefully walks a tightrope of eliminating gunk from the scalp without depleting natural oils. It's another hybrid scalp scrub that combines sea salt with salicylic acid and amino acids to create a salon vibe without the ridiculous price tag.

It helps remove oil and normalize skin cell turnover, so my roots are cleaner. Plus, it works nicely with my textured hair and my mom's straight strands, so I'm confident in the brand's promise of working with all hair types.

Apaisant Scrub is part of Kérastase's Fusio Scrub collection and is made with sensitive scalps in mind because it hydrates and won't damage the cuticles or cause irritation.

So it's no wonder that when Semande, who styles Bianca Lawson and Azealia Banks, wants to stimulate and soothe the scalp, she opts for Kérastase Soothing Scrub Apaisant. She says, "One of my favorite scrubs is the Kérastase Relaxing Soothing Scrub Apaisant. It has jojoba beads and sweet orange peel, which are key to cleansing, while vitamin B5 keeps it nurtured."

Pro tip: Semande likes to use the $10 MAXSOFT scalp massager brush on her head to amplify the exfoliation process.

MONAT's scalp scrub relies on fruit-derived AHAs, apple cider vinegar, and pink clay to help exfoliate the scalp's surface and dissolve product buildup. It also contains vitamin B-6 to support healthy hair growth.

Rubenstein, who styles everyone from Gemma Chan to Jennifer Garner, considers this the best scalp scrub on the market. Rubenstein says, "I love MONAT scalp purifying scrub. It deeply yet gently detoxes and cleans. Hair and scalp feel fresh and lively. It also has apple cider vinegar which balances the scalp's PH."

Based on the clean beauty brand's best-selling T.L.C. skincare line, this scalp scrub works twice as hard to get rid of any lingering debris and impurities straight from the source. It combines AHAs and BHAs to break down and dissolve dead skin cells, while gentle plant-based exfoliating beads slough dirt and grime away for a flake-free feel to your scalp.

We love that it's also made with plant-based oils rich in antioxidants and fatty acids to ensure your scalp remains healthy, happy, and flake-free. To quote one 5-star Sephora review, “I have struggled with dandruff/dry scalp for 10+ years, and have tried everything with no luck. This stuff works! I follow the directions and follow [up] with DE shampoo and conditioner. I noticed a huge improvement within one wash!”

Is your relationship with your scalp on the rocks? Patch things up with this Drybar scrub that contains detoxifying charcoal and exfoliating sugar for a deeper clean than you can get with just a shampoo. Make it part of your shower routine up to twice a week.

Some reviewers rely on this scalp scrub to eliminate dandruff, while others adore it because works as an anti-frizz treatment. "I am obsessed! I have very curly hair that frizzes easily. After one use, there was a complete difference. I had no frizz, and it left my hair feeling clean and soft. I will be buying more," says one 5-star review.

Give your crown the royal treatment it deserves with R+Co’s exfoliating scrub. Along with rebalancing the pH levels of an oily scalp, it makes hair softer and shinier, and even provides UV protection.

This scalp scrub is arguably the most gentle option because it relies on crushed Ecuadorian ivory palm Seed Powder to buff away dead skin cells, flakes, and residue. It's also made with two skincare-quality ingredients that will ensure a greasy scalp is a thing of the past: salicylic acid and kaolin clay.

Plus, hundreds of Amazon reviewers with oily and sensitive scalps swear by this scrub. They enjoy the light, clean, and fresh scent it leaves behind when rinsed out, but more importantly, Crown's efficacy is impressive. "My hair has never felt cleaner and my scalp flakes are completely GONE after one use," says one 5-star review.

When salons were shut down in 2020, I relied on this scalp scrub to prevent product buildup and dandruff. I'd simply squeeze the tube onto my sectioned hair, and leave it on for a few minutes before following up with shampoo and deep conditioner.

This exfoliating scrub hits reset using exfoliating beads and salicylic acid to clear away dead skin and oils. With one whiff of Oribe's signature scent of citrus, florals, and woody musks, it gives your scalp the feeling of a luxe spa trip.

It nourishes, softens, and hydrates hair with a blend of AHAs, glycolic acid, and a soothing flower complex.

We love a multitasking product, and that’s exactly what this scrub from celeb stylist Jen Atkin’s haircare line OUAI is. The exfoliating foam exfoliant is the only safe option on our list that can be used on the scalp and the rest of your body, saving you some shelf space in your bathroom!

The refined sugar crystals are gentle on my scalp, but effectively exfoliate and soften rougher parts of my body, such as the elbows and feet. It also doesn't leave behind large clumps of products on the scalp, like other options I've tested.

If your scalp resembles an oil slick, then it's time to break out this exfoliating shampoo designed with oily scalps in mind. It's filled with detoxifying charcoal, mattifying pink clay, and exfoliating sea salt to detoxify your mane and control oil buildup, resulting in a fresh and clean feel that you'll always want to run your hands through. And let's be real: Who doesn't love that sensation?!

Online reviewers genuinely can't get enough of this scalp scrub. They use words like "shower staple," "amazing," and "definitely needed for dry scalps" to describe this product. To quote one 5-star Sephora review, "This is AMAZING if you suffer from [an] oily scalp! I normally can only go a max of two days between washes with the scalp one I currently have, I can go four days with this!"

With Cuvée Beauty’s champagne-infused products, washing your hair feels more like a celebration than a chore. This sugar-based scrub is refined and non-irritating, and it also features hydrolyzed pea protein and salicylic acid to cleanse away any lingering oil, dirt, or buildup. We (and satisfied online reviewers) say “cheers” to that!

According to Cuvée, the most effective way to exfoliate is to combine the scalp scrub with your shampoo for the ultimate lather. This combo also helps save time in the shower and makes it easier to rinse away your haircare products.