Learn how to make a homemade scalp scrub that helps remove product build-up and flakes, while still nourishing and moisturizing the scalp!

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As I get older, I’m realizing more and more how important it is to take care of my hair. And although I use minimal-ish heat, wash my hair only few times a week, and use minimal products, I still find myself left with an itchy dry scalp right before wash day. This left me questioning my hair routine and what I could add or change to improve my scalp health as naturally as possible. I knew exfoliation would be just as important for my scalp as it is for my face and body, so I dug in on what I could do and I stumbled across two solutions.

The first was glycolic acid and the second, scalp scrub. Now, glycolic acid is a liquid that’s a chemical exfoliant. It works to exfoliate the skin, removes dead skin cells and helps combat excess product build up and leaves you with a healthier scalp. I love to use the glycolic acid in combination with the scalp scrub because I get maximum exfoliation, as well as the hydrating and hair growth promoting benefits.

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FAQs

How can I remove dead skin from my scalp at home?

There are a few different ways I like to remove dead skin from my scalp. The first is applying the glycolic acid to the problem areas of my scalp, allowing it to sit for 10-15 minutes, then hopping in the shower to double shampoo and condition as normal.

The second is to section my hair and apply my homemade scalp scrub directly to my scalp in each section. I then gently rub the scrub into my scalp using circular motions and utilizing a scalp massager. Then I double shampoo and condition as normal.

The third is to first use glycolic acid on my scalp, allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse it out of my hair. Once it’s rinsed, I use the scalp scrub, allow that to sit for 5-10 minutes, then double cleanse and condition as normal.

What is double shampooing?

Double shampooing or double cleansing really just means washing your hair twice. I prefer to double shampoo because I find my hair gets much cleaner and if you look on the shampoo bottle it says to lather, rinse and repeat (cue Phoebe Buffay singing). I like to use regular shampoo, but you can use a clarifying shampoo, for the first round, then dandruff shampoo for the second. You’ll find the second shampooing lathers so much better and further cleanses. I then condition my hair, allow that to sit a while, then rinse it out at the end of my shower.

Is salt or sugar scrub better for the scalp?

While you can use salt, baking soda or sugar to create a natural and homemade scalp scrub, my personal preference is sugar for a couple reasons. The first is that the sugar granules are larger than salt and baking soda, making for a more gentle exfoliation. It’s also not as drying or potentially irritating to the skin as salt or baking soda.

Ingredients

Sugar: Sugar, especially cane sugar and raw sugar, helps to gently exfoliate the scalp without stripping the natural oils produced by the scalp. This helps prevent excess dryness and dry skin on the scalp.

Castor oil: Not only is castor oil moisturizing for the skin and hair, but it has so many other benefits. Castor oil can promote hair growth, combats split ends and damaged hair, helps to detoxify the scalp and reduce dandruff, making it the perfect addition to a DIY scalp scrub.

Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil helps to reduce frizz, moisturize the hair and scalp and can help prevent breakage.

Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar acts like a clarifier for the hair and scalp. It helps to balance the pH of the scalp, is anti-inflammatory, helps to remove product buildup in the hair and on the scalp and can help reduce dandruff with it anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

Rosemary essential oil: There have been studies on rosemary essential oil on the hair that have concluded it’s just as effective as Minoxidil, or Rogaine, in growing hair and helping to combat hair loss. Although it’s optional in this scalp scrub, I love using it in anything hair related.

Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint essential oil has a very soothing and cooling effect, which can help sooth an itchy and irritated scalp.