I'm here to say you need a scalp serum if you wanna grow your hair
Let me ask you this: you've had a haircare routine since you've had hair – right? What about a scalp care routine? Gotcha. Often the convo around scalp health gets overlooked when we're so concerned about our actual strands. Well, I'm here to say that scalp health is a big deal. This is where the best scalp serums come into play, designed to nourish your noggin and promote strong and healthy growth. *Round of applause, please*.
"Good scalp hygiene is essential to hair growth – after all, your scalp is your hair’s support system. Your scalp is skin and needs similar care to the kind on your face," explains Anabel Kingsley, Lead Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley. In fact, the skin on your scalp ages six times quicker than the skin on your face, so it's just as – if not more – important to look after.
The best scalp serums for a healthy noggin...
Why is a healthy scalp important?
You're probably now thinking, so what? Well, it's important to have a happy scalp as this is the starting point to growing strong hair. "Hair strands grow out from a living mini-organ that is the follicle, which is embedded within the skin. The health of the skin around the follicle is crucial to providing the best environment to support healthy hair growth," says Dr Sharon Wong, Dermatologist and Hair Specialist. "There are numerous medical examples of how an unhealthy scalp can compromise hair health and in more extreme cases cause hair loss," she adds.
Anabel also mentions the importance of regularly washing your hair to promote a healthy scalp. "Every hair follicle has an oil gland that produces sebum. If you don’t wash your hair often enough, it can lead to a build-up, making your hair greasier," she says. "It is a common misconception that dandruff is due to a dry scalp. It is actually the result of an oily scalp and so frequent shampooing is extremely important," she adds.
Are scalp serums worth it?
Realistically, a scalp serum alone won't solve all your hair woes, but a great formula can really help. "Whilst medical scalp conditions should be assessed and treated by a dermatologist, day-to-day use of scalp serums can support healthy hair by providing optimum health of the surrounding skin," says Dr Wong. She likens it to using sunscreen to protect your skin, thus improving its general appearance.
So, how do they work? "Typically, scalp serums contain actives to address issues such as dryness and flaking; pH and oil regulation; microbiome balance; supporting the skin barrier; and providing anti-oxidants against environmental stressors such as pollution and UV damage," says Dr Wong. When all of these are in check, you're on track to a happy scalp and, in turn, healthy hair growth.
Although a happy scalp = stronger hair growth, Dr Wong says it's important to understand the difference between formulas designed to support the scalp as opposed to those that promote hair growth. "For hair growth there is far more robust evidence with serums that contain medicines such as Minoxidil. However some serums contain non-pharmaceutical (usually plant-derived) actives that may have some benefit in promoting hair growth in milder cases of hair loss/thinning such as caffeine and saw palmetto," says Dr Wong.
Keep on reading for my shortlist on the best scalp serums that help everything from dryness and dandruff, to growth and inflammation.
Youth Juice Collagen Scalp Treatment
What they say: "Helps to create optimal scalp condition for youthfully thick, supple, resilient hair."
What we say: I'll forever back Color Wow's formulas. The brand is home to many viral sensations (hi, Dream Coat Spray). But one unsung hero is this scalp treatment.
Formulated by renowned chemist Dr. Joe Cincotta, Youth Juice is designed to keep the hair in its "prime" (read: to preserve and protect your scalp's collagen levels).
Soz to get science-y, but as your collagen levels deplete, your strands become brittle and weak causing hair loss. So alongside synthetic collagen, there's also niacinamide, arginine and caffeine – all proven to protect and boost collagen levels.
It's also very lightweight with a water-like consistency, so I can apply it to dry hair (with my tape-in extensions, too) without hassle.
Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
What they say: "An overnight hair growth serum that uses caffeine powder and an ingredient called Redensyl™ to help reduce hair loss by stimulating the scalp and hair follicles, therefore encouraging hair growth and helping to improve hair thickness."
What we say: If you share my frustration of having to wash greasy hair every. single. day, I'm sorry for you – genuinely. What broke the viscous cycle for me was this salicylic acid treatment. It helps to balance my moisture levels and cleanse my scalp of build-up that encourages greasiness and hair loss. It's ~ cheap ~ too, so my bank balance is happy.
Aceite de Moska Scalp Oil
What they say: "Aceite de Moska is a silicone-free heritage scalp remedy that nourishes and balances to address the most common scalp concerns such as itchiness, dryness, flakes and greasy roots, while promoting healthy hair growth."
What we say: Ceremonia's Scalp Oil is inspired by the ritual of 'Aceite de Moska' derived from the Dominican Republic, which uses eight powerful and natural oils to nourish and balance the scalp.
Use it as a pre-shampoo treatment and let its goodness soak into your scalp and strands. You can even maximise your R&R by using a scalp brush to massage the oil in.
It's best suited to those with a dry scalp and hair, although it has been formulated so all hair types and textures can get involved.
Overnight Scalp Barrier Serum
What they say: "Overnight Scalp Barrier Serum strengthens your scalp’s barrier function, and balances oil, hydration and microflora, helping to support long-term scalp health."
What we say: If committing to scalp care is a little too much effort, this serum works its wonders overnight while you snooze. Who knew sleeping could be so productive?
"Our Overnight Scalp Serum was specifically designed to be used overnight as this is when epidermal water-loss is at its highest," explains Anabel.
The treatment is formulated with the perfect trifecta of lactic acid, aloe vera and witch hazel. "All together these ingredients improve hydration, regulate oil production and balance microflora, creating an optimum environment for healthy growth," she adds.
Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
What they say: "Our Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Oil is a nutrient-rich, intensive formula meant to help you address your hair concerns. From nourishing hair follicles, smoothing split ends and help with dry scalp, this hair oil uses essential oils to provide the care your hair deserves."
What we say: Specifically formulated for textured or curly hair types, the Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil is formulated with biotin which contributes to healthy growth, while rosemary will strengthen hair follicles to support this process. Massage a few drops onto your scalp or bring the oil onto your ends to help heal split ends.
Scalp Serum
What they say: "Healthy hair starts with the scalp. This skincare-inspired serum helps balance and hydrate your scalp to create an ideal environment for hair to thrive."
What we say: If you're a fan of OUAI you'll know just how sweet-smelling its products are – and this Scalp Serum is no different. While many OUAI products carry a floral aroma, here we have a more earthy and fresh throw with notes of ginger and spearmint. Not that a good scalp serum needs to smell good, but it helps the whole experience.
As for the formula, it has an impressive ingredient list that's great for those with thin hair. Arctic root, Siberian ginseng, and chaga mushroom promote a hydrated scalp, red clover flower extract reduces discomfort from styling (top tip: if irritation is an issue, you may wanna cut back on the slick back buns for now!) and peptides encourage growth.
Scalp Stimulating Booster
What they say: "Daily scalp serum that balances the scalp and promotes healthier, fuller, thicker, longer-looking hair."
What we say: If you want to get the best out of your curls, this scalp serum is specifically designed with curls in mind. It's formulated with dragon fruit and ginger to clarify the scalp, while pea sprout extract helps to rehydrate and define kinks and curls – not to mention making your hairline appear fuller and thicker.
Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum
What they say: "Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum by Kérastase is a moisturising scalp serum for dry scalps. This is our ultimate scalp care: a niacinamide enriched serum that provides hydration and care to nourish dry hair & scalp."
What we say: If, like me, you deal with a dry scalp – I'm talking flakiness, irritation and inflammation – I'm here to say that Kérastase's Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum will sort ya out. There's nothing more uncomfortable than the feeling of a tight scalp, so whenever I'm in need of some TLC I squeeze on this dehydrating juice. It's enriched with fatty acids and glycerin to instantly provide relief and hydration. Better yet, it helps with flakiness if dryness is leading to dandruff.
Pitta Growth Serum
What they say: "For fine hair experiencing thinning or loss. Clinically proven to reduce hair loss and shedding while visibly improving hair’s thickness and fullness."
What we say: My biggest lightbulb moment was realising that the best treatments for hair growth focus on your scalp rather than your strands. Unhappy soil won't grow a beautiful flower, right!
Chāmpo is the hair health brand that truly gets it – no wonder a bottle of this stuff sells every 30 seconds. Combining the ancient ritual of Ayurveda alongside scientific innovation, this potent serum does a stellar job at feeding the hair follicles with herbal extracts, caffeine and peptides to encourage speedy growth. And trust me, if you stay loyal to it, new growth is exactly what you get.
Multi-Peptide Serum
What they say: "Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density is a concentrated leave-in formula designed to support the scalp and give you thicker, denser, fuller-looking hair."
What we say: Scalp serums needn't come with a spenny price tag, and The Ordinary is proving just that. The Multi-Peptide Serum (cause yes, The Ordinary does haircare ICYDK) is one of my fave formulas from the brand.
It contains the perfect blend to encourage growth – caffeine, peptides and plant extracts – working to stimulate hair follicles and nourish the scalp. It's also very lightweight so I can dispense a few drops into my hair without it leaving a greasy appearance.
Amia Soothing Serum
What they say: "This weightless pre-wash treatment oil nourishes the scalp and hair, relieves irritation and itchiness, and helps to remove product build-up for a balanced and healthy scalp."
What we say: I'm a big fan of everything that Fable & Mane does, including this hydrating scalp serum. It uses bajillion plant oils and natural extracts (sunflower oil, turmeric, amla fruit extract, and bakuchi) to reduce scalp irritation and boost moisture, without leaving a greasy feel. It's also curly-girl approved, making it a great choice for those with thicker and tighter curl types.
What ingredients should you look out for in a scalp serum?
If dehydration is your main woe, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, plus ceramides for barrier support. If you're fed up of consistently greasy roots, look for salicylic acid. And if you've noticed product build-up or dandruff, look for ingredients like glycolic and lactic acid to gently exfoliate.
Are scalp serums suitable for all hair types?
"Most scalp serums are formulated to be suitable for all hair types although it would be worth looking at the ingredients list as alcohol can dry out textured or curly hair and serums which contain oils could weigh down fine hair types," says Dr Wong.
Adding to this Anabel says: "Scalp serums can be used by everybody, but if you have a super-sensitive scalp or scalp concern, please seek the professional advice of a Trichologist or Doctor before using products at home."
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