The Best Exfoliating Scalp Treatments Remove Flakes, Oil, and Buildup

Vogue

7 days ago

A point that board-certified nurse practitioner and aesthetics expert Vanessa Coppola drives home is how you care for your scalp directly affects the health and appearance of your hair, making the case for exfoliating scalp treatments even more clear. A proper exfoliating treatment can harmonize your scalp, boost circulation, minimize itch—all of which sets the stage for shinier, healthier strands.
'Most people focus on their hair strands but forget that healthy hair starts at the root," she begins. With her background in integrative wellness, she sees the scalp as an extension of the skin. 'Just like your face, it needs to be balanced, exfoliated, and nourished to function optimally. Scalp treatments remove excess buildup from products, sebum, and environmental pollutants that can clog follicles and disrupt natural growth cycles. A healthy scalp environment supports stronger, thicker hair, improves circulation, and even enhances how well your other hair-care products work.'
Vogue's Favorite Exfoliating Scalp Treatments
Are you wondering how to know if your scalp is screaming for extra TLC? There will be obvious signs (other than this article, of course—consider this one of your signs). It's time to add in a exfoliating treatment to detox your scalp 'if your hair feels more oily, itchy for no reason, or just plain blah' board-certified physician associate Paula Brezavscek previously told Vogue. That means brushing up on your exfoliation game, especially when flakes, excess sebum, or styling residue start overstaying their welcome. Ready to polish your routine? Below, 13 Vogue-approved scalp treatments, from purifying scrubs to luxurious oils and detoxifying elixirs.
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Best with Charcoal: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Tea Tree Treatment
Briogeo
Scalp Revival Charcoal and Tea Tree Treatment
$32
AMAZON
$32
NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: Limp hair, be gone! Briogeo's scalp serum delivers a cooling sensation while lifting impurities that weigh down hair hair down. The formula leans on binchotan charcoal for a deep clean, plus tea tree and peppermint oils to create that instant-refresh tingle. Coppola recommends this pick for anyone who needs to detox from lots of styling products or dry shampoo.'Charcoal is a powerful detoxifier—it pulls out impurities and buildup, while the soothing agents calm irritation,' she says.
Limp hair, be gone! Briogeo's scalp serum delivers a cooling sensation while lifting impurities that weigh down hair hair down. The formula leans on binchotan charcoal for a deep clean, plus tea tree and peppermint oils to create that instant-refresh tingle. Coppola recommends this pick for anyone who needs to detox from lots of styling products or dry shampoo.'Charcoal is a powerful detoxifier—it pulls out impurities and buildup, while the soothing agents calm irritation,' she says. Key Ingredients: Binchotan charcoal, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, witch hazel extract
Type: Leave-on scalp serum
Best For: Dry, flaky, or congested scalps
Size: 1 fl oz.
Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris Oil Erasing Scalp Serum
L'Oréal
Oil Erasing Scalp Serum
$12
AMAZON
Why We Love It: Infused with salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, L'Oréal's Oil Erasing Scalp Serum offers a salon‑grade cleanse that leaves the scalp feeling purified and refreshed for up to 72 hours—while hydrating your lengths, never stripping them. Powered with salicylic and hyaluronic acids, the lightweight, water‑thin texture absorbs instantly without residue, making it ideal for those who want fresh, balanced roots without heaviness.
Infused with salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, L'Oréal's Oil Erasing Scalp Serum offers a salon‑grade cleanse that leaves the scalp feeling purified and refreshed for up to 72 hours—while hydrating your lengths, never stripping them. Powered with salicylic and hyaluronic acids, the lightweight, water‑thin texture absorbs instantly without residue, making it ideal for those who want fresh, balanced roots without heaviness. Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, salvia, glycerin-rich components
Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, salvia, glycerin-rich components Type: Pre‑shampoo leave-in serum
Pre‑shampoo leave-in serum Best For: Oily or congested scalps who want their roots to stay fresh longer
Oily or congested scalps who want their roots to stay fresh longer Size: 3.45 fl. oz
Best for Oily Roots: Act+Acre 4% Niacinamide Oily Scalp Serum
Why We Love It : By now, you've likely tapped into niacinamide's skin-clearing prowess for your face, but have you considered it a solution for all your scalp woes? 'Niacinamide is a skin-barrier superstar, and this lightweight serum brings that same balance to the scalp,' says Coppola. 'It's the perfect pick for people with oily roots because it regulates oil production without over-drying, which is key to maintaining scalp health.' Not to mention, with regular use, this serum can keep time in between your shampoo schedule blissfully stretched.
: By now, you've likely tapped into niacinamide's skin-clearing prowess for your face, but have you considered it a solution for all your scalp woes? 'Niacinamide is a skin-barrier superstar, and this lightweight serum brings that same balance to the scalp,' says Coppola. 'It's the perfect pick for people with oily roots because it regulates oil production without over-drying, which is key to maintaining scalp health.' Not to mention, with regular use, this serum can keep time in between your shampoo schedule blissfully stretched. Key Ingredients : Niacinamide, fermented green tea extract, ​​bio-fermented astragalus
: Niacinamide, fermented green tea extract, ​​bio-fermented astragalus Type : Serum
: Serum Best For : Oily hair, scalp buildup
: Oily hair, scalp buildup Size: 2.2 fl oz.
Best Custom: Prose Custom Scalp Serum
Prose
Custom Scalp Serum
$56
PROSE
Why We Love It : Like all Prose products, this serum completely removes the guess work out of finding the perfect formula for your hair concerns. After a quick quiz, the brand creates a customized intensive scalp serum with a blend of hydrating ingredients and purifying chemical exfoliants perfectly catered to your skin's needs. What's included in yours? You'll have to click 'add to cart' to find out, and discover your uniquely blended salve.
: Like all Prose products, this serum completely removes the guess work out of finding the perfect formula for your hair concerns. After a quick quiz, the brand creates a customized intensive scalp serum with a blend of hydrating ingredients and purifying chemical exfoliants perfectly catered to your skin's needs. What's included in yours? You'll have to click 'add to cart' to find out, and discover your uniquely blended salve. Key Ingredients : Ingredients vary per customized formula. Prose picks from hundreds of clean ingredients, all sustainably sourced. Fragrance- and silicone-free options are also available.
: Ingredients vary per customized formula. Prose picks from hundreds of clean ingredients, all sustainably sourced. Fragrance- and silicone-free options are also available. Type : Serum
: Serum Best For : All hair types and scalp concerns
: All hair types and scalp concerns Size: 8.5 fl oz.
Best Salicylic Acid Treatment: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
The Inkey List
Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
$15
AMAZON
Why We Love It : 'Salicylic acid helps to banish dandruff flakes,' Brezavscek previously shared, citing this The Inkey List treatment which leads with the ingredient. 'Salicylic acid gently exfoliates and clears clogged follicles similar to how it works on acne-prone skin,' adds Coppola. 'It's excellent for reducing flakes, keeping pores clear, and helping your scalp breathe so hair can grow healthier.' Meanwhile, panthenol and castor oil calm things down, soothing itchy irritation with ease.
: 'Salicylic acid helps to banish dandruff flakes,' Brezavscek previously shared, citing this The Inkey List treatment which leads with the ingredient. 'Salicylic acid gently exfoliates and clears clogged follicles similar to how it works on acne-prone skin,' adds Coppola. 'It's excellent for reducing flakes, keeping pores clear, and helping your scalp breathe so hair can grow healthier.' Meanwhile, panthenol and castor oil calm things down, soothing itchy irritation with ease. Key Ingredients : Salicylic acid, Fluidipure 8G, panthenol, hydrogenated castor oil
: Salicylic acid, Fluidipure 8G, panthenol, hydrogenated castor oil Type : Prewash treatment
: Prewash treatment Best For : Oily scalp, dandruff, itchiness
: Oily scalp, dandruff, itchiness Size: 5 fl oz.
Best with Keratin: Virtue Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
Why We Love It: Think of Virtue's exfoliating formula as a clarifying facial—just for your scalp's hair follicles. Powered by Alpha Keratin 60ku, this pre-shampoo treatment gently lifts product buildup, excess oil, and dead skin while supporting healthy hair growth from the root. It's a weekly reset that leaves your scalp feeling detoxed, refreshed, and perfectly prepped for whatever styling comes next.
Think of Virtue's exfoliating formula as a clarifying facial—just for your scalp's hair follicles. Powered by Alpha Keratin 60ku, this pre-shampoo treatment gently lifts product buildup, excess oil, and dead skin while supporting healthy hair growth from the root. It's a weekly reset that leaves your scalp feeling detoxed, refreshed, and perfectly prepped for whatever styling comes next. Key Ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku, rice exfoliator, fruit enzymes, jojoba beads
Alpha Keratin 60ku, rice exfoliator, fruit enzymes, jojoba beads Type: Cream
Best For: Congested scalps, oily scalps
Size: 5 fl oz.
Best with Spicules: Celladix Hair Boosting Scalp Serum
Celladix
Hair Boosting Scalp Serum
$22
AMAZON
Why We Love It: The same benefits of spicule serums for skin applies to the scalp. This K-beauty roll-on serum uses needle-like structures to deliver tea tree oil, rosemary, charcoal, and actives straight to the scalp to refresh and rebalance without irritation—dispersed through a cooling metal tip that a soothing touch as you apply. A personal favorite, I love the mess-free application of this serum. I can never quite nail a dropper serum without it dripping onto my forehead. With this pick, I section my hair, roll, and go in the mornings without long-lasting residue or sacrificing style.
The same benefits of spicule serums for skin applies to the scalp. This K-beauty roll-on serum uses needle-like structures to deliver tea tree oil, rosemary, charcoal, and actives straight to the scalp to refresh and rebalance without irritation—dispersed through a cooling metal tip that a soothing touch as you apply. A personal favorite, I love the mess-free application of this serum. I can never quite nail a dropper serum without it dripping onto my forehead. With this pick, I section my hair, roll, and go in the mornings without long-lasting residue or sacrificing style. Key Ingredients: Redensyl, biotin, caffeine, niacinamide
Type: Roll-on serum
Best For: Thinning hair, weak strands, overall scalp health
Size: 1.7 fl oz.
Best for Dandruff: Jupiter Restoring Serum
Why We Love It: Chronically flake-prone scalps, meet your match. Jupiter's Restoring Serum is a lightweight, leave-in treatment designed to soothe irritation, reduce dandruff, and balance oil—all while promoting a healthier scalp barrier. That's thank to it's star ingredient, zinc, a well-regarded agent for its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. With its non-greasy finish and calming blend of actives, this is the kind of daily fix that works behind the scenes to keep your scalp clear, without leaving and residue or heaviness behind.
Chronically flake-prone scalps, meet your match. Jupiter's Restoring Serum is a lightweight, leave-in treatment designed to soothe irritation, reduce dandruff, and balance oil—all while promoting a healthier scalp barrier. That's thank to it's star ingredient, zinc, a well-regarded agent for its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. With its non-greasy finish and calming blend of actives, this is the kind of daily fix that works behind the scenes to keep your scalp clear, without leaving and residue or heaviness behind. Key Ingredients: Zinc pyrithione, niacinamide, green tea extract, aloe vera
Zinc pyrithione, niacinamide, green tea extract, aloe vera Type: Serum
Serum Best For: Dandruff, itchiness, oily or sensitive scalps
Dandruff, itchiness, oily or sensitive scalps Size: 2 fl oz.
Best for Curly Hair: Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Deep Scalp Detox 2-in-1 Hair Serum Cleanser
Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross
Deep Scalp Detox 2-in-1 Hair Serum Cleanser
$29
NORDSTROM
$29
AMAZON
Why We Love It : For curly girls, Coppola considers this pick the ultimate reset. 'Pattern's pre-shampoo purges dead skin cells and product buildup, deeply cleansing while infusing nourishing ingredients, making it ideal if you have a lot of buildup or have been overusing heavy conditioners or oils,' she says. Plus, it's perfect for a scalp refresh after braids and sew-ins, when natural curls and coils haven't been getting consistent TLC. Simply part your hair in sections, shake the bottle, and apply it directly to the scalp before shampooing.
: For curly girls, Coppola considers this pick the ultimate reset. 'Pattern's pre-shampoo purges dead skin cells and product buildup, deeply cleansing while infusing nourishing ingredients, making it ideal if you have a lot of buildup or have been overusing heavy conditioners or oils,' she says. Plus, it's perfect for a scalp refresh after braids and sew-ins, when natural curls and coils haven't been getting consistent TLC. Simply part your hair in sections, shake the bottle, and apply it directly to the scalp before shampooing. Key Ingredients : Australian tea tree oil, lemon peel oil, pink clay
: Australian tea tree oil, lemon peel oil, pink clay Type : Prewash treatment, daily serum
: Prewash treatment, daily serum Best For : Scalp detoxifying
: Scalp detoxifying Size: 4 fl oz.
Best with Mandelic Acid: Living Proof Scalp Care Exfoliator
Why We Love It: Living Proof's Scalp Care Exfoliator preps the scalp for your hair washing and styling via a blend of effective chemical exfoliants like mandelic and gluconolactone acids, which Coppola notes, offer a gentle approach to exfoliation. The pointed applicator offers precise application, ensuring its blend of glycolic acid, BHAs, and PHAs can eliminate flaking and reduce surface oils.
Living Proof's Scalp Care Exfoliator preps the scalp for your hair washing and styling via a blend of effective chemical exfoliants like mandelic and gluconolactone acids, which Coppola notes, offer a gentle approach to exfoliation. The pointed applicator offers precise application, ensuring its blend of glycolic acid, BHAs, and PHAs can eliminate flaking and reduce surface oils. Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, mandelic acid, polyhydroxy acid, prebiotics, beet root extract, agave extract
Glycolic acid, mandelic acid, polyhydroxy acid, prebiotics, beet root extract, agave extract Type: Pre‑shampoo treatment
Pre‑shampoo treatment Best For: All hair types, dandruff-prone scalps
All hair types, dandruff-prone scalps Size: 3.4 oz
Best Scrub: Typology R52 Scalp Scrub
Typology
R52 Scalp Scrub PHA 5% + Jojoba Beads
$38
TYPOLOGY
Why We Love It: French brand Typology is all about no-nonsense high-performing cosmetics with its recent foray into haircare following the same ethos. Take this pre‑shampoo exfoliating gel for example. Think of it as the ultimate hair reset—delivering dual action physical and chemical exfoliation. Natural jojoba beads gently scrub away dirt, oil, and impurities, while 5% gluconolactone idssolves dead skin cells. 'PHA is a gentle exfoliant, even softer than AHA, making this scrub ideal for sensitive scalps. With a good lather, it helps reset the scalp environment without causing redness or irritation,' says Coppola. This exfoliating scalp scrub is a safe bet for sensitive skin types struggling with dandruff or psoriasis.
French brand Typology is all about no-nonsense high-performing cosmetics with its recent foray into haircare following the same ethos. Take this pre‑shampoo exfoliating gel for example. Think of it as the ultimate hair reset—delivering dual action physical and chemical exfoliation. Natural jojoba beads gently scrub away dirt, oil, and impurities, while 5% gluconolactone idssolves dead skin cells. 'PHA is a gentle exfoliant, even softer than AHA, making this scrub ideal for sensitive scalps. With a good lather, it helps reset the scalp environment without causing redness or irritation,' says Coppola. This exfoliating scalp scrub is a safe bet for sensitive skin types struggling with dandruff or psoriasis. Key Ingredients: PHA 5%, jojoba beads, silica, aloe vera juice, peppermint oil, eucalyptus leaf oil
PHA 5%, jojoba beads, silica, aloe vera juice, peppermint oil, eucalyptus leaf oil Type: Exfoliating gel scrub
Exfoliating gel scrub Best For: Pre-shampoo treatment
Pre-shampoo treatment Size: 3.38 fl oz
Best for Itchy Scalps: Oribe Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On Treatment
Oribe
Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On Treatment
$48
NORDSTROM
Why We Love It: Sometimes scalp buildup requires a little comfort—and Oribe's luxe leave on treatment does just that. The formula delivers a cooling surge of peppermint and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate loose flakes and soothe irritation. Whether post-workout, after styling, or anytime scalp discomfort strikes, this feels like restorative self-care in a chic tube. Goodbye, itchy scalp!
Sometimes scalp buildup requires a little comfort—and Oribe's luxe leave on treatment does just that. The formula delivers a cooling surge of peppermint and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate loose flakes and soothe irritation. Whether post-workout, after styling, or anytime scalp discomfort strikes, this feels like restorative self-care in a chic tube. Goodbye, itchy scalp! Key Ingredients: Watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss extract blend, salicylic acid, peppermint oil, caffeine, niacinamide, panthenol
Watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss extract blend, salicylic acid, peppermint oil, caffeine, niacinamide, panthenol Type: Leave-on scalp treatment
Leave-on scalp treatment Best For: Dry, itchy, or flake-prone scalps in need of soothing
Dry, itchy, or flake-prone scalps in need of soothing Size: 1.7 fl oz
Best Soothing: Aavrani Scalp Rescue Serum
Aavrani
Scalp Rescue Serum
$42
AMAZON
Why We Love It: Think of this serum as a soothing spa session in a tube—designed to calm, balance, and detox your scalp without any veil of heaviness. Aavrani's Scalp Rescue Serum leverages 1.8% salicylic acid to gently dissolve flakes and buildup, while colloidal oatmeal and neem (an Ayurvedic herb with antimicrobial properties) deliver instant soothing and relief. Within minutes, even irritated scalps feel noticeably healthier. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, it's the kind of leave‑in formula that resets your scalp's equilibrium without disrupting second- or third-day hair.
Think of this serum as a soothing spa session in a tube—designed to calm, balance, and detox your scalp without any veil of heaviness. Aavrani's Scalp Rescue Serum leverages 1.8% salicylic acid to gently dissolve flakes and buildup, while colloidal oatmeal and neem (an Ayurvedic herb with antimicrobial properties) deliver instant soothing and relief. Within minutes, even irritated scalps feel noticeably healthier. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, it's the kind of leave‑in formula that resets your scalp's equilibrium without disrupting second- or third-day hair. Key Ingredients: 1.8% salicylic acid, neem extract, colloidal oatmeal, peppermint, patchouli
1.8% salicylic acid, neem extract, colloidal oatmeal, peppermint, patchouli Type: Leave‑on milky‑gel serum
Leave‑on milky‑gel serum Best For: Dandruff-prone, flaky or irritation-sensitive scalps
Dandruff-prone, flaky or irritation-sensitive scalps Size: 2 fl. oz
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