Flaky and dry scalp? 7 Scalp Serums we rate
The Ordinary Hair Care Natural Moisturising Factors + HA, £12.60
The scalp is an extension of your skin and by that token it can also experience dryness, flakiness and irritation. This is where scalp serums enter that chat. Historically we would have ‘greased’ our scalps in bid to hydrate and moisturise, but advances in science and research have shown us that this practice of essentially loading extra oils unto our scalps isn’t beneficial and can actually stack up problems with clogged pores and dehydration.
Like facial serums, scalps serums are formulated with active ingredients like plant extracts, vitamins, peptides and antioxidants to support the hair and scalp ecosystem by calming the microbiome, which in turns also promotes hair growth. By design, they are hydrating and anti-inflammatory to balance the pH of the scalp which can only be a good thing, especially with conditions such as flakiness and dandruff. Some scalp serums will also stimulate blood flow, increasing oxygen, antioxidants and nutrient to the follicles. If thinning and hair loss is a concern, then scalp serums may also help slow this down.
Not all scalp serums are created equally, so it’s important to choose the right one for your concern. If it’s mainly dryness, then look for a serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene and Vitamin E which will help to rehydrate the scalp. Panthenol is great humectant for dehydrated scalps because it will attract and retain moisture where you need it. If you experience build up, you may want to include an exfoliating ingredient such as lactic acid or glycolic acid which, tea tree is a good ingredient for keeping bacteria at bay. Additionally, caffeine is a stimulant which can pep up blood circulation.
Tempted to include a scalp serum to up your hair game? Here’s a few we love.
