Exfoliating the skin on your face and body can help increase circulation, boost radiance and improve acne. But, what about the skin on the top of your head? If you’ve never thought to exfoliate your scalp, you could be missing out on benefits for your scalp and hair. Get ready to learn more about how to exfoliate your scalp at home, including:

• Why you should exfoliate your scalp
• How to exfoliate your scalp
• How often to exfoliate your scalp
• What products to use to exfoliate my scalp at home

Why you should exfoliate your scalp

It’s natural and expected for dead skin cells and sebum to build up on your scalp over time. Hair products—especially ones that contain silicones—you use regularly to keep your locks looking shiny and sleek may also leave behind a residue on your scalp.

This build-up of products, sebum and dead skin cells can block hair follicles or even contribute to dandruff, because Malassezia, the fungus that often causes dandruff, feeds on excess sebum. “Exfoliating your scalp helps clear away that build-up to keep your hair follicles clear so they can grow healthy strands of hair,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “Keeping your scalp healthy goes a long way to promote healthy hair growth.”

How to exfoliate your scalp

The two different kinds of exfoliation—physical and chemical—you use on your face and body also apply to your scalp in the same way. Physical exfoliation involves applying a grainy scrub or massaging with a scalp brush to physically loosen scalp build-up, so you can wash it away. Chemical exfoliation involves using a product with active ingredients, such as acids or enzymes to help dissolve dead skin cells and other build-up on the surface of your scalp.

How often should I exfoliate my scalp?

Physically exfoliating your scalp one or two times a week is likely enough. “You don’t want to veer into the territory of over-exfoliating your scalp, as scrubbing it too often or too hard can be irritating,” Dr. Schlessinger says. For scalp products with chemical exfoliants, you’ll want to follow the product instructions carefully, as recommended use will vary. Some scalp serums might be formulated for once-weekly use, while other shampoos might be just fine to use daily or as needed.

Exfoliate your scalp at home with these 6 products

Ready to give scalp exfoliation a go? From serums to scrubs to shampoos, here are a few of our favorites.

Mizani Scalp Care Exfoliating Pre-Treatment

This scalp treatment is meant to be applied before you step in the shower. Start by parting your hair into small sections and applying the treatment directly to your scalp as close to the root of your hair as possible. It contains aloe vera and avocado oil to help soothe a dry, irritated scalp, as well as salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that works to dissolve built-up dead skin cells and oil. This formula is safe to use on any hair type, including extensions and braids.

ColorProof Scalp Cleansing Brush

Ready to exfoliate your scalp and enjoy a soothing massage at the same time? This handy brush is designed to help stimulate circulation and loosen build-up as you gently massage your scalp while shampooing. Featuring a comfy, ergonomic grip with an attached cord, this cleansing brush can easily be hung from your shower or tub faucet in between uses.

ColorProof BioRepair-8 Stem Cell Scalp Serum

If you’re looking for a scalp exfoliator and hair growth booster that you can use outside the shower, check out this leave-in serum from ColorProof. It features a clear, lightweight texture that is designed to absorb completely into the scalp, so you can use it any time of day without needing to rinse or shampoo after— convenient, right? Alpha hydroxy acids do the job of exfoliating your scalp and boosting circulation while copper peptides and biotin combine forces to help strengthen the tissue responsible for new hair growth. It also contains a blend of eight natural scalp fortifiers (oleanolic acid, pumpkin seed oil, green tea and more) to prevent the absorption of DHT, which can trigger hair thinning.

VIRTUE Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

If you’re in the market for a scalp scrub, you’ll love this sweet-smelling treatment with a fluffy, whipped texture. It uses rice beads to physically slough away build-up as well as fruit enzymes and salicylic acid to chemically break down sebum and dead skin cells that are dwelling on the surface of your scalp. Jojoba oil and melon oil also work to moisturize the scalp, and, like all hair care from VIRTUE, this exfoliating scalp treatment is powered by Alpha Keratin 60ku to help repair damaged hair from root to tip.

Rene Furterer COMPLEXE 5 Stimulating Plant Extract

Meant to be used as a pre-shampoo step, this plant-based scalp treatment is formulated to purify the scalp and balance oil production with help from lavender and orange oils. The unique precision applicator dispenses just the right amount of product onto your scalp while the massager tip helps boost circulation and product penetration as you gently work the treatment into your scalp.

CLn Shampoo

If you’ve noticed your scalp feeling flaky or itchy, this medicated shampoo is one of Dr. Schlessinger’s go-to recommendations. “This shampoo is very effective when it comes to easing a variety of different scalp issues that cause itching and flaking, such as psoriasis and dandruff,” Dr. Schlessinger says. Salicylic acid helps sweep away old skin cells and built-up oil on your scalp to reveal healthier-feeling skin beneath, while sodium hypochlorite helps zap any bacteria that could be responsible for scalp infections such as folliculitis. Not to mention, it’s great for guys struggling with beard acne.

Curious about the latest at-home exfoliators? We’ll help you learn which facial peel or scrub is right for you!