Key Insights
- Scalp Care: Your scalp requires attention as much as your hair does for overall hair health.
- Serum Benefits: Specialized serums can help alleviate dryness and irritation on the scalp.
- Product Pairing: Many scalp treatments work best when combined with specific shampoos and conditioners.
- Common Misconception: A dry, itchy scalp is not always indicative of dandruff; different treatments are necessary.
Your scalp called – it wants in on your skincare routine!
Because healthy, happy hair doesn’t start with your ends, it starts with the skin hiding under it all. We baby our faces with steps galore, but the scalp? Usually forgotten – until it’s itchy, dry, or throwing a tantrum.
Sun, styling, and life in general can leave your scalp begging for some TLC and these serums are here to save the day…
Flexitol Scalp Relief Serum – 60ml – $15.99 – moisturizing, soothing and packed with colloidal oatmeal, Canadian willowherb and menthol. Translation: instant “ahhh” for dryness and itchiness. Works on wet or dry hair, so no excuses.
Love it for: the affordable price point!
Pairs well with: Flexitol Scalp Relief Shampoo & Conditioner – 210ml – $15.99
Available at drugstores across Canada.
Briogeo Scalp Revival – 100ml – $44 – rosemary, castor oil, and tea tree walk into a bottle… and your scalp walks out happy! Perfect as a pre-wash or overnight treatment, this lightweight oil nourishes thirsty strands while calming irritation for a dry, itchy scalp – no greasy residue and no awkward “tingle.”
Love it for: the amazing rosemary scent!
Pairs well with: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo – 236ml – $57 (or try it out first with the 59ml travel size for $21)!
Ouai Scalp Serum – 60ml – $80 – pricey, yes. Worth it? Also yes. With adaptogens, hyaluronic acid, peptides and red clover extract, it hydrates, soothes, and makes hair look thicker. It’s basically self-care in serum form.
Love it for: the added hair thickening bonus!
Pairs well with: Ouai Detox Shampoo – 300ml – $49 (or try it out first with the 89ml travel size for $23)!
Important note: a dry, itchy scalp does not necessarily mean dandruff. These serums won’t fix flakes – that’s a good dandruff shampoo’s job. Try: CeraVe Anti-Dandruff 2in1– 355ml – $15.99 – it gently removes flakes, soothes itching and restores your scalp’s barrier with 1% pyrithione zinc, ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid – that cleanses, hydrates and is suitable for all hair types.
I don’t usually do this but here’s one to skip: while sourcing products for the post I found something that I could simply NOT recommend – I had a friend complaining about the opposite problem of dryness – instead she constantly has an oily scalp so I found something that seemed like it would help – L’Oreal Hair Expertise Hyaluron Pure Oil Erasing Treatment – 102ml – $14.99 – Claims: oil-free roots for 72 hours. Reality (per my friend): made her scalp and roots greasier than a drive-thru fry basket. She gave up and embraced hats. You should too – at least before wasting your money buying this…
Bottom line: treat your scalp like the VIP of your haircare routine. Feed it, soothe it, hydrate it – and it’ll repay you with good hair days (and fewer hat days).”
– Lisamarie –