Welcome to the world where beauty begins at the roots!

Scalp is an extension of your body’s skin but with a little difference that it is thicker and hidden inside the layers of hair.

So, can you use the same products on scalp as those for the rest of the body? Or do you need products specially designed for Scalp skin only?

These are two crucial questions I am often asked as a Skin and Hair Care Consultant. In fact, at times, I am also asked the very basic question whether scalp needs to be cared for at all and is there really any need for a separate set of products besides the routine shampoos to do that!

Here are some insights on Scalp Care products.

Firstly, the pH of the scalp is slightly lower than skin i.e 5.5. Then scalp skin is thicker and due to the dense hair, there is deposition on its surface which may not get cleaned up during hair washes. Then the microbiome can cause frequent infections and inflammations which get ignored as they are unseen. Hence the products designed for Scalp need to consider all these aspects.

We are all very familiar with haircare products like Shampoos, Conditioners, Serums, Hair packs etc. Even though there is a whole plethora of products that are out there in the market for the scalp too, there is still a gap that needs to fill.

Here is a brief insight into some of the essential products that should be used in Scalp Care along with the ingredients that are trending globally:

1. Scalp Shampoos – Scalp shampoos are a little different from regular shampoos which are more targeted for hairs. pH is an important factor to consider and the set of actives would be with a specific purpose that they fulfil like –

–              Oily, sensitive or Itchy Scalp- AHAs, BHAs, Lavender Oil, Tea Tree oil, Niacinamide, Apple Cidar Vinegar (ACV)

–              Dandruff – ZPTO, Climbazole, Ketoconazole, Piroctone olamine, Essential oils like Rosemary, Peppermint, Tea tree

–              Dry scalp – Panthenol, Vegetable Oils and esters, proteins, Essential oils like Lavender oil, Tea Tree oil, Rosemary oil

–              Balancing Scalp microbiome – Lactic acid, Probiotics

–              Nourishing Shampoos – Aloe vera, Peppermint,

2. Scalp exfoliators – These are in either form of shampoos, creamy scrubs/masks or liquid tonic scrub forms. They are important to remove residual deposits or in conditions like dermatitis to remove the plaque and dandruff. Essentially the ingredients that top the list are –

–              Scrub Shampoos – Charcoal, Perlite, AHA’s, ACV

–              Scrub masks – Charcoal, Kaolin, Herbal Powders like Acai berry, Shikakai, Brahmi etc., AHA, BHA, PHA, Sugar, Sea salt, Pink Salt, Tea Tree, Coffee which is another popular ingredient, micro beads

–              Liquid Tonic Scrubs – Glycolic Acid, ACV, Green Tea

3. Scalp Serums, Tonics, Liquids, Gels – These are mostly for concerns like hair fall/hair growth, oiliness/dryness, thinning, dandruff, inflammation, scabs, sores and warts, itchiness or oxidative damage to scalp skin. They are better known as Scalp concentrates now-a-days and they give that extra attention that the scalp requires.

These are loaded with actives like –

–              Vitamins like E, Panthenol, Niacinamide and Biotin

–              Oils like Argan oil, Morroccon Oil, Almond oil, Macademia oil etc..

–              Protein, Amino acids like Keratin, Collagen, Peptides

–              Onion oil best known and used widely for growth stimulation.

–              Essential Oils like Rosemary, Tea Tree, Lavender, Ylang Ylang,

Eucalyptus oil for growth, inflammation and dandruff.

–              Hyaluronic acid, Salicylic acid

–              Stem cells

–              Capixyl, Procapil, Baicapil etc

The list is endless, but here I have tried to compile those which are most popularly used by formulators and brands.

Formulators Tips –

Actives definitely play an important role in any formulations, but the base that carries the actives are also very crucial. The base should complement the actives and should enhance their efficacy. The choice of ingredients should be such that they facilitate the delivery of the actives to the scalp. Hence the delivery system should be well in place.

The consistency aspect and form of the product also affects the choice of the product. Ease of usage and dispensing from the container is an important consideration.  Product should not be runny nor too thick as access to scalp through hair maybe difficult. No one wants a sticky or tacky feel to their skin or scalp! Sprays with nozzles are considered more user friendly as they easily reach the scalp. Giving applicators with jars is also a very user-friendly addition.

A segment that is slightly ignored in Scalp care is for the bald. Special sunscreens to suit the bare scalp skin and products that will deal with pigmentation of the scalp are the need of the hour.

Rerouting the formulations to suit the lifestyle and climate change will definitely help in re-rooting the scalp!!