Hi Kelly I make my own scalp scrub using my conditioner and granulated sugar. Add enough sugar to some conditioner to form a loose paste and rub into the scalp gently. The sugar melts when you go into the shower and rinse, but I then shampoo and condition as normal afterwards to make sure it's all out. The sugar granules are finer that some of the particles in actual scrubs you buy and you can use a fragrance free conditioner (which is what I use). It's a way for me to use up conditioner I didn't love as actual conditioner for my curly hair. I have scalp eczema, so once the flare has resolved I'm left with some flaky skin and this helps gently dislodge it. Alternatively I use a BHA scalp treatment from Ameliorate (also fragrance free) overnight prior to shampooing for a chemical exfoliation. There are many scrub options out there, but for me they're an unnecessary expense and I'm happy with the sugar mixture. I think a BHA treatment is worth it though and will invest in that. I don't use them every week and use them when I think I need them, so it lasts a while. Best wishes. ps you probably could use a mild exfoliating toner to the scalp instead (avoiding the lengths of the hair), to avoid buying more product. Skin is skin at the end of the day.
*Hard Water*. After going through significant changes in my hair, I feel water quality is often neglected as a damaged hair contributor. Get a shower filter, use a chelating shampoo and condition, save money on hair products.
Kelly, you should try OUAI detox shampoo it has apple cider vinegar to clarify your scalp. Also the K18 peptide prep clarifying detox shampoo. Both are amazing!
I'm using the drunk elephant aha/bha scrub, only to the top of my head. I also have combo skin and my scalp is oily near my forehead and dry elsewhere. It gets oily AND dry flakey skin. So the aha/bha works well for me, once weekly.
I have curly hair so I clarify on a regular basis to remove build up from hair products, but I recently tried the Texture ID Exfoliating Shampoo and Scalp Scrub. My usual routine is to double cleanse my scalp with my shampoo…once a week I use the scrub and Malibu C’s Un-Do-Goo (PH 9) and I utilize a silicone scalp brush every time I wash my hair (every 3-5 days). I have a pretty itchy scalp, which I think was due to build up and generally being lazy with not washing my scalp well. Since doing this double cleanse method, I have found myself with a scalp that is a lot more balanced. Obviously, we curly haired folks tend wash our hair a lot less often, so this may not work for everyone, but it was a game changer for me.
I tried the briogeo scrub for the first time and didn’t like it, I had a hard time spreading it so I felt like it didn’t do the best job at cleansing, maybe I’ll retry it as a first shampoo since I always double shampoo due to my oily scalp. Love the ouai detox shampoo (has chelators for hard water as well as acv, hydrolyzed keratin)
I really like the curology purple shampoo for my color treated hair. It doesn’t leave it dry and stripped. I bought a 500ml bottle of cold pressed argan oil from iHerb but it leaves me hair oily even when I use a little. I need to be more disciplined and do hair masks😅
I like Olaplex and Amika for my haircare, and have used Pureology, Redken, QUAI, Shiseido Tsubaki and living proof in the past. i've not yet tried Briogeo but have heard good things about the don't despair range. I also like using K18 to repair bleach damage
I like using a silicone shampoo brush instead of a scalp scrub or washing twice. I do have a very dry scalp - i wash/cowash every 4-5 days or so mainly to get the dry skin flakes off (it would take over a week for my scalp to look slightly oily; it gets tight and itchy way before then). The silicone is gentle and feels great if you go back and for or side to side (circles tangle) and gently exfoliates. I use exclusively sulfate-free shampoo and cleansing conditioners and it just helps clean a bit better without being harsh.
I would love a tip what to do with your long hair when sleeping. I usually do a low bun with a satin scrunchie but that doesn’t work anymore, my slips out. Does anyone have suggestions?
I usually leave my hair down but if it's particularly bothersome I will do loose braids to keep it from catching and pulling as move in my sleep. A sleep bonnet might be something to look into as well.
was really hoping you would be covering products that are fragrance free, etc. was not expecting all the fragranced, SLS, etc products. i treat my scalp and hair like i treat my skin and have some solid faves, but such a hard time finding stuff with more beneficial ingredients, that I've started adding my own and just doing scalp treatments.
