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Add The New York Post on Google Healthy-looking hair starts with healthy scalp skin, which is why finding the right scalp treatment can make a huge difference.
As I reviewed options for the best scalp treatments, I kept coming back to a simple distinction from Karina Freedman, master esthetician and founder of KarinaNYC: “Hair is dead fiber. The scalp is living skin,” she explains. Treating it means considering the skin’s barrier, microbiome, oil balance and overall condition.
“The scalp has its own microbiome and its own barrier, and when either one is compromised, the hair shows it before you feel it,” she shares, after mentioning that “beautiful hair starts with healthy skin.”
The best treatment depends on the problem. Dryness may need hydration and barrier support, while persistent itching or greasy, yellowish flakes can signal a different issue. For scalp eczema treatment, Freedman, who takes a French approach to beauty, recommends a minimalist routine: “Barrier repair, and little else.” For dryness, she favors ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and panthenol, while cautioning against aggressive cleansing that can further compromise the scalp.
Scalp care is also increasingly tied to hair growth. “You can’t stimulate growth out of a scalp that’s inflamed or congested,” Freedman told the New York Post. A hair growth scalp treatment should therefore be part of a broader routine that supports healthy skin, alongside habits such as regular massage, adequate nutrition, sleep and stress management. A leave-in scalp treatment can also provide a convenient way to deliver targeted ingredients directly to the scalp.
For this guide, I reviewed scalp treatments for the most common concerns, from dryness and flakes to irritation, eczema, buildup, and thinning. Freedman’s guiding principle is simple: “The French approach is always about the cause, never the symptom.” That philosophy shaped how I assessed each treatment — and what makes one worth adding to your routine.
Sephora Pros: Lightweight hydration Soothes dry-feeling scalp Easy daily use Cons: Can feel slightly tacky Results take consistency Not a deep-cleansing treatment I’ve found the Act+Acre Daily Hydro Scalp Serum to be one of the best treatments for a dry, tight scalp. It’s a lightweight, leave-in serum made with hyaluronic acid, amino acids and glycerin to add moisture and to help keep the scalp hydrated. I love that it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy, and it works well for all hair types.
I can easily apply a few drops directly to my scalp, massage it in and leave it on without having to rinse. It’s a simple and effective treatment to add to a daily hair-care routine.
Size: 1 ounce | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Amino Acids, Glycerin
Sephora Pros: Targets dryness Lightweight, non-greasy feel Convenient leave-in formula Cons: May need repeated use Less focused on removing buildup Can feel expensive My scalp can get seriously annoying when the itching and flakes start, which is why I love the Living Proof Scalp Care Dry Scalp Treatment. It’s a lightweight, leave-in treatment that calms an itchy, dry scalp while adding much-needed hydration. It doesn’t leave my roots feeling greasy or weighed down, so I can use it without worrying about my hair looking flat.
I apply it directly to my scalp, massage it in and let it do its thing. With regular use, it helps reduce dryness, itching and visible flakes, leaving my scalp feeling fresh, hydrated and much happier. It’s become one of my go-to treatments when my scalp needs a little extra TLC, especially when flakes and itchiness decide to show up uninvited.
Size: 3.4 ounces | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Glycerin
Sephora Pros: Nourishing feel Helps soothe dry scalp Luxurious application Cons: Richer texture May not suit oily scalps Fragrance may be noticeable Someone with an eczema-prone scalp needs something that feels soothing, nourishing and gentle. That’s why I love the Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment. It hydrates a dry scalp while removing flakes and buildup, and the nourishing oils help leave my scalp feeling softer and more comfortable. For me, it’s a great option when eczema leaves my scalp feeling stressed and in need of extra care.
I also love how easy it is to use. I apply it directly to my scalp, let it sit for about five to 10 minutes, and then wash my hair as usual. It gives my scalp a little reset without adding a complicated step to my routine.
Size: 1.5 ounces | Key ingredients: Argan Oil, Salicylic Acid, Geranium Oil, Vitamin E
Ulta Beauty Pros: Scalp-focused formula Lightweight ampoule texture Supports fuller-looking hair Cons: Requires consistent use Less familiar brand Results aren’t instant The Lilyeve Grow Turn Ampoule has become one of my favorite products when I want to support healthier, fuller-looking hair. I love that it goes straight onto the scalp and is packed with ingredients like caffeine, biotin, peptides, and botanical extracts that support the scalp and hair roots. The formula is lightweight and absorbs quickly, so I can use it without leaving my hair greasy or heavy.
What I really love is how easy it is to work into my routine. I apply it directly to my scalp and massage it in, and the built-in brush makes the whole process feel like a mini scalp massage. With consistent use, it creates a healthier environment for my hair and supports stronger, fuller-looking strands.
Size: 3.4 ounces | Key ingredients: Caffeine, Glycerin
Sephora Pros: Dissolve buildup Nourishing scalp oil Great pre-shampoo step Cons: Oil-based formula can feel heavy Requires thorough shampooing Not ideal for oily scalps I love the Act+Acre Cold Processed Scalp Detox Oil because it feels like a moisturizing mask for my scalp without being harsh. It removes buildup, excess oil and impurities while leaving my scalp feeling clean, refreshed, and balanced. I also love that it uses cold-processed oils, which keep the ingredients gentle and effective.
For me, it’s one of the best scalp treatments because it gives my scalp the care it needs without making my hair weighed down.
Size: 3 ounces | Key ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Soybean Oil, Baobab Oil, Moringa Oil, Coconut Oil, Calendula Extract
Amazon Pros: Excellent scalp exfoliation Helps remove buildup Refreshing sensory experience Cons: May be too stimulating for sensitive scalps Extra step on wash day I consider the Aveda Scalp Solutions Exfoliating Scalp Treatment the best exfoliating scalp treatment because it gives my scalp the deep-cleaning refresh I want without feeling harsh or stripping. It removes buildup and excess oil, leaving my scalp feeling cleaner, lighter and more balanced. Instead of relying on an overly aggressive scrub, it provides effective exfoliation while still feeling gentle enough to make scalp care enjoyable. For me, it is the perfect combination of effective exfoliation, a refreshing experience, and the elevated quality I expect from Aveda.
Size: 5 ounces | Key ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Zinc
Sephora Pros: Lightweight leave-in Supports scalp care Easy to incorporate Cons: Premium price Requires regular use Not an exfoliating treatment I’m officially treating my scalp like the VIP it is, and the Olaplex No. 5 Scalp Longevity Treatment is the reason. This leave-in treatment feels less like a typical scalp product and more like a little luxury ritual. It’s lightweight, silky, absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave my hair feeling sticky.
Size: 1.7 ounces | Key ingredients: Olaplex Bond Technology, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Rice Bran Oil
I’m convinced the secret to really good hair starts with the scalp, and Aavrani’s Scalp Detox Jelly Cleanser makes that philosophy feel seriously fun. The bouncy jelly texture is unlike any shampoo I’ve used, and it gives my scalp that deeply clean, refreshed feeling. I love the way it works into my roots, washing away buildup, oil and dead skin, while the silicone scalp massager makes the whole experience feel more like a mini scalp treatment than a regular shampoo.
Size: 8.4 ounces | Key ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Vitamin E, Lotus, Niacinamide, Caffeine, Peppermint
Amazon Pros: Lightweight serum Scalp-focused ingredients Supports healthier-looking roots Cons: Results take time Can feel slightly sticky Premium price for the packaging size I’ve always thought of scalp care as the behind-the-scenes work of a great hair day, and the Medicube Rosemary PDRN Scalp Serum makes me want to give my scalp top billing. The formula feels refreshing and lightweight, so I can work it into my scalp without that heavy, greasy feeling no one wants from a hair serum. Rosemary gives it that fresh, invigorating feel, while PDRN brings a skincare-inspired approach to scalp care.
The best part? It feels like I’m giving my scalp a little luxury treatment, turning a quick scalp massage into a full self-care moment whenever I use it.
Size: 2.7 ounces | Key ingredients: Caffeine, PDRN/Sodium DNA, Rosemary Extract, Biotin, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Peptides
Amazon Pros: Great buildup reset Prepares scalp for shampoo Leaves roots feeling fresh Cons: Adds another wash-day step Can feel clarifying Not designed for daily use I swear by the L’ange Happy Roots Pre-Cleanse Clarifying Wash when my scalp needs a little reset. It swoops in before shampoo to whisk away excess oil, product buildup and all the daily gunk that likes to hang out at my roots. Instead of piling more products onto an already busy scalp, I’m starting with a clean slate — and my hair can tell the difference. It feels like giving my roots a fresh little reboot before the real wash-day magic begins.
There’s something oddly satisfying about that squeaky-clean, weightless feeling at the scalp, and Happy Roots delivers it without making my routine feel like a 12-step science experiment.
Size: 5 ounces | Key ingredients: Botanical AHAs, Prebiotics, Sweet Almond Oil
I’m obsessed with the Dr. Groot Scalp Barrier Boost Oil in Serum for giving my roots that fuller, healthier-looking finish. Fullness starts at the scalp, and this is the step I reach for when I want my hair to look like it has more body and bounce. Instead of weighing my strands down with heavy styling products, I’m giving the scalp some targeted TLC and letting my natural texture do its thing. The result is hair that looks healthier, feels softer at the roots, and has that coveted “wait, is your hair actually this thick?” energy.
Size: 1.34 ounces | Key ingredients: Biotin, Rosemary Oil, Amino Acids, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane
Sephora Pros: Targets thinning-looking hair Lightweight application Easy scalp massage step Cons: Requires consistent use Results take time Premium price I reach for the IGK Sponsored Hair Density Scalp Treatment when my hair is looking a little less full than I’d like. Instead of trying to camouflage thinner-looking areas with layers of styling products, I like putting the focus right where it starts — the scalp. The lightweight treatment fits easily into my routine and gives my roots targeted care without leaving them feeling coated or weighed down. It’s become my go-to when I want my hair to look fresher, healthier and noticeably fuller.
Size: 3.4 ounces | Key ingredients: Biotin, Peptides, Clover Extract, Pumpkin Seed Oil
Nordstrom Pros: Excellent scalp exfoliation Refreshing rosemary experience Helps lift buildup Cons: Can be too exfoliating Not ideal for every wash Scrub texture takes rinsing I actually picked up the Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Scrub while I was in Korea, and it quickly became one of my favorite scalp-care discoveries. There’s something so satisfying about using a proper scalp scrub to break up buildup and give my roots a deep refresh treatment. The rosemary-focused formula leaves my scalp feeling incredibly clean and refreshed, while the scrub gets rid of the stuff that regular shampoo can miss. It makes me wonder why I wasn’t exfoliating my scalp sooner! I love massaging the scrub into my scalp and taking a few extra minutes to actually focus on my roots instead of rushing through wash day.
Size: 5.8 ounces | Key ingredients: Sea Salt, Rosemary Leaf Extract/oil, Ginger Extract, Caffeine, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide
Victoria McDonnell For each product used over the course of three weeks, here’s the detailed testing criteria I used for each formula:
If your scalp is itchy, tight, oily, flaky, or newly sensitive — or if your hair simply doesn’t feel as full as it did — that’s your scalp asking for help, not a reason to buy another shampoo.
“Here’s a simple test I give clients: look at the scalp two days after washing,” Freedman told The Post. Healthy scalp skin looks like healthy facial skin — even in tone, no redness at the part line, no visible flaking, no shine within hours. If you wouldn’t accept that condition on your face, don’t accept it on your head.”
A proper treatment does four things: it removes buildup, stimulates circulation, rebalances oil production and restores the barrier.
“Together, those create the environment hair actually needs to grow well,” Freedman said. “You cannot grow strong hair out of congested, inflamed skin; it’s the same reason you can’t grow a garden in bad soil.”
Look at the flake and look at the skin underneath it. “Dry scalp gives you small, white, powdery flakes, and the skin beneath feels tight — the same way winter skin feels on your cheeks,” Freedman explained. “It usually improves when you hydrate and stop over-washing.”
A fungal-driven condition looks different. The flakes are sometimes larger, greasier and yellowish, and they often stick rather than fall. The skin underneath might be pink or red. “The itch is more persistent, and often in the same places every time: the hairline, behind the ears, along the part, sometimes the eyebrows!” Freedman noted. “That last detail is another clue: dry scalp stays on your scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis can travel.”
The other clue is what happens when you moisturize. Dry scalp gets better. Seborrheic dermatitis often gets worse, because the yeast involved feeds on oil. “If it’s persistent, if it’s spreading, or if it comes back frequently, see a dermatologist,” Freedman recommended.
Hydration first, always. “I look for humectants — hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol — plus soothing botanicals to calm whatever irritation the dryness has already caused,” Freedman shared. “Humectants pull water in; the botanicals stop the scalp from reacting while that happens.”
Two things have to happen at once: you loosen the flake, and you calm what’s causing it. Salicylates do the first — they dissolve the bonds holding dead cells together, so the scale lifts instead of building. Tea tree oil does the second; it has real antifungal activity against the yeast behind most flaking.
“What I won’t do is strip the scalp,” Freedman warns. “That’s the classic mistake — people attack a flaky scalp with harsh shampoo, the barrier breaks down, and the flaking gets worse. The French approach is to calm inflammation, not punish the skin.”
According to Freedman, the best thing treatment for eczema is “barrier repair, and little else.” Panthenol, colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, calming botanicals — and then stop. “Less is genuinely more here; no fragrance, no aggressive cleansing, no actives layered on top of compromised skin,” she added.
Before any ingredient, a healthy follicle needs healthy skin around it. You can’t stimulate growth out of a scalp that’s inflamed or congested, so that comes first, always.
“Alongside that, massage consistently, and remember lifestyle [priorities]: sleep, iron, protein, manage stress and regular checkups,” Freedman added. “Hair can be an early indication that something else is wrong.”
“Remember, ‘detox’ is one of the most abused words in this industry,” Freedman noted. “Nothing is being drawn out of your body. A scalp detox is a thorough cleanse — it removes excess sebum, environmental pollution, dead skin, and the silicone and polymer residue left behind by styling products.”
What isn’t helpful is the aggressive version, where the scalp gets stripped and then overproduces oil to compensate. French skincare restores balance; it doesn’t shock the skin.
Simple routines are your new BFF. “Fragrance-free, minimal ingredients and barrier repair before anything active is crucial,” Freedman shared. A sensitive scalp doesn’t need more — it needs less and patience.
This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best sheet masks on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos for all hair types and budgets. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
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