The Best Scalp Scrubs For A Thoroughly Deep Cleanse

Come for the millennial-pink colour and recyclable packaging, stay for the seriously deep clean that this hairdresser-approved scrub delivers. The gritty bits are actually natural sea salt, sourced from a local farmer in Italy (there they go again with the sustainability). For a scrub that feels substantial, yet never scratchy, this is the one to go for.

Hairstylist Adam Reed understands that while scalps should be kept clean, they shouldn't be stripped of all moisture. This gentle exfoliant contains lactic acid to purify, caffeine to stimulate blood flow and glycerin to ensure hydration. It smells absolutely delicious, too.

This liquid exfoliant is made for those who prefer a non-gritty texture. Created by trichologist Helen Reavey, it uses plant oils to rebalance sebum production, encourage healthier growth and calm any irritation. Use it as a pre-shampoo treatment, employing the slim nozzle to deposit product directly onto the scalp, before massaging in and rinsing after 20 minutes.

This heavy-duty is the one to call on when you want a seriously deep clean. It's infused with chunky sugar crystals for a satisfyingly gritty feel, and foams up well to sweep away all that oil and grime, bringing movement and bounce back to lacklustre lengths. The texture is dense and paste-like, and a little goes a long way.

A gem from the K-Beauty aisles, this paste-like scalp scrub is formulated with rosemary oil, which is currently causing a stir for its purported abilities to encourage hair growth.

And that's not all: it's boosted with follicle-stimulating caffeine, balancing probiotics, and sea salt for a serious end-of-week beauty treat. It doesn't lather as enthusiastically as the option above, but I do think the scent is better – so I'll leave the winner up to you.

What's the reason behind Latinx brand Ceremonia's seriously loyal following? Turns out, there are a few. This creamy, whipped scalp exfoliator smells deliciously herbaceous – think: sophisticated, not sweet – and leaves overloaded roots feeling as good as new. Incredibly moisturising and a treat to use, it ticks both the performance and pampering boxes.

Apple cider vinegar has long been touted as a hack for quickly clarifying overloaded hair – but to really reap the benefits (and avoid smelling like a chip shop) it's best to stick to an expertly formulated product.

Fekkai's scrub tackles build-up by combining vinegar with rice powder, which makes for a gentler than usual scrub. Quite unlike the others, this one is creamy and cloud-like, with ginger to calm inflammation and blackcurrant to boost the exfoliating properties. As for the fragrance? The green-apple scent will take you straight back to 1998 – in a really good way.

The product that started it all, Christophe Robin’s legendary purifying scrub was originally formulated to help remove chemical residue after in-salon colour treatments.

Now, it enjoys a spot in endless beauty-editor bathrooms, famed for the way it leaves roots feeling incredibly clean and lengths full of movement. This one is seriously effective and lathers a lot, so save it for a once-weekly indulgence and always use a hair mask after.

Inspired by traditional Indian hair rituals, Fable & Mane's peppy ginger scrub sweeps through congested roots, clearing sebum and product-build-up with ease. It lathers well (thanks to coconut-derived surfactants) and smells incredible. Oh, and while you're there, complete your routine with the brand's equally excellent hair growth serum.

Thick, curly and coarse hair types will love this substantial scrub. It foams better than most (yet uses a gentler alternative to the much-derided sodium lauryl sulphate) and has a dense texture that you can really work into your scalp.

Take the hair-growth promises with a pinch of salt: but if you're looking for a heavy-duty weekly detox, this may well be it.

If you're here because you're hoping to scrub away those tell-tale dandruff flakes, consider Kérastase's major new targetted collection. A blend of salicylic acid and gentle plant-based beads work in tandem to remove excess oil and dead skin. It's more of a treatment than a gritty scrub, but it'll get the job done.

I'm yet to meet an Oribe product that hasn't impressed me, but I'll admit its Serene Scalp line was one I'd overlooked. But seriously, whether you consider yourself to have a tricky scalp or not, give this one a go: it contains AHAs as well as scrubby beads, so works doubly hard to remove product build-up and rebalance your skin, leaving you with incredible volume.

This one is no pamper party, but it'll remove a week's worth of dry shampoo so well, you'll forgive the sour scent.

Designed to cleanse an overloaded scalp while brightening and preserving that pricy colour job, it's formulated with a clarifying base of apple cider vinegar alongside flecks of Himalayan salt for a satisfying massage. It doesn't smell overpoweringly of vinegar, and it works a treat on hair that's been left bogged down by hard water (Londoners, take note).

This limited-edition version of Ouai's multi-purpose Scalp and Body Scrub is for anyone dreaming of sunnier climes (so all of us right now then). Tropical without veering into 'suncream' territory, it combines tuberose and orange blossom to recreate the scent of a tropical island.

Sugar granules and balancing probiotics are steeped in a coconut-oil base: blend it with a drop of shampoo when you need to intensify the wash (ie: the morning after a hairspray-heavy night out).