SCALP TREATMENT
Scalp problems are now a leading concern and an increasing number of brands are addressing the issue so we launched this category last year. Products are principally useful for relieving a dry scalp, which causes unsightly and often itchy flaking, and they should also help hair growth and condition. Our testers trialled a bunch of treatments of which these five made the grade to feature in our Awards.
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL Naturally Drenched Rebalance Restorative pH Hair Treatment
This vegan, cruelty-free formula, from a brand based in South Florida, is designed to strengthen hair follicles and coat them in moisture to prevent dryness of breakage. You apply it from roots to ends after shampooing, comb through to detangle, leave for 3-5 minutes then rinse and apply conditioner. It’s brimming with a cocktail of hair and scalp loving naturals including almond oil, bamboo extract, calendula and papaya. This proclaims that it’s for curls of all types but the brand submitted it as a scalp treatment so testers all said they had some sort of scalp concern; several also had curls or waves, others not. The brand ‘strives to avoid using synthetics in formulas’ and packaging uses mostly renewal and recyclable materials.
£30 for 400ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. My scalp tends to be on the tight itchy side, especially after I’ve had my colour done or used a lot of styling products. I sometimes get tiny grease balls in the follicles that can turn into pimples. At the start of using the product I noticed a few more of these but with time it cleared up and I believe the product helped quicken the process. My scalp felt thoroughly cleansed and any sign of tightness was gone. I felt like my hair follicles could breathe. There is a wonderful improvement in the condition of my scalp and therefore in my hair. It’s been a long time since I styled my hair with its natural wave because it just looked a mess and frizzy at the ends. Now my hair has been hydrated cleansed and refreshed, and my husband asked if I got my hair done. This is an essential part of a haircare routine you didn’t know you needed as it has help immensely’ • ‘YES!!!!! This is amazing. After just one use it completely revitalized my curls. Quick and easy to use. My hair is now super hydrated, soft and shiny and looks amazing, as my husband and child noticed’ • ‘My hair was a little oily and flaky to start with but after 2 washes I really notice a difference. My hair didn't need washing every day so fantastic results for me. My sisters noticed after few days. Magic in a bottle. I would definitely buy’ • ‘My hair is long and thin, curly and difficult to comb. My scalp is oily, with dandruff and itching. I tried a lot of products and nothing helped me. This is very easy to use and the result is positive. I can see the difference before and after I used this product. My scalp is less oily and less itchy, my hair is fresher and easy to comb. My husband noticed that my hair is not oily, usually he didn’t pay attention to this; my friends and colleagues at work also commented. With this product, I can see the difference going from worse to perfect hair’ • ‘I hadn't previously tried a scalp product before using this; I only used shampoo and conditioners. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it worked and improved my dry scalp and itching and prolonged the time between hair washes. My husband noted that I wasn't scratching my head as much as I normally did before use.’
£30 for 400ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD Chāmpo Pitta Growth Serum
This advanced trichological serum is formulated with caffeine, creatine and Ayurvedic haritaki extract to invigorate the scalp and promote healthier hair growth. The brand promises noticeable improvements to hair thickness, fullness and fallout within 12 weeks with daily use. Some of our testers used it every day, some not but they certainly saw impressive results. The ingredients are 98% naturally derived and the product is vegan, cruelty free and made in the UK. It’s suitable for every scalp and all hair types, including coloured and treated. Use on dry or damp hair before styling as usual. If you are concentrating on one area, apply 1-2 drops from the pipette directly on to scalp and massage in with fingertips. If treating whole head, dot 3-4 drops directly across scalp and massage in.
£34 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. A new hero product. My scalp can be dry and flaky and my hair is fine, medium length, with some thinning and hair loss. I was surprised to see what a noticeable difference this made to the overall condition and appearance of my scalp and hair. It definitely Improved scalp condition - less flaky. Hair has more body and bounce and is easy to style. A noticeable overall improvement. I wash my hair every day. The product rinsed out easily and my hair felt clean. It has helped my scalp to be less itchy and the appearance is much improved – it looks thicker with more body. A friend said how good my hair looked’ • ‘An excellent, effective serum which improves scalp condition, and makes a real difference to the overall look of hair after use. Adds body and thickness - worth every penny! If you are worried about hair thinning/hair loss this is definitely worth trying’ • ‘I have noticeable hair shedding and after 28 days this product showed definite changes with more growth around the front where there had been shedding and a notable improvement in the overall quality. I’ve had numerous comments about the thickness and body of my hair now. I have recommended it to everyone from colleagues to my hairdresser and I have already bought it again’ • ‘I am in love with this product. I found it has really helped with my overall hair condition growth and strength. I have noted less shedding, more hair growth and an improvement in the body and growth of my hair. The smell of this is absolutely stunning and every time I used it I felt that I was being pampered in a spa. I love it. I would now want to purchase the entire range and was sad when I finished the bottle. The fact that I finished the bottle is a testament to it as it is very rare that I get to the end of the bottle without becoming bored of it and moving on to something else. I will continue to recommend Chāmpo to anyone that is asking about hair products as my go to remedy from now on’ • ‘I am so very happy that I was sent this product to try - it's been a real game changer for me. My thinning hair feels fuller and thicker, and my scalp isn't anywhere near as visible along the hairline as it was previously - a real confidence booster. The oil has a beautiful fragrance and is very nourishing - I absolutely love it and will always have a bottle on my bathroom shelf. I'm a total convert to this serum and will be trying the shampoo and conditioner as well’ • ‘I really liked this. I have struggled to find something to stop my menopausal hair shedding and nothing so far has seemed to stop it as much as this treatment, there is definitely less hair on the bathroom floor after brushing it now! I have also noticed there is some slight regrowth around the sides which is encouraging, a definite repurchase! My hairdresser commented that my hair shedding was much less.’
£34 for 30ml - click to buy
SILVER AWARD JVN Complete Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
This range was created by US hair stylist Jonathan Van Ness, also a TV personality, author, podcaster and the owner of an uber luxuriant mane! JVN Hair is, we’re told, ‘a love letter to haircare, the planet and everyone who embraces their true selves’. This nutrient rich, pre wash, scalp oil is formulated to nourish your scalp for stronger hair; it’s ‘brimming’ with sustainably sourced ingredients – eg extracts of stimulating rosemary, calming neem seed extract and anti-inflammatory turmeric plus the brand’s signature hemisqualane – ‘to promote balance and strength from root to tip’. Suitable for everyone including anyone with a dry, itchy, flaky scalp, like our testers, also product build up and fragile breaking hair. Apply it before shampooing massage in and leave for 10-15 minutes; if your scalp does feel oily, shampoo it twice. Testers loved the amber and cashmere musk fragrance with a sparkling splash of citrus. All our testers had good results in terms of scalp health, with three giving it full marks. Three did find it left their hair a bit greasy (we don’t know if they gave it a second shampoo) but would still go on using it for the benefits.
£28 for 50ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. My scalp is dry and itchy, with powder-y dry skin coming off when I itch. Hair is shoulder length and thinning due to menopause. The fragrance is divine and I love the drop dispenser. I drip it along my scalp in sections and massage it in. My scalp was less itchy and no longer dry on first application. After 28 days, my scalp is now happy, nourished and smooth with no itchiness and no dryness. I normally wash my hair twice a week and I still do. This nourishing oil just makes my scalp and hair feel in tip top, super healthy, shiny condition’ • ‘My scalp doesn't flake, but it does itch quite a lot. This had an immediate effect even before washing, making hair feel lighter and silkier straight away. It washes out easily and my scalp felt soothed, clean, and most importantly, definitely less itchy - result!’ • ‘My hair and scalp have improved enormously. I always used to lose a lot of hair in the wash, but this has reduced considerably. My hair feels soft and nourished, and my scalp is feeling much healthier’ • ‘This pre-wash treatment will improve your hair and make it stronger and silkier. If you've any scalp issues it's so soothing. It also smells divine, is in recycled/recyclable packaging, contains no silicone or sulphates (good for everyone, not just us "Curlies") AND it looks fab in your bathroom! I think the expression is – “Run, don't walk!”’ • ‘This range hits the sweet spot of being good value for money, luxurious and effective, and everything smells soooo good! It's totally transformed my hair care regime. I wouldn't have considered a scalp oil before being given this to trial; but I am hooked and will continue to use this always. I just need to remember to apply it 15 minutes before I wash my hair!’ • ‘I was dubious about this, as I've used oil treatments before but have found them to make my hair more greasy. This was the complete opposite. It applied well and is actually more of a dry oil. A little goes a long way but the effect afterwards is nothing short of a miracle! My hair felt as though I'd had a full-on salon treatment, soft, shiny and in such good condition and then it lasts and does not need washing for days - amazing! I'll definitely be buying this again!’ • ‘A miracle hair oil! This is my favourite product of this trial! It has a light consistency, spreads easily, has a wonderful aroma and most importantly delivers results from its first application. The more you use it the better the results. The instructions suggest leaving it on for 15 minutes prior to washing but even a few minutes and a light massage can make a difference. I left the oil in much longer on a few occasions once overnight. The results were always great and my scalp and hair looked always hydrated and healthy. I used the oil not just on the scalp as a pre-washing step but also on my hair strands (mid-length/ends) after washing. It washes out easily without needing strong massage. It doesn't make hair heavy or greasy and gives a beautiful shine and gloss. The hair looks healthy, bouncy, stronger and more voluminous and the roots are lifted too. Any hair styling seems to last longer.’
£28 for 50ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-dandruff Mask
Founded by the late great trichologist Philip Kingsley and how headed by his daughter Anabel, also a consultant trichologist, this range has been loved and respected for decades. This intensive formula was created to soothe and relieve flaky, itchy scalps with anti-fungal piroctone olamine, exfoliating salicylic acid and antioxidant green tea extract. The aim is to tackle the root causes of dandruff and keep flakes at bay while calming and soothing the scalp. It’s suitable for all hair types. Packaging is 100% recyclable and it’s cruelty-free. Once a week, you apply a whole tube (it comes in a duo) on damp scalp and hair and leave for 10-20 minutes, before shampooing with Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo, conditioning and finishing with the Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner. Now, our testers only used the mask and most had good results; using the whole regime would likely bring more benefits. In fact, most testers did not report having dandruff but they did all have degrees of dry, flaking, itchy scalp and found the mask helped.
£21 for 2x 20ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Sometimes you're not aware of how itchy your scalp is all the time, and how much you scratch it constantly, until a little wonder product comes your way and you realise just how much you need it! I'm really grateful to have had the chance to trial this and to resolve my itchy head issues quietly and quickly without the need for multiple products or having to use a product repeatedly for three months. Two treatments has worked wonders to cure my itchy scalp after shampooing - and long may it last! The tubes are easy to use, small and discreet and smell quite heavenly. I don’t in fact have dandruff but this super-fast acting tonic resolved my scalp issues effectively and almost effortlessly’ • ‘ I have long, medium thickness, frizzy hair that is wavy/curly and lots of it. The ends are quite dry and I do have a dry scalp prone to psoriasis. The product came in 2 x20ml tubes with a screw cap with a nozzle and a gentle squeeze of the tube seemed to dispense the correct amount. Really simple to use, as long as I kept the nozzle close to the scalp. Parting the hair as instructed works well, I kept parting at 1-inch intervals as I have a lot of hair and this worked well for me. After the first use my scalp still felt itchy, but my hair looked great and felt healthy. It also didn't feel like it needed washing so soon. A week later I used the second tube and my scalp was a lot less itchy. This definitely helped my itchy scalp and the overall health of scalp and hair. I will be buying this for myself now’ • ‘A great product that is easy to use. The claims that it refreshes, calms and comforts the scalp are all true after the second use. The only problem with these sort of products are remembering to use before washing hair, so a bit of planning has to go into it. I think four tubes in a pack would be better as just using once a week for two weeks just isn’t enough’ • ‘I have a slightly dry and sometimes irritated scalp - I notice irritation frequently, which I attribute to perimenopause and new grey hairs growing through, which are coarser and more wiry. I colour it bright magenta and try to preserve the colour by infrequent washing, I often use a dry shampoo on the scalp. This relieved the dryness, making my scalp feel moisturised and nourished, and improved silkiness of hair’ • ‘At times my scalp is itchy, flaking and on the dry side but my scalp has improved with this mask. I don’t itch like I did and I've not noticed the flaking that I would have in the past. Will be interesting to see what happens after only two applications and without the PK shampoo to use after the mask.’
£21 for 2x 20ml - click to buy
BRONZE AWARD and BEAUTY STEAL Charles Worthington Grow Strong Scalp Tonic
This treatment tonic is designed to use after each wash on damp hair, applying with the nozzle in sections, then massaging in and leaving – so no rinsing out but it promises to be invisible in the hair. A key botanical ingredient (among mostly synthetic ones) a is organic pea sprout extract, which the brand says prolongs the hair life cycle and improves overall strength in four weeks, as well as calming and nourishing the scalp. Although the eponymous brand was originally founded and run by beauty editor favourite Charles Worthington, it’s now owned by hair experts PZ Cussons while Charles focuses on his salons. Fantastic value for this treatment, which is part of the Grow Strong range.
£9.99 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I have wavy, long, thinning hair and my scalp can be slightly dry and itchy. This was very easy to apply straight from the bottle to my scalp. The nozzle allowed you to have control on the amount of tonic you wanted to use. It wasn't runny and you are able to work the product all over the scalp. When I applied the tonic, the first thing that hits you is the strong smell, but thankfully it doesn't last long. There was no irritation or stinging. After the first use there was no change and therefore still a lot of hair fall. However this started to work after my second hair wash. The transformation was huge; there was hardly any hair fall in the shower or when I combed my hair. After 28 days washing twice a week, the condition of my scalp was improved and it did not feel dry or itchy. This is an amazing product if you have weak and brittle hair. It works very quickly at reducing hair loss. Your hair will feel stronger, healthy and with more volume. Hair growth is normally after 6 weeks. It will leave the hair more supple and easier to style. Just give it a try you won’t regret it’ • ‘This has been a lifesaver for my hair, my confidence and me. I was so distressed at the amount of hair I was losing through the menopause. In the last few weeks my hair had been shedding at an alarming rate. Every time I had a hair wash, brushed or blow-dried my hair so much would fall out. This fragranced tonic is lightweight and does not make the hair feel sticky. The slim nozzle allows for easy application and the product spreads easily. Due to being menopausal, my hair was looking awful. I have been using this tonic now for over a month and can honestly say I've seen a huge improvement in my hair. It used to look limp and flat and the hair fall was ridiculous. I have seen some new growth after six to eight weeks at the top and the sides of my hair. I was astounded when I looked in the mirror. I could definitely see from my hairline that there was more lift at the roots. I could see a gap in my parting and this has much improved. The tonic didn’t improve the frizz. Initially I was a bit hesitant to try this tonic as it’s not all natural but it did not disappoint. I would recommend this to anyone who suffers from hair loss. The change in my hair has been amazing’ • ‘I was impressed by this product, I felt like it worked well for me, easing the itch and tightness of my scalp and cleaning scalp and roots better than if I was just using shampoo. It didn't take too long to add it into my routine as you don't need to wait for it to work you simply put on, massage and then rinse off. After one treatment, my scalp did feel better, more hydrated and less tight after use and the itching had eased. After 28 days, it definitely helped the itching and help with my oily roots too’ • ‘This is such an amazing product for my dry scalp and fine, long, dry hair; it makes my scalp feel hydrated and my hair so soft, all so fresh and great.’
£9.99 for 100ml - click to buy