8 Best Scalp Exfoliators to Sweep Away Dead Skin Cells and Buildup

The best scalp exfoliators are more than just another step in your hair-care routine—they play an important role in helping you manage flakes, excess oil, and product buildup right at the root. While your daily shampoo takes care of surface grime, scalp scrubs and treatments go even deeper, whether through chemical exfoliants (like salicylic or glycolic acid) that dissolve dead skin cells or physical scrubs with gentle grains that manually lift residue.

Our Top Scalp Exfoliators

Not only do these scalp treatments alleviate dandruff and itchiness, but they can also foster a healthy environment for hair growth. As a result of using one of our favorite derm-approved exfoliants, you’ll enjoy a scalp that feels fresh, light, and balanced, plus hair that shines brighter, feels bouncier, and looks healthier and more vibrant overall.

Below are our top scalp exfoliators with soothing, hydrating ingredients that prevent irritation, refresh your scalp, and leave your hair looking its best.

Best Overall: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

Why it’s worth it: Derms love her and Allure staffers adore her (she’s a Best of Beauty Award veteran), which is why Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo is topping this list. Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says its dissolvable, charcoal-based granules absorb excess oil while minimizing congestion along the scalp and on top of hair follicles. He also gives it kudos for its blend of moisturizing coconut oil and an anti-inflammatory cooling complex comprising peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oils.

Best Pre-Shampoo: The Rootist AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Clarifying Scalp Rinse

The Rootist

AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Clarifying Scalp Rinse

Why it’s worth it: Before you step in the shower, slather on The Rootist’s AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Scalp Clarifying Treatment. As its name suggests, this pre-shampoo rinse is enriched with apple cider vinegar, a pantry staple that happens to have buildup-busting (and shine-boosting!) properties, and an intensive 9% alpha hydroxy acid blend of exfoliating glycolic and lactic acids. Leave on for up to 15 minutes, rinse, and follow with your favorite shampoo for a cleaner, residue-free scalp.

Best Shampoo: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub

Christophe Robin

Cleansing Purifying Scrub

Why it’s worth it: Christophe Robin, the Parisian colorist renowned for his luxurious, scalp-first hair care, created the Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt as a true detox for hair and scalp. “This classic scrub uses sea salt crystals to physically lift away buildup, while sweet almond oil soothes and hydrates,” says Arisa Ortiz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Diego, California, who recommends it for people with oily scalps or post-color services to remove residue. What starts as a scrub transforms into a froth lather that cleanses like a clarifying shampoo. “It foams up nicely, making it a scrub that’s easy to distribute evenly,” she says. Use it once a week to rebalance and purify your scalp, leaving your hair feeling healthier and full of bounce.

Best Scent: Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub

Why it’s worth it: Ouai’s Scalp & Body Scrub can be used just about anywhere (except for your face and neck, which are far too delicate for rough body scrubs). The multipurpose foaming scrub “is made with sugar crystals and coconut oil to exfoliate and remove buildup while softening and balancing moisture levels,” says Dr. Camp. It’s been a longtime Allure tester favorite since 2018 for its skin-polishing abilities and moisturizing effects. If you’re a fragrance-phile, you’ll love Ouai’s brand’s signature Melrose Place scent. For those unfamiliar, it’s a souped-up rose fragrance that’s elevated with hints of bergamot, lychee, white musk, and champagne.

Best for Flakey Scalps: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

The Ordinary

Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

Why it’s worth it: The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is known for its ability to smooth, brighten, and refresh skin on your face, and, in a welcome twist, it also has surprising scalp benefits. “This mild acid can also be applied directly to the scalp, thanks to the bottle’s ergonomic design,” says Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona; she recommends leaving it on to allow the glycolic acid to break down excess scale and help absorb excess oils. With soothing aloe and antioxidant-rich ginseng, it’s a do-it-all exfoliant that leaves both your skin and scalp looking clearer, healthier, and rejuvenated.

Best for Oily Scalps: Nutrafol Build-Up Blocker

Why it’s worth it: You probably know Nutrafol for its science-backed hair growth supplements, but the brand brings that same holistic approach to scalp care with the Build-Up Blocker Exfoliating Mask. This targeted treatment is designed to gently lift away product buildup and excess oils without disrupting the scalp’s natural balance. Jojoba esters and lactic acid work together to whisk away product buildup, while antioxidant-rich fruit extracts like blueberry, sugarcane, and sugar maple help protect against environmental stressors.

It’s also gentle enough for more fragile hair types. “It’s safe for thin hair, color-treated hair, and even those with extensions,” says Dr. Thosani. It works quickly, so there’s no need to leave it on for ages. “Just massage it into your scalp for three to five minutes, then rinse and shampoo as usual for a refreshed scalp,” she says.

Best for Dry Scalps: Nioxin Scalp Purifying Exfoliator

Nioxin

Scalp Purifying Exfoliator

Why it’s worth it: Nioxin’s Scalp Purifying Exfoliator is a treatment designed to give your scalp the same kind of deep, hydrating clean your skin gets from a facial. “This product is a creamy exfoliant that helps lift buildup and excess oil off the scalp without irritation,” says Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Southfield, Michigan. Best applied to dry hair, this rinse-out exfoliator also uses lactic, tartaric, and benzoic acids to unclog follicles, lift away impurities, and rebalance the scalp, making it especially effective for dryness or dandruff-prone skin. To prevent over-drying, the formula is enriched with hydrating shea butter while peppermint oil helps cool and calm skin.

Best for Buildup: Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment

Alpha-H

Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment

Why it’s worth it: Alpha-H’s Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment is designed to target itchiness, flakes, and excess oil buildup, creating the ideal foundation for healthier hair. The lightweight gel-cream formula spreads easily through the roots and rinses clean without residue, and, maybe the best part, it works in as little as one minute. “This is a combination of chemical exfoliants that maximize scalp renewal from all angles. Salicylic and lactic acids break up and dissolve dead skin cells, while gluconolactone provides gentle exfoliation for sensitive scalps,” says Dr. Fahs. To balance the acids, soothing botanicals like Australian desert lime, rice vinegar complex, and aniseed myrtle extract help calm and protect the scalp, leaving it refreshed, comfortable, and primed for stronger, shinier hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of scalp exfoliators?

The biggest benefit of using a scalp exfoliator is its buildup-reducing properties. “Scalp exfoliators work to remove the dead skin cells, oil, and product debris that can clog hair follicles and slow growth,” says Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Some may work to increase blood flow to the scalp which also stimulates hair growth.” She also notes that these nourishing formulas can help reduce flaking, itchy scalp, and dandruff due to their ability to slough away buildup.

As a reminder, a healthy scalp is clear of flakes, redness, and irritation, according to Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “We shouldn’t see redness, we shouldn’t see irritation, and we shouldn’t see a lot of scales or buildup,” she previously told Allure. “It should not feel tender and should not have an odor.”

What’s the difference between physical and chemical exfoliators?

Physical exfoliators, usually sugar or salt-granule-based, are formulations that polish the surface layer of your skin manually, while chemical exfoliants utilize acids that deteriorate product buildup and dead skin cells. “Sugar and salt crystals are often used as physical exfoliators in scalp products to gently buff the skin,” says Dr. Camp. “Chemical exfoliants like the alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid and glycolic acid, and beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, break apart the bonds between dead skin cells, facilitating their removal from the scalp surface.” In addition to scalp scrubs, Dr. Camp also suggests using a scalp massager. “Scalp massaging tools, often made of silicone, can be used to exfoliate, too,” he says.

When should you use a scalp exfoliator?

Dr. Jeffy says that most people can benefit from incorporating a scalp exfoliator once or twice per week (whether that’s before or in the shower depending on the product’s instructions). With that being said, she notes that most exfoliants shouldn’t be used more than twice per week to prevent skin irritation. “If you have a sensitive scalp, eczema, or psoriasis, exfoliation can cause irritation, so you might want to skip it entirely. Also, avoid it if you have any cuts, sores, or infections in the scalp,” says Dr. Jeffy. You should consult with your dermatologist if your scalp is extremely dry or irritated, since certain active ingredients can make these conditions worse.

Meet the experts

• Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist, based at MDCS Dermatology in New York City
• Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dermy Doc Box, based in Southfield, Michigan
• Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, based in New York City
• Brooke Jeffy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, based in Scottsdale, Arizona
• Arisa Ortiz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Sciton expert, based in San Diego, California
• Maya Thosani, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology, based in Scottsdale, Arizona

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?