Editor’s top: If you’re usually a morning hair washer, try switching to a bedtime routine to wash away the day’s buildup and set yourself up for a calm, itch-free night of sleep.
Key ingredients: bilberry extract, Sichuan pepper plant, glycerin | Fragrance-free: no | Who it’s for: people with dry, sensitive scalps.
Best Scalp Detox: Briogeo Scalp Revival Dandruff Relief Charcoal Shampoo
Why we love it: Putting charcoal in your shampoo might sound counterintuitive, but hear us out: Charcoal acts like a magnet, drawing out impurities, excess oil, dirt, and product buildup, all of which can be culprits behind that itchy, irritated feeling. Combined with the gentle exfoliation of salicylic and lactic acids and the ultra-hydrating power of hyaluronic acid, this shampoo is like a reset button, leaving your scalp balanced and soothed. So, yes, it’s a charcoal-based shampoo, but don’t worry, it’ll leave your scalp feeling oh-so-clean, hydrated, and refreshed without any flakes in sight.
Editor’s top: No need to go overboard on the scrubbing. The chemical exfoliants in this shampoo are doing all the heavy lifting for you.
Key ingredients: 3% salicylic acid, lactic acid, charcoal, tea tree oil | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with dry, flakey, or oily scalps
Best Fragrance-Free: SEEN Shampoo
Why we love it: If your scalp is super itchy but you’re not dealing with dandruff or flakes, it’s a sign you need more hydration. SEEN Shampoo uses gentle, skin-soothing ingredients like bisabolol to calm itchiness while thoroughly cleansing your hair. “It’s formulated with mild, non-irritating ingredients ideal for sensitive scalps, especially those with eczema tendencies,” says Dr. Kobets. “This entire line is perfect for anyone sensitive to fragrance. And despite its gentle formula, the shampoo lathers up nicely to remove dirt and oil, so your scalp feels fresh and clean,” she says.
Editor’s top: Overwashing can strip the natural oils on your scalp that are essential for keeping its pH balanced and itch-free. Pairing shampoo with a hydrating condition can add an extra layer of moisture to keep your hair happy.
Key ingredients: hemisqualane, bisabolol, squalane | Fragrance-free: yes | Who it’s for: people with sensitive scalps
Best for Sensitive Scalps: Vanicream Shampoo
Why we love it: If you’ve exhausted every remedy for an itchy scalp, it might be time to simplify. Free & Clear Vanicream Shampoo takes you back to basics with a streamlined, gentle formula that truly soothes as it cleanses. “It’s formulated without dyes, aluminum, sulfates, lanolin, parabens, fragrances, and preservatives you’d typically see in shampoos, making it great for those with sensitive scalps or those with dry skin prone to eczema,” says Dr. Camp. With an ingredient list of only the essentials, it gives a refreshing cleanse minus any irritation. It’s worth noting that it’s more of a lotion-like texture and we find we need to massage a good amount of product to feel like our scalps are clean.
