The Best Shampoo for your Scalp Type
Shampoo is for your scalp, conditioner for your hair. So, let’s find the right shampoo for your scalp!
LET'S TALK SHAMPOO
Browsing that hair care isle can be overwhelming, especially when you don't know your exact hair type. Moisturising, hydrating, clarifying, soothing - how do you know which shampoo is right for you?
First things first, let's discuss what a shampoo should be doing for your hair! Shampoo should be cleansing your scalp, whilst conditioner moisturises your hair. For all you skincare junkies, think of shampoo as the cleanser and conditioner as the moisturiser. In order to find the right shampoo, you must first define your scalp type!
DEFINING YOUR SCALP TYPE
To keep things simple, there are three main scalp types out there; DRY, OILY & COMBINATION.
If you have a dry scalp, your scalp will feel tight and even itchy after washing. Whereas an oily scalp will be shinier after washing, and also prone to dandruff with clumping flakes. And for you lucky combination type scalps, you'll know this is you if your scalp gets greasy two to three days after washing your hair.
SHAMPOOS FOR DRY SCALPS
If you're suffering with dry, flaking or itchy scalp, we feel you. Choosing the right shampoo should be the first step in fixing this discomfort!
Make sure you're avoiding any shampoos with words such as 'clarifying', 'fortifying' and 'exfoliating' as the ingredients in these products will be too harsh for your scalp, stripping it of its natual oils even more. You should also avoid any shampoos that contain sulphates, which can be drying to your scalp AND hair (umm no thanks!)
Shampoos that contain ingredients such as menthol, tea tree and rosemary oil can help soothe and nourish dry and irritated scalps. We love the Sachajuan Scalp shampoo that contains all three of these miracle ingredients, making it a must-have for any dry scalp sufferers. Plus, it doesn't have that 'medicinal' smell in your bathroom, so your secret is safe!
Another shampoo saviour for dry and flaking scalp would be the Phillip Kingsley Flaky Scalp Shampoo. This gentle yet effective formula makes it mild enough for everyday use, whilst still soothing and calming an irritated scalp. The formula contains an ingredient called Piroctone Olamine, which works to relieve your scalp while clearing it of stubborn flakes and skin cell build-up. It's also entirely an entirely vegan formula and smells like apples (yum!)
SHAMPOOS FOR OILY SCALPS
Oily scalps can be difficult to deal with and you may feel like you've tried every shampoo out there. Luckily, we've got a few tips and tricks that we just had to share....
Firstly, if you're not already double shampooing then now is your time to start. Think of it is a double cleanse, but for your hair. This first shampoo should be to get rid of any product build up and the second shampoo is specifically to target your scalp and roots. You should be spending extra time massaging your shampoo to break up the oil and give your scalp that good rinse that it deserves!
We would recommend a clarifying shampoo. However, be careful not to overuse these types of products as they can dry out your scalp causing it to produce even more oil and sebum. If a clarifying shampoo is not currently part of your haircare routine, we would recommend using it once a week.
One of our all time fave clarifying shampoos is the OUAI Detox shampoo. It contains apple cider vinegar to completely eliminate any product build up and unblock clogged follicles This deep-cleansing formula also contains keratin which is a miracle ingredient for rebuilding and strengthening brittle or damaged hair. And not to mention, this shampoo also smells pretty dreamy!
A great everyday shampoo for an oily scalp is the Davines SOLU shampoo. This is a deep cleansing formula that completely removes oil and product build up from your scalp, leaving it cleansed to perfection. It's an effective cleansing shampoo that is not too stripping on the scalp, making it ideal for everyday use. It's packaging is also 100% recyclable making it a great product for the planet and your scalp!
SHAMPOOS FOR COMBINATION SCALPS
We're just gonna say it...we're jealous of you! A combination scalp really is the dream for so many of us. If your scalp takes two to three days to get greasy, you should feel seriously lucky!
That said, it's important that you use the right shampoo to keep your scalp happy and healthy. Davines OI shampoo is a great all-round shampoo for combination scalps. This incredibly nourishing formula contains roucou oil, leaving your hair soft and your scalp smooth. We also love the entire Davines OI range, along with its heavenly scent (we need a Davines OI perfume, like now!)
We hope you found this helpful and let us know if you try any of these shampoos for your scalp type. And, make sure to keep an eye out on our blog for more useful hair care tips and tricks!