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I don’t know about you, but I don’t spend much time thinking about my scalp until there’s a problem—it’s suddenly dry, itchy, flaky, or bogged down with oil—and then, it’s all I can focus on. Scalp issues can be annoying (and may require a visit to your doctor or dermatologist if you’re dealing with chronic pain, sensitivity, or burning), but the best scalp serum can help address them while also boosting your overall hair health.
“Anyone can try a scalp serum,” Emilie Fowler, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, tells SELF, noting that there are lots of products on the market with different potential benefits—“it’s not a one-size-fits-all,” she says.
It can be helpful to shop with your specific issues in mind. Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist based in New York City, tells SELF that the main conditions scalp serums are effective against are dryness, oiliness, dandruff, and irritation.
You certainly don’t need to use a scalp serum to have happy, healthy hair. (“When in doubt, I recommend consultation with your dermatologist to see what hair care routine is right for you,” Dr. Fowler says.) But if you believe your standard shampoo and condition could use a little help, the right one makes a great addition to your overall routine.
Here, we spoke to dermatologists about what makes a scalp serum worth your while and highlighted the best ones to try.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Eva NYC Balance It All Hydrating Scalp Serum
- Best Budget Pick: Renpure Tea Tree & Rosemary Scalp Serum
- Best for Itchy Scalps: Act+Acre Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum
- Best for Oily Scalps: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
- Best for Dry Scalps: Kérastase Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum
- Best for Natural Hair: Cantu Guava & Ginger Carrot Oil Spot Treatment Serum
- Best for Dandruff: Jupiter Restoring Serum
- Best for Graying and Aging Hair: Aveda Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum
Shop the best scalp serums
We’ve tested tons of scalp serums over the years for SELF’s Healthy Beauty Awards. The products below stood out for their ability to soothe our symptoms and (finally, blessedly) take our minds off our scalps.
Best Overall: Eva NYC Balance It All Hydrating Scalp Serum
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Absorbs quickly
- Under $20
Cons
- Contains fragrance, a potential irritant for sensitive scalps
We gave Eva NYC’s Hydrating Scalp Serum a Healthy Beauty Award last year when it was known as the H2-Whoa! Hydrating 3-in-1 Hair and Scalp Serum, mainly because its active ingredients just work—plain and simple. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid (a humectant that draws water to the surface of your skin) hydrate without leaving your hair a greasy mess. Instead, they help soften your scalp and lock in moisture.
“This serum has been a life-changing experience,” our tester said. “[I’m] realizing there is something to help [my scalp and hair].” They added that, thanks to the large dropper, application was as easy as can be.
Other notable ingredients
Conditioning peptides
Best Budget Pick: Renpure Tea Tree & Rosemary Scalp Serum
Pros
- Under $10
- Smells great
- Rich, nourishing consistency
Cons
- Tea tree oil can be irritating for some
Renpure’s Tea Tree & Rosemary Scalp Serum took home a Healthy Beauty Award back in 2019 for its invigorating, moisturizing formula. Judging by its 1,400-and-counting five-star ratings on Amazon, it’s stood the test of time, thanks to its key ingredients: While tea tree oil and peppermint oil soothe inflammation, glycerin restores moisture to the scalp.
“As someone who has never considered scalp care before, I have realized the error of my ways,” our tester said. “Massaging it in was so pleasant—my scalp feels squeaky clean and healthy.” They added that the serum’s refreshing scent and luxe “pudding-like” texture heightened the experience (clearly, you don’t need to spend big bucks for a little hair care upgrade).
Other notable ingredients
Rosemary oil—as SELF has previously reported, there’s little research to back up brands’ claims that rosemary oil can boost hair growth, but it can help address scalp inflammation
Best for Itchy Scalps: Act+Acre Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum
Pros
- Immediate cooling sensation
- Great smell
- Dries quickly
Cons
- Over $60
Act+Acre’s ultra-soothing, peppermint-infused Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum is perfect for angry, inflamed scalps (specifically mine, which is prone to irritation, dandruff, and lots of between-washes prickliness). I tested it for last year’s Healthy Beauty Awards and couldn’t believe the instant effect it had on my skin.
“This serum is such a treat,” I wrote in my review. “I have a very dry, very itchy scalp and have spent years looking for products that can appease it. Since using this, I don’t deal with creeping itchiness between hair washes. It’s quick-absorbing, not at all greasy, and wonderfully cooling. Oh, and it smells lovely.”
Other notable ingredients
Moisturizing glycerin and hyaluronic acid
Best for Oily Scalps: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Pros
- Gently exfoliating
- Under $15
- Versatile—you can also use it to treat facial acne
Cons
- May feel drying for some
When excess oil, dead skin cells, and product buildup clog the hair follicles on your scalp, you can wind up with scalp acne. Luckily, you can tackle current breakouts, prevent new ones, and generally deal with less greasy strands with a gentle exfoliating serum like The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid toner.
As SELF has previously reported, the title ingredient helps slough off dead skin cells, unclogging pores and allowing new, smoother skin to emerge. Just keep in mind that chemical exfoliants, like glycolic acid, can be drying and may cause contact dermatitis (a.k.a. a red, itchy rash) if you have sensitive skin.
“I love this product,” one Sephora reviewer wrote. “I use it on my scalp every other wash day, and it makes my hair feel so clean, and it doesn’t get greasy as fast.” Another was pleased to notice that it left their scalp feeling clean—but not itchy. One thing to note: Many reviewers mentioned that they use the Glycolic Acid toner as a pre-shampoo scalp treatment, rather than a leave-in product.
Other notable ingredients
Soothing and moisturizing aloe vera water
Best for Dry Scalps: Kérastase Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum
Pros
- Boosts moisture immediately and long-term
- Dropper is designed for precise application
- Helps with flakes, per our tester
Cons
- Over $60
- Contains fragrance, which could be irritating to some
According to our tester, this splurgy serum from Kérastase is worth the investment: “I have a fairly dry scalp, and this product really gave it an extra bit of moisture!” she says. It contains a host of hydrating ingredients, as well as plant-derived proteins that may help further moisturize and strengthen your hair and scalp.
To top it off, the Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum also has niacinamide, an anti-inflammatory, soothing ingredient that derms like for all skin types.
Other notable ingredients
Glycerin, hydrating panthenol
Best for Natural Hair: Cantu Guava & Ginger Carrot Oil Spot Treatment Serum
Pros
- Intensely hydrating
- Good for wavy, curly, and coily hair
- Under $15
Cons
- Some Walmart reviewers found it too oily
- Plant extracts like tea tree oil may be irritating to some
Cantu’s Guava & Ginger Carrot Oil Spot Treatment Serum is packed with nourishing, soothing ingredients like castor oil, vitamin E, and rice bran extract, making it perfect for dry, itchy scalps. Thanks to the nozzle cap, you can apply it all over your scalp or as a spot treatment to target extra-thristy areas.
“Chronic dry scalp? Yes. Cantu Scalp Serum? Yes, please,” our tester wrote. “I liked the applicator and consistency of this scalp serum. It was easy to apply and it absorbed very quickly.” They noted that it didn’t drip down their hairline or stain their pillowcases either—now there’s a win.
Other notable ingredients
Anti-inflammatory tea tree oil and peppermint oil
Best for Dandruff: Jupiter Restoring Serum
Pros
- Tried-and-true anti-dandruff ingredients
- Nozzle for easy application
Cons
- Over $20
You can give your trusty dandruff shampoo a boost with this leave-in serum from derm-approved brand Jupiter. Its active ingredient is zinc pyrithione, a common antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial agent that’s used to treat dandruff. Meanwhile, other moisturizers and soothing ingredients will help tackle any dryness or irritation.
Applying it between washes will help stave off the flakes, and you can use it up to four times a day to calm any itchiness.
Other notable ingredients
Aloe vera, niacinamide, panthenol
Best for Graying and Aging Hair: Aveda Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum
Pros
- Easy to apply, per our tester
- Addresses a range of concerns, including dryness and irritation
- Reduces itchiness
Cons
- Over $50
- Contains fragrance
As SELF has previously reported, our hair tends to feel drier, thinner, finer, and more prone to breakage (and our scalp can become more sensitive) as we age. If you’ve started to notice some of these changes in your own hair, a scalp-nourishing, skin-barrier-strengthening serum like Aveda’s Scalp Solutions Overnight Scalp Renewal Serum may come in handy. It’s formulated specifically for signs of aging in the scalp, with skin-conditioning ingredients like ectoin and sunflower seed oil, as well as plant-derived antioxidants.
“My dry, itchy, irritated scalp felt soothed, more moisturized, and less itchy after using this serum,” our tester wrote. “I also appreciated the very subtle fresh, botanical scent and the fact that it didn't make my hair greasy.”
Other notable ingredients
Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, glycerin
FAQs about scalp serums
How do you use a scalp serum?
You can apply scalp serum to dry, damp, or wet hair, as long as it’s clean and free of other products. “This allows the active ingredients to penetrate effectively,” Dr. Spizuoco says. A lot of options come in dropper bottles or containers with nozzles to make application easier, but you can also dab it directly onto your scalp with your fingertips. However you apply it, Dr. Fowler says to make sure you massage it thoroughly into the skin.
How often you should use your serum will vary depending on the specific product, but Dr. Spizuoco says a good cadence in general is three to four times a week. When in doubt, check the label.
What to look for in a scalp serum, depending on your skin concerns
For dry scalps
At the risk of stating the obvious, dry scalps need immediate moisture, which can come from popular hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and plant-based extracts like jojoba oil, shea butter, aloe vera, and argan oil. You should also look for ingredients that’ll curb dehydration in the future, like panthenol (a.k.a. vitamin B5), which strengthens the skin barrier and prevents water loss.
If a moisturizing scalp serum (as part of a hydrating hair care routine) doesn’t resolve your dryness, consider talking to a dermatologist. “Sometimes what is mistaken as dryness is actually dandruff or psoriasis, and you may require a prescription for treatment,” Dr. Fowler says.
For oily scalps
Oily and acne-prone scalps will benefit from serums containing chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid, Dr. Fowler says. For further oil control, Dr. Spizuoco recommends looking for serums made with tea tree oil and niacinamide, as well.
FYI: As great as these ingredients are for treating breakouts and excess oil, bear in mind that they can be too harsh for some people, especially if your scalp is on the drier or more sensitive side.
For itchy and dandruff-prone scalps
There are lots of dermatologist-recommended ingredients for fighting dandruff, including antifungals like pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, and selenium sulfide; anti-inflammatory ingredients like tea tree oil and coal tar (which can also help with itchiness); and chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid. You may have to try a few different serums to see which actives are the most effective for your flaky scalp.
If itching is your main concern, also look for soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and peppermint oil, Dr. Spizuoco says.
Related:
- The Best Hydrating Serums for Dryness, Dullness, Fine Lines, and More
- 11 Retinol Serums We Rely on for Smooth, Glowy Skin
- Our Favorite Nail Strengtheners for Healthy At-Home Manicures
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