Stop scratching - as much as it may be itchy or irritating, scratching at a flaky scalp will incur a shower of snowflakes across your shoulders. Off the top of your head, you might not know why exfoliating your scalp could be beneficial for hair health. But as online searches for ‘scalp' have grown by over 11% and 'scalp exfoliation' by 27% over the past year, it seems under-hair skincare is coming to the fore.

Angela Onuoha, a trichologist and expert advisor for Rhyme & Reason adds: “Removing dead skin cells improves the absorption of moisture. Salicylic acid helps to clear away dead skin cells and other debris that build up on the scalp, which can cause the flaking in dandruff. Is your scalp flaky? We also love Head & Shoulders Derma XPro Soothing Anti Dandruff Dry Itchy Scalp Shampoo and the Head & Shoulders Derma XPro Soothing Dry, Itchy Scalp & Hair Conditioner. This calming duo can help relieve itchiness. It all depends on your hair and scalp type, as well the product you’re using. “In general, I’d suggest one to two times a week before shampooing,” says Angela.

You may have heard that salicylic acid can be drying on your skin or hair, but as long as you’re using it correctly and regularly—and don’t forget about moisturizing!—you’ll be in good shape.

Our hair range includes a number of products that can have instant impact on the finish of your hair. Working with the complex cortex of the hair strands, we can easily layer shine with volume, repair with hydration through our targeted hair treatments. Apart from flaking, the product is aimed to target a few other issues which dandruff sufferers often face, like irritation, redness, and excess oil production. “In 2% concentrations, salicylic acid has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, so it could help soothe and calm redness and irritation associated with various scalp conditions such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis,” says Iyer. And the ingredient’s lipophilic nature means that it’s able to dissolve oils and remove excess sebum and debris which can build up on the scalp, and thus help regulate oil production.Vasconcelos, R.M. (2012). Synthesis, acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory effect of bornyl salicylate, a salicylic acid derivative. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. doi: 10.3109/08923973.2012.694891. How often you wash your hair can also impact your product choice. “Many face products are designed to be applied at night and rinsed off the next morning,” says Angela.

If you have dry scalp or dandruff, salicylic acid may help clear up outbreaks by removing dead skin cells on your scalp that could be causing irritation and itching.Salicylic Acid works to remove flakes through gently exfoliating the scalp, and similarly to its role in skincare, it also helps to balance oil level production. The two other ingredients, FLUIDIPURE™ 8G and PANTHENOL respectively help to reduce scalp’s redness and to hydrate and moisturise the scalp and hair. Salicylic Acid works to remove flaky skin through gently exfoliating. It also helps to balance oil levels on the scalp. The two other ingredients in the formulation FLUIDPURE 8G and PANTHENOL help to reduce redness on the scalp and to hydrate the scalp and hair. Each product can be used together and, for best results, we recommend applying to damp hair (note some are best used as the first treatment in your post-wash layering to ensure they reach the cortex for best results). Just like a cleanser for your skin, The INKEY List offer pre-shampoo treatments. Our Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment exfoliates the scalp and helps to reduce flakes, itchiness, redness and to control oil production. Our Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub removes product build up, leaving your hair looking clean and healthy. But these satisfying scalp heroes score more than just pampering points, though. In fact, they’re really very good for your scalp, which deserves to be treated with at-least a fraction of the love you show your complexion (be honest – how many face serums are on your shelf)? Why use a scalp scrub?

It’s as basic as any scalp product can get. You apply the product directly to the scalp — either all over or on the spots where you have flaking, let it sit for 10 minutes, then shampoo it out. Reslan recommends giving yourself a mini scalp massage with your fingertips while you wait, and I actually enjoyed giving myself a head rub while the product was soaking in. It is important to wash your hair thoroughly with the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. From a does-it-all scalp brush to scalp scrubs and exfoliating acids, here’s our edit of products that’ll take your next hair wash to the next level.Whilst they may manifest in similar ways and form into a flaky itchy scalp, dandruff, a dry scalp and build up can stem from different causes. All of our experts generally agreed that exfoliating once per week is a good place to start, especially if you have an oily scalp or dense hair. “The more hair you have, the easier it is for products to build up,” Mia Santiago, a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City, tells SELF. There are, of course, plenty of factors to consider. “If your scalp tends to be on the drier side, it is possible to over-exfoliate, causing additional dryness or irritation, in which I’d recommend exfoliating on a biweekly basis,” says Reavey. The grit found in a physical exfoliant – and how harshly you apply it – could cause micro-tears or scratches on the scalp and do more harm than good.”