The Best Scalp Treatments for Healthier, Prettier Hair

You’ve heard it before, and it’s the truth: A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. When buildup is removed from sweat, pollution, styling products (we see you dry shampoo) and more, the hair follicle can thrive. This leads to increased hair growth, shine and fullness, plus more time between washes. Think of scalp treatments as hitting the reset button on your hair. Below, our 2025 NewBeauty Award Winners in the Scalp Care category, from scrubs to serums and everything in between.

The Best Scalp Treatments to Try Now

1 / 6

Act+Acre 4% Niacinamide Oily Scalp Serum ($68)

Our Winner for “Best Scalp Serum for Oily Hair,” this lightweight serum tackles greasy hair at its source while balancing the scalp microbiome for fresher, bouncier strands between washes. If greasy hair is your concern, you’ll be shocked how long your hair can stay “clean” when using this.

• BUY ON ACT + ACRE – $68
• BUY ON SEPHORA – $68

2 / 6

Arey Calm It Down Scalp Serum ($40)

A stressed scalp’s savior (especially if your scalp can’t handle dye very well), this fragrance-free formula is our winner for “Best Serum for an Irritated Scalp.” Dubbed “the first-ever clinically effective post-hair dye scalp serum to soothe, reduce redness and counteract oxidative stress,” it delivers instant cooling relief, and you’ll wonder how you lived without it before.

• BUY ON CREDO – $40
• BUY ON AREY – $40

3 / 6

LolaVie Exfoliate & Detox Scalp Shampoo ($39)

Our winner for “Best Scalp Scrub Shampoo,” this minty-scented exfoliator combines activated charcoal and gentle AHAs to lift away buildup while balancing moisture. It smells good, feels good and delivers a clinically proven 157 percent boost in scalp hydration and 155 percent increase in volume after just one use.

• BUY ON ULTA BEAUTY – $39
• BUY ON LOLAVIE – $39

4 / 6

Moroccanoil Purifying Pre-Wash Scalp Scrub ($32)

If you like to separate your scalp scrub and shampoo into two steps, this winner for “Best Pre-Wash Scalp Scrub” is a great option (the kind of extra credit we love doing). It physically sweeps away oil, buildup and flakes before you shampoo, promoting a smoother scalp and refreshed hair.

• BUY ON SEPHORA – $32
• BUY ON NORDSTROM – $32

5 / 6

NatureLab.TOKYO SAISEI Biomimetic Peptide Treatment Essence ($46)

Treat your scalp and help reverse graying at the same time with this winner for “Best Anti-Gray Scalp Treatment.” A potent scalp serum, it’s clinically proven to visibly boost healthier hair growth and density, while also helping reverse grays to their natural color using synergistic (and super innovative) peptides.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $46
• BUY ON NATURELAB.TOKYO – $46

6 / 6

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Wellness Dry Scalp Serum ($35)

For daily relief from a dry, itchy scalp, this winner for “Best Dry Scalp Treatment” uses skin-care quality ingredients (amino acids and upcycled raspberry leaf extract) to nourish the delicate scalp moisture barrier without leaving any residue.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $35
• BUY ON ULTA BEAUTY – $35