Scalp Scrubs Are the Answer to Shiny, Healthy-Looking Hair — Our Favorites Start at Just $8

When you think “scrub,” your mind may go straight to chunky goops or harsh beads. Never fear; you won’t find either of those here. Our top pick goes to Briogeo for its gentle yet effective, ultra-fine exfoliating crystals. A quick rubdown with the Binchotan charcoal-enriched formula loosens oil and product buildup. Since it functions as both a shampoo and a scrub, it does this without getting caught between strands. This sulfate-free formula helps your hair retain its natural moisture. It promises to soothe, hydrate, and refresh your scalp and includes peppermint and coconut oil in its invigorating formula. 

For extra-tangly strands, we recommend using a coloring brush to ensure the first application makes it all the way to your roots. If we could change one thing about this talented twofer, we would add a targeted applicator instead of the jar. We admit this complaint is minor, but the dark gray goop can make a mess of your shower floor as well as the sides of the jar.

Size: 8 ounces | Exfoliant: Binchotan charcoal | Hair Type: All 

Chances are your makeup bag already includes a few items from L’Oréal Paris, and for good reason — but it is time to make room for one more. This sulfate-free formula is suitable for color-treated hair. Crushed apricot seeds break out built-up dirt and unwanted debris without stripping the scalp, but the real star is the menthol. The cream finishes with a cooling shot that not only makes you feel refreshed but also makes your follicles tingle. 

We love this product, which is also a favorite of beauty professionals. Jerome Lordet, owner and director of Jerome Lordet Salon in New York City, stands behind this affordable scrub as a worthy dupe for higher-end options. “In my experience, this scalp scrub performs as well as other luxury items in the category,” he tells PEOPLE.

As much as we can’t resist the icy-hot effect, this scrub does come in a jar. In order to avoid consistent dipping, we wish that this came with a spatula to help prevent losing some product as we scoop it out.

Size: 8 ounces | Exfoliant: Apricot seed | Hair Type: All

Fine hair gets easily weighed down, especially by styling products. Thick, chunky scrubs can get caught in strands, so for fine hair, we recommend choosing a scrub with a more lightweight texture as well as a chemical exfoliant. This scrub has both. 

Chicago-based professional colorist Lorena Valdes loves this scrub for its versatility. “Consider it a step up from your run-of-the-mill scrub since it contains both chemical and physical exfoliating properties,” she says. “It helps remove buildup and balances the scalp’s microbiome. Plus, the gentle AHA (a.k.a. glycolic acid) is fantastic for sensitive scalps.”

Use the targeted nozzle to place this product directly in your part, and then use your fingers or a scalp massager to massage it in to clear your scalp of debris. It’s also worth mentioning that this product is slightly smaller in volume than most others on this list; however, because the price point is relatively lower, you can justify needing to rebuy more often.

Size: 5 ounces | Exfoliant: Glycolic acid, castor beads | Hair Type: All, especially fine hair

A favorite of stylists, this chunky (but in a good way) classic scrub earned a spot on our list for its thick texture and real results. The sea salt helps remove excess product buildup. Lordet uses it when he needs to pack a more powerful punch. “This is a bit more exfoliating than others on TheShockNews,” he says. “Use it when you need a deep scrub. The almond oil nourishes and prevents irritation.

This is a great option when your hair is especially oily or your normal shampoo treatments don’t seem to be working anymore. Reviewers praise this scrub’s lather, which makes it easy to bust through grime, oil, and buildup. Keep in mind, the rich texture may be hard to rinse out, so wash out thoroughly after massaging in.

Size: 8.4 ounces | Exfoliant: Sea salt | Hair Type: All, especially oily hair

Calling all curly girls! If you know curly hair, you know that the most important thing for bouncy, healthy strands is moisture. Translation: You can’t wash and exfoliate daily. However, curly scalps get buildup like everybody else. For a curly girl-friendly scrub, try this one from Ouidad. 

We love that this mask — which comes out as a lightweight gel and transforms into a pillowy foam that washes out easily — doesn’t weigh down hair. Powerful white charcoal pulls out impurities without drying out the skin. Instead, linseed oil, hyaluronic acid, pineapple extract, and vitamin E keep your skin and mane hydrated. 

Size: 6.8 ounces | Exfoliant: White charcoal | Hair Type: Curly, coily

This talented twofer not only creates space in your shower but also sloughs away dead skin from head to toe, simultaneously cleansing and getting rid of debris. Not to mention, it delivers probiotics to both the skin on your scalp and the skin on your body. Hello, healthy microbiome. 

“Ouai uses sugar as the physical exfoliating agent to remove buildup; this helps break down dead skin and dirt,” explains Valdes. “After, coconut oil swoops in to help moisturize the skin.”

Exfoliating sugar crystals, hydrating coconut oil, and balancing probiotics make a good case for this scrub, but what stood out to us was the impressive lather. We had our doubts at first that a product could work equally well on the scalp and body, but we were delighted by the quantity of satisfying bubbles and the scent, which smells like a vacation.

Size: 8.8 ounces | Exfoliant: Sugar | Hair Type: All 

Ingredient transparency can be important for some. The good news is that more brands than ever are making an effort to show what they are putting into their hair products; however, Davines was doing this before it was cool. 

Lordet loves using this in the summer because it adds a beachy texture to the hair. “Thanks to sea salt, this great summer scrub is strong enough to remove the buildup of sand and sunscreen after a beach day,” he says. “But it is also packed with easy-on-the-strands ingredients that help nourish hair.”

Size: 11.9. ounces | Exfoliant: Sea salt | Hair Type: All