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10 Scrub Shampoos to Eliminate Any Buildup

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10 Scrub Shampoos to Eliminate Any Buildup featured image

There’s nothing worse than the feeling of having dirty hair, but having a buildup of sebum—an oily, waxy substance that coats the scalp—can exacerbate the need to constantly jump in the shower for a refresh. Regular shampoo may cleanse your strands, but it doesn’t get to the root of the dirty hair problem like a scalp scrub: a key product for an effective wash day.

1 / 10

Philip B Peppermint Avocado Scalp Scrub ($75)

The newest addition to the killer peppermint avocado lineup delivers deep moisture to the base of the hair and provides a tingly, cool sensation to stimulate growth and soothe itching and flaking. Just like the skin on your face, the pores on the scalp become clogged when you forget to exfoliate. With help from the regenerative powers of sea salt, eliminating product buildup and sloughing away unwanted dead skin doesn’t have to take so much effort.

2 / 10

Coco and Eve Deep Clean Scalp Scrub ($37)

This pre-shampoo treatment contains a blend of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), two chemical exfoliants that are known for their just-got-a-facial type of cleansing properties. The addition of coconut milk packs a punch of hydration for the ultimate pick-me-up.

3 / 10

Kevin Murphy Scalp.Spa Scrub ($38)

Thanks to the moisture-sucking powers of air conditioning, our skin’s dryness goes far beyond our scalp. This double-duty exfoliator goes to work deep into the hair line, but it’s also usable for the whole body. Whether you’re in need of a back-of-the-arm scrubbing or a salon-worthy scalp massage, your shower experience is incomplete without this redness-reducing, purifying scrub.

4 / 10

Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumizing Paste with Pure Rassoul Clay and Rose Extracts ($53)

Christophe Robin was one of the first stylists to come out with a purifying scrub, but it’s his new launch, Cleansing Volumizing Paste, that I reach for most regularly in my shower. This rose-based paste contains super fine sugar crystals that gently exfoliate while rassoul clay and rose extracts detoxify and nourish. Of particular note is how unique the texture is: While the product goes on a little grainy, it quickly lathers up into a lightweight foam that doesn’t weigh down hair, leaving it full of volume and bounce. The product is also so hydrating that you can even skip the conditioner! 

5 / 10

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo ($42)

This scuffle-like shampoo is a dream to use from the first scoop. It has a light (but intoxicating!) sweet-mint fragrance and foams up instantly when applied to wet hair. Tiny exfoliating particles scrub away every last bit of dirt and dead skin cells while charcoal cleanses and coconut oil moisturizes hair for an all-day softness. The super light texture means your hair will never be weighed down. 


6 / 10

IGK Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub ($36)

Walnut shell powder helps to slough away any buildup and irritation while apple cider vinegars clarifies and peppermint oil soothes and rebalances the scalp. When lathered, the exfoliants melt away and rinses out clearly, just leaving behind smoother, softer hair.

7 / 10

L’Oréal Paris EverFresh Micro-Exfoliating Scrub ($10)

A super gentle option, this shampoo has a light, gel texture with micro apricot seeds that remove impurities and buildup without ever feeling harsh on your scalp. The product rinses out easily without leaving behind any residue and smells fantastic to boot.

8 / 10


The scrubbiest of the bunch, this scalp polisher feels and smells a lot like a sugar body scrub, but is specially formulated to moisturize and treat the hair. The clarifying treatment is meant to be used as a pre-shampoo step and scrubs away buildup while helping to degrease the scalp. The water-soluble crystals melt away cleaning, leaving hair soft and smelling oh-so sweet after.

9 / 10

LUSH Big Shampoo ($30)

With sea salt making up over the base of this shampoo scrub, this mineral-rich product degreases hair and removes gunk, leaving your scalp feeling fresh and clean, but not overly stripped. Seaweed and extra-virgin coconut oil help to balance out the salt and infuse your stands with rich moisture that lasts from wash to wash.

10 / 10

R+Co Crown Scalp Scrub  ($38)

Especially great for oily and sensitive scalps, this scrub helps to detox, cleanse and rebalance skin so you’re left with healthier strands. It’s rich in emollients to provide long-lasting hydration while jojoba beads remove impurities and dissolves to rinse away easily. It can also be used as a post-color treatment to remove any chemical residue and relive an itchy, flaky scalp. 


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