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The 7 best products for soothing a sensitive scalp

Healthy head heroes, the lot of ‘em

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Content Producer / October 25 2021

Having a sensitive scalp is tricky business because unlike sensitive skin, when it comes to scalp health, we can’t exactly walk around with a truckload of ointment in our roots to cure the problem.

Instead, we’re employing the help of a handful of healthy head heroes that look just like your favourite haircare products – just formulated with a sensitive scalp in mind.

From shampoo bars to treatment serums, and even dry shampoo – here are seven products to soothe your sensitive scalp.

Abhati Suisse Kaveri Calming Shampoo Bar

No doubt you’ve been seeing clean beauty shampoo bars cropping up everywhere – but this little guy’s formulated specifically with sensitive scalps in mind. Utilising high-quality 100 per cent whole natural plant ingredients (including sandalwood, salicylic acid and vitamin E), this vegan-friendly formula hydrates, soothes and protects the scalp for optimal hair health.

$34 at MECCA

SACHAJUAN Scalp Conditioner

Soothe your red, irritated scalp with this soothing, anti-dandruff conditioner. Formulated with climbazole, piroctone olamine, and a cocktail of scalp-stimulators and exfoliators (rosemary oil, menthol, salicylic acid, ginger extract and oat oil to be exact), you can look forward to rebalanced moisture levels, a reduction in dandruff and a soothed scalp. Score!

$41 at Sephora

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment Serum

Intended to detoxify the scalp, this soothing serum is formulated with binchotan charcoal to draw out the impurities, build-up and excess oil that may be blocking hair follicles. Peppermint, spearmint and tea tree oils work to reduce irritation, itchiness and inflammation, while witch hazel, water, hyaluronic acid and aloe soothe and rebalance.

$46 at MECCA

QV Gentle Shampoo

Sensitive scalp maintenance shouldn’t need to cost a small fortune. Lightly foaming for a gentle, yet purifying experience, this QV Hair Gentle Shampoo is less than $10 at Chemist Warehouse, so there’s really no excuse to take full advantage of its pH balanced, soap-free formula ASAP.

$9.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Living Proof Scalp Care Dry Scalp Treatment

Having a sensitive scalp can be stressful enough, which is why we love the idea of this easy leave-in treatment for particularly dry scalps. Simply massage into damp hair to see a reduction in flakiness, itchiness and irritation. The secret behind this practical potion? Innovative hyaluronic acid based molecular patch technology and a vitamin B3 based microbiome balancing complex, which work in unison to maintain hydration and rebalance the scalp’s natural microbiome.

$46 at MECCA

Klorane XL Oat Milk Dry Shampoo

Yep, that’s right, just because you’ve been afflicted with a sensitive scalp doesn’t mean you have to forgo the convenience of a dry shampoo. Thanks to the inclusion of oat milk, this highly absorbent formula soothes and protects as well as refreshes your hair between washes.

$17.49 at Chemist Warehouse

Nioxin Scalp Relief Soothing Serum

Improve scalp health and boost hair growth while you’re at it using this soothing leave-in treatment that’s formulated with anti-inflammatory aloe vera, hydrating glycerin, relieving Soothex™ complex and a slew of vitamins and minerals that promote cellular turnover and hair growth.

$44.50 at StrawberryNET

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Main image credit: @lirisaw

Briar Clark

Briar is a Content Producer at BEAUTYcrew. She is a self-professed skin care obsessive, always on the hunt for the perfect mascara, and can't go past a plumping lipgloss.