We exfoliate our face and body, but hardly anyone exfoliates the skin that gets the most product: the scalp. Here we explain what it is for, how to do it properly and how often.
Short answer: On wet hair, spread the scrub over the skin section by section, massage for a minute with your fingertips, never your nails, rinse and follow with your shampoo. For most people once a week is enough. With a sensitive scalp, start every ten days; if you have cuts or irritation, do not exfoliate.
In short
- Exfoliating the scalp removes sebum, dead skin cells and product residue that shampoo leaves behind.
- Do it once a week, on damp hair and before shampooing, with a one-minute fingertip massage.
- Do not exfoliate if you have cuts or irritation, straight after colouring, or with your nails.
What exfoliating the scalp is for
Sebum, dead skin cells and residue from the products we use every day collect at the roots: dry shampoo, mousse, hairspray or heat protectant. A scalp scrub removes the build-up that shampoo does not always lift. Your hair feels lighter at the roots, and shampoo and conditioner work on clean skin.
How to do it, step by step
- On wet hair, spread the scrub section by section, directly onto the skin.
- Massage for a minute with your fingertips, in gentle circles. Never with your nails.
- Rinse well and follow with your shampoo.
- Finish with conditioner only from mid-lengths to ends.
How often?
Once a week is enough for most people. If you use a lot of dry shampoo or styling products, you can go up to twice. If you have a sensitive scalp, start every ten days and see how it responds.
Physical or chemical scrub
Physical scrubs contain particles that sweep away build-up as you massage. Chemical ones use mild acids that dissolve it. Our MINT DETOX is a physical scrub, with rosemary and mint for a fresh feeling that lasts for hours, and it is ECOCERT COSMOS Natural certified.
When not to exfoliate
Do not do it if you have cuts, sunburn in the area or active irritation. If you have intense itching or persistent flaking, see a dermatologist.
Signs your scalp needs exfoliating
- Your roots look flat a few hours after washing.
- You use dry shampoo, hairspray or styling products several times a week.
- You notice small dry flakes that come away when you brush.
- You live in a hard-water area and your hair loses its shine over time.
How often, depending on your scalp
| Scalp type | Suggested frequency |
|---|---|
| Oily or with a lot of styling product | Once a week |
| Normal | Every one or two weeks |
| Dry or sensitive | Every two weeks, and only if it does not itch or get irritated |
| Freshly coloured | Wait at least a week after colouring |
Types of scrub
Physical: they contain particles that sweep away residue as you massage, such as the kaolin or ground cherry stone in MINT DETOX. You notice them straight away and they leave a clean feeling.
Chemical: they use acids (salicylic, lactic) that loosen the bond between dead skin cells. They contain no particles, but they can cause more tightness on sensitive skin.
If your scalp is sensitive, try it on a small area first and use it less often.
Common mistakes
- Scrubbing with your nails: it irritates the skin. Massage with your fingertips.
- Exfoliating every day: more is not better; once a week is enough.
- Skipping shampoo afterwards: the scrub goes before shampoo, which is what finishes removing the residue.
- Putting it on the lengths: the scrub is for the roots.
Sources and references
- Tips for healthy hair. American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Dermatologists’ guidance on how often to wash depending on the scalp and where to apply shampoo and conditioner.
- Cosmetics. European Commission. The legal framework for cosmetics in the EU, including the mandatory notification of every product on the CPNP portal before it goes on sale.
Frequently asked questions
Do you exfoliate before or after shampooing?
Before. The scrub loosens the residue and the shampoo removes it.
On dry or wet hair?
It depends on the product. MINT DETOX is applied to damp hair, section by section, at the roots.
Can I exfoliate my scalp if my hair is coloured?
Yes, but wait at least a week after colouring and rinse well.
Why do my roots feel cold?
That is the mint oil. The fresh feeling lasts for hours and is normal.
What if I have cuts or a scalp condition?
Do not exfoliate, and see your dermatologist.
All the details on every product (who it’s for, how to use it, size, price, ECOCERT and whether it’s vegan) are in Nitiel in numbers.
How it fits into your routine
The scrub is step zero. Then come the purifying shampoo and the conditioner: together they make up the Purifying Ritual, which costs less than buying them separately.