Hair care for scalp - Garnier Hair care for scalp - Garnier

How to Take Care of Your Scalp: Tips, Treatments, and the Best Routine

So much attention is focused on maintaining a healthy head of hair. We want shine, volume, definition, and vibrant color. But, how many of us regularly think about scalp care? The condition of the skin on our head has a direct effect on how our locks look, so we need to adopt a new mindset: hair care for the scalp. That’s why Garnier has created this complete guide to scalp care where we cover everything from what causes scalp irritation, the best scalp care products, and how to build the perfect scalp care routine.

Why Scalp Care Matters

You take good care of the skin on your face and body, so why not also pamper the skin on your head? After all, a healthy scalp is essential for the overall health of your tresses because it produces, maintains, and conditions every strand. Proper scalp care affects hydration, comfort, shine, and hair growth. Plus, the right scalp care routine can prevent a dry, flaky, itchy scalp, as well as keep excess oil at bay.

What Causes a Dry or Itchy Scalp?

While the scalp is slightly denser than the rest of your skin, it still needs to breathe and maintain a moisture balance. The scalp’s pores can be irritated by harsh ingredients, blocked by product buildup, and stripped of hydration by overwashing and heat. Environmental factors like pollution and changes due to seasonal conditions also contribute to a dry or itchy scalp. Note, however, that there is a difference in how to treat a dry scalp caused by lack of moisture versus flakiness due to product buildup.

Factors that cause an itchy scalp - Garnier

How to Build a Scalp Care Routine

The skin on your scalp contains more oil glands than other parts of the body because it’s charged with conditioning (aka lubricating) the hair growing from its dense network of about 100,000 follicles. So, your mission is to follow a regimen that delivers the best hair care for the scalp by creating a balance based on your individual requirements. It could be to solve dryness, excess sebum or general scalp sensitivity. Here’s a standard scalp care routine that you can adapt to your needs.

Exfoliate
Double Wash
Protect and Maintain Balance
01
Exfoliate
Look for a gentle scalp scrub intended for use before shampooing. This step will slough off dead skin cells, environmental debris, and layers of hair product residue. It will also help unclog pores to prep your scalp for cleansing.
02
Double Wash
Start by purifying the scalp with Garnier Pure Clean shampoo. This lightweight cleanser resets the oil and buildup on your scalp and hair. Follow with a moisturizing shampoo to replenish and balance. Try our Whole Blends Coconut Water & Aloe Vera shampoo that deep cleans and hydrates without weighdown or Fructis Pure Moisture shampoo for up to 72 hours of moisture.
Go to product
Garnier Fructis
Pure Clean Shampoo
Pure Clean Shampoo
03
Protect and Maintain Balance
Once you've restored your scalp health, you'll want to seal in hydration, nourish, and protect with a lightweight leave-in or nourishing hair oil. This step also wards off future dryness and environmental stress, so keep up the good work with Triple Nutrition Hair Oil or Pure Moisture 10-in-1 Leave-In.
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Garnier Fructis
Triple Nutrition Marvelous Oil Hair Elixir
Triple Nutrition Marvelous Oil Hair Elixir

How to Treat Common Scalp Concerns

Different scalp issues require different solutions. Learn how to incorporate targeted treatments into your routine and which types of scalp care products you need for each concern.

Dry Scalp Care
Hair Care for Oily Scalp
Sensitive or Irritated Scalp
Flaky or Itchy Scalp Support
01
Dry Scalp Care
The most effective dry scalp treatments are hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and scalp-quenching oils. They go a long to replenishing and balancing moisture while soothing the effects of dryness. The Whole Blends Honey Water range of shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in cream is a sure bet. Also check out the Pure Moisture system for 72 hours of hydration for hair and scalp.
02
Hair Care for Oily Scalp
Any time you need to remove excess oil from your skin, always be careful not to strip away vital natural oils. When it comes to the skin on your head, you need lightweight clarifying and cleansing hair care for the scalp like Fructis Pure Clean Purifying Shampoo.
Go to product
Garnier Fructis
Pure Clean Shampoo
Pure Clean Shampoo
03
Sensitive or Irritated Scalp
Gentle is the operative word when treating a sensitive or irritated scalp. Look for a soothing fragrance-free (or fragrance-light) formula that can calm tender skin. Whole Blends Oat Delicacy Soothing Shampoo is specially formulated for sensitive scalps.
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Whole Blends
Oat Delicacy Soothing Shampoo
Oat Delicacy Soothing Shampoo
04
Flaky or Itchy Scalp Support
If your flaky scalp is due to dryness (lack of moisture), you need to boost and balance hydration with the Pure Moisture regimen of shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in spray. When product buildup is causing a flaky scalp, cleanse the pores by removing 100% of residue with our Pure Clean system.

How to Choose the Right Scalp Care Products

The right scalp care starts with knowing what your scalp needs, so always choose scalp care products based on your specific issue. The most common are dryness, oiliness, flakiness, and sensitivity.

Shampoos and Conditioners for Scalp Health

Start proper scalp care in the shower by matching your shampoo with your scalp’s most important need. Treat dryness with a hydrating shampoo like Pure Moisture, wash with a clarifying shampoo like Pure Clean to reduce oiliness, and soothe a sensitive scalp with gentle products from our Whole Blends line.

Featured Products

Featured Products

Fructis Pure Moisture Shampoo

Garnier Fructis Pure Moisture Shampoo Get up to 72 hours of moisture for dry hair and dry scalp with the Pure Moisture system of shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in treatment, with hyaluronic acid and cucumber water.

$5.99 MSRP
4.5963 out of 5 stars based on reviews
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Fructis Pure Moisture Conditioner

Garnier Fructis Pure Moisture Conditioner Formulated with hyaluronic acid and cucumber water. Get up to 72 hours of moisture for dry hair and dry scalp with the Pure Moisture system of conditioner, shampoo, and leave-in treatment.

$5.99 MSRP
4.5913 out of 5 stars based on reviews
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(367)
Front of Pack of Whole Blends Honey Water Shampoo

Whole Blends Honey Water Moisture Restoring Shampoo Discover Honey Water Moisture Restoring Shampoo—our lightweight, sulfate-free shampoo for dry hair and scalp that deeply hydrates without weighdown. Blended with honey nectar and floral water, this moisturizing shampoo locks in hydration for up to 100 hours when used with the Honey Water conditioner and leave-in treatment. Enjoy a fresh, clean feel, soft shine, and a blooming white rose and citrus scent.

$6.49 MSRP
4.677 out of 5 stars based on reviews
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(418)
Front of Pack of Whole Blends Honey Water Conditioner

Whole Blends Honey Water Moisture Restoring Conditioner Meet Honey Water Moisture Restoring Conditioner, our lightweight, silicone-free moisture restoring conditioner for dry hair and scalp. Blended with honey nectar and floral water, it deeply hydrates without weighdown and helps lock in moisture for up to 100 hours when used with the Honey Water shampoo and leave-in treatment. Hair feels soft, smooth, and free-flowing with a fresh white rose and citrus scent.

$6.49 MSRP
4.6725 out of 5 stars based on reviews
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Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo

Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo Reset your hair and remove 100% of residue and buildup with Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo.

$5.99 MSRP
3.3304 out of 5 stars based on reviews
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(224)
Fructis Pure Clean Conditioner

Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Conditioner Get up to 96 hours of moisture with the Pure Clean Conditioner.

$5.99 MSRP
4.2708 out of 5 stars based on reviews
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(96)

Scalp Scrubs and Clarifiers

Over time, dead skin cells can build up on your scalp—just like on the rest of your body. For a clean reset, slough them off with a scalp scrub or exfoliating shampoo to support a healthy hair-growing environment. Another purifying scalp care option is a clarifying shampoo like Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo.

Scalp Scrubs and Clarifiers

For ultimate comfort, maintain moisture on your scalp with a lightweight leave-in or oil that balances sebum between washes. Our favorite scalp care products in this arena include Pure Moisture 10-in-1 Leave-In Spray with hyaluronic acid and Triple Nutrition Marvelous Hair Oil for extra nourishment.

Scalp Care Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is My Scalp So Itchy?
An itchy scalp is typically due to one (or more) of three common issues: dryness, buildup, and sensitivity. The best approach is to rebalance the scalp’s ecosystem by thoroughly cleansing, and then replenishing and balancing moisture. Clarify with Garnier’s Pure Clean system and rehydrate with our Pure Moisture products.

How Do I Get Rid of a Dry Scalp?
If you’re wondering how to treat a dry scalp, reach for a moisturizing shampoo followed by a hydrating treatment like a lightweight oil. In the longer-term, try to avoid harsh cleansers and products that may strip away the natural oils your hair and scalp need. Try our Whole Blends Honey Treasures Repairing line or Pure Moisture products.

Why Does My Scalp Hurt?
The most common causes of a painful or tender scalp are inflammation, product buildup, repeated tight hairstyles, and dryness. The most recommended remedy is to gentle cleanse and soothe with a regimen of shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in.

How Do I Moisturize My Scalp?
To moisturize your scalp, you need a good hydrating routine that includes a rich shampoo, quenching leave-in, and nourishing scalp oils that won’t weigh down your hair. Our favorite scalp care products are Pure Moisture 10-in-1 Leave-In Spray and Triple Nutrition Marvelous Hair Oil.

What’s the Best Hair Care for Dry Scalp?
Dry scalp care begins with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner from our Whole Blends system followed by a lightweight scalp moisturizer from Fructis Pure Moisture. This combination provides your scalp with lasting balanced moisture while allowing it to breathe.

Should You Exfoliate Your Scalp?
While exfoliating your head may be a new concept for you, it can be quite effective for removing buildup and flakes as well as soothing the scalp. You can achieve this effect by occasionally purifying with a clarifying shampoo like Pure Clean to get rid of any gunk and starting fresh.

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