How to Best Care for Your Scalp According to a Dermatologist

My recommendations on how to best moisturize and exfoliate your scalp:

Exfoliate: Build up on the scalp can be a sign of dandruff, a condition called Seborrheic Dermatitis or hair product residue.  Initiate your scalp care routine with gentle exfoliation to eliminate dead skin cells and product build up. Scalp scrubs containing salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), or enzymatic agents are great options. Massage the scrub onto your damp scalp to stimulate circulation while simultaneously removing scalp build up. This vital step promotes a clean and balanced scalp, creating an optimal environment for scalp health.  I recommend Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Foaming Scrub as an excellent pre-cleansing scrub, with exfoliating sugar crystals to remove excess buildup before gently dissolving.

Cleanse: Choose a sulfate-free shampoo enriched with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera to properly moisturize scalp and cleanse the hair shaft of dirt, oils, and environmental impurities without overly stripping the hair. The recommended frequency of scalp cleansing will vary based on activity level, exercise, and daily exposures from daily, to a few times per week, to once weekly.

Moisturize: After cleansing, it is important to follow with a nourishing conditioner to replenish moisture and enhance manageability while detangling. Start detangling at the ends of your hair and work your way up to the roots. Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Hydrating Shampoo and Hydrating Conditioner target dry hair to help maintain the hair and scalp moisture balance, which is a great option for hair damaged by heat styling or chemical processing. Meanwhile, Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo and Strengthening Conditioner target oily, fine hair to cleanse without stripping, protect from premature breakage for fuller-looking hair, and simplify detangling.

Densify: After cleansing and conditioning, complete your full hair care routine by fortifying roots for thicker, fuller hair. Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Fullness Restore Scalp Serum, enriched with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Vitamin E, Zinc & Peptides, strengthens the scalp's barrier function and retains essential moisture, fostering a healthy scalp environment for beautifully growing hair to thrive. Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Root Lift Thickening Spray is a dynamic addition to use on damp hair during styling by lifting and strengthening the root of hair for visibly fuller hair and touchable volume.

The Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Density Boost collection was developed with dermatologists and enriched with clinically proven ingredients to care for scalp at its core with a 4-step recommended approach. A noteworthy clinical trial revealed that 89% of women perceived increased hair thickness and strength over 90 days of consistent use.