How to exfoliate your scalp at home: a DIY scalp scrub for build-up
Scalp care is just as important as skin care
When we talk about healthy hair, we often focus on the lengths, the shine, the condition. But the real starting point is often overlooked: scalp care. Getting into a routine that treats your scalp like you would your skin is one of the biggest DIY hair-care trends right now — and for good reason. A well-nurtured scalp promotes strong, happy hair roots, better growth, fewer breakage issues and less irritation.
It's easy to incorporate this step into your hair care routine when you know how to exfoliate your scalp at home. Here we have an easy DIY scalp scrub, and two options for the other steps: "save" is the budget-friendly route and "splurge" the fancier one. A more indulgent option where our plant-powered Pre‑Shampoo Treatment Oil, our Scalp Massager and our award-winning Herbal Shampoo Bar come into play to help support scalp health from the ground up, naturally.
Step 1 – Pre-treat the scalp with nourishing oils
Begin your wash-day ritual by applying a natural scalp oil. This step gives your scalp targeted nurturing ahead of cleansing. By gently massaging oil into your scalp, you’re preparing the skin, loosening build-up and giving your roots a treat. It acts like a skin-care treatment for the scalp — which is exactly what the “scalp-first” trend calls for.
Save: use a natural (non-mineral) oil that you might already have at home, like olive oil or coconut oil.
Splurge: our award-winning Pre-Shampoo Treatment Oil is a blend of olive, fractionated coconut oil, argan, pomegranate seed and four scalp-boosting essential oils – lavender, ylang ylang, bay and clary sage.
Step 2 – Stimulate the follicles with a scalp massage
Once you’ve applied your oil (or simply before you shampoo), it's time for a lovely scalp massage. Massages have multiple benefits:
- Stimulates blood flow to the follicles, which helps nourish root zones to encourage healthy hair growth.
- Gently lifts away flakes, build-up and environmental dirt, supporting a cleaner scalp environment.
- Enhances the effectiveness of treatment oils and shampoos by helping distribute and activate them at the root level.
Save: Use your fingers! Spread them out wide and then place the pads flat against the top of the scalp, with the thumbs tucked behind the ears. Apply pressure to the scalp and move your fingers in circular motions so that the scalp moves over the bone. Keeping the thumbs in place, pivot the hands towards the back of the head and repeat, then work your way back up to the top again.
Splurge: Our Scalp Massager is a relaxing hair care tool that can be kept in the shower so that it's always on hand. Used in conjunction with our sulphate-free shampoos, a cleaner, healthier and happier scalp is easily achieved. Every wash turns into a mini scalp ritual.
Step 3 – Cleanse and nourish with the Herbal Shampoo Bar
Now move on to your cleansing step: with a Herbal Shampoo Bar formulated by hairdresser Hairy Jayne. This pH balanced and sulphate-free shampoo bar is made with a natural fragrance blend of rosemary, lavender and clary sage essential oils – specifically with scalps in mind.
Beyond the clean and green credentials, let’s dig into why those three essential oils matter for the scalp:
Rosemary oil – Research suggests rosemary essential oil may help improve circulation to the scalp, reduce itchiness, soothe inflammation and support hair-growth potential.
Lavender oil – Known for its calming, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender oil supports a healthier scalp environment and may help reduce chances of irritation.
Clary sage oil – Often overlooked, clary sage brings its own benefits: it may improve scalp circulation which strengthen hair-follicles and supports a healthier scalp and hair growth.
Together, this trio offers a scalp-nurturing synergy: gentle cleansing, nourishment, protection, and environmental support for your roots.
Save: our Herbal shampoo bars are part of our Bar Bundle Builder which offers discounts for bulk buys on shampoo and conditioner bar as well as bar storage. Stock up and save up to 20%, as well as cutting down on postage costs.
Splurge: why not treat yourself and start off with a Scalp Saviour Bundle that includes the Herbal shampoo bar, Pre-shampoo Treatment and free optional scalp massager.
A DIY scalp scrub from hairdresser Jayne
“Fan of coffee? Save your used coffee grounds after your morning brew. Spread them out to dry, then dip a moistened shampoo bar into the dried grounds and massage – very gently – into the scalp in-shower for a DIY exfoliating scrub” — Jayne
This simple hack helps remove dead skin cells and any build-up and helps the scalp to better absorb subsequent oil treatments. If you're not sure about shampoo bars, the coffee could also work with our oil-free refillable Shampoo Concentrate. Just add a pinch into the shampoo in your palms, then add water to lather.
Should conditioner go on the scalp next?
Conditioner only really needed on the mid-lengths and ends of the hair, not the scalp. It's function is mostly to detangle the hair lengths and to deposit strengthening ingredients at the ends – where the hair is likely to be in poor condition due to it being older hair. Newer hair (at the roots) that hasn't been exposed much to environmental stressors or damage is likely to be weighed down by the conditioner, which will make it appear greasy. Not to mention it being wasteful!
Why this routine works
By pre-treating, massaging and then cleansing with purpose, you are treating your scalp as a vital part of your hair-care ecosystem — not just an afterthought. The massager helps the oils and their benefits to reach the right place; the shampoo bar brings scalp-friendly active ingredients (mango butter, rosemary, lavender, clary sage) in a clean formula; and a DIY scrub is handy to know whenever your scalp needs gentle exfoliation.
Consistency is key: over a span of time you’ll likely see hair that feels fresher at the roots and a scalp that is calmer and less prone to irritation or flakes. And healthier strands, too!
Final thoughts
Great scalp care doesn’t need to be complicated, just consistent. With just these three steps — oil, massage, cleanse — following the steps above, you can elevate your wash-day into a root-care treatment. And by including the coffee-grounds DIY scalp scrub tip from Jayne, you add an extra layer of exfoliation that's so easy to do.