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The Best Scalp Masks to Rescue Your Skin and Hair

Calm, soothe, detoxify, hydrate, and nourish.

By
Hallie Gould
Hallie Gould
Hallie Gould
Hallie Gould is Byrdie's editor in chief + GM. She has a decade's worth of experience as a writer and editor, and her bylines can be found in such publications as ELLE, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle.
Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 06/28/24 01:21PM
Reviewed by
Julia A. Siegel, MD
Julia Siegel
Reviewed by Julia A. Siegel, MD
Julia A. Siegel, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. 
About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Woman looking back while touching her long black curly hair

Ohlamour Studio / Stocksy

It can be easy to forget the importance of scalp care. We shampoo and condition, mask and blow-dry, but throughout the process, our actual scalp usually gets neglected. Anyone who's dealt with an itchy, dry, or flaky scalp can attest to how annoying it is, and honestly, the fact that a healthy scalp might be the key to longer, stronger hair is reason enough to start paying it attention.

Ahead, scroll through to get to know some of our favorite scalp and dandruff masks, which will rebalance, calm, and soothe your stressed-out scalp.

Our Top Picks

Kristin Ess Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask

Kristin Ess Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask

This scalp mask from Kristin Ess feels frothy and whipped and won't weigh your roots down. It's made with sweet almond oil, mango seed butter, and more soothing botanicals meant to calm the scalp. The pointed applicator makes it super easy to apply, and it also happens to smell amazing.

Note: Fragrance can cause allergic contact dermatitis. As such, when used in hair products, it could cause a dry, itchy scalp in some people. If your scalp is red or inflamed, you might be best steering clear of fragranced hair care.

Living Proof Restore Dry Scalp Treatment

Living Proof Restore Dry Scalp Treatment

This scalp treatment is meant to be left on your scalp after you shampoo and condition your hair. It's made with a hyaluronic acid-based "patch" meant to hydrate your scalp.

Key Ingredients

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in the human body. It acts as a cushioning and lubrication agent for our joints, nerves, hair, skin, and eyes. When used in skincare, it acts as a moisture binder, which means that it will attach itself to the water in the cells (while also attracting and holding water from the air) making them plump.

Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque

Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque

Aesop

This gentle formula from Aesop will remedy even the most irritated scalps. Rose petal extract serves as a soothing agent due to its anti-inflammatory properties while lavender promotes hair growth. This multi-tasking mask is sure to become a staple in your haircare routine.

Byrdie Tip

Avoid exfoliating products or any sort of rubbing or scratching if you have eczema or psoriasis on your scalp. This could cause the skin to become further inflamed and lead to hair loss.

Nioxin System 5 Scalp Treatment

System 5 Scalp Treatment

Nioxin 

Did you know that a dry, flaking, and itching scalp may be caused by product buildup, which can result in hair thinning? Neither did we. This treatment promises to refresh your scalp and combines amino acids, kukui nut oil, and protective conditioning agents meant to stimulate the follicles and help fight against hair loss.

Davines The Purity Circle

The Purity Circle

Davines

This travel-friendly treatment from Davines is perfect for anyone living in a city. Formulated with bamboo charcoal meant to draw out impurities and matcha green tea meant to nourish, this mask promises to leave your scalp cleansed but not stripped.

Key Ingredients

Activated charcoal is created from carbon-rich materials burned at high temperatures, like coal, coconut shells, and wood. In skincare, there are claims that it binds to and removes impurities from the skin, but more research is needed.

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Mask

Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Mask

Briogeo

Briogeo's Scalp Revival mask was made for all hair types. It uses ingredients including tea tree oil, binchotan charcoal, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera to not only cleanse and purify the scalp, but also soothe and hydrate skin.

Voir Rhythm of the Rain Hair Masque & Scalp Detox

Rhythm of the Rain Hair Masque & Scalp Detox

Voir

This mask from Voir is suitable for all hair types, but it's especially encouraged for those with oily or sensitive scalps. It moisturizes with argan oil while the rosebay extract reduces sebum and the appearance of flakes.

Vegamour GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum

GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum

Vegamour

Vegamour's GRO serum promises to reduce the appearance of flakes and dandruff without any sulfates, silicones, parabens, gluten, or artificial fragrance. So what does it have? Zinc PCA to absorb excess oils, willowherb to reduce the appearance flakes and create a healthy scalp microbiome, and baobab and marula oils for extra moisture.

Jupiter Purifying Mask

Purifying Mask

Jupiter

Jupiter's Purifying Mask boasts argan oil, biotin, panthenol, and volcanic ash for an exfoliating treatment that also breaks down build up, strengthens hair follicles, and washes away impurities on the scalp.

What to Look for in a Scalp Mask

  • Ingredients: Choose formulas with active ingredients for your specific hair needs. Zinc PCA, willowherb, and rosebay extract help reduce the appearance of flakes, activated charcoal detoxifies, and oils including marula, baobab, and argan nourish and hydrate. Other formulas have ingredients like lavender and biotin to strengthen follicles and promote hair growth.
  • Sulfate-Free: Sulfates are generally fine for many hair types. However, it's best to steer clear of them if you have sensitive skin or have color-treated or damaged hair.
  • Fragrance: Be aware of added fragrances in hair products. While you may like the smell, fragrance can exacerbate an already dry, itchy scalp and even cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people.
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

  1. Reeder M. J. (2020). Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Fragrances. Dermatologic clinics, 38(3), 371–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2020.02.009

  2. Lain, E., Mariwalla, K., Zeichner, J., Kirchner, F., Ruvolo, E., & Draelos, Z. D. (2024). Clinical Evaluation of Next-generation, Multi-weight Hyaluronic Acid Plus Antioxidant Complex-based Topical Formulations with Targeted Delivery to Enhance Skin Rejuvenation. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 17(4), 12–16.

  3. Lee BH, Lee JS, Kim YC. Hair growth-promoting effects of lavender oil in C57BL/6 mice. Toxicol Res. 2016;32(2):103-108. doi:10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103

  4. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Scalp psoriasis: tips for managing.

  5. Monselise A, Cohen DE, Wanser R, Shapiro J. What ages hair?. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017;3(1 Suppl):S52-S57. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2017.02.010

  6. Sanchez, N., Fayne, R., & Burroway, B. (2020). Charcoal: An ancient material with a new face. Clinics in dermatology, 38(2), 262–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2019.07.025

  7. Zagórska-Dziok M, Ziemlewska A, Bujak T, Nizioł-Łukaszewska Z, Hordyjewicz-Baran Z. Cosmetic and Dermatological Properties of Selected Ayurvedic Plant Extracts. Molecules. 2021; 26(3):614. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030614

  8. Cebolla-Verdugo M, Velasco-Amador JP, Navarro-Triviño FJ. Contact Dermatitis Due to Hair Care Products: A Comprehensive Review. Cosmetics. 2024; 11(3):78. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics11030078

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