Why Scalp Care is Just as Important as Skincare

Scalp Care Is Skincare

One good reason to care for your scalp like your skin is that they’re actually one and the same. Our scalps are skin, and like the rest of our skin, scalps are prone to issues like dryness, sweat overproduction, and even irritation. 

Our hair only adds variables to the equation, making the scalp more delicate than the skin on our faces. In fact, the scalp has more sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and hair follicles than anywhere else on our body.

Compared to the rest of the skin on our bodies, our scalp has a lower barrier function, meaning it’s all the more vulnerable to the elements. If your skincare routine does not include, if not prioritize, your scalp, you’re making a serious mistake.

The good news? If you’re up to date on your skincare routine, it doesn’t take too much guesswork when it comes to building your scalp care routine.

How to Go Skin Deep on Your Scalp Care

As is the case in skincare, you must remember that everyone’s scalp is different. Our scalps constitute a microbiome with a unique makeup of bacteria, fungus, and oils. People who experience a dry scalp and people who have an oily scalp will need fundamentally different scalp care routines. Consider your scalp routine in the same way you think about your face routine: exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturize.

Exfoliate Regularly

This is a big step that many people forget when they’re going about their regular routine. Just like on our faces, our scalps can hold onto dirt, oil, and excess products. We call this build-up.

If you’ve ever gone a little too hard with some dry shampoo, you’ll know what we mean. For people with thick hair or a chronic case of dandruff, this build-up can be a big problem. Shampoo alone can’t efficiently cleanse your scalp if there’s too much residue on the surface. So how do you exfoliate your scalp? With the right tools, of course.

A scalp brush is the best way to rid your scalp of unwanted dead skin, product, and oil build-up. Once a week, run a scalp brush over your head in small, circular motions for a few minutes. Do this when your hair is dry and before you take a shower, to ensure you get the most out of your cleanse.

Be careful not to overdo it. Your scalp needs some of those oils to retain the balance of its microbiome and protect your hair follicles from exposure. It’s best to use a scalp brush once or twice a week. 

As an added bonus, it feels really good and your scalp will thank you. There are some people who should avoid exfoliation altogether, like those with open or exposed skin on the scalp or those experiencing sunburn or lice. 

You can get more details on exfoliation here.

Cleanse Yourself of Bacteria

After your scalp has been successfully exfoliated, the next step in a scalp care routine is to cleanse.

Everyone has different hair washing strategies, and it’s accurate to say that most people should not wash their hair every day. Your hair thickness, scalp’s oil production, and even your hairstyle all play a role in deciding how often you should wash your hair.

Once you are clear on when and how you want to wash your hair, you must pick a product that will do the most for you, with the least amount of harm. So many shampoos and hair care products include ingredients that are destructive to the scalp and potentially dangerous when absorbed by the body. 

Use High Quality Ingredients

When reading the ingredients list, if you see any mention of parabens, sulfates, or phthalates in your shampoo (or any scalp care or hair care product for that matter),  do yourself a favor and toss it. There’s a reason why ingredients matter, keep reading to find out.

Sulfates are foaming agents that are often too efficient at  removing oil from your scalp and can dehydrate the skin, leading to irritation and sensitivity. A little oil on your scalp, in fact, is perfectly ok. It often leads to silkier and smoother hair strands, that’s why our hair might look better two or three days after washing. 

Along the same lines, parabens and phthalates are linked to numerous health risks and are banned in other countries. They, along with Sulfates, should be avoided as well. You can learn more about the ingredients to steer clear of here.

For an easier solution, pick up a bottle of our Balancing Shampoo, which includes none of those harsh ingredients and gently cleanses your scalp without removing too much oil or damaging your hair follicles. If you’re experiencing dandruff or scalp discomfort, Zinc Pyrithione will help curb fungal growth on your scalp and stop flakes in their tracks. 

Moisturize and Restore Your Barrier

Consult the Experts

Last Thoughts on Scalp Care

Like your traditional skin care, scalp care needs routine to flourish. It can be hard to keep track of all the things we need to tend to these days, but with a few minor changes, you can be on the road towards a healthier scalp and a more beautiful head of hair in no time.

Don’t let your skincare stop at your forehead. Purchase products that help support your scalp and make the health of your hair a priority. Many more good hair days lie ahead for those that do.  If you’re interested in upping your scalp and hair care game, check out Jupiter’s line of clean, scientifically formulated hair care products exclusively focused on scalp care, designed and produced by dermatologists.