Guide to Scalp Care

The Ultimate Guide to Scalp Care for Luscious Locks and Clear Skin

Everything that goes on your hair transfers to your skin. Get tips for keeping your hair and scalp healthy, while exploring haircare options that prioritize keeping your skin acne-free.

Can Your Moisturizer Cause Acne? Pore-Clogging Ingredients to Avoid Reading The Ultimate Guide to Scalp Care for Luscious Locks and Clear Skin 8 minutes Next Why Derms are Getting Rattled

Craving luscious locks without risking breakouts? Look no further than your scalp. Often overlooked, your scalp is the secret to vibrant hair and clear skin. 

We've put together 7 steps to help unlock your hair's potential while safeguarding your skin from blemishes, and introduce you to the very first acne-safe luxury haircare line. Whether you're combating hair loss, dealing with thinning strands, or simply longing for strong, beautiful hair, it’s time to refresh your hair wellness experience!

Why Scalp Health Matters More Than You Think

A Root Cause Relationship

Your scalp's health directly impacts the vitality of your hair. Think of your scalp as a flourishing garden – just like you nourish soil to grow vibrant plants, you want to provide your scalp with the best nutrients to keep your hair follicles healthy and shiny. 

The term "pH" stands for "potential of hydrogen.” The pH level of your hair can affect its appearance, texture, and overall condition. When it maintains a neutral pH and good circulation, it creates the perfect environment for healthy, vibrant hair. But, when this balance is disrupted – whether by alkaline hair products or harsh chemicals – issues like dryness, frizz, and breakage can arise. Even surface-level problems like dandruff, redness, itchiness, breakouts, and inflammation can occur with sudden changes in pH levels. 

Some examples of alkaline products include shampoos with strong cleansing agents, styling gels and mousses that contain high levels of alcohol, dry shampoos that contain powders or starches with alkaline properties, dyes and bleaching products, or relaxers and permanent hair straightening treatments.

Prioritizing scalp health is key to nurturing luscious locks. It's a personal journey of finding the right balance that works best for you; there's no one-size-fits-all solution.

1. Keep It Clean: The Cleansing Ritual

Did you know that 95% of hair care products can cause acne? If you've ever noticed a few pesky pimples popping up around your hairline or even on the side of your face, your hair products might be causing breakouts. 

To avoid this, opt for acne-safe hair products to ensure your scalp stays clean and refreshed. Choose non-comedogenic shampoo shampoos with non-pore-clogging ingredients, especially if breakouts are a concern. 

You can start with our RESTORATIVE Shampoo, a hydrating, color-safe shampoo, and our REPAIR Conditioner, a moisturizing conditioner. Both are made with formulas that are professional grade, SLS free, and highly nourishing for all hair types. They are also categorized as acne-safe, ensuring there are zero pore-clogging ingredients.

The Routine: Your hair care routine should be all about balance. Aim to shampoo your hair 2-3 times a week with a gentle, sulfate-free formula that won't clog your pores. Remember, the aim isn't to lather up every single day, but rather to keep your scalp clean and refreshed in a breathable environment. Your scalp deserves care and attention.

Not sure if your product is pore-clogging? Click here to use our free pore-clogging checker and find out in minutes. 

2. Nourish From Within: The Diet for Divine Hair

A nutritious diet isn't just good for your body – it's essential for your scalp and hair. Think fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats – these goodies provide all the nutrients your hair needs to thrive, ensuring it stays strong, vibrant, and balanced.

The Plate: Focus on foods rich in biotin, protein, iron, and vitamins A, C, E, and D to promote healthy hair growth. These include leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and lean meats. 

3. Quenching Thirst: Hydration and Your Scalp

Keep your scalp well-moisturized by staying hydrated. Neglecting hydration can lead to a scalp that's resistant to healthy hair growth. Drinking plenty of water flushes out toxins and creates optimal conditions for healthy hair follicles to thrive. Treat yourself to a fancy water bottle, and you'll find yourself sipping water all day long without even realizing it.

The Hydrator: Keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough water every day – it's essential for maintaining a healthy scalp and luscious locks. Depending on factors like your activity level, environment, and health conditions, you might need to up your water intake. And don't forget to pamper your scalp with a hydrating hair mask once a week or every other week to give it an extra boost of moisture.

4. Your Scalp's New BFF: The Massager

Meet your scalp's new best friend: the scalp massager. This handy tool isn't just for relaxation (although it does create a wonderfully soothing vibe) – it's also a legitimate stimulant for hair growth, playing a significant role in thickening hair and rejuvenating the scalp by increasing blood flow. A study from 2016 found that around 69% of participants saw positive results in their alopecia condition with regular use, noticing reduced hair loss and stimulated new growth. 

We’ve included one in our Luxury Haircare Bundle for you to enjoy!

The Technique: Incorporate scalp massages into your self-care routine, even if it's just for a few minutes. Here's how it works: Simply use circular motions with your scalp massager. This will help increase blood flow, which is crucial for transporting nutrients to your scalp and promoting healthy hair growth.

5. Product Purity: No Sulfates, No Problem

Not all hair products are skin-friendly. Many contain harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances that can upset the scalp’s delicate pH balance. Take sulfates, for example. While they provide that squeaky clean feeling to your hair, they also have some drawbacks, such as stripping away natural oils and dead skin cells from your scalp, leaving it dry and prone to irritation. 

Additionally, there are drying alcohols like ethanol and synthetic fragrances, which further deplete moisture from your strands, leading to frizz, dryness, and overall damage. These ingredients can also aggravate your scalp, causing inflammation and itchiness. And let's not forget about hair treatments like coloring and bleaching, which can compromise both the health of your hair and scalp.

Say goodbye to worries about harmful chemicals with our luxury haircare products. Both are non-comedogenic and crafted with plant-based ingredients, ensuring they're safe even for the most sensitive skin.

  • RESTORATIVE Shampoo cleans your hair without stripping it, leaving your hair and skin feeling nourished and energized. And, it’s sulfate-free.
  • REPAIR Conditioner moisturizes and hydrates to help you achieve luscious, soft hair without that heavy feeling. 

The Checklist: Opt for haircare products with scalp-loving ingredients, avoiding sulfates, alcohols, and fragrances. Look for labels that indicate "paraben-free," "sulfate-free," and "dye-free." These are indicators of products that will treat your scalp – and hair – with kindness.

6. Sun Shield: Protecting Your Scalp

Just like your skin, your scalp is vulnerable to UV damage. Especially, if your hair is thin or if you tend to part it in the same spot every day. 

As you probably know, UV rays can penetrate the skin on your scalp, causing damage that may lead to issues like sunburn, premature aging, and even an increased risk of skin cancer. Protect it from harmful UV exposure by using sunscreen every day and applying it properly. And if you’re unsure whether to choose between SPF 30 and SPF 50, we've got you covered.

The Defense: Sport your favorite hat and apply sunscreen specifically designed for the scalp. Get into the habit of shielding your scalp from the sun's rays, especially on sunny days or when you're spending time at the beach during vacations.

7. Heat Havoc: Minimize Styling Damage

Let's be real – who doesn't love a good blowout every now and then? But, they do take a toll on both your hair and your precious scalp. 

Give your hair and scalp a break from heat styling to prevent long-term damage with heat-free hairstyles: effortless loose buns, playful braids, and chic half-up/half-down styles. You can also add hair accessories like claw clips, scrunchies, adorable barrettes, and headbands to help you add style without compromising your scalp’s health.

The Alternative: Embrace heat-free hairstyles, let your hair air-dry, and minimize your use of hot tools. Your scalp will thank you, and your hair will reward you with improved texture and shine.

Unlock Your Hair's Potential

Taking care of your scalp and hair isn't just a beauty routine – it's a vital part of your overall wellness journey. By choosing gentle, chemical-free products and nurturing routines, you can unlock natural growth and strength for your hair. Embrace these tips to achieve radiant scalp health and luscious locks!