How to Make (and Use) a DIY Scalp Scrub

Get creative with safe, botanical ingredients to promote healthy hair growth

Have you ever gotten a head scratch from your partner or a professional masseuse? Your scalp probably didn’t feel itchy at the time, but goodness gracious – did those nails sliding between each individual hair feel like heaven!

That’s the feeling you should be going for with your DIY scalp scrub. Nourishing, satisfying, and full of tender loving care, a good DIY scalp scrub caters to the needs of your unique scalp and hair.

Get ready to learn how to give yourself a nutrient-rich noogie – your hair will grow longer, faster, and stronger the more you love on your luscious locks.

Why You Should Be Using a DIY Scalp Scrub

Scalp health is responsible for healthy hair growth, but it’s adversely affected by oxidative stress, dead cell build up, hair products, excess oil, and daily debris.

In other words, if your scalp isn’t getting the love and attention it deserves, your hair will grow slowly and show signs of aging sooner.

Shampoos and conditioners are all well and good, but are we paying enough attention to the root of the problem? Your scalp needs blood circulation, antioxidants, and a good, old-fashioned scrub sometimes (in fact, once a week is preferable).

That’s where scalp scrubs come in!

What Are Scalp Scrubs?

Scalp scrubs come in a variety of forms, each with a purpose specific to the user’s hair type (that is, if you pick the right scalp scrub for you).

Build up of hair products and dead skin can weaken hair follicles. It limits healthy hair growth and reduces shine and luster. You might notice your hair isn’t growing as fast as it used to. It may be more prone to breakage. Or maybe it looks dull, with dry itch and little white flakes.

The primary purpose of a scalp scrub is to exfoliate your scalp and stimulate blood circulation. Just like your face needs periodic exfoliation to wash away dead skin cells, excess oil, and build up, your scalp benefits from exfoliation, too. But when you DIY your scalp scrub, you can add much needed moisture and nutrients to improve your overall scalp health.

The result is shiny, voluminous, healthy hair.

Why a DIY Scalp Scrub?

Commercial scalp scrubs use both physical and chemical exfoliants, some of which can be harsh. And it’s crucial to note that scalp scrubs are not one-size-fits-all.

Instead of putting your faith into a generic drugstore scrub, you can make a DIY scalp scrub with safer ingredients that fits your hair’s needs.

After all, you know your hair best. Is it oily? Dry? Dull? Flat? Depending on the condition of your hair (and thus, scalp), you can concoct the perfect DIY scalp scrub that exfoliates and nourishes your hair. We’ll show you how!

Our Favorite DIY Scalp Scrub Recipes

You can mix and match ingredients to get the perfect DIY scalp scrub recipe for your hair. But before you get too creative, try one of our favorite formulas for your unique condition.

Coconut Oil Scalp Scrub for an Oily Scalp

It might sound counterintuitive to use oil on oily skin. However, as is the basis with the Oil Cleansing Method, “like dissolves like.”

If you use ingredients that dry out your scalp, you’ll get caught in a loop of over-drying your hair, which increases oil production in your hair follicles.

As long as you sufficiently wash your hair with your favorite shampoo after using this DIY scalp scrub, you should find that your hair follicles are satisfied with the amount of moisture locked into your scalp. They won’t keep producing more and more oil.

What you need:

• 4 tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of detoxifying sea salt

How to use it:

Use your fingertips to massage the coconut oil directly onto your scalp, avoiding coating your hair. You really want to focus on the roots.

Then, dip your coconutty fingertips into the sea salt and repeat the massage. This should feel like you’re scratching an itch you didn’t even know you had.

The coconut oil will moisturize your hair follicles, promoting strong roots for longer hair. Coconut oil also increases the tensile structure, giving your hair more bounce as it grows. Meanwhile, sea salt granules break up dead skin and build up.

Wash your hair with your favorite shampoo and conditioner to rinse out the scalp scrub and excess debris.

Oatmeal Scalp Scrub for a Dry, Flakey Scalp

What you need:

• ½ cup shea butter
• ¼ cup finely ground oatmeal
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

How to use it:

Combine shea butter and lemon juice and mix. If the shea butter is stiff, warm it for 15 seconds in the microwave and stir. Add in oatmeal.

Using your fingertips, massage this DIY scalp scrub into your roots for 10-15 minutes.

The oatmeal will start off as an exfoliant, then become slightly damp so you can reap the soothing benefits and nutrients for your dry, itchy scalp. Shea butter will moisturize your hair follicles without clogging them. Lemon juice clarifies your hair, adding shine but whisking away build up. It also gives your hair a healthy boost of vitamins and antioxidants

When you’re done, wash and rinse your hair as normal.

DIY Scalp Scrub to Promote Hair Growth

What you need:

• ¼ cup of jojoba oil, argan oil, or coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of high quality, high caffeine coffee grounds
• 2 drops of pure peppermint oil

How to use it:

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes. This will give the coffee grounds time to seep caffeine into the oils.

Massage the mixture onto your scalp until it’s coated, using the grounds as the exfoliant. Then, let it sit for 10 more minutes.

The base oil you choose will keep your scalp hydrated and provide it with antioxidants. All three of our oil choices are shown to strengthen hair. Caffeine and peppermint oil are shown to promote hair growth at the follicle.

Wash and rinse with your favorite shampoo and conditioner.

Shake Out That Beautiful Hair

Now that you know the basics of making and using a DIY scalp scrub, you can start adding and subtracting ingredients depending on what works for you.

A DIY scalp scrub is an amazing tool to encourage healthy hair growth. Impress your friends during your next spa night and let them reap the benefits of gorgeous locks, too.