The Best Scalp Masks to Treat Dandruff, Itchiness, and More

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.
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Updated on 04/04/23
Medically reviewed by
Julia A. Siegel, MD
Julia Siegel
Medically 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. 
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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.

Kristin Ess Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask

Kristin Ess Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask
Kristin Ess Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask $14.00
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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
Living Proof Restore Dry Scalp Treatment $34.00
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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 Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque $35.00
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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. A multi-tasking mask that is sure to become a staple in your haircare routine.

Borghese Fango Active Mud for Hair and Scalp

Fango Active Mud for Hair and Scalp
Borghese Fango Active Mud for Hair and Scalp $42.00
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Apply this mineral-enriched volcanic mud mask to your hair and scalp to provide root-to-tip moisture. The formula contains jojoba and wheat germ oils meant to alleviate the scalp irritation caused by hair color.

Key Ingredients

Jojoba oil is a natural oil produced from the seed of the Chinensis plant, a drought-resistant shrub native to southern Arizona, California, and Mexico. It mimics natural sebum and conditions and seals moisture in the skin without clogging pores or exacerbating acne.

Kiehl's Deep Micro-Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

Deep Micro-Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
Kiehl's Deep Micro-Exfoliating Scalp Treatment $20.00
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Well known for its effective skincare, Kiehl's also specializes in body and hair care. Formulated with micronized apricot and argan exfoliators, this dermatologist-tested mask promises to help loosen buildup and stimulate cell turnover on the surface of your scalp.

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 cause hair loss.

Nioxin System 5 Scalp Treatment

System 5 Scalp Treatment
Nioxin System 5 Scalp Treatment $26.00
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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.

Philip Kingsley Stimulating Scalp Mask

Stimulating Scalp Mask
Philip Kingsley Stimulating Scalp Mask $30.00
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Philip Kingsley has been creating products with scalp health in mind for decades, so it's no surprise his stimulating scalp mask is a favorite. This mask is amazing for sensitive skin, as it promises not only to calm irritation but also to stimulate blood circulation. It is meant to quickly improve the strength of your hair while also tending to the skin beneath it.

Davines The Purity Circle

The Purity Circle
Davines The Purity Circle $12.00
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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 Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Mask $34.00
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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 Rhythm of the Rain Hair Masque & Scalp Detox $10.00
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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 GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum $42.00
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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.

Bondi Boost Dandruff Mask

Dandruff Mask
Bondi Boost Dandruff Mask $30.00
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Bondi Boost's Dandruff Mask include piroctone olamine, which works to clear fungal infections, to tackle the root issues of dry scalp and dandruff for immediate and long-term relief. The addition of burdock root helps to stimulate circulation in the skin.

Jupiter Purifying Mask

Purifying Mask
Jupiter Purifying Mask $29.00
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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.

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. González-Muñoz P, Conde-Salazar L, Vañó-Galván S. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by cosmetic products. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2014;105(9):822-832. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2013.12.018

  2. Lubart R, Yariv I, Fixler D, Lipovsky A. Topical hyaluronic acid facial cream with new micronized molecule technology effectively penetrates and improves facial skin quality: results from in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo (open-label) studies. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2019;12(10):39-44.

  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. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070

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

  6. 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

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