Fridays are for face masks, Sundays for hair masks, but did you ever think to make room for the best scalp masks? The same beauty “mask” concept applies here as well—a higher concentration of ingredients help target skin- (the scalp is skin, too!) and hair-care concerns. Board-certified dermatologist Dara Spearman, MD, cosigns their efficacy: “There are various options on the market formulated for different reasons, whether that be to balance oil production, replenish moisture, or to detoxify.”
Vogue’s Favorite Scalp Masks
Best with Fruit Enzymes
Nutrafol Build-Up Blocker Scalp Exfoliating Hair Mask
Best w…
Fridays are for face masks, Sundays for hair masks, but did you ever think to make room for the best scalp masks? The same beauty “mask” concept applies here as well—a higher concentration of ingredients help target skin- (the scalp is skin, too!) and hair-care concerns. Board-certified dermatologist Dara Spearman, MD, cosigns their efficacy: “There are various options on the market formulated for different reasons, whether that be to balance oil production, replenish moisture, or to detoxify.”
Vogue’s Favorite Scalp Masks
Best with Fruit Enzymes
Nutrafol Build-Up Blocker Scalp Exfoliating Hair Mask
Best with Charcoal
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Mask
Best with Salicylic Acid
Act+Acre Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliator
It’s a point that board-certified nurse practitioner and aesthetics expert Vanessa Coppola, NPC, often drives home, reminding us that healthy hair always begins at the root. “A healthy scalp environment supports stronger, thicker hair, improves circulation, and even enhances how well your other hair-care products work,” Coppola previously told Vogue. Below, shop our nine favorite formulas that a suit a range of concerns, from oiliness and hair loss, to dryness and dandruff.
In This Story
- What is a scalp mask?
- Benefits of Using Scalp Masks
- How often should you use a scalp mask?
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best With Fruit Enzymes: Nutrafol Build-Up Blocker Exfoliating Scalp Mask
Nutrafol
Build-Up Blocker Scalp Exfoliating Hair Mask
- Why We Love It: Nutrofol’s entire ethos is about healthier hair, starting at the root—and exfoliating away scalp of buildup clears the way for an optimal enviroment for hair regrowth. After all, it’s tough to foster a long, lush mane when hair follicles are clogged with buildup or dirt. “Nutrafol’s scalp mask includes fruid acid AHAs and jojoba to gently exfoliate scalp skin and remove pore-clogging oils,” board certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD tells Vogue. He notes that the formula helps to improve itch and flakes without aggressive exfoliation or worsened dryness. Australian wild berries and glycerin also help to add hydration, promoting a squeaky clean and nourished scalp.
- Key Ingredients: AHA fruit acids, jojoba esters, Australian wild berries, glycerin
- Best for: Scalp health, dryness, flakiness, oiliness
- How to Apply: Apply to freshly washed, damp hair and leave on for three to five minutes before rinsing.
- Color-Safe: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Size: 4 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Naturally-derived ingredients | Can leave residue if not rinsed out well enough |
| Clears scalp buildup and oiliness with fruit derived exfoliants |
Best Cooling: Oribe Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On Treatment
Oribe
Serene Scalp Soothing Leave-On Treatment
- Why We Love It: Sometimes scalp buildup requires a little comfort—and Oribe’s luxe leave-on treatment does just that. “[This’] is fantastic for calming irritation and adding lightweight hydration,” pro hairstylist and extensions expert Jewell Hingorani explains. It delivers a cooling sensation thanks to peppermint extract, which soothes while salicylic acid gently exfoliates loose flakes and soothes irritation. Let it linger post-workout, after styling, or anytime the insatiable urge to scratch your scalp strikes.
- Key Ingredients: Watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss extract blend, salicylic acid, peppermint oil, caffeine, niacinamide, panthenol
- Best For: Dry, itchy, or flake-prone scalps in need of soothing
- How to Apply: After washing your hair, apply to a clean scalp where needed. Theres no need to rinse.
- Color-Safe: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Size: 1.7 fl oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Immediate cooling relief for itching | May not work for more intensive dandruff |
| Lightweight and non-greasy |
Best With Charcoal: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Mask
Briogeo
Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Cooling Hydration Mask
- Why We Love It: Briogeo’s best-selling Scalp Revival line uses charcoal—one of nature’s best detoxifiers—as the star ingredient to draw out impurities and reduce scalp oiliness over time. The formula combines binchotan charcoal, tea tree oil, peppermint and spearmint oils, and witch hazel to “detoxify, balance, and calm an itchy, irritated, flaky scalp,” per Dr. Camp. The mint blend also delivers instant relief with a cooling sensation that soothes irritation.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, coconut oil, charcoal powder, aloe leaf juice, biotin, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide,
- Best For: Dry, flaky, or oily scalps of all hair type
- How to Apply: According to Briogeo, use the mask in shower after exfoliating. Apply directly to your scalp and leave it on for up to 10 minutes.
- Color-Safe: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Size: 6 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| 98% clean formula | Not for exfoliation, but rather, cooling and calming |
| Sulfate-free, silicone-free, and cruelty-free | |
| Soothing cooling sensation |
Best to Prevent Breakage : Vegamour Gro Scalp Detoxifying Hair Treatment Serum
Vegamour
Gro Scalp Detoxifying Hair Treatment Serum
- Why We Love It: With Vegamour’s detoxifying hair-treatment, expect a more balanced scalp powered by the brand’s proprietary vegan silk protein. “It’s packed with some of the most research-backed ingredients for hair growth,” board-certified dermatologist Asmi Berry previously said. “Caffeine energizes follicles and stimulates blood flow, while peptides strengthen the hair shaft to minimize breakage. Add in tea tree oil, which soothes the scalp and reduces inflammation, and you’ve got a product that’s ideal for creating a healthy foundation for hair growth. It’s a great option for those looking for a targeted scalp treatment.”
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, zinc, evening primrose/ red clover, tea trea oil, vegan silk protein
- Best For: Flaky/dry scalp, shine, and oily scalp
- How to Apply: Massage evenly onto dry or damp scalp, leave in for three to five minutes, and rinse.
- Color-Safe: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Size: 60 ml
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reduces shedding and flakes | Runny product texture can be a bit drippy |
| Vegan, cruelty-free, color-safe, and free from sulfates, silicones, parabens, and gluten |
Best Custom: Prose Custom Scalp Mask
Prose
Custom Scalp Mask
- Why We Love It: Like all Prose products, this scalp mask completely removes the guesswork out of finding the perfect formula for your hair concerns. After a quick quiz, the brand creates a customized intensive formula with a blend of nourishing ingredients and purifying exfoliants perfectly catered to your scalp’s needs and hair type. What’s included in yours? You’ll have to click “add to cart” to find out and discover your uniquely blended treatment.
- Key Ingredients: Ingredients vary per customized formula. Prose picks from hundreds of clean ingredients, all sustainably sourced. Fragrance- and silicone-free options are also available.
- Best For: Customized scalp care
- How to Apply:
- Color-Safe: Yes—but make sure to specify your color treated hair.
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Size: 8.5 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| What’s not to love? Your unique formula is catered specifically to your hair and scalp needs. | This is on the pricier side if you buy once rather than subscribe. |
| Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, keratin-safe, color-safe, and alcohol-free |
Best Pre-Wash: Act+Acre Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliator
Act+Acre
Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliator
- Why We Love It: Act+Acre’s salicylic acid treatment gets to work before even stepping in the shower. “This scalp exfoliator formulated with salicylic acid to exfoliate the scalp, making it good for those experiencing flakiness or excess oil,” says Dr. Spearman. “It also can be helpful for someone experiencing sensitivity and itchiness, as salicylic acid helps remove buildup which could be causing irritation in the first place.” Once the formula’s AHA and fruit enzyme blend helps to loosen up stubborn flakes and buildup, a standard hair wash rinses everything away.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, papaya fruit extract, citric acid, sunflower extract, peppermint oil, rice bran extract, rosemary leaf extract, salicylic acid, tocopherol
- Best For: Clearing buildup and flakes pre-wash
- How to Apply: Apply to dry hair, and let sit for 15 minutes, before rinsing and continuing with your usual hair washing routine.
- Color-Safe: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Size: 2 fl oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Chemically exfoliates flake and oil buildup | Requires slightly longer application time |
| Free from parabens, sulfates, and mineral oils |
Best for Dandruff: Jupiter Restoring Serum
Jupiter
Restoring Serum
- Why We Love It: Dandruff, not to be confused with strictly dry flakes, often requires a bit more TLC to stop an unsightly snowstorm of flakes from collecting on your shoulder. Hingorani previously told Vogue, that she considers this pick ideal for rebalancing. That’s thanks to the formula’s star ingredient—zinc, known for its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, that’s always up for the task of fighting flakes. While this isn’t a mask per se, it’s too good not to include as part of daily scalp care. The non-greasy finish makes it safe for daily use on dry hair, to ensure your scalp remains clear.
- Key Ingredients: Zinc pyrithione, niacinamide, green tea extract, aloe vera
- Best For: Dandruff, itchiness, oily or sensitive scalps
- How to Apply: Apply daily
- Color-Safe: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Size: 2 fl oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and non-greasy | Not for exfoliation, but rather preventative rebalancing care |
| Soothing, rebalancing formula |
Best Drugstore: Kristin Ess Hair and Scalp Mask
Kristin Ess
Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp & Hair Mask
- Why We Love It: Kristin Ess’s hair and scalp mask delivers impressive results at an affordable price point. Dr. Spearman recommends it for those battling both dry hair and dry scalp, as the formula uses botanical oils and natural minerals to calm and rebalance the scalp. While using a scalp mask daily might seem like overkill for those that don’t wash their hair daily, this lightweight formula is gentle enough for everyday use without weighing down hair or causing irritation.
- Key Ingredients: Kaolin clay, castor oil, sweet almond oil, oat kernel flour, castor seed oil, avocado oil, mango seed butter, sunflower seed oil, matricaria flower oil
- Best For: Dry scalp and hair types in need of frequent rehydrating.
- How to Apply: After shampooing, apply the mask from root to tip, making sure to work the product into your scalp with your fingertips. Leave for at least two minutes before rinsing.
- Color-Safe: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
- Size: 6.7 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Sulfate, parabens, phthalates, silicone free | Not intended for exfoliation |
| Keratin safe | |
| Gentle and lightweight enough for frequent use |
Best With Honey: Guerlain Abeille Royale Scalp & Hair Double R Radiance & Repair Mask
Guerlain
Abeille Royale Scalp & Hair Double R Radiance & Repair Mask
- Why We Love It: Guerlain’s Abeille Royale line centers on black bee honey sourced from a biosphere reserve off the coast of France—an ingredient which leads its scalp and hair mask boasting a 95% natural formula with powerful antioxidant benefits. Combined with panthenol, the honey soothes the scalp and boosts hydration from root to tip. The result? Shiny, silkier hair, a noursihed scalp, and less breakage overtime.
- Key Ingredients: Camellia japonica seed oil, shea butter, glycerin, oleifera seed oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein, panthenol, beeswax
- Best For: Hydration, soothing
- How to Apply: Apply on washed, damp hair from scalp to tip. Leave the product on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.
- Color-Safe: Yes
- Cruelty-Free: No
- Size: 6.8 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Deeply nourishing formula | Not intended for exfoliation |
| Imparts high shine | High price point |
Everything You Need to Know
What is a scalp mask?
According to Dr. Camp, a scalp mask, like a face mask, targets scalp skin issues. This includes dryness, flaking, and the gentle removal of oil, dirt, dandruff, and residue.
Benefits of Using Scalp Masks
A healthier scalp means healthier hair. “Shampoos and conditioners keep hair healthy and smooth, but may not sufficiently address issues related to skin health,” says Dr. Camp. “Ingredients in scalp masks help reduce irritation, flaking, and excess oil and product accumulation.”
How often should you use a scalp mask?
As with face masks, scalp masks should only bolster a well-rounded hair-care routine. Dr. Camp notes that generally one to two times per week should do the trick—though pay close attention to a specific product’s directions, for best results. Dr. Spearman agrees, reminding us that overusing a product won’t necessarily make it more effective.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists and celebrity hairstylists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to scalp masks, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, application technique, the hair care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who sees patients in New York and Long Island.
- Vanessa Coppola, APN-C, FNP-BC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner, aesthetic expert, and founder of Bare Aesthetics Medspa & Wellness in New Jersey.
- Jewell Hingorani is a professional hair stylist and extensions expert. Hingorani is also the founder of Jewell Clip, a luxury clip-in hair extensions brand.
- Dr. Dara Spearman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who specializes in melanoma and skin-cancer care.