The scalp, often overlooked in hair care routines, deserves just as much attention as the skin on your face.

Because that's where it all starts: healthy hair, sebum regulation, harmonious growth. And when you notice a dull, oily, uncomfortable, or simply congested scalp, the solution isn't always a new shampoo or miracle treatment. Sometimes you just need to reset. Exfoliate. Deep cleanse.

But then, between hair scrub and exfoliating shampoo, which should you choose? And above all, why should you incorporate one of these treatments into your routine? That's exactly what we're going to explore.

Why exfoliate your scalp?

A saturated scalp is not always visible to the naked eye. However, the silent accumulation of styling product residue, pollution particles, dead skin cells, or excess sebum will eventually suffocate the root.

This is when the first warning signs appear: diffuse itching, accelerated oiliness, fine dandruff, and loss of volume. These are subtle signs, but they reveal an imbalance in the skin.

Exfoliating the scalp means:

• Cleanse the base: by removing impurities, you unclog blocked follicles and restore the scalp's ability to breathe.
• Promote better oxygenation: reactivated microcirculation means more vigorous growth and a better nourished bulb.
• Extend the effectiveness of your hair care routine: a purified scalp better absorbs the active ingredients contained in masks or serums.
• Rediscover lightness and shine: roots are more airy, lengths fall naturally, and highlights gain radiance.

It is fascinating to see how a simple scrub—provided it is well formulated and properly applied—can transform the very fabric of the hair. We are talking here about a deep treatment, discreet but essential, which reveals the beauty of the lengths, starting with the invisible.

What is the difference between a hair scrub and an exfoliating shampoo?

Hair beauty begins with an invisible gesture: one that targets not the lengths, but the roots. This is where the balance of the scalp is maintained. And when it comes to purifying it, two treatments often feature in expert routines:hair scrubs and exfoliating shampoos.

At first glance, they appear similar. However, their mode of action, frequency of use, and intensity make them two distinct approaches that are complementary but not interchangeable.

Hair scrub: a deep, one-time treatment

Hair scrub is what you might call a deep treatment. It works deep down, with a clear goal: to detoxify. It comes in two main forms:

• Mechanical, with naturally occurring grains (salt, sugar, vegetable powders)
• Enzymatic, based on mild acids that remove dead cells without scrubbing

Its role is not limited to cleansing. It removes impurities, rebalances, and stimulates microcirculation. It is particularly recommended for:

• for oily or unbalanced scalps
• to treat recurring dandruff
• or soothe itching caused by a buildup of residue

Its frequency of use is deliberately spaced out:once or twice a month, no more. It is an intensive treatment, to be reserved for times when you feel your scalp is suffocating.

Exfoliating shampoo: gentler and more regular care

Exfoliating shampoo stands out for its dual function: it cleanses like a traditional shampoo, while also providing gentle exfoliation. Its formula is enriched with mild keratolytic active ingredients (AHA, BHA), sometimes combined with plant-based cleansing agents.

• It is used in addition to a scrub, between two deeper treatments.
• It is perfect for sensitive scalps that cannot tolerate the action of grains.
• It can be incorporated into a weekly routine, particularly after a workout or during periods of high pollution.

Its advantage lies in its consistency. It maintains the purity of the scalp without damaging it, thus maintaining a prolonged feeling of freshness and cleanliness.

Distinguishing between them means you can adapt your routine according to the seasons, the condition of your scalp, or your current needs. Because a scalp scrub, used at the right frequency and in tandem with a well-chosen exfoliating shampoo, can transform the quality of your hair fiber in the long term.

A discreet but powerful discipline that gives hair a shine that surface treatments alone cannot always restore.

Advantages and disadvantages of both treatments

In the world of hair care, scalp exfoliation is still too often dismissed as a passing fad. However, it is proving to be an effective and elegant solution to increasingly common skin imbalances.

Dandruff, accelerated oiliness, itching, or loss of volume are often visible symptoms of a congested scalp. Betweenhair scrubs and exfoliating shampoos, each solution has its advantages—and its limitations.

Hair scrub: targeted power

• Advantages:

  • Deep cleaning of ingrained dirt

  • Immediate action on sebum and styling product residue

  • Effective stimulation of microcirculation

  • Visible results from the very first application

• Disadvantages:

  • May be too harsh on sensitive scalps

  • Not suitable for frequent use

  • Requires moisturizing care after application to prevent drying out.

Exfoliating shampoo: gentleness and regularity

• Advantages:

  • Easy to incorporate into a weekly routine

  • More gentle on sensitive scalps

  • Dual cleansing and exfoliating function

  • Preserves the balance of the skin microbiome

• Disadvantages:

  • Less effective in cases of severe congestion

  • Requires more regular application for lasting results

  • Exfoliating effect often slower and more gradual

The choice between these two treatments depends less on their effectiveness and more on how well they suit the needs of your scalp. The ideal exfoliating treatment is one that responds to the reality of your skin, not a generic routine.

Which exfoliating treatment should you choose for your scalp type?

Choosing between ascalp scrub or an exfoliating shampoo is not a matter of chance. It requires a careful assessment of your scalp, just as you would analyze your skin before applying a serum. Here is a detailed guide to help you make the right choice.

Oily scalp and dandruff

When the scalp is prone to excessive sebum production, the roots quickly become greasy, or oily dandruff appears, it is essential to take precise action.

• Recommendation: opt for a mechanical hair scrub.

• Recommended ingredients: sea salt, sugar, white or green clay.

• Frequency: once a week, followed by a purifying or balancing mask.

This type of scrub unclogs pores, absorbs excess sebum, and restores volume to the roots without compromising freshness.

Sensitive or itchy scalp

A sensitive, reactive, or redness-prone scalp will not tolerate the harshness of a grainy exfoliant. Here, the goal is to soothe without sacrificing the benefits of exfoliation.

• Recommendation: opt for a gentle exfoliating shampoo or an enzyme scrub without grains.

• Recommended active ingredients: lactic acid, PHA, prebiotics, chamomile hydrosol.

• Frequency: once or twice a month, depending on tolerance.

This protocol helps maintain a healthy scalp without causing additional irritation.

Normal but congested scalp

Even balanced scalps can become saturated with repeated treatments. Invisible buildup can slow hair growth and dull the hair.

• Recommendation: alternate between the two treatments depending on the season or your needs.

• Typical routine:

  • Hair scrub once a month (detox weekend)

  • Exfoliating shampoo once a week (light maintenance)

• Recommended active ingredients: mild salicylic acid, floral hydrosols, fruit kernel powder.

This combination helps prevent clogging while maintaining the vitality of the scalp over time.

How to properly incorporate an exfoliating treatment into your hair care routine?

Exfoliating the scalp is to hair what double cleansing is to the face: a valuable step that has long been neglected, but which makes all the difference when done correctly. The challenge is knowing how to incorporate this step into an already well-established routine.

Steps to follow for effective exfoliation

Anatural hair scrub should always be applied to damp scalp, preferably after thoroughly detangling the hair beforehand to make it easier to work with. It is essential to:

• Take a small amount of product and spread it over strategic areas of the scalp (back of the head, top of the head, temples).

• Gently massage with your fingertips, using slow circular movements. This is where the treatment's effectiveness lies: the massage activates microcirculation while removing impurities.

• Rinse thoroughly with warm water, without excessive rubbing.

It is often tempting to overdo it. However, in this case, moderation is the key to sophistication. A well-executed three-minute massage is better than a hasty and aggressive scrub.

Combine exfoliation with moisturizing treatments

Exfoliation, however gentle, exposes the scalp. It is therefore important to restore its hydrolipidic film after each exfoliation by incorporating a suitable treatment:

• A nourishing but non-occlusive shampoo (free from sulfates and silicones)

• A moisturizing mask specifically for roots and lengths

• Possibly a soothing serum for sensitive scalps

This sequence maximizes the effects of exfoliation while maintaining the balance of the scalp.

Mistakes to avoid at all costs

• Exfoliating too often (more than once a week for normal or dry skin)

• Using a product that is too abrasive on a sensitive scalp

• Neglecting the post-treatment phase: moisturizing is a key step

• Applying the product to dry hair: this irritates and complicates distribution.

Incorporating a scalp scrub into your routine requires a little discipline, but you'll see results from the very first application. It's a deep, subtle, and demanding treatment, perfect for hair that you want to see shine consistently.

Focus on a premium treatment: Alexis' Madame Scrub

Alexis' Scrub Madame has established itself as a benchmark in the high-end segment. Formulated with 98% natural ingredients, it combines the technicality of a biocompatible exfoliant with the sensoriality of a niche floral skincare product.

Its base of organic hydrosols (Damask rose, chamomile, orange blossom) replaces water for deep moisturizing action. Combined withpurifying fleur de sel andcationic hyaluronic acid, it offers deep cleansing without irritation.

This scrub is ideal for those looking for a luxurious, effective exfoliating treatment that is perfectly tolerated, even on sensitive scalps.

Verdict: hair scrub or exfoliating shampoo?

It's a fair question. Once you discover the benefits of scalp exfoliation, you'll naturally want to incorporate it into your routine. But should you opt for a one-offscalp scrub or switch to an exfoliating shampoo for more regular use?

The answer, as is often the case with skincare, is not black and white. It depends above all on your scalp, your habits, and your expectations.

Proper care depends on your scalp and your routine.

It would be tempting to establish a clear hierarchy. However, between a scalp that becomes oily again in two days, another prone to diffuse itching, or even a normal scalp that is simply "congested," needs vary.

I have noticed that after a change of season or returning from vacation, my scalp, which is usually balanced, becomes more temperamental.

During these periods, only amechanical scalp scrub could restore true comfort. But in the long term, it is a gentle exfoliating shampoo, used weekly, that maintains this newfound balance.

Here are a few tips for combining these two treatments:

• Use a scalp scrub once every 2 to 3 weeks for deep cleansing.

• Incorporate an exfoliating shampoo once a week for maintenance.

• After each exfoliation (scrub or shampoo), apply a moisturizer to the lengths and a light serum to the roots if necessary.

This combination, as simple as it may be, makes all the difference. It offers lasting purity, without aggression or imbalance.

FAQ – Everything you need to know about hair scrubs and exfoliating shampoos

Can both be used in the same routine?

Yes, but not during the same wash. Ideally, you should space out the use of scrubs and exfoliating shampoos by a few days. For example, you could exfoliate on Sunday and use a gentle exfoliating shampoo during your second wash of the week.

Is it suitable for colored hair?

With caution. Salt-based scrubs can slightly wash out pigments, especially plant-based colors. Opt for an enzyme scrub or an exfoliating shampoo formulated for colored hair, without sulfates or harsh ingredients.

What is the ideal frequency?

• Hair scrub: once every two weeks, or once a week if you have a very oily scalp.

• Exfoliating shampoo: 1 to 2 times per week, depending on scalp tolerance.

What ingredients should be avoided?

Overly abrasive grains (non-micronized fruit pits), harsh sulfates (such as sodium lauryl sulfate), mineral oils, and overly concentrated synthetic fragrances, which can irritate the scalp.

What are the possible side effects?

Used too frequently or incorrectly formulated, a hair exfoliant can dry out, irritate, or sensitize the scalp. This can lead to redness, tingling, or excess sebum production. If this occurs, space out applications and opt for repairing treatments based on hydrosols, aloe vera, or prebiotics.