Written by Janu Yasotharan
Our skin type is part of our genetic makeup, and skin health is from head to toe. Our scalps are skin, and it's best to treat it that way for optimal scalp health and to help promote healthy hair growth. But like all skin, the skin on our scalps is unique to each and every one of us. We should be taking care of our scalps (and bodies) in similar ways that we take care of the skin on our face. We sat with our National Accounts Instructors, Brooke Anderson, to dive a little deeper into this.
Anderson tells us that, more often than not, similar to our facial skin, the conditions or concerns align with the needs of our scalp. You may experience dry skin on your face and notice the same on your scalp. Or, if your skin generally feels oily, you may find that your hair is oily as well. She shares that many folks also deal with more severe, chronic issues such as scalp acne or breakouts, dermatitis, and more – ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all. "It's important to note that although the skin on your scalp may almost seem the same as the skin on your face, the skin on various parts of your body will be somewhat different in structure. The skin on your scalp is thicker and hair-bearing, so there are a lot more oil-producing “sebaceous glands", says Anderson. Anderson went on to talk a bit more about the versatility of Dermalogica's offering and shared how some of our skin care favourites could become a part of your scalp and haircare routine.
Thinking outside the box, she recommends using our Daily Microfoliant as a gentle scalp scrub. "This is one of Dermalogica’s top-selling products globally; it's such a great product because it's suitable for all skin types," Anderson shares. Rice Bran offers gentle exfoliation to help buff away any dead skin cells that can build up along with oil produced on the scalp, which can lead to scalp breakouts. This is also an excellent product for people with dry, flaky scalps. Salicylic Acid and Papaya Enzymes will help keep the skin clear of any buildup. She recommends using a teaspoon of Daily Microfoliant with a small amount of water on the scalp or adding about a teaspoon to your shampoo for an exfoliation benefit.
Anderson shares that Dermalogica’s Melting Moisture Masque can be used as a hair conditioning option to help target dry ends! This product can help condition with its MeltingPoint Complex– Mango Seed Butter, Linoleic Acid, and Vitamin E are all great conditioning agents. "You could massage a small amount onto ends of hair or even your scalp if it's quite dry," she tells us.
Our Barrier Repair can be the perfect product to stick down tiny fly-away hairs and prove immensely helpful for dry or irritated scalps/scalp Psoriasis. Because this product only has non-comedogenic silicones, it will not clog your pores and will instead protect your skin and lock in hydration. You could opt to seal the deal with Dermalogica’s UltraCalming Mist. The UltraCalming complex will calm and soothe irritation, making it ideal for anyone with scalp eczema or dermatitis.
On that note, Anderson also shares with us that our Phyto Replenish Oil would be beneficial to deal with dryness, dehydration, flaking and for those with scalp Psoriasis. Its Tamanu and Orchid Flower Oil base makes it an incredible oil scalp massage that will heal, repair, and soothe the skin.
For those with oilier scalps, Anderson shares that Clear Start’s Micro-Pore Mist can be an excellent scalp spray. Packed with Niacinamide, a Vitamin B3 derivative, this mist will help balance oil production on the most stubborn scalp. For those that deal with folliculitis, breakout type lesions that occur when dead skin cells build up and combine with that excess oil, she recommends using our AGE Bright Spot Fader as a scalp spot treatment, which is also packed with Niacinamide with the addition of Salicylic Acid to help treat those breakouts fast.
Outside of these alternative uses for Dermalogica’s classic products, Anderson shares that one of her biggest tips to avoid haircare negatively impacting skin care is: "when cleansing your face, you should be cleansing into your hairline. We always stop short. You want to go all the way up to your hairline and the sides of your face, up to your ears. This will keep things in balance and ensure that your hair products aren't building up in these often-neglected areas". She goes on to tell us that we should apply this same rule for moisturizing and SPF– "your hairline is part of your scalp, don't neglect it when applying your moisturizer or SPF and get up to your hairline, and again, the sides of your face including the ears too!" Additional tips are, of course, when using shampoo, conditioner, and styling products, ensure you rinse it all out thoroughly to avoid buildup. "Do your very best to avoid picking and scratching any breakouts, and if you are dealing with more chronic scalp/skin issues, it would be best to seek advice from a dermatologist," she tells us.
