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I don’t know about you, but I don’t spend much time thinking about the best scalp serum for my skin until there’s a problem. When it’s suddenly dry, itchy, flaky, or bogged down with oil, then it’s all I can focus on, and I wonder why I haven’t been using a serum from the jump. Scalp issues can be annoying (and may require a visit to your doctor or dermatologist if you’re dealing with chronic pain, sensitivity, or burning), but a good scalp care product can help address them while also boosting your overall hair health.
“Anyone can try a scalp serum,” Emilie Fowler, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, tells SELF, noting that there are lots of products on the market with different potential benefits. That’s why it can be helpful to shop with your specific issues in mind. Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist based in New York City, tells SELF that the main conditions scalp serums are effective against are dryness, oiliness, dandruff, and irritation.
You certainly don’t need to use a scalp serum to have happy, healthy hair. (“When in doubt, I recommend consultation with your dermatologist to see what hair care routine is right for you,” Dr. Fowler says.) But if you believe your standard shampoo and condition could use a little help, the right one makes a great addition to your overall routine.
Here, we spoke to dermatologists about what makes a scalp serum worth your while and highlighted the best ones to try.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Eva NYC Balance It All Hydrating Scalp Serum, $16
- Best for Dandruff and Itchy Scalps: Act+Acre Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum, $68
- Best for Oily Scalps: Vegamour GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum, $42
- Best for Dry Scalps: Kérastase Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum, $63
- Best for Natural Hair: Cantu Guava & Ginger Carrot Oil Spot Treatment Serum, $9
- Best for Scalp Acne: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner, $13
Shop the best scalp serums
We’ve tested tons of scalp serums over the years for SELF’s Healthy Beauty Awards. The products below stood out for their ability to soothe our symptoms and (finally, blessedly) take our minds off our scalps.
Best Overall: Eva NYC Balance It All Hydrating Scalp Serum
We gave Eva NYC’s Hydrating Scalp Serum a Healthy Beauty Award last year when it was known as the H2-Whoa! Hydrating 3-in-1 Hair and Scalp Serum, mainly because its key ingredients just work—plain and simple. (“This serum has been a life-changing experience,” our tester said at the time.) Glycerin and hyaluronic acid (a humectant that draws water to the surface of your skin) hydrate without leaving your hair a greasy mess. Instead, they help soften your scalp and lock in moisture.
I’ve personally tested it since the name change and can attest that the formula is still highly effective—I notice less dryness on my scalp and my hair feels manageable. It even makes my hair feel cleaner for longer (probably thanks to Eva NYC’s delightfully light scent).
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Absorbs quickly | The fragrance is a potential irritant for sensitive scalps |
| Lightweight moisture | |
| Clean, subtle scent | |
| Under $20 |
Other notable ingredients
Conditioning peptides
Best for Dandruff and Itchy Scalps: Act+Acre Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum
Act+Acre’s ultrasoothing, peppermint-infused Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum is perfect for angry, inflamed scalps (specifically mine, which is prone to irritation, dandruff, and lots of between-washes prickliness). I tested it for last year’s Healthy Beauty Awards and couldn’t believe the instant effect it had on my skin.
“This serum is such a treat,” I wrote in my review. “I have a very dry, very itchy scalp and have spent years looking for products that can appease it. Since using this, I don’t deal with creeping itchiness between hair washes. It’s quick-absorbing, not at all greasy, and wonderfully cooling. Oh, and it smells lovely.”
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Immediately soothing, cooling sensation | Over $60 |
| Great smell | Slightly thicker consistency |
| Dries quickly |
Other notable ingredients
Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, peppermint oil (which has antifungal properties and can help reduce dandruff)
Best for Oily Scalps: Vegamour GRO Scalp Detoxifying Serum
Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell-New York Presbyterian Medical Center, previously recommended Vegamour’s Gro Scalp treatment to SELF, noting its roster of ingredients that help greasy scalps in particular. “This uses a silk protein that helps to eliminate scalp buildup and soothe scalp damage,” she says.
Dr. Garshick adds that it also contains zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (a.k.a. zinc PCA), which not only absorbs excess oil but helps regulate your scalp’s oil production going forward and reduces irritation.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Removes buildup from excess oil and hard water | Needs to be rinsed and shampooed out after five to 10 minutes |
| Soothing formula | Over $40 |
| Also effective against scalp acne |
Other notable ingredients
Baobab seed oil (which has antioxidant properties and can help with dry, eczema- and irritation-prone skin), glycerin
Best for Dry Scalps: Kérastase Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum
According to our tester, this splurgy serum from Kérastase is worth the investment: “I have a fairly dry scalp, and this product really gave it an extra bit of moisture!” she says. It contains a host of hydrating ingredients, as well as plant-derived proteins that may help further moisturize and strengthen your hair and scalp.
To top it off, the Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum also has niacinamide, an anti-inflammatory, soothing ingredient that derms like for all skin types.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Boosts moisture immediately and long-term | Contains fragrance, which could be irritating to some |
| Dropper is designed for precise application | Over $60 |
| Helps with flakes, per our tester |
Other notable ingredients
Glycerin, hydrating panthenol
Best for Natural Hair: Cantu Guava & Ginger Carrot Oil Spot Treatment Serum
Cantu’s Guava & Ginger Carrot Oil Spot Treatment Serum is packed with nourishing, soothing ingredients like castor oil, vitamin E, and rice bran extract, making it perfect for dry, itchy scalps. Thanks to the nozzle cap, you can apply it all over your scalp or as a spot treatment to target extra-thristy areas.
“Chronic dry scalp? Yes. Cantu Scalp Serum? Yes, please,” our tester wrote. “I liked the applicator and consistency of this scalp serum. It was easy to apply and it absorbed very quickly.” They noted that it didn’t drip down their hairline or stain their pillowcases either—now there’s a win.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Intensely hydrating | Plant extracts like tea tree oil may be irritating to some |
| Good for wavy, curly, and coily hair | |
| Under $10 |
Other notable ingredients
Anti-inflammatory tea tree oil and peppermint oil
Best for Scalp Acne: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
When excess oil, dead skin cells, and product buildup clog the hair follicles on your scalp, you can wind up with scalp acne. Luckily, you can tackle current breakouts, prevent new ones, and generally deal with less greasy strands with a gentle exfoliating serum like The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid toner.
As SELF has previously reported, the title ingredient helps slough off dead skin cells, unclogging pores and allowing new, smoother skin to emerge. Just keep in mind that chemical exfoliants, like glycolic acid, can be drying and may cause contact dermatitis (a.k.a. a red, itchy rash) if you have sensitive skin.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gently exfoliating | May feel drying for some |
| Versatile—you can also use it to treat facial acne | Better as a pre-shampoo (rather than leave-in) treatment |
| Under $15 |
Other notable ingredients
Soothing and moisturizing aloe vera water
How do you use a scalp serum?
You can apply scalp serum to dry, damp, or wet hair, as long as it’s clean and free of other products. “This allows the active ingredients to penetrate effectively,” Dr. Spizuoco says. A lot of options come in dropper bottles or containers with nozzles to make application easier, but you can also dab it directly onto your scalp with your fingertips. However you apply it, Dr. Fowler says to make sure you massage it thoroughly into the skin.
How often you should use your serum will vary depending on the specific product, but Dr. Spizuoco says a good cadence in general is three to four times a week. When in doubt, check the label.
What to look for in a scalp serum, depending on your skin concerns
For dry scalps
At the risk of stating the obvious, dry hair and scalps need immediate moisture, which can come from popular hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and plant-based extracts like jojoba oil, shea butter, aloe vera, and argan oil. You should also look for ingredients that’ll curb dehydration in the future, like panthenol (a.k.a. vitamin B5), which strengthens the skin barrier and prevents water loss.
If a moisturizing scalp serum (as part of a hydrating hair care routine) doesn’t resolve your dryness, consider talking to a dermatologist. “Sometimes what is mistaken as dryness is actually dandruff or psoriasis, and you may require a prescription for treatment,” Dr. Fowler says.
For oily scalps
Oily and acne-prone scalps will benefit from hair serums containing chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid, Dr. Fowler says. For further oil control, Dr. Spizuoco recommends looking for serums made with tea tree oil and niacinamide, as well.
FYI: As great as these ingredients are for treating breakouts and excess oil, bear in mind that they can be too harsh for some people, especially if your scalp is on the drier or more sensitive side.
For itchy and dandruff-prone scalps
There are lots of dermatologist-recommended ingredients for fighting dandruff, including antifungals like pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, and peppermint oil; anti-inflammatory ingredients like tea tree oil and coal tar (which can also help with itchiness); and chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid. You may have to try a few different serums to see which actives are the most effective for your flaky scalp.
If itching is your main concern, also look for soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, Dr. Spizuoco says.
Related:
- The Best Hydrating Serums for Dryness, Dullness, Fine Lines, and More
- The Best Conditioners for Thinning Hair in 2025
- Here’s What the Science Says About Using Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth
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