I Asked a Derm, Trichologist, and Hairstylist for the Best Scalp Treatments—11 Game-Changing Selections

Reavey's first recommendation is the very same scalp treatment she distilled years of expertise and scientific research into: Act+Acre's Stem Cell Scalp Serum. "I recommend it for the early stages of thinning," she says. "It's powered by Swiss apple stem cells, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid—all incredible for supporting the scalp and fortifying the follicle. In our clinical study, we saw 49% less shedding in just six weeks." Can you see why it's been a longtime beauty-editor favorite? This, dear reader, is the exact scalp treatment I'm using to prevent shedding and thicken up my thinning hair.

Pros: Contains stem cells for thicker, fuller-looking hair in 90 days; contains hydrating ingredients to fight dryness; gentle and nonirritating

Cons: None

Customer Review: "I've been on medications for the past couple of years that have made my usually thick hair start to fall out and while it's not noticeable everywhere it is when I pull my hair up in a pony tail and this Stem Cell Scalp Serum from Act+Acre has been really helping get my hairline back to looking normal. The product is super easy to put on, I don't smell or notice any residue after applying and I've just been working on being consistent and seeing results."

Next, we have another Act+Acre scalp treatment. This time, it's the Daily Hydro Scalp Serum, which is chock-full of multi-molecular hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and glycerin. I often deal with a dry, irritated scalp, and this is my saving grace. Drop it onto your scalp, and you'll know what I mean when I say it feels like stumbling upon a lush oasis in the middle of a desert. It instantly cools and soothes the skin, putting out the fire, so to speak. "This is the one I reach for when the scalp feels dry, tight, or easily irritated," Reavey says. "It's powered by Tilicine, which helps improve hydration and elasticity in the scalp, and hyaluronic acid that restores the scalp's moisture barrier."

Pros: Contains powerful hydrating ingredients to fix dryness, soothe irritation, and fight flakes; gentle and nonirritating

Cons: None

Customer Review: "Holy grail for flaky dry scalp! Struggled all my life with flakes, and this product helped them go away instantly!"

If you deal with excessive oiliness and scalp congestion, the experts recommend using a scalp treatment containing exfoliating acids like AHAs and BHAs. (There's more on that later.) Kellie Reed, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas. She recommends this budget-friendly scalp exfoliant. "This product is great as a prewash treatment with salicylic acid to help with flaky, itchy skin," she says. Thanks to a light, serum-like texture, it won't weigh the roots down or contribute to a greasy look. Instead, it will clarify the scalp, fight flaking, and balance oil production.

Pros: Contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the scalp and panthenol to soothe the scalp, fights flaking, and balances oil production

Cons: May not be suitable for extremely sensitive scalps

Customer Review: "I love this product for my oily scalp. It gives me an extra few days to go between washes. Also, my scalp does not itch after using it. I usually use it prior to shampooing as per instructions, and now it's a must in my hair routine."

Rosemary is an expert-recommended ingredient for thinning hair, as it's been shown to boost growth and density over time. (Again, more on that later.) Nécessaire's Rosemary Serum contains a whopping 70% rosemary as well as peptides to kick-start hair growth. "This is a leave-on rosemary serum that helps promote denser and fuller hair," Reed says. "Typically, with any hair-growth products, consistent use for three to six months is needed to see results."

Note: This isn't the only scalp treatment offered by the brand. There's also Nécessaire's The Scalp Serum ($48) with 5% Capixyl. This is another growth-boosting option that contains 5% biomimetic peptides. Since it also contains hyaluronic acid, it's a good option for anyone who also struggles with hair thinning and dryness or has a rosemary allergy.

Pros: Contains 70% rosemary and peptides to stimulate hair growth, gentle and nonirritating

Cons: None

Customer Review: "This product works wonders! The smell is amazing, and it dries quickly. My hair is super thin, and this has made it thicken up and has added volume. So love how it doesn’t weigh my hair down. Definitely recommend!!"

This Korean scalp treatment has been a game changer for me. I've only been using it for a few weeks, but I can see baby hairs growing back near my temples and along my hairline, and I like that I can easily target thinning areas with the roll-on applicator.

The formula contains a combination of highly effective hair-thickening ingredients, such as collagen, retinol, peptides, caffeine, and biotin. It boosts microcirculation and invigorates hair follicles to encourage fuller hair. Again, I've only been using it for a few weeks (four, to be exact), but I can tell it's effective. I can't wait to see my results after a full 90 days.

Pros: Contains collagen, retinol, peptides, caffeine, and biotin for fuller-looking hair; roll-on applicator facilitates easy and precise application

Cons: The roll-on applicator is best for targeted treatment, not for using all over the scalp

Customer Review: "This is one of my favorite scalp products! I deal with thinning at the top of my head that always improves when I use good products on it, so I'm familiar with these types of products. This design is stellar. It comes in a pen-style tube with a roller ball that dispenses just the right amount directly onto the scalp—super easy and way less fuss, plus I am not worried about my newly clean hair being all greasy which is super valuable when you try not to wash it all the time so you don't lose more hair. The formula itself is fragrance-free, feels cooling on contact, and absorbs quickly without leaving any greasiness. It's packed with great ingredients like caffeine, biotin, and rosemary, which are known to support growth, reduce shedding, and calm irritation. I have noticed less shedding on wash day and in my brush, and my hair stylist was commenting on my baby hairs."

I will argue with anyone who claims you can't get results from drugstore products. It simply isn't true—not for skincare, not for makeup, and not for hair and scalp products. This scalp treatment is proof. It's easy to find at places like Target and Ulta, features a stellar combination of scalp-loving ingredients, and has great customer reviews. "This creamy, cooling treatment provides immediate relief from dryness, itching, and inflammation," Aronson says. "With glycolic acid to gently exfoliate, sodium hyaluronate to hydrate, and a calming, energizing complex, it leaves the scalp refreshed while improving hair condition right from the root."

Pros: Contains glycolic acid to exfoliate, sodium hyaluronate to hydrate, and Scalposine to reset the scalp microbiome; has an instant cooling effect

Cons: Needs to be rinsed out

Customer Review: "This stuff is amazing. I work outside in the Nevada elements, wearing a hard hat 12 14 hours a day. My scalp already suffered because of the elements and the band of my hard hat rubbing against my temple area. I recently moved into a house with extremely hard water and my scalp has been SO dry and itchy and flaky no matter what I tried … I was skeptical of this stuff because you have to wash it out, but now it's like my scalp has never had a hard day! I haven't felt the need to scratch it since using it. I haven't even used half yet and I am already buying more so I don't run out. Bottom line, it lives up to the name 'miracle serum!'"

Nutrafol is another leading hair and scalp brand. Reed recommends its Hair Serum. It supports visible hair thickness and strength, reduces breakage, and replenishes nutrients directly at your scalp for healthier-looking hair. It's all thanks to an ingredient list that includes ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, and pea sprout extract. The first is full of protein, RNA, and lipids for healthy-looking hair. The second is a hair-thickening agent, and the third is rich in nutrients to support the scalp. "This product is formulated with ashwagandha exosomes, which help reduce scalp inflammation and stimulate hair follicles, which can support stronger, fuller hair," Reed says.

Pros: Contains ashwagandha exosomes, Irish moss peptides, and pea sprout extract to support thicker hair; gentle and nonirritating

Cons: Not as lightweight as other scalp treatments and can make the roots look greasy faster

Customer Review: "I'm not always one to write a review, but this stuff really works!! Even my hair dresser has noticed a huge improvement in the thickness of my hair. I was losing my hair like crazyyy and finally grew it out past my shoulders with this stuff. Life changing!!!"

This product doubles as a scalp treatment and a hair oil. It's designed to be used as a pre-shampoo treatment. Apply it to the scalp and hair before washing it out in the shower. Bonus points if you massage your scalp for three to five minutes to boost circulation. It contains oils such as avocado (which is rich in fatty acids) and rosemary (which is growth boosting) to improve shine, manageability, and overall scalp health.

Pros: Contains avocado and rosemary oil to moisturize and soothe the skin and help with hair growth, gentle and nonirritating

Cons: Needs to be washed out and may be too thick for finer hair

Customer Review: "I struggle with dry skin, especially on my scalp; this product helps with it. I just use it as directed, and after I do not have any flakes in my hair. If you are on the edge of buying this product, definitely get it!"

I love Ouai's beauty products, and this Scalp Serum is no exception. Suitable for all hair types, it contains adaptogens (Arctic root, Siberian ginseng, and Chaga mushroom), hyaluronic acid, red clover flower extract, and peptides. Together, these ingredients strengthen the scalp barrier, support fuller hair, and reduce dryness and discomfort. It's a good do-it-all option for anyone who wants to use a scalp treatment and isn't trying to treat just one concern.

Pros: Contains adaptogens, hyaluronic acid, red clover extract, and peptides to strengthen the scalp and encourage thicker hair; gentle and nonirritating; suitable for all hair types

Cons: None

Customer Review: "I have fine and oily scalp hair and have been using it in the past few weeks (3-4 times a week). I've noticed significantly less hair shedding in the shower and my scalp feels hydrated and less itchy. It is lightweight, easy to apply and I like the scent."

Oily scalp? Do you have a lot of product buildup? (I'm talking to you, dry-shampoo users!) This is another highly recommended exfoliating option. It features a blend of glycolic acid, BHAs, and PHAs to cut through congestion and clear the scalp of debris. Thanks to botanical extracts, humectants, and a prebiotic moisturizing technology, it won't strip the scalp—just the opposite, actually.

Pros: Contains acids to gently exfoliate the scalp and botanical extracts and humectants to hydrate the scalp, fight flaking, and balance oil production

Cons: May not be suitable for extremely sensitive scalps

Customer Review: "I don't normally write lots of reviews, but this product is literally astonishing! … This not only cures my crusty scalp, it makes my hair cleaner and soft! I feel like [Brooke Shields's] hair in those Breck ads!"

Remember how the scalp ages six times faster than facial skin? If you're as freaked out by that fact as I am, I recommend Olaplex's N°0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment. With Olaplex's bond-building technology, a biome-balancing blend, and multiple antioxidants, it's essentially an anti-aging serum for your scalp.

Pros: Contains bond-building technology to keep hair strong, contains antioxidants and biome-balancing ingredients for a healthy scalp, gentle and nonirritating, has a precise applicator

Cons: Some people don't like the smell

Customer Review: "So for starters I have a pretty dry scalp and skin in general, I always have and this seemed like the perfect product for me to test out! I love the design of the product especially the tip to get precise application on areas you want and don't want, there is also no scent which is good because some prefer it that way. The treatment on your scalp is so nice and soothing and cooling. I really did start to see a major difference in my scalp within days of using this product. All of a sudden my scalp looked healthier, there weren't as many flakes laying around on my scalp or stuck in my hair anymore. Most importantly my scalp felt fresh and renewed after only using the product for about two weeks I would say! So I would absolutely refer this to anyone!"