Easy DIY Scalp Scrub for Healthy Hair

Scalp scrub is one of the best products that you can use to keep your scalp and hair healthy. This DIY scalp scrub is 100% natural and only takes a few minutes to make. You can get the recipe below!

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Scalp health is so important. If you want to have healthy hair then you need to have a healthy scalp.

But so many people neglect their scalp and don’t really do anything to take care of it.

Now with that being said – I truly believe that scalp health, just like skin and hair health, starts on the inside.

Nourishing your cells with vitamin and mineral-rich food is the first step to making sure your scalp and hair are healthy.

But exfoliating your scalp on a regular basis is also a great way to care for your scalp.

How Can I Exfoliate My Scalp Naturally?

There are many different ways that you can exfoliate your scalp naturally.

You can use a brush like this one or you can simply use your fingers. Gently use your fingers to scrub your scalp as you shampoo your hair.

You can also use a variety of products that you may have in your kitchen right now.

What Can I Exfoliate My Scalp With?

A few things that you might have in your kitchen right now that you can exfoliate your scalp with are salt, sugar, baking soda, and even coffee grounds.

Most natural products that are slightly abrasive will work to gently exfoliate your scalp. You can simply add a small amount of the product of your choosing to your shampoo and scrub your scalp with it.

Keep in mind, you don’t want to use anything that is too abrasive. If you decide to use something like sugar or salt make sure that it is very fine and avoid large crystallized cubes.

What is a Scalp Scrub?

My favorite thing to exfoliate my scalp with is a scalp scrub. A scalp scrub is a product that can help remove dirt and product buildup without drying out the scalp.

Amazon sells a variety of different scalp scrub products. I personally choose to make my own so I can have complete control over the ingredients.

What is the Best Homemade Scalp Scrub?

The best homemade scalp scrub should include an oil for moisturizing, something abrasive for exfoliating, and other beneficial ingredients like essential oils to combat a dry scalp, or an itchy scalp, or to help with hair growth.

My favorite go-to homemade scalp recipe is below.

How do you Make a Homemade Scalp Scrub?

To make homemade scalp scrub you will first need to gather all the necessary ingredients and supplies.

• 3-4 ounce jar
• Coconut oil
• Castor oil
• Baking Soda
• Sugar
• Activated charcoal or bentonite clay (optional)
• Essential oils (optional)

Homemade Scalp Scrub Ingredients

Below is more information about each ingredient.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, extremely moisturizing, and easily absorbed by the skin.

This makes it perfect for battling scalp issues like dry scalp and dandruff.

For this recipe, I like to use organic, cold-pressed, and unrefined coconut oil.

This one is my favorite.

Castor Oil

Castor oil, like coconut oil, is amazing and can be used for so many different things.

I use it in my DIY lash growth serum and my DIY hair growth oil.

Castor oil is antifungal and antibacterial which means it can help reduce dandruff. It is also extremely moisturizing which means it can help heal a dry, irritated scalp.

It can also help to increase blood flow to the scalp which can promote hair growth.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can help to remove build-up, excess oil, and dirt from your scalp. It’s not very abrasive so it very gently exfoliates the scalp.

Sugar

I like to add sugar to this scalp scrub because it is slightly more abrasive than baking soda which means it does a slightly better job of removing excess build-up and dirt.

I like to use caster sugar because the sugar crystals are super fine.

Activated Charcoal or Bentonite Clay (Optional)

Activated charcoal and bentonite clay are optional ingredients in this homemade scalp scrub. They both add additional beneficial properties to the scalp scrub but are not 100% necessary.

Activated charcoal can help to deeply cleanse the scalp and draw out impurities.

Bentonite clay can also help to exfoliate and deeply cleanse the scalp. Its high mineral content can also help to condition the scalp skin and hair follicles.

Essential Oils (Optional)

Essential oils are also an optional ingredient in this recipe. They can be used just to add a scent to this DIY scalp scrub or for other purposes.

Below are essential oil suggestions for dandruff, dry scalp, and hair growth. Simply add the recommended amount of drops to the recipe.

Homemade Scalp Scrub for Dandruff

• 7 drops of tea tree essential oil
• 7 drops of peppermint essential oil

Homemade Scalp Scrub for Hair Growth

• 7 drops of lavender essential oil
• 7 drops of cedarwood essential oil

Homemade Scalp Scrub for Itchy Scalp

• 7 drops of geranium essential oil
• 7 drops of rosemary essential oil

Need Essential Oils?

There are many essential oil companies that sell high-quality essential oils. I used to use Young Living oils exclusively but I just couldn’t afford to use them anymore.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover several brands that sell amazing, high-quality essential oils at very affordable prices.

I regularly use Eden’s Garden, Plant Therapy, and Simply Earth essential oils. 

If you decide to buy from Simply Earth you can use the code HAPPYHEARTFREE to receive a free $45 Simply Earth gift card with the purchase of your first recipe box.

If you are not familiar with Simply Earth or their recipe box you can check out previous boxes here.

DIY Scalp Scrub Recipe

This DIY scalp scrub is so easy to make. First, add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave for around 10-20 seconds just to slightly melt it.

I’m not a very big fan of melting coconut oil in the microwave. I prefer to use a double boiler to melt oils and waxes. But in this case, it seems silly to go through all of that just for a very small amount of coconut oil.

If your home is pretty warm the coconut oil may not even need to be melted. It just needs to be soft enough to be able to mix the other ingredients into it.

Next add 1 tablespoon of castor oil, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of sugar, a small sprinkle of activated charcoal or bentonite clay, and 14 drops total of the essential oils of your choosing to the bowl and blend completely.

Once everything is completely blended transfer the mixture to your jar and that is it!

How to Use Homemade Scalp Scrub

Scalp scrub should always be used prior to shampooing your hair. Wet your hair fully and part it into two sections. Apply a small amount of scalp scrub directly to the scalp. Gently massage it into your scalp using your fingertips.

Do this to your entire scalp. You might have to part your hair in several different directions to fully cover the entire scalp.

Leave on for a few minutes to allow the DIY scalp scrub to fully saturate and penetrate the scalp. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Follow with shampoo and conditioner.

How Often Should You Apply Homemade Scalp Scrub

Scalp scrub can be applied as little as once every few months or as often as every week. It really just depends on your personal needs.

If you have a lot of scalp issues or excess build-up from styling products you will want to use the DIY scalp scrub more often.

If you don’t have a lot of scalp issues or a lot of excess build up you might only need to use it once a month or every other month.

I personally like to use it once every two weeks.

How to Store DIY Scalp Scrub

This DIY scalp scrub should be stored in an airtight (preferably glass) container.

Always make sure your hands are clean before using homemade scalp scrub and never allow water to get into the scalp scrub jar. This will prevent the scalp scrub from being contaminated with harmful bacteria.

How Long Does Homemade Scalp Scrub Last

As long as you follow the directions above and don’t allow harmful bacteria to contaminate the scalp scrub it should be safe to use for at least 3-6 months.

Keep in mind, this is assuming all the ingredients used are fresh. If they are not fresh then this scalp scrub will expire whenever the ingredients you used are set to expire.

For example, if you used sugar from your pantry that is set to expire in 30 days then your scalp scrub will expire in 30 days.

I hope that makes sense. It’s best to use fresh ingredients whenever possible when making homemade skincare products. That way you can ensure a long shelf life.

I really hope you enjoy this DIY scalp scrub for healthy hair as much as I do. Let me know if you have any questions below!

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