Dandruff, itchiness, excess oil, and premature hair thinning are more common than most people think. And once they start, they can be difficult to manage. While it’s easy to focus on the hair itself, many of these concerns begin at the scalp.
The scalp is skin, and like any skin, it needs the right support to stay balanced. When that balance is disrupted, hair may start to look dull, feel less resilient, or shed more than usual. Paying consistent attention to your scalp can lead to visible improvements in how hair looks and feels.
Let’s explore ways to care for it daily, and the types of formulations that help support a healthier foundation for hair.
The scalp is part of the skin’s overall system, with its own levels of oil, hydration, and reactivity. Like facial skin, scalp characteristics vary from person to person, and those differences can inform how hair and scalp regimens are built.
Cleansing plays a key role in caring for a healthy-looking scalp. Throughout the week, oil, sweat, styling products, and dead skin cells can accumulate on the scalp’s surface. While regular cleansing helps to remove this buildup, doing so too frequently—or using harsh formulas—may disrupt the skin’s barrier and leave the scalp feeling dry or uncomfortable. A well-balanced shampoo is able to clear the surface without compromising hydration or comfort.
Scalp hydration is also an important consideration, though it’s often overlooked in hair care routines. The scalp is skin, and like facial skin, it can benefit from moisture support, especially when exposed to styling tools or environmental stress. The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp is a lightweight serum formulated with ingredients that mimic the skin’s natural moisturizing factors, as well as hyaluronic acid and squalane. It’s designed to support surface hydration and can be used daily or whenever extra comfort is needed.
An effective scalp routine doesn’t need to be complex. Understanding when and how to use each product can help maintain balance, support comfort, and improve how hair looks and feels over time. Here’s how to keep it simple and make each step count.
The scalp’s needs shift depending on what it’s exposed to—like heat, pollution, styling products, or simply time between washes. A routine that separates daily and weekly steps can help keep it balanced.
For optimal results, follow The Ordinary’s approach: Prep, Treat, Seal for building an effective scalp and hair care regimen.
Once the basics of scalp care are in place, other factors can help support long-term balance. Ingredients with specific functions, how you apply them, and the habits that shape your day all contribute to how the scalp behaves, and how hair looks and feels over time.
Certain ingredients are known to support the scalp’s environment by helping to maintain balance and comfort.
These ingredients are featured throughout The Ordinary Hair & Scalp Collection, formulated to support visible scalp and hair health with a minimal, targeted approach.
Gentle scalp massage may support microcirculation and enhance blood flow, which can contribute to healthier looking hair. Using an oil can add slip and comfort during massage, especially on dry or tight-feeling scalps.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil offers a lightweight, antioxidant-rich option that helps moisturize and condition both the scalp and hair. Make sure to shampoo twice if applying argan oil to the scalp.
Hair thinning doesn’t follow a strict timeline. For some, it starts in their twenties. For others, it may not be noticeable until much later. Genetics play a role, but so do hormones, stress, and how well the scalp is cared for over time.
A few common factors that may influence hair density over time include:
Some early signs of thinning may include:
Changes in hair texture and volume can happen gradually. Paying attention to these early shifts can help you adjust your routine to better support your scalp—and by extension, your hair.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to hair thinning, but small, consistent steps can make a difference over time.
A simple routine can go a long way. That means:
Certain ingredients are commonly used in formulas that visibly support density and scalp support:
Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density is a lightweight, leave-in treatment designed to support the scalp. It combines peptide technologies with plant-based extracts and is formulated to help improve the look and feel of hair density over time.
Healthy-looking hair doesn’t exist in isolation. It can be influenced by a range of internal and external factors—including sleep patterns, stress levels, physical activity, and nutritional intake. While everyone’s experience is different, building supportive habits alongside a consistent scalp care routine can help maintain overall comfort and balance.
An effective hair care routine doesn’t need to be extensive. With a few consistent steps, it’s possible to keep the scalp balanced and hair looking its healthiest. Here are some additional tips to consider when caring for your hair and scalp.
These are the basics that apply to most hair types:
Heat protection: If using heat tools, always apply a heat-protective product to help minimise visible signs of damage over time.
Suggested regimens will vary based on individual needs, but the most important factor is consistency. Build a routine around what your scalp and hair respond well to, and adjust as needed over time.
Healthy-looking hair doesn’t start with a styling trick—it starts with the scalp. Treating the scalp like skin means giving it the same attention, care, and ingredients you trust on your face.
This doesn’t require a complicated routine. A targeted hair and scalp care regimen, done regularly, may help improve how your hair looks and feels. Whether it’s adding hydration, gently cleansing, or supporting your scalp with carefully selected formulas, small changes can lead to visible improvements in your overall hair and scalp experience.
Try The Ordinary’s Scalp Solutions and start where it matters most: the scalp.
