There is more focus on the scalp than ever before. You may have recently noticed the “skincare-ification” of scalp care and all the hype around it. What does this rising trend mean? It refers to scalp care routines that mimic your daily skincare routine, with similar ingredients found in your topical facial skincare products.

These ingredients, both topical and ingestible, help keep the scalp healthy. After all, a healthy scalp is the foundation for strong, luscious locks and is essential for the overall health of your hair.

Why we shouldn’t take scalp health for granted

Just like the skin on our face, the scalp needs specific nutrients and other actives to thrive. Nutrients, circulation, basic cleansing, and hydration nourish the hair follicle to support hair resiliency. If the scalp isn’t cared for with active ingredients, it becomes imbalanced.

Topical and ingestible ingredients for scalp health

These are some of the active ingredients to look for in topical and some ingestible products.

Plant-derived acids

Plant-derived acids help to gently exfoliate hair follicles and maintain the pH balance of the scalp. Some commonly used plant-derived acids include salicylic acid (from willow bark), glycolic acid (from sugar cane), and citric acid (from citrus fruits). These acids remove dead skin cells and can also help support sebum production, which is the natural oil produced by the scalp that keeps hair moisturized.

Ceramides

PhytoCeramides are plant-derived lipids similar to the natural ceramides found in the skin and help preserve the scalp's barrier function, preventing water loss and maintaining essential hydration. This can soothe mild dryness, which can promote hair growth. 

You can find this as a common ingredient in topical skincare and as an ingestible in our unique hair vitamin formula, Hair La Vie's Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins. These supplements help maintain hydration and softness in the skin, scalp, and hair.

Retinols

Retinol is a powerful ingredient that can bring brightness back into your skin by supporting your skin’s normal cell and collagen production and promoting blood flow. You can apply retinol topically to the scalp with a serum and massage it into the roots.

Antioxidants

Environmental stressors like pollution, UV rays, and salon treatments can bring everyday stress to the hair strands and follicles. Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, can help to nourish stressed hair and help promote elasticity.

Apply products that contain vitamins C and E, such as Hair La Vie Mask, directly to your scalp and throughout the hair. With ingredients like vitamin E-rich argan oil and meadowfoam seed, which contains vitamin C and E, oleic acid, and linoleic acid, it's no wonder this is the perfect antioxidant for thicker, healthier-looking hair. And for an antioxidant-rich leave-in, try Hair La Vie Renewing Growth Treatment with marine algae to protect and nourish.

Antioxidants can be applied topically but are just as important to consume in your diet. Be sure to eat a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables for overall hair health.

Peptides

Peptides are chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins. They promote hair health by supporting the production of hair follicles and can also help to give the appearance of thicker hair and strengthened strands.

To incorporate peptides into your hair, scalp, lash, and brow routine, look for products that contain peptides as active ingredients, such as Hair La Vie’s Lash24®. It contains red clover extract, which is a super effective blend of natural peptides to help grow visibly thicker, fuller lashes.

Probiotics and prebiotics

The scalp, like the gut, is home to a diverse climate of microorganisms, including beneficial bacteria. Probiotics and prebiotics help create a healthy balance of bacteria on the scalp.

Probiotics are live bacteria that can help maintain a healthy scalp environment for the follicles to flourish. Prebiotics, on the other hand, feed the beneficial bacteria. By providing food for the beneficial bacteria, prebiotics can help to encourage their growth and promote a healthy microbiome.

That’s why our Collagen Foundation Elixir is a great addition to your routine. It’s packed with antioxidants like vitamin C, keratin, an ingestible protein, and prebiotics. This drink is the perfect blend to ensure you’re nourishing your hair follicles and scalp from the inside out.

Final thoughts

Taking care of your scalp is simple once you know what to look for. Your scalp deserves it! If your scalp has seen better days, it might be time to go beyond the basic “wash and go” routine. To see a noticeable difference, look for potent and naturally-derived products specifically designed for scalp health. A healthy scalp means a healthier and more lustrous head of hair.