5 best scalp serums have become essential in modern hair care routines, addressing various scalp concerns such as dryness, oiliness, thinning, and irritation. Dermatologists emphasize the importance of a healthy scalp as the foundation for strong, vibrant hair. These serums are formulated with active ingredients like peptides, salicylic acid, biotin, and botanical extracts to promote scalp health and hair growth. Whether you’re dealing with hair thinning, an oily scalp, or dryness, there’s a dermatologist-approved serum tailored for your needs.
5 Best Scalp Serums Approved by Dermatologists
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid Scalp Serum is a lightweight, milky formula designed to support scalp hydration and alleviate discomfort caused by dryness. This serum utilizes a combination of ingredients that mimic the function of natural moisturizing factors, along with hyaluronic acid and squalane, which are naturally produced within the skin. These components work together to help support the scalp’s barrier without sticking to your hair or weighing it down.
To use, shake the bottle well before applying a few drops thoroughly into a clean, dry scalp once daily, ideally at bedtime. This is a leave-in treatment, so do not wash your hair or scalp after application. It’s important to patch-test products before using them to ensure compatibility with your skin.
The serum is vegan, cruelty-free, silicone-free, alcohol-free, and gluten-free, making it suitable for a variety of hair types and concerns. While individual results may vary, many users have reported improvements in scalp hydration and a reduction in dryness-related discomfort. For those seeking a gentle, effective solution to support scalp health, The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid Scalp Serum presents a promising option.
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The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Oily Scalp Treatment
The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub is a targeted pre-shampoo treatment designed to cleanse and rejuvenate the scalp. Formulated with a potent combination of active ingredients, this scrub addresses common scalp concerns such as product buildup, excess oil, and an imbalanced microbiome.
Key Ingredients and Benefits:
7% Glycolic Acid: As an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), glycolic acid penetrates the scalp to exfoliate dead skin cells and dissolve product buildup, promoting a cleaner and healthier scalp environment.
2.5% Symcontrol® Scalp: Derived from Mediterranean microalgae, this ingredient regulates sebum production, helping to reduce oiliness and maintain a balanced scalp.
2% Castor Beads: These biodegradable beads provide gentle physical exfoliation, aiding in the removal of dead skin cells and enhancing the overall cleansing effect.
0.5% Bioecolia®: A prebiotic that supports and maintains the scalp’s natural microbiome, contributing to a balanced and healthy scalp.
This scrub is suitable for all hair types, including sensitive scalps, and is free from alcohol, fragrance, sulfates, and gluten. It is recommended for use 1–2 times a week as part of a comprehensive scalp care routine.
Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum
The Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum is a high-performance hair care product designed to support thicker, fuller-looking hair while promoting scalp health. Infused with apple stem cells, bamboo extract, and aloe vera, this serum works to strengthen hair follicles, hydrate the scalp, and reduce hair shedding. Its combination of hyaluronic acid and aloe vera deeply moisturizes the scalp, soothes dryness and itchiness, and helps maintain a healthy scalp microbiome, which is crucial for optimal hair growth.
This serum is designed for daily use and is suitable for a wide range of hair types, including curly, wavy, straight, and coily hair. Application is simple: just apply 1–2 pipettes directly to clean, damp, or dry hair, massage gently into the scalp, and leave it in—no rinsing required.
Act+Acre emphasizes clean, vegan, and color-safe formulations. The product is free from parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances and is created using a patented Cold Processed method that preserves the potency of active ingredients.
Clinical studies support its efficacy: a 12-week study of 90 women showed that daily use could support hair regrowth following acute telogen effluvium, while a 6-week consumer perception study of 30 women reported noticeable improvement in hair thickness and density. Overall, this serum provides a gentle, effective, and science-backed solution for individuals looking to improve both scalp health and hair appearance.
Lanmeri Vegan Hair Growth Serum
The Lanmeri Vegan Hair Growth Serum is a plant-based, cruelty-free scalp treatment designed to support hair regrowth and improve overall hair health for both women and men. Its 100% vegan formula combines powerful phyto-active ingredients with peptides and amino acids to nourish the scalp, detoxify hair follicles, and strengthen the follicular ecosystem. This helps prevent further hair thinning while promoting the growth of thicker, fuller, and healthier hair.
The lightweight serum is suitable for all hair types and is designed to be absorbed easily without weighing hair down. Clinical studies and ingredient research back its effectiveness: mung bean helps strengthen the cellular structure of hair follicles, curcumin enhances delivery of growth factors to stimulate the hair’s growth phase, and red clover may inhibit DHT production, which is associated with hair loss.
With consistent use over 90 days, users may see up to a 52% increase in hair density and a 76% reduction in hair shedding, while also improving hair texture, fullness, and strength. This serum is formulated to support a healthy scalp environment, which is essential for sustainable hair growth, making it a reliable and science-backed option for those struggling with thinning hair.
Densifying & Thickening Serum for Thinning Hair
The Densifying & Thickening Serum for Thinning Hair by The Rootist is a targeted, high-performance serum designed to combat hair thinning and promote fuller, healthier-looking hair. Formulated with Rootbiomic Ferment™, densifying peptides, and bio-activated botanicals like turmeric extract, this serum addresses every phase of the hair growth cycle to improve hair density, thickness, and overall scalp health. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula is suitable for all hair types, including chemically- or color-treated hair, and can be used on all scalp types without weighing hair down.
Clinical results show that the serum, when used in combination with The Rootist Densify Shampoo and Conditioner over 120 days, can reduce hair fallout by up to 85% and result in 91% of users noticing less scalp thinning. It is designed for once-daily application: simply apply 1–2 droppers to dry or towel-dried hair, focusing on the crown, part line, and hairline, then massage into the scalp—no rinsing required.
By nourishing the scalp, strengthening follicles, and supporting a healthy hair cycle, The Rootist Densifying & Thickening Serum offers a comprehensive solution for anyone seeking to reduce hair thinning and encourage stronger, fuller hair.