This Hairstylist's DIY Scalp Scrub Is The Secret To Refreshed Hair

No one wants to deal with limp strands that fall flat at the root or an itchy, inflamed scalp from buildup. Perhaps you increase your shampoo schedule, but your hair still remains greasy and dull. 

If this all paints a familiar picture, you'll be happy to know we have a tried-and-tested answer. Two words, 10 letters, one healthy head of hair: scalp scrub. While you can snag both chemical or physical options, the latter can really lift all that oil, leftover product, and overall gunk that seems to never go away.

At the most basic level, a DIY scrub needs just two ingredients: a physical exfoliant and an emollient. Pitocco uses sugar for her exfoliant, as the gentle granules can mechanically remove all the debris without scratching up the skin. As for the emollient, she's partial to jojoba oil (and we concur): The oil closely mimics1 the natural oils in your skin, and it feeds your scalp with moisture and healthy nutrients. As naturopathic doctor Tess Marshall, N.D., once told us about the beloved oil: "The oil is made up of mostly fatty acids and wax esters. This includes helping dry or flaky skin on the scalp for conditions such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis."

Then we have the extras, apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil—both of which are frequently touted as hair care wonders. Namely, the acidic nature of apple cider vinegar can help balance your scalp's microbiome—plus, it naturally seals down the hair cuticle and adds shine.

Tea tree oil, on the other hand, has been shown to improve mild to moderate dandruff2 and can even aid in healthy hair growth.