8 Popular Skincare Ingredients That Are Just as Good for Your Hair & Scalp
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
You know how we're all obsessed with skin care?
Turns out, the skin on your scalp is just as important as the skin on your face.
You might've heard beauty editors talking about 'skin care for your hair' and internally called bullsh*t, but experts agree healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.
And just like you might build a skincare routine with different products and ingredients to manage different skin concerns, you can do the same with your hair care.
Basically, time to take the routine further than just wash, rinse, repeat.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the skinification of hair care, plus the active ingredients and products for your hair and scalp concerns.
How to Get Healthy Hair.
Did you know the hair on your head is technically dead?
While there are a tonne of excellent products you can use topically to improve the look of your hair, looking after your scalp skin is how to get healthy hair from the start.
"The structure of the skin is basically the same as the structure of the scalp. There are also different scalp skin types, varying from more oily to very dry and scalp eczema," Philip Kingsley trichologist (aka a hair doctor) Dr Lisa Caddy says.
"The hair follicle is a function of the skin [on our scalp]. Each one has its own blood supply, and poor scalp health is detrimental to hair growth."
For anyone trying to 'train' their hair to be less greasy Dr Caddy adds,
"One of the most common myths is that if you leave your hair long enough it will ‘self clean’. We know that our scalp skin and facial skin are basically the same in terms of structure and behaviour, and we know that our face doesn’t wash itself... which can only mean one thing..."
"The scalp has more sebaceous (oil) glands and more sweat glands, which means it gets dirty easily. Sweat, oil, dead skin cells, pollution and styling products can all build up on the hair, leaving it dull and lifeless."
You can learn more about skin care for hair care in this episode of the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast below.
Best Ingredients for Hair.
This is all great, but how do I build a skincare routine for my hair and scalp, you ask?
The best way to approach it is to think about what your key hair/scalp concerns are, and then match them with a related product/ingredient.
For example, here's what my current haircare routine looks like, broken down by hair concern:
- Hair shedding and hair loss = A targeted hair growth supplement.
- Oily, flaky scalp = A scalp scrub or exfoliating product as my 'first shampoo'.
- Fine hair lacking body = A volumising, plumping shampoo and conditioner.
- Frizz and flyaways = An anti-static pre-styling hair serum or oil (or both).
If you're not sure which ingredients are best for your specific hair concerns, no stress.
Adore's haircare team have done the hard work for you!
Skincare for Haircare Bundle is a curated pack of five full-size cult haircare products for your healthiest hair (and scalp!).
This Skincare for Haircare bundle includes the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub, NAK Moisture Mask, Davroe Argan Oil Instant Treatment, Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo and VIRTUE 6-in-1 Styler.
Psst, that's more than $220 for $178, with a saving of $44!
Want more info to curate your own active haircare routine?
From exfoliating acids to vitamin C, here's a list of haircare active ingredients and what they can do for your hair.
Oh, and I've also included a few of my top active haircare products recommendations.
1. Hyaluronic Acid.
What does hyaluronic acid do for hair?
- You've probably heard about hyaluronic acid's ability to plump and hydrate skin by drawing in moisture from your environment.
- In hair care, hyaluronic acid adds moisture to hair follicles to smooth, de-frizz and hydrate hair appearance.
Hyaluronic acid hair products to try:
Think of The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp as a hydrating lotion, for your scalp!
You can apply on freshly-washed or dry hair. My favourite way is before bed when I know I'll be washing my hair the next morning.
IGK's THIRSTY GIRL range is one of my all-time favourites for frizzy hair.
IGK THIRSTY GIRL Coconut Milk Anti-Frizz Shampoo and IGK THIRSTY GIRL Coconut Milk Anti-Frizz Conditioner contain coconut milk and patented hyaluronic acid technology.
Plus, they just smell really damn good!
2. AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids).
What do AHAs do for hair?
- AHAs like glycolic and lactic acids brighten and smooth the skin by sloughing away surface level dead skin cells.
- In hair products, AHAs are your all-rounder ingredients because they help with a bit of everything.
- As well as gently exfoliating the scalp, AHAs can enhance the protection and manageability of hair by conditioning, moisturising, strengthening, and preventing hair breakage.
AHA hair products to try:
ALTERNA HAIR My Hair My Canvas Glow Crazy Shine Booster is shiny hair in a bottle.
Kind of like skincare boosters, you can add a few pumps of this shine booster to your conditioner or hair mask in the shower to boost shine for up to 10 washes.
Kerastase Chroma Absolu Soin Acid High Shine Treatment for Coloured Hair 210ml is another popular shine treatment.
Learn more about if this product is right for you in our Kérastase Chroma Absolu Fluid Gloss review on Beauty IQ.
3. BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids).
What do BHAs do for hair?
- Salicylic acid is another popular chemical exfoliant you'll often find in pimple treatments and exfoliating cleansers.
- This BHA is great for problematic scalps, as it helps to unclog pores, reduce oil and address a flaky scalp or product build up.
Salicylic acid hair products to try:
I could write a book on how great the Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt 250ml is, but I won't.
It's our best-selling scalp scrub for many reasons, all of which become apparent after trying the product.
Love bougie hair care? Oribe Serene Scalp Balancing Shampoo is divine.
This gentle treatment shampoo relieves and prevents dandruff while soothing a dry, itchy and irritated scalp. It also looks and smells incredible.
4. Vitamin C.
What does vitamin C do for hair?
- Vitamin C might just be the most talked about skincare ingredient for its ability to brighten skin and reduce the look of hyperpigmentation.
- The antioxidant ingredient promotes hair health and strength, aids in collagen production and prevents your colour from fading.
- Vitamin C in hair products also helps to boost shine and prevent breakage.
Vitamin C hair products to try:
R+Co SUN CATCHER Vitamin C Leave-In Conditioner 119ml is a protective, shine-enhancing leave-in conditioner for all hair types.
You can expect stronger, softer and generally happier hair with regular use, and on top of that, it’s vegan and cruelty free. Too good.
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo 300ml is another staff favourite.
It contains vitamin C, plus a bunch of other repairing ingredients to strengthen hair, reduce the look of breakage, and add shine.
5. Antioxidants.
What do antioxidants do for hair?
- Antioxidant skincare products are known for their ability to reduce free radical damage in the skin.
- In hair care, antioxidants may help to reduce hair loss and assist hair growth, as well as reducing oxidation.
- This is especially great for maintaining coloured hair because the oxidation process can make hair look brassy.
Antioxidant hair products to try:
Pretty much the entire Olaplex range contains antioxidants (among other active ingredients), but Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Heat Protection & Frizz Reduction Nourishing Hair Serum is my top pick.
You can read my Olaplex 9 review on Beauty IQ here, but essentially, it makes my hair look and feel ridiculously smooth, soft and
VIRTUE 6-in-1 Styler 120ml might be the hardest working hair product I know.
The lightweight creme-serum primes hair before styling, protects against heat, sets and seals styles, all while adding softness, shine and light hydration to hair.
6. Oils for Hair.
What do oils do for hair?
- There's a good chance you're already using a hair oil, right?
- In the same way oils can nourish and protect your skin barrier, oils promote hair health while hydrating and strengthening the hair shaft.
- You can expect hair oils to moisturise, add shine, soften and protect hair and prevent breakage.
Hair oil products to try:
Kerastase Elixir Ultime hair oil 75ml will always be one of the best hair oils in my eyes.
The multi-tasking product has over 300 5-star reviews, and contains a blend of argan, marula and camellia oils for your softest hair, ever.
7. Peptides for Hair.
What do peptides do for hair?
- There are heaps of different peptides in skin care, but generally speaking, they optimise cell function and increase collagen production.
- Peptides and amino acids are common in hair care, as they give hair a fuller, stronger appearance.
Peptide hair products to try:
Virtue's Flourish range has been specifically designed for those concerned about fine, fragile, thinning hair.
Along with hyaluronic acid, keratin and rice extracts, all the Virtue Flourish products contain biomimetic signal peptides to care for the scalp and help create the best environment for growth.
VIRTUE Flourish Hair Rejuvenation Treatment 1 Month comes with a one-month supply of the shampoo, conditioner and density booster if you're keen to try the range.
And we can't talk about peptides without mentioning K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask 50ml - you can read our full K18 review on Beauty IQ for the lowdown on this viral peptide hair treatment.
8. Niacinamide.
What does niacinamide do for hair?
- Niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) in skincare supports the skin barrier, brightens, reduces inflammation and controls oil production.
- In hair care, niacinamide may help to prevent inflammatory hair loss, and improve hair fullness when applied topically.
- It can also balance oil production, which is a plus for anyone with an oily scalp!
Niacinamide hair products to try:
NAK Hair ORI Lab Plump Cleanse Shampoo 300ml and NAK Hair ORI Lab Plump Condition 300ml are two new favourites in my haircare routine.
Chic packaging aside, the clean and vegan formulas plump strands for swishy TV commercial hair.
Last but not least, Apotecari Mane Event 90 Day Kit | Intensive Hair Growth, Condition & Thickness is one of our most popular supplements for healthy hair.
Rich in peptide amino acids cysteine and methionine, the twice-daily vegan supplement also contains biotin, vitamin C and vitamin B12 to support the growth of healthy, strong hair.
Keen for some more healthy hair and scalp product reviews and info? Check out one of these articles below:
