Many women go into exfoliating overdrive with loofas, body brushes, exfoliating gloves, and our hands removing any dead skin cells to make our bodies softer, anew, and glowing. While we ensure our bodies are exfoliated from head to toe it appears we are missing a vital part of our bodies that needs it just as much as the rest of it. Our scalp! 

As many curlies, wavies, and coilies are using less shampoo to combat dryness and tangles we may be leaving behind more than we bargained for.

Dirt, oil, and product buildup is not exclusive to your strands. Livestrong says they can clog up the pores in your scalp just as easily as they can anywhere else on your body. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, and as many curlies, wavies, and coilies are using less shampoo to combat dryness and tangles we may be leaving behind more than we bargained for. And speaking of a bargain, many scalp exfoliates are pricy and can be even more expensive if you go to a salon for this service. There are many clarifying shampoo formulas on the market to cleanse your hair and scalp, but to exfoliate your scalp you may need a tad more to remove all those dead skin cells properly. The best part of a scalp exfoliation is how simple and cheap it can be. Just raid your kitchen cupboards and save yourself a few dollars!

Clarifying Shampoo + Cornmeal & Essential Oil

• Clarifying shampoo
• Cornmeal or ground almonds
• Peppermint oil or tea tree oil

Allure says start with your favorite clarifying shampoo to properly cleanse and remove any product buildup, dirt, and oils.  Mix equal parts of a mild exfoliate like cornmeal or ground almonds.  Add a few drops of an essential oil like peppermint to stimulate the blood or tea tree oil, which is a natural antiseptic.  Mix the ingredients in a bowl and massage the mixture into your scalp for three minutes using only your fingertips.  Rinse and condition.

Olive Oil + Brown Sugar

• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup brown sugar

Combine both ingredients into a bowl and massage into your scalp with your fingertips for about three minutes prior to cleansing your hair. Rinse, cleanse, and condition as usual. This recipe comes from Livestrong.

Favorite Hair Conditioner + Brown Sugar

• ¼ cup favorite hair conditioner
• ¼ cup brown sugar

Livestrong gives us more direction with this simple recipe. Combine ingredients in a bowl and massage it into your scalp with your fingertips for about three minutes prior to cleansing your tresses. Rinse, cleanse, and condition as usual.

Honey + Olive Oil & Sugar

• 1 tbsp. organic honey
• 1 ½ tbsp. olive oil
• 3 tbsp. brown or white sugar

Combine these ingredients in a small bowl and apply to your scalp with your fingertips. Massage in circular motions for about three minutes. Rinse, cleanse, and condition as usual. This recipe comes from Polyvore.

Aspirin + Warm Water & Toothbrush

• 6-8 aspirin
• 4 tbsp. warm water

Place aspirin tablets in a bowl. Ehow says aspirins contain salicylic acid, which is great for acne and exfoliating skin. Next, p our warm water to dissolve tablets.  Use a toothbrush to stir the mixture and to apply the mixture to your scalp. Part your hair and gently scrub all of the areas of the scalp. Rinse, cleanse, and condition as usual. 

What are you favorite scalp scrubs?