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Scalp Facial

November 21, 2025

Why Exfoliate

We see the benefits of exfoliating our bodies and face, but one area that’s often overlooked and forgotten is scalp health. Like the skin elsewhere it can become clogged and dull. Even more so if an excess of harsh hair products are used. Often not designed for skin, these styling products seep down, build up and easily clog the hair follicles. Combined with poor diet and lack of exercise it can lead to some chronic scalp and hair conditions.

As with the skin on the rest of your body, your scalp contains sebaceous glands that produce sebum (oil). When balanced, sebum can help the hair look soft and shiny. But a build up of sebum on the scalp can clog the pores and feed the bacteria that lead to dandruff. It can also trigger seborrheic dermatitis which gives angry red patches, itching and flakiness.

This clogging of the hair follicles over time can lead to a thinning and loss of the hair. Exfoliating the scalp keeps both scalp and hair healthy. Some people think washing their hair is enough to keep the scalp clean, but that 30 second shampoo at home may not have much impact on the build up of sweat, oils, dead cells, and styling products. Scalps need to breathe easy, free of the suffocating product build up, pollution, excess sebum, oils and dead skin, so periodic exfoliation is necessary to remove this detritus and unclog the pores that are filled with bacteria.

Methods

We know the ancient Egyptians practised the art of exfoliating which involved physically scrubbing the skin with something abrasive.

Loofahs, pumice stone, cloths, sugar and salt crystals, sponges, salt, crushed apricot kernels, coconut or almond shells, and even finger nails are used in some of the mechanical methods. Micro-beads made of plastic recently became popular in exfoliating products but have a devastating effect on our marine ecosystem so thankfully Governments are moving towards banning these.

Chemical exfoliants include salicylic acids, glycolic acids and at the more premium end - fruit enzymes and their alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) These natural fruit enzymes are the active ingredients of our own Exfoliating Scalp Treatment and Exfoliating Scalp Shampoo.

Healthy Scalp Ritual

A weekly detox treatment is an essential part of a healthy scalp regime, and ensures your hair is growing strong, glossy and gorgeous. All our Van Clarke products were originally developed for professional use at the Michael Van Clarke salon.

Exfoliating Scalp Treatment is applied to the wet hair in sections and massaged onto the scalp. Leave for 20 minutes and the natural fruit acids help lift away dead skin and build up. Follow up with Exfoliating Scalp Shampoo at least twice a week. The plant extracts help clear flakiness and soothe scalp, stimulating blood flow and promoting cellular renewal. Its anti-dandruff, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties help strengthen hair and reduce hair loss.

Amazing Scalp Exfoliating Ingredients

Regenerative exfoliants use AHA fruit acids from bilberry, sugar maple and citrus fruits
Soothing and anti inflammatory aloe-rich formula with extracts of comfrey, olive oil and lemongrass
Stimulating and purifying oils of eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint and lavender
Unique cashmere protein; almost identical to human hair to strengthen, rebuild and protect
ZERO – Silicone, phthalates, parabens, xenoestrogens, micro-beads and other nasties.

Michael Van Clarke

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