The Best Scalp Masks for Healthier Hair and Skin, Reviewed by Experts

According to CRLabs, this mask is meant to be used pre-shampoo on dry hair. The package says to apply it using circular motions, leaving it on for 15 minutes, but our tester preferred to leave it on for 25 to 30 minutes. She mentioned that the product has a ”thick, gritty texture.” After application, she noted her scalp felt refreshed and her hair felt softer.

Folks who prefer more natural hair-care products will appreciate that this mask is paraben- and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate)-free. Unsurprisingly, with a more natural product comes more natural ingredients. This mask includes almond and olive oils, castor oil, and hops. Our tester didn’t find the scent particularly pleasant, but it wasn’t overpowering.

If you’re on a tight budget, the price of this hair mask might make you cringe. At around $75, it’s a pricey option, but with a host of high-quality ingredients carefully crafted in Italy, it can be a worthwhile splurge if you have an oily scalp that needs a little extra TLC.

If you struggle with frizz, Kristin Ess Hair Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask will be your new secret weapon. It’s designed to smooth the cuticles of the hair and minimize environmental stressors that can affect your scalp.

Tester Siobhan Neela-Stock loved this mask for its affordable price (around $15) and how it made her scalp and hair look and feel. “Normally, I don’t use hair masks, but I really liked this one because it’s easy to use, smells really good, and leaves my hair smooth,” Neela-Stock says. 

This mask is designed to be used post-shampoo. The brand recommends thoroughly rinsing out the shampoo beforehand and then applying the mask from root to tip (it’s meant to be used on the entire head not just the scalp). Our tester noted that you have to use a lot of product to cover your entire head, especially if you have longer hair.

You don’t have to leave it on for long; 5 to 10 minutes does the job. It’s also gentle enough to use daily if you’re someone who washes your hair every day. 

If you prefer a more perfumed hair mask, you’ll likely enjoy the beachy, coconut scent of this one from Kristen Ess. Besides the pleasant scent, this mask is formulated without pesky parabens or sulfates, is vegan, and is safe for color-treated hair. What more could you ask for?

Itchy scalp got you down? Consider checking out the Philip Kingsley Flaky Scalp Calming Scalp Mask, which is specifically designed to soothe irritation and itchiness and eradicate dandruff.

Our tester suffers from a chronically itchy scalp and noticed that her symptoms were much less prevalent after using this mask for a few weeks. Interestingly enough, this is not a rinse-out mask: Once applied after shampoo and conditioner, you leave it in until the next time you wash your hair. This product is designed to continue working between washes.

“After applying, my scalp felt soothed,” tester Nicole LaMarco raved. “I typically have an itchy scalp, and this calmed that down completely.”

Whether you have straight, fine hair or a thicker mane, this water-based gel mask should work for you. It has a slightly runny texture, which makes it easy to spread on the scalp. Our tester noted that the nozzle also helps with a more targeted application, too (although you could just squeeze it into your hands first to precisely control the amount used).

For those who are particularly sensitive to scents from products (think eczema), you’ll be pleased to note that this hair mask is unscented.

Dry hair and scalp? Kératase Specifique Masque Rehydrantant might be worth looking into. Our tester, whose hair and scalp vacillate between being dry and oily (we love a good combo-skin moment), felt that this mask struck the perfect balance between removing extra oils and restoring hydration to the scalp and hair.

After shampooing (with a good rinse, of course), you’ll apply the thick, lotion-textured mask to your scalp and hair. Our tester compared it to a deep conditioner and mentioned that it was easy to spread properly. 

“My scalp felt hydrated and rejuvenated,” tester Nicole LaMarco observed.

However, she wasn’t the biggest fan of the jar container because it gets messy when you’re scooping product out with your fingers. If Kératase ever changes the packaging for this mask, our tester thinks a pump or squeeze bottle makes a lot more sense. 

The product page notes that the scent is a mixture of Earl Grey tea, rose, and cedarwood. Our tester found the lightly perfumed scent quite pleasant. However, if you have eczema or sensitive skin, this may not be the best option for you.  

If you’re constantly in a rush, you’ll appreciate that this mask needs just 5 minutes to do its job. (I find this particularly appealing.) After our tester put this mask to the test for two weeks, she noticed that her hair felt fluffier and smoother and her scalp felt hydrated. While the price is on the higher side (about $68), it could be a worthwhile choice for drier hair and scalps.

So, what’s a hair enthusiast to do? Find a scalp mask, such as this one from Jupiter, to remove buildup without stripping moisture.

This purifying mask is a pre-shampoo treatment that tester Katie Tuttle describes as a “thick foam,” almost like a dense styling mousse. She found it slightly tricky to apply to her head, especially to dry hair. But the results made it worth it. With only five minutes of wait time, this mask quickly does its job and leaves your scalp feeling deeply cleansed and slightly tingly.

Itchy or balanced scalps, along with color-treated hair, are all candidates for this mask. Tuttle reported her scalp felt less “weighed down” after just three weeks of consistent use, and she could even go an extra day between washes. The Jupiter mask is a good choice for anyone who uses lots of styling products and dry shampoo or who just wants to reset their scalp with a good cleanse.

This botanical-rich mask works especially well on dandruffy scalps because of its cooling formula. Our tester used it once a week on a dry scalp (as recommended by the brand) prior to shampooing. You’re supposed to leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes (which is a significant amount of time to wait).

If you’re not a fan of fragrance (which our tester, Ashley Brafman, MPH, RD, said was reminiscent of essential oils), you may want to stay away from the Purist mask. Brafman explained that the scent was slightly overwhelming and required an extra shampoo and rinse to get out.

To use this scalp mask, you simply twist the tip of the bottle and apply it to the scalp. It’s precise, and our tester noted that the application isn’t messy or wasteful like some of the other masks we tested. However, she did note that because the mask absorbs so quickly into the scalp, it’s a little hard to remember where you’ve already applied it. Just as an aside, this isn’t one of the hair masks on the list that is meant to be applied from roots to tip because this formula has no additional benefits for your hair.

The cooling sensation our tester noticed on her scalp was especially pleasant on itchy spots and delivered some relief from irritation. “I really enjoyed the cooling sensation, and my scalp is less irritated and itchy,” Brafman says. She also noticed an improvement in her dandruff after using it for multiple weeks, but it did not make her flakes completely go away.

For folks who want a cooling scalp mask that won’t break the bank, the Purist mask is a great option for long-term maintenance.

As a bottle blonde, I’m constantly monitoring if the products I’m putting on my hair and scalp are safe for a chemically treated mane. Fortunately, the Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque gets a gold star from me (and my colored hair). As an aside, it’s safe to use on all chemically treated hair, even if you’ve had a keratin treatment or a perm.

You can purchase this mask in one of two formats: a smaller metal tube or a larger pump. I opted for the smaller container, which is a whopping $41. But the price is the only negative thing I have to say about this product.

It’s meant to be used after cleansing and left in for at least 20 minutes. Similar to conditioner, the texture is thick and creamy (and easy to apply). As someone who doesn’t spend that long in the shower, I felt like a prune by the time I was supposed to wash it out, but it did make my hair and scalp feel very clean and hydrated. I also tested it as a pre-shampoo treatment and was happy with the results.

I love fragranced hair care, so I was stoked to note that this mask is scented with lavender and rose. It seemed very luxurious and indulgent. After a few weeks of use, my hair felt smoother and my scalp was less dry. If you don’t mind splurging a little, I definitely recommend this Aesop mask.