The best scalp oils to soothe your itch

Give your scalp some much-needed relief.

Scalp products and brush on purple and pink background

by Tayo Andoh |
Updated on

If you feel like you've been scratching your scalp for what feels like an eternity just to get rid of the unbearable itch, might we suggest the best scalp oil? There's nothing worse than the nightmare that is an itchy scalp. Whether you're feeling the urge to itch during the day or when you're trying to get your beauty sleep at night, sometimes you just want a bit of relief.

Closer's best scalp oils, at a glance:

Best scalp oil treatment: Aunt Jackie's Natural Growth Oil, £8.98 on Amazon

Best scalp oil for itchy relief: Creme Of Nature Argan Oil Day Night Hair and Scalp Conditioner, £8.92 on Amazon

Best new scalp oil: JVN Scalp Oil, £25 on Cult Beauty

If you're wondering why your scalp is giving you a hard time, there are many reasons why this could be occurring - even if you do have your hands on the best shampoo for dry scalp. Product build-up is a common cause of an itchy scalp, and let's face it, sometimes this is inevitable, especially if you have afro hair that requires a lot of moisture and maintenance. Scalp massagers can be a god-send.

If you're suffering from this unwanted issue, we're here to help with our picks of the best scalp oils to provide some much-needed soothing for your itch.

SHOP: The best scalp oils 2023

Best scalp oil treatment

Aunt Jackie's Natural Growth Oil Blends Nourish My Hair on white background
Price: £8.98
Alternative retailers
Target$6.79View offer
Walmart$10.40View offer

We can always count on Aunt Jackie to help with our hair care needs, and this product is relief in a bottle. This scalp oil is incredible for tackling dryness and the one thing we don't want, flaking. It's thick in consistency and smells amazing.

Best scalp oil for itchy relief

Creme Of Nature Argan Oil Day Night Hair and Scalp Conditioner on white background
Price: £8.92
Alternative retailers
Walmart$6.99View offer
Newegg$30.60View offer

We love a bit of versatility in a product. This conditioner not only relieves an itchy scalp by providing intense hydration and nourishment, but it also does the same to the rest of your hair, leaving it beautifully soft and shiny.

Best new scalp oil

By using this pre-wash scalp oil, you can help improve the condition of your scalp, which in turn can lead to healthier hair growth. It is intended to be massaged onto the scalp prior to shampooing, allowing it to work its way into the roots and deliver its nourishing benefits.

Best ORS scalp oil

Make dryness a thing of the past with this ORS scalp oil. This gem contains babassu oil to help nourish the scalp and promote moisture, its smooth consistency also makes this easy to use after parting the hair. This leaves hair looking shiny, and it smells amazing.

Best black castor scalp oil

African Pride Black Castor Miracle Hair & Scalp Sealing Oil on white background
Price: £7.40
Alternative retailers
Walmart$7.78View offer

We love African Pride products, and this one does not disappoint. This contains a blend of black castor oil to help promote growth, tea tree oil to soothe and condition, and soybean oil to improve moisture. With all these nourishing oils in one bottle, this is sure to keep your itching at bay.

Best scalp oil and exfoliator

Tangle Teezer The Scalp Exfoliator & Massager on white backgroundPhoto: Amazon
Price: £10.99
Alternative retailers
SkinStore$7.69View offer
Nordstrom$9.34View offer
JCPenney$9.89View offer
Ulta$10.99View offer

This scalp exfoliator by Tangle Teezer has been designed to remove product build-up and dead skin. This comes in a range of cool colours from pink and purple to mint green.

Tested by writer, Tayo Andoh: "I have been on the hunt for solutions to product build-up on my scalp caused by oils and pomades I use when styling my hair. This exfoliator really is a saviour, it helped to remove all the excess build-up which was causing unbearable itching and it massaged the scalp which was a real treat."

Best root stimulating scalp oil

ORS Organic Roots Stimulator Coconut Oil Soften Hair/Scalp on white background
Price: £7.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$7.49View offer

A product for the hair and scalp is always a winner, and this root stimulator has two great uses when it comes to caring for your tresses. Apply a small amount to the scalp and let the coconut oil work its magic - removing dead skin cells. Alternatively, add this for softness and shine.

Best scalp oil for healthy hair

Infused with a blend of natural ingredients, HoliRoots' Hair Oil aims to revitalize your hair and promote its overall health. By massaging the oil into your scalp and distributing it through your hair, you can help improve hair elasticity, reduce breakage, and enhance shine.

What's the best scalp oil for afro hair?

A huge pet peeve that many of us face is itching when we are trying to keep our braids or cornrows as neat as possible. Having the right products on standby to keep your hair as moisturised as possible is always a good idea; after all, healthy hair is the goal.

An allergic reaction to certain products can also cause dryness and, if like many, you have sensitive skin, it's worth staying clear of shampoos that contain sulphates due to their drying properties. Flaking and dryness are never ideal, especially if you're trying to maintain a protective hairstyle like braids.

How can I avoid scalp build up on afro hair?

We often forget that our scalps need just as much attention as our locks. Regular exfoliation will prevent product build-up, and using oil will help to hydrate and lock in moisture. Results? All this will help keep the itch away.

Looking for tips on how to keep your baby hairs tamed? Unwanted flaking and lack of moisture are just some of the things you don’t want in an edge control product, especially due to how delicate baby hairs are. Whilst some products do have us taking on the battle of trying to get rid of build-up from our hairlines, there are so many edge control products out there that will have you ready to step out with your amazing look. Check out the link above for our top picks.

Tayo Andoh was a Commercial Content Writer for Closer Online, covering a range of topics from haircare and beauty to photography and fashion.

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