It’s safe to say that more and more people are becoming firmly invested in their skincare routines and could reel off a number of active ingredients that they use to help their skin. But can the same be said about scalp care? We’d be surprised if this was the case!

Just as skincare is absolutely essential in maintaining healthy skin, scalp care is a key factor in your scalp’s overall health, as well as preventing a range of scalp conditions from becoming bothersome. We’ll dive into the basics of scalp care, ingredients to look out for in scalp care products, as well as how UpCircle can help you level up your scalp care.  

Scalp care basics

Just as the skin on your body and on your face reacts to daily stresses and free radicals, so does the skin on your scalp. This means that your scalp also needs some love in order to avoid the symptoms of scalp conditions, such as dryness, itchiness and redness. 

Scalp care products: ingredients to look out for

When it comes to choosing your scalp care products, a little know-how can make all the difference. Choosing products with scalp-loving ingredients can help to provide your scalp with the nourishment it deserves.

Opt for products which are rich in ingredients, such as lavender, cedarwood, thyme and rosemary. Studies show that lavender, cedarwood, thyme and rosemary oils have hair growth-promoting properties. Peppermint oil is known to have strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which could help to keep your scalp in tip top condition and as healthy as possible. 

How to take care of dry scalp

A dry scalp can cause a range of different symptoms and can be uncomfortable to deal with. Often causing dry flakes to settle in the hair. This can in turn cause itchiness and sensitivity. Dry scalp is often confused with dandruff, when in actual fact dandruff is caused by excess oils on the scalp rather than a lack of moisture.

The best dry scalp care you can give yourself centres around adding a hit of moisture back into the skin. Opt for hydrating products including nourishing shampoos, conditioners and oils. When it comes to oils, we recommend using a Nourishing Organic Oil on your hair the night before a hair wash day. 

Itchy scalp care: what you need to know

Itchy scalps can be caused by a range of different things, but can usually be traced back to either a reaction to a product or a dry scalp. In order to soothe an itchy scalp, it is important to use scalp care products full of nourishing ingredients that are also gentle on the skin to avoid further irritation. 

At UpCircle, we firmly believe that natural and organic is the way to go with both skin care and scalp care. Knowing exactly what is in the products you use is essential, and a good rule of thumb is to avoid any skin or scalp care products that contain sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). 

SLS in skincare is its own debate, with many people trying to weigh up the pros and cons. The reality is that SLS can cause both sensitivity and irritation, contributing to scalp problems. 

Level up your scalp care with UpCircle

Here at UpCircle, we know how important – and often overlooked – scalp care actually is. That’s why we’re so excited to be bringing you our first hair care product formulated with hair- and scalp-loving ingredients: our Shampoo Crème with Upcycled Pink Berry Extract.

Those who got their hands on our 12 Days of Beauty Calendar for 2022 were lucky enough to see it in action and by popular demand, it’ll be a regular refillable product from the end of April. A hybrid of a liquid and a solid, and brimming with skincare goodies, our Shampoo Crème is the perfect scalp care shampoo. 

We took the time to make sure that our carefully curated formula is suitable for all hair types to enjoy, as well as working equally well in both hard and soft water. This makes it the perfect scalp care product, working just as well in a curly hair scalp care routine. 

If you aren’t quite sure what a Shampoo Crème actually is, we’ve explained all about the differences between shampoo bars, pastes and liquids.

Pink berry extract to improve scalp conditions

The main ingredient in our Shampoo Crème is upcycled pink berry extract, which has been clinically proven to improve a number of scalp conditions and their symptoms, such as itchy scalps and dry scalps. The pink berry we source is a by-product from natural fragrance ingredient manufacturing and is cultivated in Madagascar on local family-owned plantations.

Using pink berry extract in our shampoo means you can benefit from a decrease in redness, uncomfortable itching and in the appearance of flakes on the scalp, making it perfect to include in your scalp care routine. As these symptoms of scalp conditions diminish, you’ll be feeling your best and loving your hair in no time!

Coconut oil to deeply nourish

In addition to upcycled pink berry extract, our Shampoo Crème contains coconut oil that is rich in lauric acid, nourishing the hair and preventing frizz and breakages. Nurturing strong hair and a healthy scalp, coconut oil is frequently used in haircare products such as shampoo and conditioner. 

Studies have shown that coconut oil can reduce the protein loss – which can lead to premature shedding of hair strands – for both undamaged and damaged hair due to the lauric acid being able to penetrate inside the hair shaft. This sounds complex, but what it really means is that coconut oil helps to strengthen the hair and prevent breakage. 

Grapefruit oil to fight free radicals

Formulated with antioxidant rich grapefruit oil, our Shampoo Crème works to protect the skin on your scalp from free radical damage. Packed full of skincare vitamins, such as vitamins A and C, the product works to reduce redness, prevent breakouts and acts as an effective anti-inflammatory for your scalp. 

Stay tuned for the launch of our new Shampoo Crème and in the meantime, check out our range of vegan and cruelty-free skincare.