One of the best ways to stimulate hair growth is through your scalp. Keranique has a broad range of products to help you on your hair regrowth journey, and a scalp scrub is one of them. In this Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask review, you’ll find out just how good a scalp scrub is for hair growth and whether Keranique’s is worth it.
Our scalps are one of the most neglected areas of our body regarding self-care. It’s not the first thing we think of because it is less visible than other areas like our hair. However, a healthy scalp is the foundation for thick, strong hair. It only makes sense that Keranique would have an exfoliating hair mask in their lineup of volume-boosting products.
My Opinion of Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask Up Front
I love using Keranique’s Exfoliating Hair Mask. It made my scalp feel extraordinarily clean and moisturized without itchiness or flakes. The only downside is that it is a premium product, costing nearly double what other brands charge for a scalp scrub.
However, finding an exfoliating hair mask that is moisturizing instead of deeply cleansing is rare, and Keranique uses fantastic ingredients in this. I think the Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask makes a great special treat, rather than a regular-use mask. Overall, this left my hair feeling smooth, silky, and softer.
This gentle scalp scrub derives its exfoliating properties from apricot seed powder, which means there are no ocean-damaging microplastics.
Why You Should Be Using An Exfoliating Hair Mask
Your scalp’s health is critical to having thick, strong, and shiny hair. When your scalp is dry, irritated, or damaged, you’re more likely to have issues with your hair, including dry hair, excess shedding, and even hair loss.
Exfoliating your scalp can have several benefits, as it does when you exfoliate any other part of your skin. Below are a few key benefits you’ll find when using an exfoliating hair mask.
Unclogs Hair Follicles
The follicles on your scalp are what produce hair. When your hair follicles are clogged, it could hinder your hair growth significantly. Clogged follicles typically happen when you have sebum or skin cell build-up on the scalp.
Exfoliating hair masks can unclog hair follicles in a couple of different ways, including chemical and mechanical exfoliation. The Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask is a mechanical exfoliator with micro-beads that help scrub away stuck skin cells and oils. Exfoliating hair masks that use chemical exfoliation typically use salicylic acid to remove build-up and can also help improve psoriasis and dandruff.
Improves Circulation
The reason so many recommend massage for sore muscles is that it boosts blood flow to your muscles, speeding up repair time. Massage works the same way on your scalp, and an exfoliating hair mask is a great product to massage with.
When you massage your scalp with the exfoliating hair mask, you send more blood to the scalp. This carries oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles, prolonging your hair growth phase. It can even make your hair grow faster and stronger. Many exfoliating hair masks have ingredients that help with hair growth even further, such as peppermint, rosemary, and biotin.
Maintains a Healthy Scalp
Exfoliating hair masks promote healthy skin cell turnover. That means you will get newer skin cells on your scalp more often to supply fresh nutrients to the hair follicles. Just like when exfoliating your face or body, your scalp will feel smooth and less irritated as long as you exfoliate once a week.
Many exfoliating hair masks also include moisturizing or deep cleansing ingredients. Be careful in choosing which type of scalp scrub to use. Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask is more of a moisturizing scrub and is better for those who suffer from dry scalp and minor flaking (not dandruff). Deep cleansing scalp scrubs are better for those with oily scalps or dandruff (thick oily flakes).
Putting Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask To The Test
I love using scalp scrubs because my scalp gets dry and flaky, but also tends to be greasy. This is usually a result of build-up on the scalp that needs more than a regular shampoo. They can also help build the foundation for healthy and strong hair growth, which everyone wants.
Interested in Keranique products? check out our Keranique Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner Review and Keranique Shampoo Review and Guide.
What I Got
The exfoliating hair mask came in its own box with an airbag to keep it from rolling around too much. I was surprised to see how small the bottle was when I opened the box because this stuff is not cheap. It’s a 4-ounce bottle and costs $45, which is more than an 8-ounce shampoo and conditioner set.
I do like the bottle itself, though. It has a matte finish that makes it easier to grip, and it is made to stand on its cap. Since this mask is thicker, you should always have it standing on its cap so the product comes out easily. The bottle is also pliable enough to roll down to squeeze out every remaining morsel of the mask.
The bottle has many claims that it’s eco-friendly and a clean beauty product, but those terms are very broad, and Keranique has no information backing it up anywhere. I looked everywhere for what Keranique does that’s eco-friendly and found nothing. The term “clean beauty” simply means they don’t use toxic chemicals, which should be standard for beauty products.
Keranique Ingredients
I’m a bit of an ingredient snob, especially when it comes to my hair products. There are so many ingredients that brands put in our hair products now that instantly make your hair look and feel better but are bad for your hair in the long run.
The Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask is one of my favorite products from Keraniuqe ingredient-wise. It has many of the same ingredients in Keranique’s shampoo and conditioner, but I was excited to see a few extras. Below, I’ll go over some of the ingredients that stood out to me and their benefits or why they are not great.
- Castor oil: This is one of the main ingredients with many benefits, like increasing blood flow to hair follicles, moisturizing the scalp, and having antibacterial/antifungal properties that can help with dandruff.
- Menthol: Studies have shown that menthol can promote blood circulation and provide more nutrients to the hair follicles.
- Apricot Seed Powder: A mechanical exfoliator that is gentle on the scalp.
- Jojoba: Jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, this ingredient stimulates the hair follicles and improves their health.
- Fava Bean (Vicia Faba Seed): Promotes hair growth and has anti-aging properties.
- Rice Protein: Adds volume while strengthening your hair (one of my favorite volumizing ingredients).
- Keratin: A protein you can find in your hair naturally, building strength in each strand.
- Biotin: One of the many B vitamins that help grow thicker and stronger hair.
- Ginseng: It may have DHT-blocking abilities (the hormone that causes hair loss) while also soothing your scalp.
- Dimethicone: While Keranique uses the better dimethicone versions, I generally avoid these or alternate them with silicone-free shampoos and conditioners.
Using the Mask
The instructions told me to dampen my hair before applying and that I could shampoo and condition it after or use it as a conditioner after shampooing. I decided to shampoo and condition after the mask, which I highly recommend for anyone with greasy hair. This stuff is super moisturizing on the scalp.
I put a reasonably large amount into my hand and massaged it into my scalp. The mask didn’t spread as easily as I thought it would, which makes sense because it is super thick. I had to use more than that initial handful to feel like my scalp was completely covered.
I massaged it into my scalp for a few minutes to ensure it was adequately exfoliating. There weren’t a lot of visible beads when I had the mask in my hand, but once it was applied, I could see all the tiny white beads I felt while massaging.
The instructions said to leave it on in a shower cap for ten minutes. I put mine up in a bun because I wasn’t wearing the mask in the shower.
After a few minutes, I felt a relaxing, cooling sensation from the menthol. It was super subtle and not anything like a burning sensation you get from some shampoos and conditioners with menthol in them.
The mask was very easy to rinse out despite it being so thick. I followed up with the Keranique Volumizing shampoo and conditioner, and the shampoo seemed to suds up a lot easier after using the mask. I assume the mask had already done half the cleaning when I massaged it in.
After Using the Exfoliating Mask
The first thing I noticed after getting out of the shower and brushing my hair was how clean my scalp felt. It almost felt like a cool breeze was blowing through my scalp. I parted my hair to take a deeper look and saw no small flakes, and my scalp looked smoother than usual.
If you read my review of the Keranique shampoo and conditioner, I didn’t like that it slightly irritated my scalp. I have pretty sensitive skin. When I used this mask with the shampoo and conditioner, my scalp felt much less itchy.
I’m unsure if my scalp is itchy because the shampoo dries it out a bit and this mask remoisturizes my scalp or if there’s another external factor. However, I may only use the Keranique shampoo and conditioner when using this mask first.
Even though this exfoliating mask is more moisturizing than deep cleansing, it didn’t weigh down my hair or make it greasy faster over the next few days. My hair honestly looks more voluminous using this Keranique mask with the shampoo and conditioner than it does with most other volumizing shampoos and conditioners.
This gentle scalp scrub derives its exfoliating properties from apricot seed powder, which means there are no ocean-damaging microplastics.
Pros
- Menthol, castor oil, jojoba, biotin, and many other ingredients that help with hair growth are included.
- This scrub has no large plastic beads, meaning it is gentle and will not scratch your scalp.
- The mask is more moisturizing than deep cleansing, which is excellent for hair regrowth.
- You can save $4.50 per bottle by signing up for auto-ship.
- The mask has no parabens, sulfates, dyes, or gluten.
- It gave a cooling sensation while it sat, and my scalp felt much cleaner and less irritated after use.
- The mask didn’t weigh down my hair or make my hair greasier over time.
Cons
- It’s expensive for a scalp scrub, and you don’t get that much.
- They make broad claims, like “clean beauty” and “eco-friendly,” with no information to back them up.
Alternative Scalp Scrubs For Hair Loss
Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Scrub
The Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Scrub is a salt scrub that is majorly natural, environmentally friendly, and vegan. The bottle has an applicator tip, making it extremely easy to apply all over the scalp. You can also find many beneficial ingredients for hair regrowth and common scalp problems, like rosemary, salicylic acid, and niacin.
Contains 10% Rosemary Leaf Extract, known to promote healing in the scalp and alleviates itchy and dry scalp. Rosemary is also known to help promote healthier hair growth and support scalp circulation.
Kerastase Purifying Scalp Scrub
Kerastase is a well-known brand for its keratin-infused products. Their purifying scalp scrub is more of a deep cleansing exfoliator for people who regularly deal with greasy hair. It uses chemical and mechanical exfoliation with sea salt and salicylic acid. You can use this scrub instead of your shampoo once or twice weekly.
Each exfoliating scalp scrub, energizing and soothing, is infused with its own uplifting scent that seeps into the nose while this hair treatment deeply cleanses the hair and scalp answering today’s main hair concerns: greasy scalp, dandruff & lifeless lengths.
Nioxin Dermabrasion Treatment
Nioxin is one of the more well-known hair loss brands and has been in the business for decades. The Nioxin Dermabrasion Treatment is a service you can get in a salon and can be a more proactive exfoliator than the other mechanical options. It uses chemical exfoliation instead, which can work better for some who suffer from more accelerated hair loss or scalp issues.
Nioxin Scalp Renew Natural Dermabrasion Treatment is a professional-grade exfoliating treatment designed to revitalize the scalp and promote healthier hair growth. It gently removes buildup and impurities from the scalp, creating an optimal environment for thicker, fuller-looking hair
Keranique FAQ’s
Answer: Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask is applied to the scalp only. You can apply the product to your fingertips or a scalp massager and gently massage the product into the scalp. Let the mask sit for ten minutes and rinse with warm water. You can apply this mask without shampooing or before shampooing and conditioning.
Answer: Since this mask is only applied to the scalp, it is color-safe. Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask can actually soothe your scalp after a chemical process with calming ingredients like ginseng, carob seed, and burdock root. This mask also has keratin, which can make your hair stronger after coloring.
Answer: You can use Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask once or twice weekly. Use it once a week for normal to dry hair and twice a week for oily hair. Don’t use it more than twice a week because over-exfoliating your scalp can have unfavorable results, causing dryness or irritation.
Should You Try Keranique Exfoliating Scalp Scrub?
Keranique exfoliating hair mask is one of the few that moisturize instead of deep cleanse, and I love that. I battle with getting greasy hair quickly while having a dry, flaky scalp. This type of mask is perfect for people who have similar struggles. It made my scalp feel super clean, leaving it moisturized and less irritated.
The only thing I do not like about Keranique’s exfoliating mask is how expensive it is. At $45, this mask is almost double the price of some competitors’ exfoliating masks. Keranique does use amazing ingredients in this, checking the boxes of everything you need for a moisturizing scalp scrub. Finding a scalp scrub that moisturizes instead of deep cleaning is also challenging.
Keranique Exfoliating Hair Mask may be worth it to some because of its uniqueness. Plus, it could last months if you only use it once a week. However, deciding if this is worth the extra cash is up to you.
This gentle scalp scrub derives its exfoliating properties from apricot seed powder, which means there are no ocean-damaging microplastics.
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