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The new Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment is one of the products released over the last few years that focus on, well, a healthy scalp. Scalp health is getting more and more attention as we collectively realize that a healthy scalp, which is basically just skin with a high density of hair follicles, is the key to healthy hair. (More info: The main reasons for hair loss in men and women)
But is it actually working for shinier, bouncier hair, how do you use it and whom is it best fore?
Let’s talk!
What the Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment claims
A pre-wash BHA exfoliating scalp treatment that works in as little as 1 minute for smooth, healthy hair with body and shine, and a fresh, balanced scalp.
Facts about the Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment
Prize and size
One dusty-green bottle contains 100 ml and is available for 26,95 € on the website here. The product is vegan.
Texture and smell
The product itself is slightly milky and has more body to it than water would have, but still is easy to distribute. I found when massaging it in, it would almost feel a little gelish and also lather up a bit.
It has a beautiful subtle scent, fresh and green, and that scent lingers in the hair after washing – depending on how strongly fragranced the rest of your hair care is of course.
How to use the Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment
As it is a pre-wash, you are supposed to apply it to dry hair. To do that, you part your hair, twist the nozzle open – you have a little control over the strength of the flow by how wide you open it up – and then run it along the part. Then change your part and repeat until your head is mostly covered, which is when you start massaging it in. (More info: Why is your hair aging and what can you do about it?)
That can feel a little weird initially, but the product quickly dries down while you let it sit anywhere between one and ten minutes before you hop into the shower and wash your hair. On the website you are advised that a little tingling can be experienced, but even when pushing the ten minutes because I was busy, I never experienced that.
One thing I noticed immediately was that with this pre-wash applied my shampoo lathered more than it normally would.
Ingredients of the Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment
sii|h 0 0, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate surf, Octyldodecanol emo|perf, Sodium Citrate chel|buff, Gluconolactone exf|chel, Salicylic Acid exf|aacne|so|pres, Sodium Polacrylate, Sodium Polyacrylate vc, Acetum, Fructooligosaccharides h, Citrus Glauca (Desert Lime) Fruit Extract h, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract 
aox|h, Sodium Benzoate pres, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum vc, Polyquaternium-10 vc, Potassium Hydroxide buff, Potassium Lactate buff|h, Lactic Acid exf|h|buff, Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil amic|aox, Anetholea Anisata Leaf Extract (Aniseed Myrtle), Calcium Gluconate h, Potassium Sorbate pres, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract amic, Piper Nigrum (Pepper) Seed Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Citric Acid buff, Chrsysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Parfum (Fragrance) 
perf, Hexyl Cinnamal perf, Limonene perf|solv, Linalool perfHover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
It is called a BHA-treatment, so Salicylic Acid is obviously present in the ingredients, according to the brand website at a concentration of 1%. (More info: The benefits of acids in skincare explained)
As additional acids you will find Gluconolactone, a Polyhydroxy Acid, and Lactic Acid, but if they add any exfoliating effect isn’t something I can say. (More info: The benefits of Polyhydroxy Acids in skincare explained)
There is also Glycerin as humectant and a bunch of plant extracts with antioxidant benefits, out of which the Leptospermum Scoparium Branch Oil is said to have antimicrobial properties.
The product is fragranced and contains Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene and Linalool as part of the plant extracts. (More info: Is fragrance in your skincare dangerous?)
More info: How to read the ingredient list in your skincare products?
Does it live up to its claims?
As far as I can tell, yes.
It is way too early to say anything about healthier hair, as that takes months to actually show up, but my scalp feels fresh and clean after using it and I feel it prolongs the time between washes.
How does it compare to…
The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
This used to be the scalp exfoliant I relied on for the last four years (it was released in 2020), and after they changed the initial packaging from a pump (pictured here) to a nozzle similar to the one Alpha-H uses, I had no complaints. In comparison this one has 2% Salicylic Acid as opposed to 1.5% in Alpha-H and also features Panthenol as well as an ingredient called Fluidipure 8G claiming to sooth scalp irritation. Alpha-H has on the other hand more plant extracts and a more pleasant scent. In direct comparison, both are pretty similar in texture and effect on my hair.
You can read my full review of The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment here.
Would I repurchase and which hair types do I recommend the Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment to?
I might not be the best person to test the Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment as my hair might lean towards oiliness, but I don’t have any scalp issues like flaking, itching or inflammation – at least not that I am aware of – so I can’t comment on how well it works for those conditions. It left my scalp feeling clean, but not stripped though and seemed to give me a little more time between washes, especially when used after a sweaty workout. It is still too early to comment on hair health changes as that would take months to see, but as it only takes little time and is way less messy to use than a traditional scalp scrub, I can say I do enjoy it a lot, but prefer the one from The Inkey List pricewise.
If your scalp is flaky (and you have ruled out underlying medical conditions!) or your hair leans towards oiliness, this is a product you will most likely enjoy.
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