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Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrubt being applied to hair with text indicating 92% of users found their hair healthier after 4 weeks.

Ingredients in Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

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Before and after comparison of using Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Hair /
Scalp Treatments /
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Name: Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub
Brand: Inkey List
Price: 14.00 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (199 reviews)

Removes product buildup and leaves hair looking healthy

4.4

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars

4.4 Stars (199 Reviews)

£14.00 / 150ml

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Worth 70 Points

What you get: A 10-minute exfoliating scalp scrub that helps boost healthy hair growth and lift roots from the first use.

Why it works: Formulated with chemical and physical exfoliators to clear product build-up, dead skin, and excess oil. It helps keep hair follicles clean and supports a balanced scalp microbiome - essential for healthy growth.

How it feels: Lightweight and non-greasy.

When to use: 1-2 times a week, pre-hair wash.

Suitable for:

All hair types
Sensitive scalps
Coloured hair

Targets:

Build up from product, dead skin cells or residue
Unbalanced scalp microbiome

How to Use

Use this gentle exfoliating scrub 1–2 times a week as a pre-shampoo treatment. Shake well before use. Apply to dry or damp scalp using the nozzle, then massage in with fingertips. Use enough to cover the full scalp. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse and shampoo as usual.

Follow with

Your regular shampoo and conditioner.

INKEY Tip

Use consistently to reduce build-up and keep roots feeling fresh and lifted.

Heads Up

For scalp use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Don’t use on broken or irritated skin. When adding new products to your routine, we always recommend patch-testing.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place (15–25°C). Keep out of direct sunlight. Avoid eyes. For external use only. Keep out of reach of children.

Key claims

92%

agreed their hair felt healthier after 4 weeks of use*

88%

agreed their scalp felt cleaner immediately*

Immediately, 81% of all participants agreed their hair felt and looked healthier *

*Total of 52 participants with hair types from 1A-4C

Ingredients

7% Glycolic Acid: Gently exfoliates the scalp to remove dead skin and product buildup.
2.5% Symcontrol ® Scalp*: Based on a microalgae from the Mediterranean Sea. It is an effective scalp sebum regulator, reducing sebum overproduction for less oily hair that also protects the hair fiber. 
2% Castor beads: Gives an elevated instant physical exfoliation experience, made from hydrogenated castor oil. 100% biodegradable.
0.5% Bioecolia ® **: Helps protect, balance and maintain the skin's Ecoflora, creating the ideal scalp microbiome.

*SymControl® Scalp is a registered trademark of SYMRISE AG, Germany

**BioEcolia® is a trademark of Solabia Group and is used with permission

Water (Aqua/Eau), Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Mannitol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Lactic Acid, Potassium Benzoate.

FAQS

WHAT DOES IT DO? Removes product build-up and dead skin to refresh the scalp and support healthy hair growth.

WHAT IS GLYCOLIC ACID? A chemical exfoliator that breaks down the bonds between dead skin cells and buildup on the scalp.

WHAT SCALP TYPES ARE SUITABLE? All scalp types. Great for anyone with excess oil, build-up, or dull, flat roots.

DO I NEED TO WASH MY HAIR FIRST? No. Apply to dry or damp scalp before shampooing. Leave on for 10 minutes, then wash as normal.

CAN I USE WITH SALYCILIC SCALP SCRUB? Yes, but alternate them in your routine to avoid over-exfoliating.

CAN I STYLE MY HAIR AFTERWARDS? Yes. Style as usual once hair is clean. SUITABLE FOR DAILY USE? No. Use 1-2 times per week

DO I NEED SPF AFTER? No.

PH LEVEL? 4.0 - 5.0

IS THERE ANY ALCOHOL OR FRAGRANCES? No alcohol. No fragrance.

IS IT COLOUR SAFE? Yes, safe for coloured hair.

IS IT SENSITIVE SCALP FRIENDLY? Yes. Gentle enough for coloured hair.

IS IT VEGAN? Yes! Certified by The Vegan Society. No animal derivatives

IS THIS SAFE FOR THOSE WHO ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING? Yes.

CAN I USE WITH PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION? Consult your doctor to be sure.

We Give A Care

Skincare has become complicated. Too many ingredients, too many opinions, and too many products promising everything.

At The INKEY List, we believe you don't need more skincare, you need clarity you can trust. That's why we take the science and make it simple. We help people understand their skin, find the right ingredients, and build routines that deliver real results. Through innovative, science-backed formulas, we make effective skincare accessible to everyone. Because we care about great skincare for everyone.

Clear guidance. Proven ingredients. Real results.

Because at The INKEY List, We Give A Care.

Approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme.

100% of our packaging is recyclable. Learn how to recycle your INKEY List products.

Certified by The Vegan Society

This product is;

Fragrance-free

Gluten-free

Silicon-free

Sulphate-free

Alcohol-free

Awards & Features

Delivery info

Standard tracked delivery (Evri)

£3.99 or FREE on orders over £30. (2-5 working days*)

Express tracked delivery (Evri)

£5.95 or FREE on orders £50+. (Up to 2 working days if ordered before 8pm, excluding weekends*)

*Find out more about delivery options and delivery area restrictions here.

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Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

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•Formulated with both chemical and physical exfoliators to help remove product buildup and dead cells.

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More Info

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4.4

Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars

Based on 199 reviews

Total 5 star reviews: 140 Total 4 star reviews: 32 Total 3 star reviews: 9 Total 2 star reviews: 7 Total 1 star reviews: 11

Reviews Summary

Customers say this scalp scrub effectively removes buildup and leaves their scalp feeling clean and refreshed. Many report it helps with itchy scalp conditions and makes hair feel lighter and softer after use. Users appreciate how it removes product residue and oil, with several noting they can go longer between washes. The exfoliating beads provide a deep cleansing sensation that customers find satisfying. However, some mention the nozzle frequently clogs with the scrub beads, making application difficult. A few users with sensitive skin found it too harsh, and others struggle to rinse out all the exfoliating particles from thick or textured hair. Most use it weekly as part of their routine and find it particularly helpful for oily hair or heavy product users.

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199 reviews

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Katie P.
Verified Reviewer
I recommend this product
Age Range 25 - 34
Hair Type Straight
Hair Goals Hair Growth, Oil Control, Soothe Irritated Scalp, Flake Free Scalp
Have you purchased an INKEY List product before? Yes
How long have you used this product for? 3 months +
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
17 hours ago
Favourite product, worst packaging
This is one of my holy grail products, I use it weekly it’s the only thing that keeps my scalp breakouts under control. BUT I hate the bottle cap sooooo much. Inkey List either needs to take the little scrubby bits out of the product and rename it; it’s just fine as a scalp “treatment”. Or it needs to put the product in a bottle with a bigger nozzle that won’t get clogged and blocked and need to be washed out all the time.
Was this helpful?
IU
INKEY UK
3 minutes ago
Hi Katie, we absolutely love hearing that the Glycolic Acid Scalp Scrub is your holy grail and that it's keeping your scalp breakouts under control - that is exactly what we want to hear!
We hear you completely on the bottle cap though - the nozzle clogging is not the experience we want getting in the way of a product you clearly love. Your suggestions are genuinely brilliant and we're making sure this feedback reaches the right team. You're not alone in this and it's exactly the kind of insight that helps us improve.
Thank you for caring enough to share it so constructively - we really do appreciate it! 💙
Natalie M.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Age Range 25 - 34
Hair Type Coily
Hair Goals Oil Control, Nourish Hair, Increase Shine & Gloss, Anti-Frizz, Hydration
Have you purchased an INKEY List product before? Yes
How long have you used this product for? 1-3 weeks
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
4 months ago
Really helps my hair
This really has helped clear my scalp from using my hair oil
Was this helpful?
Bev J.
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Hair Type Coily
Hair Goals Repair Damaged Hair, Hair Growth
Have you purchased an INKEY List product before? Yes
How long have you used this product for? 3 months +
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
5 months ago
Great Product
When used as directed, it performs wonderfully.
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How to Use

Key claims

Ingredients

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Awards & Features

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Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub | The INKEY List

Suitable for:

Targets:

How to Use

Key claims

Ingredients

FAQS

We Give A Care

Awards & Features

Delivery info

Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

Caffeine stimulating scalp treatment

Compare with...

Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment

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Related Blog Posts

Scalp Health 101

5 straightforward tips for a healthy scalp & hair

What does dermatologically & clinically tested mean?

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Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub