This best-selling shampoo cured my flaky scalp, and I’ve sworn by it ever since

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We all have varying hair types, but one thing that’s a blanket concern for many — despite hair texture, porosity and length — is scalp care. As someone with a 4B hair type (kinky-coily), I am somewhat apprehensive about experimenting with products not particularly formulated for hair types like mine.

However, back in 2018, I blindly trusted the folks at Briogeo after fighting what seemed to be a far-too-long battle with my unbalanced, flaky scalp. After just a couple of washes, I found that the results were pleasantly transformative, to say the least.

I purchased the brand’s popular Scalp Therapy Essentials Kit in hopes that one of the products included would restore my scalp’s health. I learned over time that the bestselling Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo was the team’s MVP.

Briogeo Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo, $42

Briogeo Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
Credit: Briogeo

This shampoo has a light, whipped texture that’s enjoyable to apply — also, a little goes a long way.

Specifically formulated with soothing and cleansing ingredients like Binchotan charcoal, super-vitamin panthenol and coconut oil, this uniquely textured shampoo immediately felt completely unique. 

Described as the ideal product “for those with a dry, flaky, itchy scalp,” this shampoo has a whipped texture and cooling sensation that immediately soothes the scalp upon contact. Aside from the physically pleasing sensation it provides, the Briogeo Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo works from within to restore the scalp’s health.

Here’s how it works: The charcoal draws out any impurities both from the scalp and hair follicles while “vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators remove dead skin cells and product build-up.”

To further reduce any post-wash itchiness, the shampoo includes a trio of cooling oils to remedy any inflammation. It includes peppermint and spearmint oils to reduce the itchiness and tea tree oil, a proven anti-septic, to reduce scalp irritation. Coconut oil is also a leading ingredient in this shampoo. It provides deep moisture to the scalp to combat and prevent any further dryness and flakiness.

Credit: Moriba Cummings / In The Know

Also, based on a clinical study, 92 percent of users “indicated the shampoo hydrated their scalp,” while 100 percent “said it reduced flakiness.”

This Briogeo shampoo, which remains a popular find at Sephora and Dermstore, is also a best seller with thousands of reviewers attesting to its benefits.

One Sephora shopper said it “gave my scalp/hair new life,” before adding that, after trying so many products to restore her dry, flaky scalp, this turned out to be the “miracle” product that changed everything.

“I started using this in conjunction with the ‘Don’t Despair, Repair’ hair mask,” the same reviewer added. “After two weeks my flakes were gone.”

The product boasts over 1,000 reviews on the brand’s native site, with tons of shoppers heralding it as the “best product” that addresses the dirtiest scalp concerns.

It works wonders for my scalp that gets so dry in the colder months,” one reviewer wrote. “It helps with scalp irritation and itchiness and leaves my hair very clean so I don’t have to wash it much afterward.”

If a flaky, itchy scalp is a concern you have that needs to be addressed, this targeted shampoo is my personal recommendation. From first-hand experience, it’s definitely worth the buy.

If you enjoyed this story, check out these Dial antibacterial hand soaps that are up to 69% off on Amazon.

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