Pick active acne-treating ingredients
For your regular scalp acne shampoo, trichologist Dominic Burg says you should look for “a sulfate-free shampoo that’s formulated with anti-inflammatory ingredients,” like tea tree oil, which can help soothe your scalp and even help kill some acne-causing bacteria.
But for a weekly treatment to get rid of scalp pimples, look for active ingredients like salicylic acid (an exfoliant that breaks down oil that could clog pores), zinc (an anti-inflammatory to reduce redness and bumps), and AHAs (like glycolic acid and lactic acid to exfoliate bumpy textures).
Avoid potential pore-clogging or irritating ingredients
Everyone responds to ingredients differently, so there is some trial and error involved here. But if you know that your face breaks out easily from oils (like mineral oil and coconut oil), you should limit the use of oils on your scalp, just in case it’s contributing to your scalp acne. Similarly, if you’re sensitive to fragrances or specific ingredients, you should avoid them in your shampoo, too, just to be certain you’re not breaking out from irritation.
Look for leave-on formulas
Scalp acne shampoos are often loaded with harsh surfactants and active ingredients that can strip dry, damaged, curly, or 4c hair. If your hair can’t handle these formulas, but you still need active ingredients to get rid of your zits, try opting for a leave-on salicylic acid serum or a tea tree oil treatment that can be massaged onto your scalp a few times a week before showering.