Crowning glory

The next-level layering regimen for a happy scalp

1 PRIMER

Acting as a barrier between your skin and what’s about to follow, a primer keeps irritation at bay, reduces flaking and itchiness and protects from free radicals. Leonor Greyl Huile Apaisante, try

£28 A lightweight blend of oils. Rollerball it on to your scalp before a wash at least once a week.

2 EXFOLIATOR

Product residue, pollution particles and dead skin cells need to be removed. Shampoo can only do so much, so factor in a gentle scrub twice a week for a deeper cleanse. try IGK Low Key Cleansing Walnut Scalp Scrub, £31 Uses walnut oil and apple cider vinegar to purify clogged patches.

3 CLEANSER

Traditionally, the point of shampoo was to cleanse the scalp, but that got lost along the way. Get this stage right and your hair and scalp will be better behaved. try Løre Originals Cleanse + Purify Shampoo, £18 Enriched with sea salt that automatically boosts your blood circulation.

4 CONDITIONER

Conditioners close and seal the hair cuticles. For this reason, skip this step if you’re going to apply a mask or treatment, as the active ingredients won’t be able to fully penetrate the hair shaft. My Hair Doctor Scalp Health try

Conditioner, £17 Unlike regular conditioners, this can be used on the scalp to soothe irritations.

5 SHEET MASK

It was only a matter of time before hair sheet masks arrived. Apply one once a week and the heat under the ‘sheet’ will allow ingredients to sink into your hair and scalp better. Starskin Coco-nuts try Nourishing Coconut Hot Oil Hair Mask, £8.50 Made with eight different oils and 100% organic.

6 TONER

Like a reset button, toners get rid of any residue and purify the scalp to prevent bacterial overgrowth, which could cause irritation and inflammation. Apply post-wash and don’t rinse. A-okay to use daily. Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner, try

£19.50 If you’ve got a stubborn patch of sensitivity, squirt some of this on for instant relief.

7 SERUM

These contain concentrated active ingredients that get to the root of the problem – be it dryness, redness, spots or ageing. Apply this just two or three times a week. Sisley Revitalizing Fortifying try

Serum, £135 A heavily researched cocktail of minerals, proteins and vitamins that brings nutrients direct to the hair bulb.

8 OIL

Full of nutrients and fatty acids, oil strengthens skin and hair follicles and builds up resistance against environmental aggressors. Designed with super-speedy dry times so greasy roots are no issue. London Labs Pure Prickly Pear try

Oil, £70 Apply a few drops to your fingers and massage into your roots after every wash.

9 NIGHT CREAM

Night creams are infused with ingredients that work best left on the skin for as long as possible to encourage scalp oxidation. Rub it in before bedtime once a week, then rinse out in the morning. Sachajuan Scalp Treatment, try £30 A leave-on cream that acts like a comfort blanket for traumatised scalps.