The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub.

Haircare

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About this product

A scalp exfoliation scrub containing glycolic acid, designed to remove buildup and dead skin from the scalp.

Full ingredients

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

Guru Score

68%

Mixed

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

1Yay

0Mixed

1Nay

What they liked

Dedicated scalp exfoliating product

What they flagged

Gunks up quickly

What the gurus are saying

The nozzle clogs with product buildup, which derails the whole experience. One reviewer found it doesn't work out in practice despite liking the concept, while another has incorporated it into their routine. Not enough gurus have weighed in yet to paint a fuller picture of how it performs for most people.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take January 2026

Type

HaircareCream

Key actives

AHA

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Ulta → Amazon → Google →

Opens a search for this product. Some links are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never sways a score or a verdict.

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Alexandra Anele

1.44M subs

~Nay

"So I like to use things like clarifying shampoos. I was just like, 'Oh, this sounds like a really good thing where I could use this on my scalp to exfoliate and then it would allow me when I was growing out my hair to use a moisturizing shampoo for my actual hair, but like I've taken care of my scalp.' The problem with this is it gunks up real fast. Like so fast."

Nipun Kapur

412k subs

~Yay

"I have always used a separate product for scalp exfoliation whether it was the Inkey List exfoliating scalp scrub"

Translated from the guru's original language.

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub?

A scalp exfoliation scrub containing glycolic acid, designed to remove buildup and dead skin from the scalp.

Is The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 68%.

What is The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub's Guru Score?

The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub holds a Guru Score of 68%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.