Beauty PSA: You're probably not giving your scalp enough TLC.
I learned that the hard way this winter, spending the season loading my hair with a rotation of dry shampoo, taming gel and high-hold hairspray each week between washes. Add in the curse of seasonal dandruff (likely worsened by heavy product use), and by wash day, my roots have been practically begging for a cleanse — one that my usual shampoo just can't quite deliver on its own.
To boost my wash days, I turned to this new launch from Dr. Groot.
Why I tried the Dr. Groot Scalp Exfoliating Detox Water
Since I dye my hair red, a color that fades noticeably with every shower, I try to limit how frequently I wash my hair, relying on products like dry shampoo and styling gel to hide greasy roots. But with little reprieve from products, buildup accumulates quickly on my scalp and exacerbates bouts of dandruff. This season, I started to experience a more persistent flaking along my part that wouldn't seem to wash out all the way with shampoo alone ... nightmare!
This pre-shampoo treatment came across my desk at the height of my hair woes. It’s the latest innovation to hit the U.S. market from Shop TODAY Beauty Award-winning, K-Beauty hair care brand Dr. Groot. It launched a few months ago, and in that short time, the product has already earned experts' approval, winning in this year’s Harper’s Bazaar Hair Awards and popping up in Shop TODAY's latest trend report. Having previously achieved strong results with other products from the brand, like Dr. Groot's Miracle In-Shower Treatment, I was cautiously optimistic and implemented the "detox water" into my routine.
Why I like the Dr. Groot Scalp Exfoliating Detox Water
It works in just 10 seconds
Unlike time-consuming leave-in alternatives on the market, the brand claims the formula can remove 97% of sebum in 10 seconds. I tend to shy away from treatments that I need to carve out significant time to work into my busy days, but it's easy to find a mere 10 seconds to incorporate this one into my routine.
After wetting my hair, I use the nozzle to distribute the lemon and verbena-scented product evenly across my head in small sections. Within moments, a satisfying cooling sensation spreads over my scalp as the thin liquid trickles through every section of my itchy, dirty roots. It seems to melt away any buildup on contact, making my roots feel slick and manageable right from application. I just gently massage it in with my fingertips for a few seconds before rinsing out.
My scalp feels cleaner than ever
I noticed the difference almost immediately compared to using only shampoo. I usually have to really work to get my shampoo to lather up and use a lot to cover my whole scalp. Then, after I rinse, my hair feels pretty dry, tangled, and desperate for a mask or conditioner to nourish and tame the strands. But with this pre-treatment, I notice I use much less shampoo, and I appreciate that my strands don't feel so stripped afterward. I follow with my usual in-shower mask on my mid-lengths and ends, blow dry my hair with some heat protectant, and then my roots feel light, fresh and clean — without a flake in sight.
The short-term results are reason enough for me to keep using this miracle worker, but over a couple of months of regular applications, I've actually noticed that my hair seems to stay cleaner for longer between uses. I've been able to skip dry shampoo for an extra day before my roots appear oily, and I credit the regular exfoliation and thorough cleansing this product provides for that.
It contains dermatologist-recommended ingredients
Don’t let the word “water” in the name fool you — this formula is packed with ingredients that dermatologists have previously recommended to Shop TODAY for a number of hair concerns.
The solution contains rosemary oil, an anti-inflammatory and non-toxic ingredient commonly incorporated to combat hair loss. Dr. Michelle Henry previously told Shop TODAY that rosemary oil is “equivalent to 2.5% minoxidil” and tends to be well-tolerated with minimal side effects.
Another dermatologist-approved ingredient found in the treatment is salicylic acid. While I’m more used to using the pore-unclogging ingredient in my facial skin care, dermatologists previously told Shop TODAY that salicylic acid can help with scalp acne and dandruff.
Niacinamide also pops up on the label. The ingredient has a host of benefits, from supporting the function of the skin barrier to helping to increase collagen production.
What to consider
The twist-up nozzle is genius for delivering targeted applications of the product. That said, the liquid comes out really quickly when you tip the bottle upside down.
Heed my warning: keep your eyes closed when applying. I didn't the first time I used it, and before I even felt it dripping past my hairline, some product got in my eye, and the stinging was pretty intense (the formula contains acids and menthol, after all). Thankfully, I was able to flush my eye with water immediately, and the irritation went away, but I certainly learned my lesson (and quickly forgave it, given its impressive results!).
More Dr. Groot favorites to shop
Struggling with hair thinning? This Shop TODAY hair awards winner may be just what your routine is missing. It has a roll-on applicator, which makes it easy to target areas like the part and hairline.
This in-shower treatment is a Shop TODAY bestseller and award-winner that the brand claims can help reduce hair loss from breakage. Audience development writer Danielle Murphy calls the treatment "game-changing" and says it belongs in everyone's shower routine.
As recommended by the brand, Murphy uses this shampoo alongside the Miracle In-Shower Treatment. She says it helps to improve the look of fullness in her strands.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
Audrey Ekman is a production associate at Shop TODAY. She has been with the team for over four years, covering a wide range of topics spanning beauty, fashion, travel and more.
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