The Scalp Recovery Edit
Selected by Clare Devereux — Clinical Trichologist, Harley Street & Dublin
A four-product routine for scalps that need focused attention — irritation, sensitivity, flaking, or discomfort that won’t settle. Gentle cleansing, targeted scalp nourishment, and the tools to rebuild comfort over weeks.
What this routine addresses
An itchy, tight, or uncomfortable scalp that won’t settle.
A scalp that's tight, tender, or reactive is telling you something. It's not something to push through — it's something to respond to. The Sensitive Scalp Shampoo is allergen-label-free and formulated to calm rather than stimulate. Organic plum, jasmine, and linden flower soothe without aggravating.
Flaking, redness, or irritation that keeps coming back.
Flaking is often a sign that the scalp's natural barrier is compromised — not that you need a harsher shampoo. This routine works in the opposite direction: gentler cleansing, targeted nourishment, and once the scalp is ready, a monthly scrub to clear buildup without disrupting recovery.
Products that seem to make things worse rather than better.
Anti-dandruff shampoos, medicated treatments, products with strong fragrances — they can all aggravate a sensitive scalp further. If you've tried everything and nothing has helped, the problem may be the products themselves. This routine strips back to the gentlest possible foundation.
Scalp changes alongside a life change — medication, stress, hormones.
New medication, hormonal shifts, stress, post-surgical recovery, or simply years of products that weren't right for you. Scalp sensitivity often arrives alongside a life change. This routine addresses the scalp while you and your GP address the cause.
Hair that’s suffering because the scalp underneath isn’t right.
Healthy hair starts with a settled scalp. If the foundation is reactive, everything you put on top — conditioner, treatments, styling — is building on unstable ground. This Edit is where Clare starts most scalp-sensitive clients. The hair comes after.
There may be a better starting point if
- Your scalp is comfortable and your hair just needs a good daily routine. The Everyday Healthy Hair Edit is the simpler foundation for hair without a specific scalp concern
- Your hair changes are linked to GLP-1 medication — Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro. The GLP-1 Hair Support Edit addresses that specific situation
- Hormonal transitions — menopause, perimenopause, post-pregnancy — are affecting both scalp and hair. The Hormonal Hair Support Edit includes this shampoo but adds products that address hair quality changes too
- Your primary concern is thinning or lack of volume rather than scalp discomfort. The Volume & Strength Edit uses active scalp-stimulating ingredients that this gentler routine deliberately avoids
- Your hair needs repair from colour damage, heat styling, or years without deep treatment. The Deep Repair Edit focuses on the hair shaft rather than the scalp
From Clare
If your scalp isn’t itself right now — if there’s a tightness, a sensitivity, something that just doesn’t feel right — I want you to know that’s your body telling you something useful. It’s not something to push through or mask. It’s something to listen to and respond to gently.
Scalp sensitivity often arrives alongside life changes — new medication, hormonal shifts, stress, or simply years of products that weren’t right for you. In my clinics in Dublin and London, this is the starting point I use most often for clients with scalp concerns. It’s the foundation of our in-clinic TRICHOFUSION scalp recovery programme.
This shampoo is allergen-label-free — we’ve removed the common irritants that most shampoos contain without thinking twice about. The conditioner is deliberately the gentlest in the range, applied only to mid-lengths and ends so the scalp can breathe. The oil deepens nourishment once or twice a week. And the scrub — this is important — is not for day one. It’s for when your scalp has settled enough to tolerate a gentle deep cleanse. Most clients introduce it after three to four weeks. Your scalp will tell you when it’s ready.
This Edit Includes
Sensitive Scalp Shampoo
with Organic Plum, Jasmine & Linden Flower
The gentlest shampoo in the range. Allergen-label-free, designed to cleanse without irritating — even when your scalp is at its most reactive.
400ml · COSMOS Natural certified · Allergen Label Free
Colour Saviour Conditioner
with Panthenol, Wheat Protein & Lemon Peel Oil
The lightest conditioner in the range — chosen as the gentlest pairing for a sensitive scalp. Mid-lengths and ends only, away from the scalp during recovery.
370ml · Nut Free · Vegan
Scalp Reset Scrub
with Cherry Shell, Peppermint & Organic Shea Butter
Not for day one. Introduce once your scalp has settled — typically after three to four weeks. A gentle monthly deep cleanse that clears buildup without disrupting the progress you’ve made.
170ml · COSMOS Natural certified
Rosemary Strength Oil
with Hemp Seed, Rosemary & Organic Argan
Weekly scalp nourishment that deepens the recovery. Apply before shampooing and leave for at least 15 minutes. 100% natural, 69% organic.
30ml · COSMOS Natural certified
Begin with personalised guidance
Scalp sensitivity can have many causes — and the right response depends on what’s driving yours. A written assessment personalised to your situation can confirm this Edit is right, suggest refinements to the routine, or flag something worth investigating further with your GP.
- Sensitive Scalp Shampoo
- Colour Saviour Conditioner
- Scalp Reset Scrub
- Rosemary Strength Oil
- Private Hair & Scalp Note
The Experience
White florals and soft aquatic notes from the shampoo, with the warmth of red fruits settling into something gently sweet. The oil brings fresh rosemary and peppermint — a quiet invigoration. The scrub adds vanilla and mint. Even the aroma is part of the recovery — considered, restorative, the opposite of aggressive.
Your Routine
A phased approach. Start gentle, then introduce the oil and scrub as your scalp settles. Don’t rush it — recovery is cumulative, not instant.
- Sensitive Scalp Shampoo (every wash day — start with every second or third day if very reactive)
Use lukewarm water — heat aggravates sensitivity. Apply a small amount to your palms and lather gently before touching your scalp. Massage with fingertips, not nails. Let it sit for a moment. Rinse thoroughly. - Colour Saviour Conditioner (every wash day — mid-lengths and ends only)
Keep conditioner away from the scalp during recovery. Apply to mid-lengths and ends, leave for one to two minutes, rinse well. The gentlest conditioner in the range — chosen specifically for sensitive scalp pairings. - Rosemary Strength Oil (once a week, once your scalp has begun to settle)
Apply a small amount directly to the scalp before washing. Massage gently, leave for at least 15 minutes, then shampoo as normal. Deepens nourishment without overwhelming the recovery. - Scalp Reset Scrub (once a month — not before week three or four)
Your scalp needs to settle before you introduce exfoliation. Once the irritation has eased, use before shampooing to clear buildup and reset the foundation. The cherry shell powder is fine enough to cleanse without scratching.
On non-wash days: rinse with cool water if needed, or simply leave the scalp alone. The priority right now is the scalp, not the finish — let it breathe.
Common Questions
Why isn’t there a matching Sensitive Scalp Conditioner?
Because this shampoo is designed for scalps that don't tolerate much. A dedicated sensitive conditioner would mean two products on the scalp — and right now, less is more. The Colour Saviour Conditioner is the lightest in the range, applied only to mid-lengths and ends. It nourishes the hair without interfering with scalp recovery.
Why can’t I use the Scalp Reset Scrub straight away?
Because it needs time. The scrub is a deep cleanse, and introducing it too early can set back the progress your scalp has made. Three to four weeks of gentle washing and oil treatments first. Once the tightness and irritation have eased, the scrub clears residual buildup and lets the scalp breathe properly.
When should I see a doctor instead?
If your scalp sensitivity is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by significant hair loss, patchy loss, pain, or open sores, see your GP or a dermatologist. This routine addresses common scalp sensitivity — it doesn't replace medical investigation for conditions that need it.
As your scalp settles, your routine will naturally evolve. Some clients move into the Everyday Healthy Hair Edit as their daily foundation. Others stay with the Sensitive Scalp Shampoo long-term. There’s no wrong answer — your scalp will tell you what it needs.
From the Studio Notes
If you’re noticing more hair in your brush alongside the scalp discomfort, Clare has written about the difference between shedding and breakage — and why they need different responses. Her guide to how often you should wash your hair when shedding explains why reducing wash frequency during scalp sensitivity can make things worse.
Looking for personalised guidance on its own?
Written assessment — without committing to a specific Edit first.
· COSMOS-certified laboratory · 19 years of expertise
ECOCERT Greenlife · COSMOS Natural Standard · Nut Free · Cruelty Free · EU Manufactured · Freshly produced to order · Recyclable packaging