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Flaky Scalp? Glycolic Acid—When It Helps & When It Doesn’t
Glycolic acid isn’t just a skincare ingredient. In clinical practice, I use it as a gentle chemical exfoliant to clear dead skin buildup on the scalp that regular shampoos often miss.
What glycolic acid helps with:
• Visible flakes and surface scaling
• Excess oil and product buildup
• Itchy, congested scalps with slow turnover
How to use it safely:
• Use once weekly (maximum twice), preferably as a pre-shampoo or rinse-out treatment
• Leave on for a short contact time, then rinse thoroughly
• Avoid use on broken, inflamed, or highly sensitive skin
Doctor’s Note:
Glycolic acid supports scalp hygiene, but it does not replace medicated dandruff treatments. Overuse can disrupt the scalp barrier and worsen irritation. Used selectively and matched to the right scalp type, it can be a useful adjunct—but the real benefit lies not in stronger actives, but in knowing when, and when not, to use them.
