My Kevin Murphy Scalp Scrub Review.
I have tried a lot of scalp scrubs over the last few years. Most are terrible.
They're hard to wash out and leave your hair feeling sandy and gritty. And no matter how much water you add or how hard you try, it takes using nearly the entire tub to feel like the granules even touched your scalp at all. But they must have, because you can still feel bits of the scrub in your hair two days later...
The Kevin Murphy scrub is not one of those scalp scrubs.


At $44.95 for 180ml,Kevin.Murphy Scalp Spa Scrub 180ml is the perfect hybrid of a gritty scrub that makes your scalp feel really clean, and a luscious foamy shampoo that lets you cover and cleanse every single hair strand. It's not too sandy or stripping, nor soft or fluffy. It's just the right amount of everything you want from a hardworking scalp scrub.
The texture of the scrub comes out of the tube as a dollop of creamy, glossy shampoo with what looks like small, white grains throughout. That's the perlite, a volcanic rock that gently physically exfoliates the scalp - but not too gently, you know?


Micellar water also binds to and removes oily particles and impurities from the scalp, and celery seed extract swoops in to regulate your scalp's sebum production and reduce any irritation. In other words, the scrub does its job of removing product build up, oil, grime and dead skin cells, without stripping the scalp - because that is what can actually cause the skin on your scalp to overproduce oil. Fun.
I use this product as my first shampoo (also known as a pre-shampoo), and find I get the best results when I drench my hair under the shower before working the scrub through my hair. Then, I add a tiny bit more water and tip my head upside down to really lather the product into the scalp, giving myself a head massage at the same time.
Follow with your regular shampoo and conditioner for a scalp that feels really clean and balanced, and in my case, roots that manage to look fresher for an extra day or two. Plus, my hair feels and looks really soft. I can't stop touching it.


If you're wondering how the Kevin Murphy scalp scrub is different to my first love, the Christophe Robin scalp scrub, here's the short version:
Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub - Comes in a tub and contains sea salt to exfoliate, and chamomile and sweet almond oil to deeply hydrate the scalp. Better suited to those with an irritated or sensitive scalp. Also foams up A LOT when you add water, but doesn't weigh the hair down. Has a salty, sweet ocean scent.
Kevin.Murphy Scalp Spa Scrub 180ml - Comes in a tube and uses micellar water and physical perlite granules to exfoliate and cleanse the hair and scalp. Still foams like a shampoo and won't weigh hair down, but this is a better option if you really want that slightly hectic scrub sensation that feels so damn good. Smells like a yummy nut butter, but also fresh.
In short, I still love the Christophe Robin scalp scrub. I will never stop loving the Christophe Robin scalp scrub. It's just that now, I love the Kevin Murphy scalp scrub, too.
Thankfully, I have a big shower (caddy) and there's enough room for all three of us.