The Very Unconventional Method I Use to Detox My Sensitive Scalp
Struggling with product build up? Is your scalp oily, yet dry? This method brought balance back to my crown without any harshness or irritation.
Left: Before. Right: After. Image via @ellie.vams
There’s nothing cute about a gunky scalp and I have really gone through it for the past 3 months... Flaky roots, excess oil, probably a buildup from dry shampoo and hair masks, weird dry patches.
I just turned 37 so I was thinking, is this why? My hair is going through some mature woman change.
But instead of reaching for another “clarifying” shampoo that would just strip my skin barrier even more, I turned to something a little unexpected… and deeply rooted in ancestral beauty wisdom.
As a beauty blogger, I try everything.
But as a woman who watched her aunties slather their scalps with crushed walnut peel (yes, that was a thing and maybe one day I’ll unpack that trauma lol), I decided to go back to basics.
My Scalp Was Oil & Dry at The Same Time
When your scalp is stressed, clogged or unbalanced, it shows.
For me, it started with itching, then flakes, and ended in a dull, lifeless crown that couldn’t hold volume to save itself.
By day 2 after hair wash, I was already oily but then dry in places, like how is that even possible?
I’d overdone the product layering: dry shampoo, texturisers, scalp oils, masks… all while forgetting the most important part- proper, gentle cleansing.
So I gave my scalp the same love I give my face.
Enter: Biobod’s Gentle Rice & Oat Cleansing Powder
Image via @ellie.vams
Now, I know this is technically a face cleanser but hear me out.
This multitasking powder is gentle, fragrance-free and made with a blend of skin-loving ingredients like finely milled rice bran, colloidal oatmeal and turmeric.
It exfoliates softly, soothes irritation, and supports the skin’s natural microbiome.
The best part? It’s soap-free, pH-balanced, and contains no harsh preservatives or fragrances aka scalp-safe.
How I Use It on My Scalp (Yep, Really)
Here’s my ritual:
Mix & Apply
I take about half a teaspoon of the powder and mix it with warm water until it forms a creamy paste. Then I apply it directly onto my damp scalp, section by section, focusing on the areas with buildup.Massage
I massage it in gently with my fingertips, no aggressive scrubbing here. Think of it like a gentle polish for your scalp. It feels soothing, not stripping.Rinse Well & Condition
I rinse thoroughly and follow with with my normal shampoo and conditioner. No you won’t be left with grainy bits, as this cleanser is super finely milled and it rinses beautifully.
What Changed? Everything
After just a few uses, I noticed a big difference. My scalp felt calmer, less itchy, and visibly flake-free.
My roots had volume again, and my hair didn’t get greasy as quickly. I wasn’t just removing buildup I was resetting my scalp.
And because Biobod’s Gentle Rice & Oat Cleansing Powder is formulated to support skin barrier health, it wasn’t just a quick fix. It was long-term relief.
The results:
Image via @ellie.vams
Why It Works
Colloidal oatmeal is a soothing all-rounder that helps with itch, irritation, and inflammation.
Rice bran powder gently buffs away dead skin and excess oil without disrupting the skin barrier.
Turmeric offers natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Together, they work to purify and rebalance without harsh suds, essential oils or harsh ingredients.
Final Thoughts
We’ve been conditioned to treat our scalps with harsh formulas in the name of “deep cleaning”, but the truth is gentle works better.
Using Biobod’s Gentle Rice & Oat Cleansing Powder was a bit of a wild idea at first, but it turned out to be the best decision I’ve made for my scalp.
It reminds me of the way my family used to care for their hair- before products were packed with chemicals and fragrance.
And sure, I’m not going to start rubbing crushed walnut shell into my head again (let’s just say my auntie was walking around with an itchy, orange scalp), but I will absolutely keep reaching for this powder when my roots feel clogged or congested.
It’s unconventional, it’s ancestral, and it works.
Shop: Biobod’s Gentle Rice & Oat Cleansing Powder, $65.00
