The secret to healthy hair? A healthy scalp. The skinification of haircare – where benefits typically seen in skincare are translated to hair products – finally puts scalp health in the spotlight. In the same way that your skin health is linked to your gut health, scalp and hair health are inextricably linked. If you’re into hair oiling (a practice based on an Ayurvedic ritual which The Telegraph’s Beauty Director Sonia Haria praises at length in her book South Asian Beauty), you’ll already know how soft, smooth and glossy your hair can look with regular scalp TLC.

Having recently discovered Mayraki, a vegan haircare brand that prioritises natural and organic ingredients, here is a scalp-focused haircare routine delivering incredibly soft, glossy and tamed hair and a soothed, balanced scalp.

Step 1: use a gentle shampoo to avoid build up

Mayraki Ultra-Repairing Shampoo: gentle and hydrating whilst keeping hair’s natural moisture balance intact, this paraben-free, sulfate-free and silicone-free shampoo joins the short list of hair products that don’t irritate my scalp. Use this regularly to avoid product build up on scalp, which can cause that itchy feeling.  

Key Benefits:

• Sulfate-free and gentle: This shampoo is sulfate-free, meaning it cleanses without stripping your hair – and scalp – of its natural oils. It’s perfect for dry, frizzy, or colour-treated hair.
• Hydrates and repairs: Packed with natural ingredients like Ginkgo Biloba, hydrating Aloe and Canarium Album Leaf Extract, it works to repair damaged strands while restoring moisture and softness.
• Adds weightless volume: some nourishing shampoos can have the adverse effect of weighing hair down, this one enhances volume and shine without weighing it down.

Mayraki Silky Smooth Proactive Hair Repairing Treatment: pair with this treatment ideal for dry, damaged hair for silky hair.

Key Benefits:

• Natural repair: with Camellia Reticulata Seed Oil which penetrates the hair shaft, restoring moisture balance and repairing damage.
• Lightweight and non-greasy: for nourished hair that doesn’t feel weighed down, for a silky smooth texture.
• Vegan, cruelty-free and with plant-based ingredients to promote long-term hair health.

Step 2: use a nourishing scalp serum or oil to keep it hydrated

Mayraki Ultimate Botanical Moisturizing Hair Oil: my favourite discovery from Mayraki, this ultra lightweight oil manages to seal in moisture without weighing hair down. I used to apply heavier oils as a leave-in treatment overnight before washing it out in the morning, but this one can be left on to fight the frizz and give gentle waves definition. Top tip: apply then wrap your hair in a Microfiber Hair Towel which dries hair faster without causing friction, preventing frizz and split ends.

Key Benefits:

• Rich Blend of 16 Natural plant oils to hydrate and nourish hair while taming frizz and flyaways
• Improves Dry and Split Ends: great for dry, damaged ends, adding a natural shine without leaving oily residue
• Fast Absorption: The oil is easily absorbed, providing long lasting hydration, but crucially without weighing hair down

Step 3: daily scalp massage to stimulate blood flow and encourage hair growth

Mayraki Hair Growth Serum Intense: this brand is big on tackling hair loss and greys, and to see tangible results you’ll need time and consistency. I’ll put my hands up and admit I’ve not been using this product consistently enough to comment on hair growth, but if you’re not into oils, this is a great alternative to get into the habit of massaging your scalp regularly with a hydrating product.  

Key Benefits:

• Stimulates hair follicles: infused with copper peptides, this serum encourages hair growth by stimulating dormant hair follicles.
• Prevents hair loss: along with copper peptides, the serum includes natural botanical extracts that work to minimize hair thinning and prevent further hair loss.
• Hydrates and soothes the scalp: it helps maintain scalp health by reducing dryness and irritation, promoting a healthier environment for hair growth.

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