Who said you can't change your haircare routine like you do your skincare? If you think about it, the scalp is only an extension of the skin on our face. If we're sweaty or stressed, we might get a pimple—and we also might get an oilier scalp. As soon as the weather gets colder, our skin gets drier and so does our scalp. 

To rethink its care, I sat down with board-certified trichologist and Nutrire's Director of Sales & Education, Aga Tompkins, at the Rob Peetom salon in Brooklyn.

Under a microscope, I saw just how shiny my practically freshly washed scalp was and learned all about how to care for it (and other scalp types). So, keep scrolling so you can too. 

The number one advice this trichologist gave us is to treat our haircare routine (specifically our scalp) like we do our skincare.

"Oftentimes we'll stick with one shampoo, one conditioner, and we use that all the way through. But when you think about skincare, you might exfoliate once a week. And sometimes you'll use these products for a few days and then switch to these and go back. You're balancing everything," Tompkins told E!. 

Use the same philosophy for your scalp. It goes through ebbs and flows, just like our skin. The goal is to get it balanced. Maybe during the summer, your scalp is more oily, and during the winter, it's drier. Change your shampoos and conditioners according to what your scalp needs, not what your lifelong diagnosed type is. 

Still, there are certain ingredients that your scalp might always need that should be part of your haircare routine. According to Tompkins, these serums are exactly that. 

Described as a daily multivitamin for your hair, this lightweight and fast-absorbing serum is formulated with tetrapeptide, red clover extract, pea sprout extract, and the brand's signature Complex8 for stronger locks, visible volume, and fewer flakes. 

"[It] uses lactic acid and so just like your skin you don't want anything abrasive also with scalp care," Tompkins told E!. "It's great because it's just this easy liquid formulation that essentially penetrates deep into the follicles and just gently removes the buildup." 

You can't have one without the other. This bundle includes both the day and night hair serums, the perfect starting point for a healthier and more balanced scalp. 

For people with an oily scalp, it's important that your shampoo truly cleanses your hair. Not just from the dirt and product buildup, but from the overproduction of oil as well. Just don't completely strip your scalp, either. That's why your shampoo should have at least some nourishing and hydrating ingredients. 

"Oily people still need to hydrate their scalp. If your scalp has no hydration in there, it's going to produce more sebum, more oil," Tompkins told E!. "That's why it's called balance, because it is giving it the hydration it needs, so that those follicles aren't so thirsty and dried out that they're like, 'Oh, we need to produce more.' Because your body tends to produce what it needs."

"The ingredients in this [shampoo] are gently taking away from the oils without completely drying them out," Tompkins told E!. It's formulated with niacinamide, lactic acid, arginine, and the brand's Complex8 blend to regulate oil production, gently exfoliate, and prevent hair breakage.

Best for oily hair and especially effective for fine to medium hair types, this purifying shampoo deeply cleanses and clarifies your locks with naturally derived ingredients and a rosemary mint scent. 

This drugstore clarifying, pH-balanced shampoo promises to help remove product residue, buildup, and excess oils while preserving color and leaving your hair soft.

For a dry scalp, use a rich shampoo that still cleanses but gives some hydration back to your scalp. Note that just because your strands are dry or damaged, that doesn't mean your scalp is necessarily dry. Notice how your scalp acts: does it feel tight after washing it, do you get big flakes, or do you suffer from psoriasis or eczema? 

"If their scalp is dry, but then they need hydration on their strands. They're going for what their strands need instead of their scalp. And so, they're really messing it up," Tompkins told E!. 

The brand's Calm Shampoo is infused with PeachCalm, watermelon seed oil, and gluconolactone to reduce scalp sensitivity, soothe, improve flaky scalps, promote blood circulation, and (of course) hydrate. 

Formulated with colloidal oatmeal and almond milk, this hydrating shampoo delivers a balanced cleanse that nourishes and soothes the scalp while leaving your locks moisturized. 

Formulated with avocado oil and hyaluronic acid, this shampoo moisturizes and cleanses your hair while leaving it with a soft finish and extra shine. 

Arguably the hardest shampoo to get just right. A "normal" or combination scalp can be oily in hotter months and drier in the winter. It could also be normal during the spring and fall. This balanced scalp is the end goal of a good haircare routine. 

But the trick is that, in my experience trying (way) too many shampoos, it's the hardest formula to get right. It has to cleanse, so it can't be too hydrating. But it also has to moisturize, so it can't be too drying. In general, stick to shampoos that are marketed as "signature" shampoos for the brand. 

The shampoo from Nutrire I've been using (and loving) lately. My scalp can be oily, but as a whole, it's pretty normal. This shampoo does exactly what I want it to do, washing my scalp of everything without drying it out. 

Infused with dae’s signature scent, this shampoo brings a rich lather for a gentle cleanse that tames frizz, adding strength and shine.

Rich with antioxidants like grape leaf extract, this shampoo boosts brilliance without damaging colored locks. Plus, the notes of warm vanilla and fresh citrus is truly intoxicating.

Once you have your scalp figured out, find out what your hair type is and find a conditioner that works for your strands. After all, that's where conditioner should go to begin with. You might already know your hair type, but if you don't, we recommend asking your stylist next time you're at the salon. 

Luckily, Nutrire has a conditioner for every hair type—from fine to damaged. 

The days of drying out your fine hair for the sake of volume are long gone. This conditioner is formulated with Tilia Tomentosa bud extract, avocado oil, and glycine soybean extract to increase the density of each strand, soothe frizz, and detangle hair. 

If you're somewhere between fine and thick hair, this conditioner is perfect for you, with its formula of prickly pear extract, sunflower seed oil, and shea butter to hydrate and prevent breakage for glossy locks. 

For thick and coarse strands, this conditioner promises to deeply nourish, hydrate, and maintain shine with its formula of mango seed butter, castor seed oil, and rice bran extract. 

For bleached and damaged locks, this conditioner is formulated with rice bran extract, argan oil, and watermelon seed oil to increase elasticity, deeply moisturize, add shine, and repair damage right in the follicle. 

Looking for more expert advice? Learn how to do a romantic updo this fall, according to a celebrity hairstylist!

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