It’s approaching 80 degrees in New York as I write this, and while I love the heat, I don’t love how it affects my scalp or hair. In the winter, my hair is pretty balanced—but once the temperatures start to rise, I find myself dealing with greasy hair far more often than I’d like. As I’ve damaged my hair in the past (my ends still bear the telltale signs of one too many bleach jobs), I try not to lather up every day. Instead, I turn to dry shampoo to help keep greasiness at bay. It does the job in the moment, but over time, tends to leave my already-oily scalp feeling weighed down by buildup. As far as haircare woes go, it’s the ultimate catch-22.
Luckily for me, working as a beauty editor has its perks. The most recent one came when I was asked to review Biolage Professional’s new Scalp Sync collection for oily scalps, courtesy of the brand. The timing couldn’t have been better (and, obviously, I graciously accepted). Read on for the lowdown on the clarifying lineup—and why I intend to use it all throughout the summer.
What Causes Greasy Hair?
Greasy hair can have many different causes, though the most common is genetics: If you have oily skin, chances are good you have an oily scalp, too. This may, as in my case, become more evident in the summer months, as hot, humid weather can lead to an increase in oil production.
Oiliness can also be caused by using the wrong products, not shampooing frequently enough for your hair type, or touching your hair too often. And then, of course, there’s product buildup—which isn’t oiliness in the traditional sense but can still make your hair look (and feel) greasy.
What Is The Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Collection?
Biolage Professional has three distinct Scalp Sync shampoos that allow you to customize your haircare routine based on your needs: one to target dandruff, one for dry, sensitive scalps, and one for oily scalps. The Scalp Sync collection also boasts a universal conditioner designed to pair with any of the shampoos. As mentioned above, I tested the clarifying shampoo for oily hair. The routine for oily scalps also includes a pre-shampoo scalp treatment (also known as pre-poo) and a leave-in scalp serum. The products work in conjunction to reduce product buildup and minimize oiliness while helping to balance the scalp’s moisture levels. All of the products are vegan and cruelty-free and—bonus—formulated without parabens, mineral oil, or silicones.
How Does The Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Collection Work?
All of the products in the Scalp Sync collection individually boast noteworthy benefits, but the magic really happens when you use the lineup as a system. Ahead, find details on each product in the collection, what they do, and how they work.
Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Purifying Scalp Concentrate
Healthy-looking hair, as they say, starts at the scalp—and so does the Scalp Sync system. The first product in the range is the Scalp Sync Purifying Scalp Concentrate, a pre-poo that helps clarify the scalp in a single use. The watery formula contains glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that helps remove dead skin cells that can accumulate on your scalp and leave your roots looking greasy.
To use it, you’ll want to twist the nozzle open and apply the concentrated serum directly to your dry scalp. Then, massage it in for about five minutes and hang tight for another 15. After that, you can hop in the shower and give your scalp a good rinse.
Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Clarifying Shampoo
The Scalp Sync Clarifying Shampoo for oily scalps provides a gentle yet thorough cleanse and helps remove excess oil and product buildup, leaving the hair looking shiny and voluminous. Like the pre-poo treatment, it contains glycolic acid, as well as fermented tea. Using it is no different than any other shampoo: dispense a quarter-sized amount (or more, depending on how long your hair is) into your palms, lather, and rinse.
Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Universal Conditioner
Whereas the pre-poo and shampoo are designed specifically for oily scalps, the Scalp Sync Universal Conditioner is (as the name suggests) universal. In other words, it’s suitable for all hair types and textures. The lightweight formula helps nourish hair, adding softness and shine. Plus, it’s compatible with all of the Scalp Sync shampoos—so if you oscillate between oiliness and sensitivity, you can use this conditioner regardless of which shampoo you reach for that day.
After shampooing, squeeze any excess water out of your hair and apply the conditioner, leaving it on for one to three minutes. For those with greasy hair, it’s recommended to apply from the mid-lengths to ends, though those with a dry or tight scalp can apply it directly to the roots.
Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Oil Balancing Serum
Don’t be fooled by the name: The Scalp Sync Oil Balancing Serum is nothing like the viscous frizz-taming serums people use in their styling routines. The fermented tea-infused formula is lightweight and fast-absorbing—it’s more akin to a facial serum than anything else. It immediately leaves the scalp feeling balanced, purified, and refreshed, and helps to absorb excess oil to keep greasy roots at bay.
To use it, start by towel drying your hair. Then, use your fingers (or a comb) to part your hair and expose your scalp. Apply drops of serum directly onto your scalp, spacing them about an inch apart. Massage it in with your fingertips for about a minute, then proceed with your styling routine as usual.
Can You Use The Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Collection Every Day?
How often you’ll want to reach for the Scalp Sync Collection for Oily Hair ultimately depends on your hair type and concerns. If you tend to develop greasy hair quickly, you can absolutely use this system every day. For those who deal with occasional oiliness or buildup, once or twice a week may suffice. One thing to note: Since the collection contains alpha-hydroxy acids, it can make your scalp more sensitive to the sun. No matter how often you use the line, you’ll want to keep your scalp protected when you go outdoors—a scarf or hat should do the trick.
Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Review: The Final Takeaways
I’m going to be honest: Scalp care wasn’t on my radar until relatively recently. I always assumed that shampoo was all I needed. While I wish I’d figured things out a bit sooner—it would have saved me more than a few bad hair days—I’m glad I know better now.
The first time I used the full lineup I had showered the night before, so my hair wasn’t overly greasy. As such, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. My first impression was one of surprise. I don’t know why I’d expected the pre-poo would have that sometimes-pleasant, sometimes-jarring minty feeling, but it didn’t. It just felt really refreshing. After massaging it onto my scalp (with a scalp massager, because self-care) and letting it sit for the recommended 15 minutes, I hopped in the shower to use the clarifying shampoo. I’d forgotten how incredible Biolage Professional products smell, but was immediately transported to the salon as I lathered up.
Once I was done, I moved onto conditioning. I loved the way the conditioner felt—really light, almost like a lotion—and how it made my strands feel nourished without weighing them down or leaving them with a weird slippery residue. Again, I was pleasantly surprised.
I rounded out the routine with the leave-in scalp treatment serum, then let my hair air-dry as usual. Before even looking in the mirror, I could feel a difference. My scalp felt like it could breathe and my dense, wavy strands felt far lighter and airier than they usually do. A peek in the mirror confirmed my suspicions—my hair looked voluminous and fresh—and revealed another pleasant surprise in the form of bouncier-looking waves. I hadn’t considered that oiliness and buildup were disrupting my 2A wave pattern, but after using the system, I came to the conclusion that they most certainly had been (oops).
All in all, I’m extremely impressed with this collection. My hair looks fantastic, but perhaps even more importantly, it feels good. My scalp has that clean-but-pampered feeling you get after a seriously thorough everything shower, and that’s something I didn’t know I was missing. Because I tend to skew oilier in the summer, I’m definitely going to be sticking to this lineup throughout the warm months. When fall rolls around, I may cut back to weekly usage—but I’ll certainly be keeping it on rotation for when my scalp and strands need a breather.
Next Up: Is Your Hair Damaged? Here’s How To Identify, Manage, and Prevent Damage
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