You’ve got your grooming routine down pat, you know how to shave and your monobrow has never looked better. But what about your hair? Yeah, you shampoo it, maybe even condition it if it’s lucky, but if you want it to look truly healthy – and to hang onto it for as long as possible – it pays to turn the focus to your scalp.

Before we go any further, a brief crib sheet on hair science: the hair you can see on your head is, in fact, already dead. RIP. Once hair pushes past the skin of the follicle, the cells in the strand perish, and while standard haircare products may add a temporary sheen to it, once hair has grown, there’s not much more you can do to improve upon its quality. Which is where scalp care comes in.

In many ways, the skin on your scalp is just as important as the skin on your face, and plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the hair. Dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis can be a bother, too, and are often a sign that something in your hair routine needs to change. “The scalp and its needs are often overlooked,” says consultant trichologist and hair-loss specialist Ms Eva Proudman. “We are all very used to looking after the skin on our face and bodies and often forget the needs of the scalp. As the scalp is the growing medium for healthy shiny hair, it is vital that we do look after it and keep it healthy, otherwise our hair can suffer.” So, from serums to detox masks, here are the tried-and-tested products we recommend for boosting the health of your scalp.

Not sure where to start? MALIN+GOETZ’s Detox Scalp Mask might be new to the market, but it is already a game-changer as far as scalp care is concerned. Lathering up into a pepperminty foam that strips hair of all product and soaks into the scalp, it is formulated with a salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin. It also contains a balance of natural oils, including safflower and olive, to make sure the scalp has all the nutrients it needs. Suitable for all hair types, it’s particularly effective if you’re suffering from a greasy, itchy or flaky scalp. Leave it on for five minutes to let it do its work, during which time we recommend staring at the bathroom wall and daydreaming about how good your hair will look after a few weeks of use.

It’s worth knowing that MALIN+GOETZ has built a whole haircare routine around the product, and recommends supplementing its Peppermint Shampoo with the detox mask twice a week, followed up with the creamy Cilantro Conditioner and finishing it all off with the Sage Styling Cream, to give hair a naturally well-groomed sheen. A whole routine for your hair might sound tedious, but the resulting good-hair day certainly had us convinced.

Scalp serums are well-kept secrets in the grooming world, but are great to turn to when your scalp needs some real TLC. Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Scalp Serum is a new product that delivers a quick hit of moisture and irritation relief thanks to a blend of hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing purslane, while Sisley’s Revitalising Fortifying Serum is a known winner when it comes to preventing hair loss, so if you’re worried about thinning or want to stop your hairline receding further, add this one to your routine. It’s also lightweight and non-greasy, so you can apply it after a morning shower without fear of looking too slick.

As scalp care catches on, there are an increasing number of brands who are formulating shampoos and conditioners specifically tailored to address scalp issues and boost the health of the skin on your head. SACHAJUAN’s scalp shampoo is designed to treat dandruff and soothe dry, flaky and sensitive scalps. It smells super fresh, too, unlike the tarry tang you get from standard drugstore anti-dandruff treatments. For a further hit of luxury, try Oribe’s Serene Scalp Balancing Conditioner – it keeps the hair and scalp nourished, and used over time will strengthen hair against future damage. Good-hair days all round.