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Healthy Hair Starts with a Healthy Scalp: Here’s How to Choose Your Shampoo

Here’s a little secret about shampoo: it’s not just about making our hair smell fabulous—it’s about caring for our scalp, too.

Plenty of us know that shampooing and conditioning are key to a good hair day, but not everyone realises that choosing the right shampoo can make all the difference.

New research from Philip Kingsley shows that cost tops the list of what women consider before popping that bottle in their shopping cart, followed by the search for organic ingredients, scientifically backed formulas, and cruelty-free credentials.

Interestingly, the average spend is £11.60, with two-thirds parting with less than a tenner and nearly one-fifth spending between £10 and £20. Another shift is where we buy our shampoos—one in three under-35s now shops online for haircare.

Now, about how often we’re actually lathering up: 45% shampoo two or three times a week, 21% every other day, and around 1 in 10 go for daily washes.

But, according to Anabel Kingsley, brand president and lead consultant at Philip Kingsley, “There are no pros to NOT washing your hair.” She reminds us that “washing” hair is really about cleaning the scalp, so the healthier the scalp, the happier the hair.

Given that each hair type has different needs—whether it’s oily, dry, or somewhere in between—you’d think we’d all be super-savvy about picking the right bottle.

However research found that only half of women surveyed actually use a formula targeted to their hair texture. Even more surprising, a third of those aged 65 and above shampoo just once a week. Yet as hair naturally thins with age, more frequent washes can help maintain scalp health and hair fullness.

Anabel also points out, “You wouldn’t leave more than 3 days between washing your face, and you likely wouldn’t wear the same outfit more than a few times before washing it – apply the same thinking to your hair and scalp”. 

Philip Kingsley’s line of shampoos aims to tackle these exact issues, with specialised ranges like Density, Body Building, and Flaky/Itchy Scalp, to name a few.

Each one is designed to cleanse and purify the scalp while nourishing hair from root to tip. The recommended wash routine? Thoroughly soak your hair, apply your targeted shampoo, massage it into the scalp (repeat if needed), rinse, and then condition from mid-lengths to ends before rinsing again.

Founded over 60 years ago, Philip Kingsley puts trichology—the science of hair and scalp—at its heart. Alongside the performance-driven products, their Trichological Clinic offers expert advice for those looking to give their locks a little more love.

Whether you’re washing every day or once a week, remember that choosing the right shampoo isn’t just about shiny hair—it’s about caring for your scalp as well. If you’d like to discover more about Philip Kingsley’s range, visit www.philipkingsley.com.

Here’s to happy, healthy hair—no matter how often you lather up!