Scalp Types: How to Identify Yours and Care for It the Right Way
Before we talk about hair, we need to talk about skin. Concretamente, de la piel que cubre nuestro cráneo: el cuero cabelludo. It is there, in that living ecosystem of follicles, sebaceous glands and microbiota, that we decide whether our hair will grow strong, shiny and healthy, or look weak, dull and prematurely aged. That's why, at Miriam Quevedo, we have spent years championing an idea that has now become a cornerstone of luxury hair cosmetics: there is no truly beautiful hair without a healthy scalp, and there is no healthy scalp without first understanding what type of scalp we have.
In this article, we walk you through the main scalp types, how to recognize yours, and the care routine each one calls for, backed by science and by the pioneering vision that defines Miriam Quevedo's approach to scalp care.
Why does knowing your scalp type matter so much?
The scalp is the area of skin with the highest follicular density and one of the highest rates of sebum production in the entire body, along with the face, chest and back. This combination of closely packed follicles and intense sebaceous activity creates a very particular microclimate: warm, often poorly oxygenated and, at times, favorable to the growth of microorganisms such as the yeast Malassezia, which is involved in the appearance of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis1.
This sebaceous activity is neither fixed nor identical from person to person. It is hormonally regulated: it activates at puberty under the influence of androgens, remains stable throughout youth, and gradually declines with age, although differently in men and women, in whom it tends to drop more sharply after menopause2. Add to this factors like genetics, climate, stress, pollution or the styling products we use, and the result is that every scalp is different, and it can also change throughout life.
Correctly identifying your scalp type is the first, and most important, step in any hair care ritual. It is the philosophy that has made Miriam Quevedo a pioneer in scalp care, always treating it for what it truly is: skin that deserves a diagnosis, and a routine, as personalized as the one we give our face.
The main scalp types
Oily scalp
An oily scalp is characterized by excessive sebum production, which leaves hair looking heavy, flat and lacking volume just hours after washing. It can come with shiny roots, an unpleasant odor and even shedding, since excess sebum can clog the hair follicle and hinder healthy growth.
A simple way to confirm it is the tissue paper test: gently press a piece of tissue or blotting paper against your scalp; if it comes away oily and shiny, that's a clear sign of overproduction of sebum.
How to care for it: prioritize purifying formulas that regulate sebum without stripping or aggravating the skin barrier (overly harsh cleansing can, paradoxically, stimulate even more oil production). The Extreme Caviar line, formulated with charcoal and caviar, is designed precisely to detoxify the scalp and rebalance the sebaceous glands without compromising its hydration.
Dry scalp
Here the opposite happens: sebum production is insufficient to keep the skin on the head properly hydrated. It shows up as tightness, itching, fine white flaking, and hair that tends to be more fragile and prone to breakage at the ends.
It's worth not confusing this with dandruff: flaking caused by dryness produces small, dry flakes, while classic dandruff produces larger, oilier, yellowish flakes.
How to care for it: it needs deep nourishment and hydration, with ingredients that restore the hydro-lipidic barrier. The Glacial White Caviar collection, formulated with white caviar extract and encapsulated Swiss glacial water, is designed to bring comfort back to dry, dehydrated scalps.
Sensitive scalp
Reacts with itching, tightness, redness or stinging to triggers that would go unnoticed on other people: a change of shampoo, water that's too hot, sun exposure or pollution. Cosmetic dermatology research has shown that sensitive scalps typically present a higher pH, a weaker skin barrier and an altered microbiome, along with a sebum profile different from that of a non-sensitive scalp3. It is, in short, skin that needs to be treated with the same care as a sensitive face.
How to care for it: choose soothing, hypoallergenic formulas free from potentially irritating ingredients. The Glacial White Caviar shampoos and serums are designed to calm and strengthen this scalp type, reducing reactivity without giving up on shine or softness.
Scalp with dandruff or flaking
The flaking is, in fact, a natural cell-renewal process of the skin. The problem arises when it speeds up or becomes unbalanced, leading to dandruff: visible flakes, often oily, accompanied by itching. Studies even distinguish between "dry" and "oily" dandruff depending on the sebum level of the affected scalp, since both present different alterations in hydration, pH and inflammation of the skin4. Stress, hormonal changes, an underlying seborrheic dermatitis, or the use of harsh products are some of the triggers behind it.
How to care for it: a dandruff-prone scalp benefits more from targeted intensive treatments (applied overnight and left on, for deeper action) than from simply switching shampoo. The bio-regenerating concentrates from Extreme Caviar, enriched with bio-sulfur and a multivitamin complex, help regulate sebum, soothe irritation and reduce visible flaking.
Combination scalp
More common than you might think, especially with long hair: the roots produce excess sebum while the lengths and ends are dry or damaged, particularly if the hair is colored or chemically treated.
How to care for it: it calls for a dual-action strategy, with purifying products focused on the scalp and nourishing formulas reserved for mid-lengths and ends. Pairing a balancing shampoo with a mask or oil on the lengths (never applied to the roots) is usually the most effective solution.
Normal or balanced scalp
This is the state every care routine aims to maintain: neither oily nor dry, free from itching, flaking or sensitivity, with hair that keeps its shine and volume between washes. That doesn't mean it needs no care at all; its goal is preventive: preserving that balance and protecting the scalp from the skin aging that, just as with the face, affects it over time too.
How to care for it: a maintenance routine with periodic exfoliation and anti-aging formulas, like those in the Sublime Gold collection, helps preserve follicle vitality in the long run.
How do you know what type of scalp you have?
Beyond the tissue paper test for excess oil, watch for these signs over a few days:
- Time between washes: if your hair loses volume and freshness in less than 24-48 hours, you likely lean toward an oily scalp.
- Sensations: frequent itching, tightness or stinging point to dryness or sensitivity.
- Appearance of the flaking: small, dry flakes suggest dryness; larger, yellowish, oily flakes suggest dandruff.
- Distribution: if your roots and ends behave differently, your scalp is likely combination type.
If you're still unsure, Miriam Quevedo offers an online hair diagnostic that analyzes the condition and true age of your hair and scalp, as well as our Head Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, the first spa dedicated exclusively to hair and scalp rejuvenation.
Care routine based on your scalp type
Whatever your type, there is a common foundation that at Miriam Quevedo we consider non-negotiable:
- Exfoliate once a week. The scalp is skin, and as such, it accumulates dead cells, product residue and pollution that block proper oxygenation of the follicle. A weekly exfoliation, mechanical or chemical depending on your sensitivity, activates microcirculation and improves the absorption of the treatments that follow.
- Cleanse with a shampoo specific to your scalp type, avoiding harsh formulas that disrupt its natural balance.
- Apply a targeted shock treatment or concentrate for your specific concern (oiliness, dandruff, sensitivity, shedding) before moving on to your general hydration routine.
- Hydrate and protect with serums or masks that reinforce the skin barrier and extend results.
- Adapt your routine to the season, since cold, heat and sun exposure all alter sebum production and scalp sensitivity.
Science and biotechnology, allies of the scalp
Since our beginnings, Miriam Quevedo has championed precious ingredients (caviar, 24k bioactive gold, platinum, diamonds) combined with advanced biotechnology to treat the scalp with the same scientific precision as a facial dermocosmetic. This isn't just about fragrance or softness: it's about acting on sebum, pH, microbiome and skin barrier, precisely the variables scientific evidence identifies as decisive for scalp health2,3,4. This way of understanding hair care, always starting from the scalp and not just the hair fiber, is what has made Miriam Quevedo a pioneering, reference brand in the industry.
Frequently asked questions about scalp types
Can my scalp type change over time?
Yes. Sebum production is hormonally regulated and varies with age, hormonal cycles, stress or even the seasons, so it's normal for your scalp to evolve throughout life and for your routine to need adjusting along with it2.
Is dandruff the same as a dry scalp?
No. Dryness produces fine flaking with a different origin from dandruff, which is usually linked to excess sebum, the yeast Malassezia and inflammatory processes of the skin1,4. That's why it's essential to correctly identify your case before choosing a treatment.
How often should I exfoliate my scalp?
As a general rule, once a week is enough to remove impurities without disrupting the scalp's natural balance, unless your skin is especially sensitive, in which case the ritual should be spaced out further.
Can I have a different scalp type in different areas of my head?
Yes, this is known as a combination scalp, very common with long or colored hair, where the roots and ends have different needs.
Sources
1: Peyrí, J. & Lleonart, M. A Practical Guide to Scalp Disorders. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 2015.
2: Ro, B. I. & Dawson, T. L. The Role of Sebaceous Gland Activity and Scalp Microfloral Metabolism in the Etiology of Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 2005.
3: Ma, L. et al. Sensitive scalp is associated with excessive sebum and perturbed microbiome. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019.
4: Yoon, J-S. et al. Biophysical characteristics of dandruff-affected scalp categorized on the basis of sebum levels. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021.
Read other articles in the Scalp section.