Once upon a time, the only way to tackle a problem scalp was with feeble supermarket products and alarmingly medicinal-smelling treatments (coal tar shampoo, anyone?). But now, there’s a whole high-end micro-industry dedicated to it. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, Living Proof’s Restore Dry Scalp Treatment acts as a cooling leave-in balm for dehydrated skin (it also smells divine, like a fancy lemon tart). Simply dot straight on after towel-drying hair for instant soothing moisture. £25, Space NK

Haircare line Sachajuan takes its name from the Stockholm salon where it was founded in 2004. From its pared-back packaging to its fuss-free formulations, the brand’s ethos is all about simplicity – which is a boon for the sensitive-scalped among us. Sachajuan’s calming Scalp Shampoo and Conditioner (£22) contain anti-fungal ingredients piroctone olamine and climbazole, plus rosemary, ginger and wheat protein to boost hair’s strength and shine. And that brown bottle: minimalist magic. Shampoo from £10, Cult Beauty     

While dryness and dandruff can both make your scalp itch, they’re not actually the same thing. The former stems from a lack of moisture, leading to irritation and flakes; the latter is the result of an overproduction of sebum or build-up of oil, which feed the yeast that causes dandruff. Dealing with dandruff proper? Try Aveda’s Pramāsana Purifying Scalp Cleanser. A neroli-scented leave-in treatment, it helps balance sebum levels and preserve the scalp’s natural protective barrier. £24, Aveda

You might think of sea salt as the key to tousled holiday hair, but it’s also a wonder ingredient when it comes to scalp care. Christophe Robin’s pleasingly chunky Purifying Scrub – applied as the first step in a hair wash, before (or instead of) shampoo – is thick to apply, but dissolves as you massage it in. It’s exfoliating, soothing on more sensitive spots, and left our product-laden hair feeling the cleanest it’s been in a very long time. £17, Look Fantastic

Got a particularly sore scalp? You might not be crazy about the idea of a heavy-duty scrub. Instead, gently dissolve away product build-up and natural impurities by massaging Bumble and Bumble’s delightfully foamy Scalp Detox into roots, before shampooing and conditioning as normal. Its key ingredient is salicylic acid – a mild exfoliant that sweeps away the debris and dead skin cells that form dandruff flakes. Gross science, but nice bottle! £25, Escentual