I Swapped Hair Growth Oil for This Scalp Serum That Actually Keeps My Itch and Flakes at Bay

When you have a bald head like I do, keeping your scalp healthy is important for the way your head feels and looks. 

And when your scalp is prone to irritation, the hair products you use have to be effective. That’s why I consistently reach for the Act+Acre Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum. Immediately after application, I discovered that it relieves my itchy scalp fast, and long-term use uncovered so many more benefits. 

PEOPLE readers can get the scalp serum for 25 percent off with our exclusive code, 25PEOPLE25, now through March 16. 

Act + Acre Microbiome Cooling Scalp Serum

I’ve tried many hair growth serums in the past, and have never seen a difference in my hair length, density, or quality. On top of that, my dry scalp wasn’t improving and my scalp itch was worse than ever. Hair oils were great at giving my scalp a nice sheen, but they didn’t have any real effects on my scalp flakes; they just turned them into gunk that ended up underneath my fingernails when I scratched.

I was optimistic when Act+Acre’s cooling scalp serum came across my desk because it’s made with peppermint, an ingredient that previously soothed my scalp itch. Upon the first use, the formula absorbed quickly and calmed my scalp itch in seconds. 

For weeks, I reached for the little bottle every time I felt that nagging feeling at the crown of my head or an inch above the nape of my neck, and for a few minutes it would offer much-needed relief.

Then I spoke to Helen Reavey, founder of Act+Acre, and she reminded me that (like any other beauty product) I should be using it consistently in order to see long-term results. “So many people were reaching out about scalp discomfort — they wanted something they could apply and leave on to help with itchiness, irritation, and inflammation without having to rinse it out like our pre-wash treatments,” Reavey told PEOPLE. “They needed relief, but they also wanted a product that worked over time, not just a quick fix.”

Formulated with peppermint oil and fireweed extract, an ingredient Reavey calls a “game changer for scalp health” thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties (and ability to reduce loose dandruff flakes), the serum gives my scalp a refreshed feeling. Eventually I started using the cooling scalp serum five days a week, and I had fewer itchiness flare-ups overall. And when my hair grows out a little, the serum doesn’t make it sticky, tacky, or greasy.

More than a year later, it’s still keeping my scalp balanced, and works as an effective spot treatment for itches. I no longer see a ton of “scalp dust” when I remove a hat or wig, and the skin on my scalp feels soft where it used to feel tight. 

As a beauty editor, I always remind people that scalp care is skincare, and this serum helps me keep the skin on my head in check. Get it for 25 percent off, as PEOPLE readers,  when you use our exclusive code 25PEOPLE25.

Plus, Act+Acre has an array of products to keep your scalp and hair healthy, so keep scrolling for more must-haves available at Amazon.

Shop More Act+Acre Must-Haves at Amazon

Act+Acre Cold Processed Scalp Detox Oil

Ace+Acre Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliator Mask

Ace+Acre Plant-Based Dry Shampoo