The Haircare Brand That’s All About Creating a Skincare Routine for Your Scalp

As a celebrity hairstylist that has numerous seasons of Paris fashion week and a couple Vogue covers under her belt, Helen Reavey knows a thing or two about gorgeous hair. As a certified trichologist, she also knows about the effects of over-styling and the role your scalp plays in the overall health and appearance of your hair. With a passion for hair wellness long before it was a trend, Helen launched Act+Acre in 2018, a pioneer in scalp care that hones in on the idea of skincare for your scalp. Read on to learn more about her career journey, her tips for creating a scalp care routine, and the hair care trend she’ll never participate in. 

You started in the hair industry as a stylist — when did your appreciation for scalp care come into play?

I’ve always had a passion for hair care and hair health. After years of working as a stylist, I continued to notice a common theme of poor scalp health among my clients. So, I decided to take a deep dive into all things scalp care and scalp health to learn as much as I could about its role in overall hair health. At the time (and still to this day), everyone was so focused on their skincare and hair care routines, but there were no products on the market to address the skin on our scalps. From there, I decided to start Act+Acre, and the rest is history! 

You’re also a USTI Certified Trichologist. What was the process like to get that certification, and how did that help to shape Act+Acre into what it is today?

My trichologist courses really allowed me to take a deep dive into all things scalp care and scalp health. Throughout the classes, we learned about the functions of the scalp and common hair and scalp conditions such as dandruff, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. We also spent a lot of the course studying and learning about hair loss and the differences between Diffuse Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, Traction Alopecia, and Cicatricial Alopecia.  

The knowledge I gained from my trichologist training has fundamentally changed the way I approach hair care and more importantly scalp health. Scalp health is at the root (pun intended) of everything we do at Act+Acre, and it’s really been the driving force pushing our brand forward since we launched in 2018. 

I know using clean, quality and science-backed ingredients is very important to you. What would you say sparked this idea of skincare for your hair? 

There are so many ties between skincare and scalp care. The scalp is an extension of your face, and many people don’t know this, but it actually ages six times faster. Just like you would be using a serum, SPF and retinoids on your face to protect against aging and keep the skin healthy, you need to be doing the same for your scalp. We’re committed to creating clean, science-backed scalp care solutions that give you your healthiest scalp, and in turn your healthiest hair. 

TikTok is always coming up with zany new hair care trends and practices. What’s one you swear by, and one you would never participate in?

I’m not sure if this is a hair care trend (yet!), but I swear by double cleansing/shampooing my scalp. Similar to your skincare routine, double cleansing does an incredible job of ensuring your scalp is actually clean. The first cleanse removes product buildup, while the second wash actually cleanses the scalp. 

I’ve seen a ton of new scalp scrubs on the market over the past year or so, and I try to steer clear of these since the beads can create micro-tears in the scalp, leading to an increased risk of inflammation, irritation and infection. Instead, I recommend opting for a chemical exfoliant that contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid, which works to eliminate buildup and regulate sebum production, thus helping to balance oily hair. My rule of thumb is: If you wouldn’t use it on your face, don’t use it on your scalp.