For decades, haircare in India has focused on length, strength, shine, and repair. Oils, shampoos, and treatments were chosen for how hair looked and felt, often without much attention to the surface from which it grows. That thinking is changing.
Today, Indian consumers are increasingly recognising the simple truth that healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp. Pollution, hard water, rising heat, humidity, and everyday stress are making scalp concerns more visible and more persistent. Dandruff, irritation, dryness, excess oil, and hair fall are no longer seen as occasional problems, but as signs of an underlying imbalance.
This shift in awareness is giving rise to a new approach to haircare, one that treats the scalp with the same attention, science, and precision once reserved for facial skin. Often described as the skinification of scalp care, this movement is reshaping how premium haircare is being developed, positioned, and experienced in India.
At HUL, this evolution reflects both scientific insight and a deep understanding of Indian needs.
Why scalp health matters in the Indian context
Indian scalp conditions are shaped by a unique combination of factors. High humidity and heat affect sweat and sebum levels. Urban pollution and particulate matter settle on the scalp daily. Hard water alters barrier function. Frequent washing, oiling, and styling further stress the scalp ecosystem.
Together, these conditions make concerns like dandruff, irritation, and hair thinning especially prevalent. They also explain why anti-dandruff and scalp health solutions continue to dominate demand, even as consumers move towards more premium, science-led products.
For urban millennials and Gen Z, in particular, haircare is becoming more intentional. There is growing interest in ingredient transparency, dermatological credibility, and sensorial experiences that feel indulgent yet effective. The expectation is no longer just clean hair, but a comfortable, balanced scalp that supports long-term hair health.
This is where skinification becomes relevant. By applying skincare principles to the scalp, focusing on barrier repair, hydration, microbiome balance, and targeted actives, haircare can move from cosmetic improvement to meaningful care.
Bringing dermatology-grade thinking to scalp care
Our work in scalp care builds on decades of research into skin biology, barrier science, and ingredient performance. The scalp, after all, is skin. It shares similar biological pathways, yet operates under very different environmental pressures.
By treating the scalp as an extension of facial skin, our R&D teams have focused on ingredients more commonly associated with skincare. Niacinamide to support barrier strength. Glycerine to soothe dryness and support hydration. Zinc and peptides to nourish follicles and reduce stress at the root.
This thinking has shaped the Dove Density Boost range in India, developed with dermatologists to address scalp health as the foundation of fuller, stronger hair. The formulations work to restore comfort, support hydration, and improve scalp condition, while delivering visible improvements in hair density over time.
The result is a scalp-first approach that combines dermatology-grade efficacy with Dove’s familiar sensorial experience, reinforcing trust while raising expectations of what every day haircare can deliver.
Where Ayurveda meets modern scalp science
India’s relationship with scalp care is also deeply rooted in tradition. Oils, herbs, and botanical extracts have long been used to nourish the scalp and support hair health. For many consumers, this heritage remains a powerful source of trust.
Indulekha builds on this cultural foundation by bringing together classical Ayurvedic ingredients and modern scientific validation. Its new range of scalp serums reflects how traditional wisdom can evolve to meet contemporary lifestyles.
Designed for Indian hair and scalp needs, the serums address concerns such as hair fall, dandruff, and premature greying through lightweight, non-sticky formats that suit urban routines. The formulations deliver targeted care while retaining ingredient familiarity, offering consumers the reassurance of Ayurveda with the precision of modern research.
By extending its iconic oil heritage into serum-based scalp treatments, Indulekha reflects a broader shift in premium haircare: care that is rooted in tradition, but adapted for convenience, performance, and aspiration.
A category shaped by aspiration and evidence
What connects these innovations is not just formulation, but philosophy. Indian consumers today seek solutions that feel considered and credible. They want products that work visibly, feel indulgent, and align with both scientific understanding and cultural sensibilities.
The premiumisation of scalp care reflects this mindset. It is driven by the belief that everyday routines can deliver better outcomes when guided by deeper insight into biology and behaviour.
At HUL, this means designing scalp care that responds to climate-driven needs, respects ingredient familiarity, and delivers dermatology-backed results without sacrificing sensorial appeal. It also means communicating a simple but powerful idea: a healthy scalp supports strong, beautiful hair.
Shaping the future of scalp care in India
As awareness grows, scalp care is moving from the margins of haircare into its centre. Treatments are becoming more targeted, ingredients more intentional, and experiences more refined.
Our approach to scalp care reflects our broader commitment to evolve trusted brands in step with changing expectations. By combining advanced science, local relevance, and emotional resonance, we are helping shape a category that feels both aspirational and accessible.