Scalp care as skincare and self-care with Act+Acre

Helen Reavey knows a thing or two about the link between scalp health and hair vitality. As a veteran of hairstylist Sam McKnight’s backstage team and with over 15 years as the go-to stylist for the world’s leading fashion brands, celebrities, and media outlets, Helen wanted to create a new playbook for hair wellness.

Having worked worldwide from salon to runway, Helen noticed across the board an overwhelming commonality of poor scalp health. Her curiosity resulted in a realization that the industry was serving up a selection of sub-par products that do not serve to nourish, balance, and stimulate the scalp — which led to Act+Acre.

Below, Helen lets us in on what led to the development of Act+Acre, as well as her haircare routine.

The story behind Act+Acre

I’ve always had a passion for hair care and hair health, and throughout my 20+ years working as a celebrity hairstylist, I noticed an overwhelming commonality of poor scalp health. At the time (and still today), everyone was focused on their skincare + haircare, and no products on the market were prioritizing the root of it all — the scalp. So I decided to take a deep dive into all things scalp care and scalp health and learn as much as I could about its role in overall hair health.  

From there, we spent 18+ months working with leading chemists to develop clean, science-backed treatments made for the scalp. I later on launched Act+Acre and the rest is history.

The critical link scalp care plays in skincare and wellness routines

The scalp is the root of all hair health, so having a well-balanced scalp is the first step in helping your hair thrive! A healthy scalp supports hair growth, prevents issues like dandruff and dryness, regulates oil production, and more.

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 from aging and keep the skin healthy, you need to be doing the same for your scalp. 

When it comes to starting your scalp care routine, I’d recommend incorporating one treatment (such as our Scalp Detox or Scalp Renew) into your hair wash cycle and then building from there based on your specific scalp needs and hair goals. 

Helen's Act+Acre routine

Once a week, before the shower, I use one of our exfoliating treatments, either Scalp Detox or Scalp Renew, depending on how my scalp and hair is feeling. Both work to clear flakes, reduce inflammation, and support the scalp microbiome. 

I always double cleanse when I wash my hair. For the past few months, I have been using our newly-launched Stem Cell Shampoo. It’s made with plant-based stem cells that support hair follicle health. It’s made my hair look and feel so much thicker + fuller, and I love how nicely it lathers on the scalp. 

I follow that with our Conditioning Hair Mask, which I use in replacement of conditioner to add shine and moisturize my ends. 

After every wash, I use our Stem Cell Scalp Serum – it’s truly my all-time favorite scalp care product and the one that’s made the biggest difference in the health of my hair.  It's made with Apple Stem Cells which are clinically proven to lessen fallout and promote healthy growth. 

For my ends, I will add in our Leave-In Conditioner with a drop or two of our Hair Oil to ensure they stay moisturized and hydrated. 

I also take our Plant-Based Hair Capsules every day to ensure I’m taking care of my scalp and hair from the inside out. They have a refreshing peppermint taste and even help to strengthen your nails.

Want to add Act+Acre to your routine or stock up on favorites? Save 20% with code ALLISWELL.