The search for dupes to the Ouai Scalp Serum, priced at $52 for 60mL, has spiked in interest on our SKINSKOOL platform. Our up to the moment search data captures the beauty zeitgeist. As we examine comparable options for this popular scalp serum, let’s first understand the product's functionality and its core benefits. The Ouai Scalp Serum is claimed by the brand to be formulated to promote a healthy scalp, which is a necessary element for hair growth and preventing hair loss. Let’s explore the key ingredients in the product and their roles in achieving these results.
Ouai Scalp Serum Key Ingredients
- Polysorbate 20 and Butylene Glycol: These act as emulsifiers and skin conditioners, helping to dissolve other ingredients and hydrate the scalp.
- Glycerin: A humectant that draws moisture into the skin (scalp), helping to keep it hydrated.
- Polyquaternium-7: Often used for its conditioning effects, making hair easier to comb.
- Rhodiola Rosea Extract: Known for its adaptogenic properties, which may help the scalp resist stressors.
- Sodium Hyaluronate: The salt form of hyaluronic acid, it helps to hydrate the scalp, promoting a healthy environment for hair follicles.
- Tocopheryl Acetate and Tocopherol (Vitamin E): Antioxidants that protect the scalp from free radical damage and can help maintain scalp health.
- Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3: A peptide that may help to reinforce hair follicles and improve hair anchoring, potentially reducing hair loss.
- Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract and other herbal extracts: Provide soothing and potentially anti-inflammatory benefits to the scalp.
- Dextran: Can help to improve the delivery of other active ingredients.
- Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract: Contains isoflavones which may mimic estrogenic activity, potentially promoting hair growth.
In layman's terms, this serum likely works by moisturizing, protecting, and possibly improving the scalp's resilience, which in turn can create a better environment for hair growth and strength.
What are we looking for in a credible alternative?
There are 443 scalp products in the SKINSKOOL database. As this illustrates, the scalp category has absolutely exploded in recent times. In order to narrow down the best alternatives to the Ouai Scalp Serum, we first have to identify what ingredients we’d like to see in an ideal alternative. From the list of key ingredients of the Ouai Scalp Serum above, we would identify Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 as the special sauce that makes this particular scalp serum stand out in the sea of 443 other scalp products.
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 is a four amino acid peptide that promises to help combat hair loss alongside red clover extract as part of the trademarked technology Capixyl. It’s said to be a biomimetic peptide which are small proteins designed to mimic the structures and functions of peptides found naturally in the body. The full INCI name of patented ingredient Capixyl is Butylene Glycol (and) Aqua (and) Dextran (and) Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 (and) Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract.
Alternatives to the Ouai Scalp Serum
According to our SKINSKOOL backend search query for scalp products that contain Capixyl and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, we found 14 products with this special peptide. Here are the ones you’ll likely find the most affordable and accessible:
1. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density ($22.80 for 60mL)
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density is a concentrated leave-in formula designed to support the scalp and give you thicker, denser, fuller-looking hair. The formula contains the special peptide from the Ouai amongst other hair benefiting technologies. It is lightweight and as mentioned offers a combination of other peptide technologies alongside a series of plant-based extracts. As always, the pricing of The Ordinary brand makes it a very attractive alternative to try. For this particular compare to the Ouai, it is less than half the price for the same volume.
2. Nécessaire The Scalp Serum - With 5% Biomimetic Peptide Blend For Hair Growth ($65 for 60mL)
The bodycare darling brand Nécessaire has moved into hair and their The Scalp Serum contains what looks like 5% Capixyl and is designed to support hair growth. Additionally, the serum contains 1% Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid for instant and profound hydration, alongside 1% Green Tea Extract, which alleviates itching and flaking, ensuring your scalp remains in optimal condition for hair vitality. In line with Necessaire's accessbile prestige positioning, their scalp serum is priced a bit more expensive than the Ouai Scalp Serum.
3. Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Scalp Treatment ($38 for 125mL)
Interestingly on a per mL basis, this Alterna Scalp Treatment is even a better buy than The Ordinary. The main claims of this scalp treatment is to thickens strands so that hair looks and feels denser, helps prevent breakage to maintain existing strands and adds light hold for easy stylability. While it contains Capixyl like the Ouai Scalp Serum, this product has a mousse like texture which also acts a bit like a styling product. Given the price and the format, it's definitely an Interesting option!
4. Voir Rhythm of the Rain: Calming Glacial Leave-In Scalp Serum ($25 for 30mL)
This product from Canadian brand Voir claims to address hair concerns such as Dry/ Flaky/ Itchy Scalp, Oily Hair, and Hair Loss. It contains Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 and aims to calm, detoxify, and hydrate the scalp.
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