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A pre-shampoo is a treatment applied to dry scalp and lengths before shampooing, to prepare them for cleansing. It is an extra step, dedicated to wash day, that turns a quick habit into a small ritual of care. In this guide you will find what it is, what it is for, how to use it and how to recognise the right one for you.
By the Glam1965 laboratory: 60 years of trichology, AIAB-certified natural formulas, made in Italy.
Myth to debunk: “pre-shampoo, scrub and oil are the same thing”
They are not. The name "pre-shampoo" is used today for very different products, and the reason is simple: the category does not yet have a clear identity. Some brands sell an oil, others a scrub, others a mask. This list helps you find your way.
- Pre-shampoo treatment: prepares the scalp and lengths with a multifunctional formula. It is used before shampooing, on dry hair. It is chosen by those looking for an extra act of care and more tangible results after washing and styling.
- Scalp scrub: works mechanically, thanks to its granules. It is used before or during shampooing. It is chosen by those looking for a feeling of deep cleansing.
- Pre-wash oil: has an oily texture that envelops the lengths. It is used before shampooing, with a longer leave-on time. It is chosen by those looking for nourishment for the lengths.
- Pre-shampoo mask: has a creamy texture that conditions. It is used before shampooing. It is chosen by those looking for softness and easy combing.
The Glam1965 Purifying & Regenerating Pre-Shampoo belongs to the first category: it gently purifies the scalp, gives the scalp comfort and conditions the lengths, all in a single step.
What is a pre-shampoo for
A well-formulated pre-shampoo works on several fronts:
- Prepares the scalp, helping to remove styling residue and sebum before cleansing.
- Gives comfort to the scalp, especially when it is under strain.
- Conditions and smooths the lengths, which reach the shampoo already protected.
- Enhances the result after cleansing and styling, with shinier hair that is easier to manage.
The ritual: washing your hair as a pleasure, not a stress
Anyone who works in a salon knows it: the wash is one of the most important moments of the whole service. The hairdresser dedicates time to the basin, the massage relaxes, and sometimes clients fall asleep. It is no coincidence: this gesture prepares scalp and hair, but it also releases tension in body and mind.
Stress shows on the scalp and in the look of the hair: the scalp can feel more sensitive, sebum more noticeable, hair duller and flatter. A slow gesture, done with attention, helps you switch off and take care of yourself. The pre-shampoo was born from here: bringing that dedicated time into the treatment, before the shampoo arrives.
How to choose a pre-shampoo for your needs
The pre-shampoo is a gesture for everyone. What changes is the reason you choose it.
If your scalp needs attention
For those whose scalp is under strain, the pre-shampoo is an extra act of care before cleansing: it gently purifies and gives comfort to the scalp. How to use it: 1-2 times a week, massaging calmly for 2 minutes. Matching product: Purifying & Regenerating Pre-Shampoo.
If you often use styling products
Hairspray, sprays and creams leave residue that shampoo alone does not always reach. The pre-shampoo helps remove styling residue and sebum before washing. How to use it: 1-2 times a week, on wash day. Matching product: Purifying & Regenerating Pre-Shampoo.
If your hair is dull or the lengths are unruly
The grape extract protects the hair fibre and brightens the lengths, while the conditioning base makes them smoother and more manageable. How to use it: apply it to the dry lengths as well, respecting the leave-on time. Matching product: Purifying & Regenerating Pre-Shampoo.
After shampooing: apply the 7-in-1 Leave-in Spray Treatment Serum to washed, towel-dried hair, from lengths to ends, without rinsing. It makes combing easier, protects from drying and styling stress and gives softness and shine without weighing hair down. Among its ingredients are the same plant exosomes from Chlorella vulgaris found in the pre-shampoo. Matching product: 7-in-1 Leave-in Spray Treatment Serum.
If you simply want a treat
It is the loveliest reason. The bouquet of essential oils and the massage turn the wash into a moment that is all yours, and the results after shampoo and styling feel more tangible.
For specific scalp or hair needs there are also the Glam1965 trichological treatments, formulated for every concern. The pre-shampoo is the gesture that goes alongside them.
Plant exosomes: the plus of the Glam1965 Pre-Shampoo
Among the ingredients of the Purifying & Regenerating Pre-Shampoo there is one that sets it apart from the others: plant exosomes from Chlorella vulgaris.
What plant exosomes are
They are microscopic vesicles of plant origin, also called extracellular vesicles. In the Glam1965 pre-shampoo they come from a microalga, Chlorella vulgaris, and are included to give comfort to the scalp.
Why Chlorella vulgaris
Chlorella vulgaris is one of the oldest microalgae on the planet, rich in amino acids and peptides. For this reason it is widely studied in nutrition and biotechnology, and today in cosmetics too.
How they are obtained
The microalga is grown in cell culture and undergoes an extraction in water. Phospholipids and a Lactobacillus ferment are added, then the mixture is homogenised and forms the exosomes.
What they do in the pre-shampoo
In the Purifying & Regenerating Pre-Shampoo, the plant exosomes have a precise task: giving comfort to the scalp. They work together with salicylic acid and essential oils, which take care of purifying: the latter cleanse gently, while the exosomes accompany the scalp with their comfort.
What the Purifying & Regenerating Pre-Shampoo contains
- Plant exosomes from Chlorella vulgaris: comfort for the scalp.
- Salicylic acid: gently purifies the scalp, maintaining its balance.
- Essential oils of eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, geranium, lemon and peppermint: give the treatment its detox character, made of freshness, sensory cleanliness and pleasure in application. The allergens in natural fragrances, such as limonene and linalool, are declared on the label.
- Grape extract from balsamic vinegar: protects the hair fibre and brightens the lengths.
- Conditioning base: helps smooth the lengths.
How to use it, step by step
- Apply the product to dry scalp and lengths.
- Gently massage the scalp for 2 minutes.
- Leave on for 2-3 minutes.
- Proceed with your usual wash.
Use 1-2 times a week, on the wash day dedicated to the ritual.
Factors not to overlook before shampooing
- Time. A rushed wash is rarely an effective wash: the massage is part of the treatment.
- Styling residue. If you often use hairspray, sprays or creams, your scalp is affected more than it seems.
- Stress. It shows in the look of scalp and hair, and it is one of the reasons the ritual matters.
- Rinsing. After the pre-shampoo, shampoo straight away and rinse thoroughly.
Signs you may be doing it wrong
- Your hair feels weighed down: use less product and make sure you shampoo straight after the leave-on time.
- You notice redness or discomfort: stop using it. If you have a sensitive scalp or known allergies to essential oils, test the product on a small area first.
- Scalp problems persist: a cosmetic does not replace professional advice. Consult a dermatologist or a trichologist.
The pre-shampoo in the salon and at home
Born as a professional product, the Glam1965 Pre-Shampoo brings a more complete wash service to the salon and can become a ritual at home too. Discover the Purifying & Regenerating Pre-Shampoo.
Pre-shampoo: frequently asked questions
Do you really need a pre-shampoo?
Yes, if you want a deeper scalp reset and better results from your entire hair routine. While optional, a pre-shampoo is a targeted treatment step that removes buildup, prepares both scalp and lengths for gentle cleansing, and leaves hair noticeably lighter, softer, and easier to style.
How often do you use a pre-shampoo?
Use it 1–2 times a week on wash day, whenever your scalp needs extra purification, balance, or comfort.
Is a pre-shampoo applied to wet or dry hair?
Apply it directly to dry scalp and lengths before wetting your hair, allowing the active ingredients to work effectively without being diluted by water.
Does a pre-shampoo replace shampoo?
No, it acts as a preparatory treatment before washing. After leaving it on for the recommended time, rinse and follow immediately with your regular shampoo.
What is the difference between a pre-shampoo and a scrub?
A scrub relies on abrasive granules for mechanical exfoliation, whereas the Glam1965 pre-shampoo purifies gently without friction. Formulated without harsh beads, it uses salicylic acid and essential oils to dissolve impurities and excess sebum, while soothing the scalp and conditioning the lengths—making it ideal even for delicate scalps.
What are plant exosomes in cosmetics?
They are microscopic vesicles of plant origin that deliver targeted actives to the skin. In the Glam1965 pre-shampoo, they are derived from the microalga Chlorella vulgaris and are formulated to soothe, revitalize, and restore comfort to the scalp.
Do exosomes make hair grow?
Rather than acting as a medical hair-regrowth treatment, plant exosomes work to create the optimal scalp environment for stronger, healthier-looking hair. While cosmetics in Europe do not promise pharmacological regrowth, the Chlorella vulgaris exosomes in the Glam1965 pre-shampoo deeply revitalize and nourish the scalp, supporting hair vitality, resilience, and natural fullness.
Is the pre-shampoo suitable for a sensitive scalp?
Yes, its gentle, granule-free formula is designed to respect the scalp's natural balance and provide soothing comfort. Enriched with plant-derived exosomes, it helps calm and purify without mechanical irritation. As with any natural cosmetic containing essential oils, if you have known allergies or extreme reactivity, we recommend testing the product on a small area first.
Not sure where to start? Find out how to fit it into your trichological routine
Every hair type has different needs. If you are unsure which products to pair with the 7-in-1 Leave-in Spray Serum, you can start with our Glam1965 natural trichological treatments, formulated in our laboratories to care for scalp and hair in a targeted way.
Want a tailored answer in just a few minutes? Take the hair analysis test now with the Glam1965 Hair Test to discover your personalized Hair Beauty Routine and receive an exclusive discount on your next purchase.
