I'm excited to share our first guest post by Carly, the founder of Under Luna. A few months back, Carly featured me, (Tayler, RHEA's Co-founder) on the Under Luna blog in her series called Inner Circle. I've been using Under Luna for about a year now and my scalp and natural hair texture have never been happier. Excited to share Carly's scalp wisdom below.
Taking care of your crown: Herbal Scalp and Hair Care
Hair care has long been built around a cycle of constantly correcting — strong detergents to remove oil, followed by heavy conditioners or styling products to restore what was lost. Over time, that approach can leave the scalp — the true foundation of healthy hair — feeling imbalanced.
When we shift the focus back to the scalp, everything begins to change.
Your scalp is living skin, home to delicate follicles that support every strand of hair. Just like the skin on your face, it benefits from gentle cleansing, balanced hydration, and plant-based nutrients that help it function at its best.
This is where Under Luna hair care comes in.
Long before modern hair care became commercialized, people turned to plants, roots, flowers, and oils to care for the scalp and hair. Rather than forcing the scalp to overcorrect, these botanicals work with the body’s natural biology, helping nourish the follicle environment and support strong, healthy growth.
At Under Luna, we call this a scalp-first philosophy. When the scalp is supported, the hair that grows from it reflects that balance — softer, stronger, and more resilient.
Caring for your crown starts at the root.
What to look for in non-toxic hair care (and why)
Non-toxic hair care isn’t just about what you avoid — it’s about choosing formulas that actively support the health of your scalp and hair. A few things to look for:
Whole plant ingredients
Look for formulas built around recognizable botanicals — plants, roots, leaves, and oils that naturally support the scalp. Ingredients like aloe, nettle, horsetail, and jojoba have long history in hair care and amazing benefits.
Organic and thoughtfully sourced botanicals
Organic ingredients help reduce pesticide exposure and preserve the integrity of the plants used in a formula.
Recognizable ingredient lists
You should be able to identify many of the ingredients on the label. Simple formulas built around plants and gentle cleansers tend to work in harmony with the scalp.
pH-balanced formulas
The scalp naturally sits at a slightly acidic pH. Balanced formulas help maintain the scalp’s barrier and keep the hair cuticle smooth.
Ingredients that support both scalp and skin.
Many botanicals benefit both. Jojoba oil, for example, closely mimics the skin’s natural oils, helping balance and nourish without heaviness — which is why it’s found in both Under Luna’s Luna Clear Shampoo and Rhea’s Hera Face Balm.
What to avoid when shopping for non-toxic hair care (and why) - short paragraph, lean into what we want to do for the scalp
Just as important as what you look for is what you choose to avoid. Certain ingredients commonly found in conventional hair care can coat the hair or disrupt the scalp’s natural balance over time.
Silicones such as dimethicone, along with hidden fragrances, phthalates, and parabens, are often added to create the appearance of smooth, shiny hair. While they can offer temporary results, they may build up on the scalp and hair, preventing moisture and nutrients from reaching the follicle.
When choosing hair care, the goal isn’t perfection — it’s simply supporting the scalp with ingredients that allow it to breathe, balance, and function naturally.
How do I switch to natural shampoo?
Switching to natural hair care may require a little patience. If your scalp is used to stronger detergents or heavy styling products, it may need a short adjustment period as it rebalances.
We highly recommend double shampooing. The first cleanse helps lift excess oil, buildup, and residue from the scalp. The second allows the shampoo to properly cleanse the hair and scalp, often creating a fuller lather.
It’s also important to listen to your scalp. Some people notice their scalp feels more balanced quickly, while others may take a few weeks to fully adjust. Paying attention to how your scalp and hair respond will help guide your routine.
Our 1-minute Under Luna Hair Quiz can help build your ritual based on your scalp type, hair needs, and any concerns.
What to do about sensitive, dry, or oily scalps (product recommendations?)
Every scalp is different, and one of the most helpful things you can do is learn to listen to what your scalp is telling you. Dryness, itchiness, excess oil, or sensitivity are often signals that the scalp is asking for a different kind of support.
Dry or sensitive scalp — often a sign the scalp is needing more hydration and gentle care. A calming cleanser like Luna Clear Shampoo can help soothe and replenish.
Itchy scalp — sometimes a symptom of congestion from excess oil or buildup around the follicles. A more clarifying formula like Warrior Shampoo can help cleanse the scalp while keeping it balanced.
When building your routine, it’s helpful to choose your shampoo based on your scalp’s needs, and your conditioner based on what your hair needs.
It’s also important to remember that the scalp doesn’t exist in isolation. Stress, hormones, and overall health can influence how it behaves, so supporting the body internally can be just as important as topical care.
Under Luna: PNW Based Haircare
Under Luna is a plant-based hair + body care company rooted in the Pacific Northwest and founded by me, Carly Ferrarese — a certified herbalist based in Portland, Oregon. What began as a personal search for hair care that was not only truly natural, but also effective, led me to discover the importance of scalp-first formulas designed to support healthy hair at the root.
Each product is crafted with whole-plant ingredients and thoughtfully sourced botanicals, drawing from traditional herbal practices while supporting the delicate balance of the scalp.
At its core, Under Luna is built on the belief that caring for your hair begins with caring for the skin it grows from — supporting the scalp with ingredients and rituals that allow it to function naturally.