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Side by side

Kristin Ess Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub vs Olaplex No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment

93% function match · 8 of the 10 functions we compared match Formula overlap 35%. Kristin Ess Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub and Olaplex No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment share 2 ingredients among each other's most prominent.

Based on your consultation

Which of these fits your hair?

We check your pattern, moisture need, scalp, fragrance tolerance, weight sensitivity and more against each formula — and say which one lines up.

Your profile at a glance

  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here
  • Your answers appear here

When each one is the right call

What each formula is built for, from its own ingredient list.

  • Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub — protein-sensitive hair
  • No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment — fragrance-free

Side by side

Every trait, aligned

One row per trait, read from each product’s own ingredient list and record. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a “no”.

Trait
Kristin Ess Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub — 6.7 oz container Kristin Ess

Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

  • Scalp treatment
  • Masstige
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Olaplex No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment — 1.69 oz container Olaplex

No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment

  • Scalp treatment
  • Salon
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
Price, size & price per ounce
$14.97 6.7 oz · $2.23/oz
about $44 1.69 oz · $26.04/oz

Compared at different sizes — 6.7 oz against 1.69 oz. Per-ounce prices favour the larger bottle.

Value / price positioning
Lower cost than most scalp treatments $$$$$ Masstige tier · costs less than 89% of the 152 scalp treatments we’ve priced
Same job for less elsewhere $$$$$ Salon tier · costs more than 85% of the 152 scalp treatments we’ve priced
Best for hair types
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
All types Nothing in the formula or the claims narrows this to one pattern. Your hair
Moisture level Same
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
High Humectants near the top — water-binding is a headline mechanism here. Your hair
Slip / detangling Differs
Moderate Conditioning agents are present, lower in the list. Your hair
Some Some slip, mostly from esters or silicones rather than conditioners. Your hair
Weight on hair Same
Light Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine hair. Your hair
Light Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine hair. Your hair
Fragrance
Prominent Fragrance sits in the first eight ingredients — a larger share of the formula. Your hair
None listed No fragrance is listed. Your hair
Protein Same
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
None No protein or amino acids in the list. Your hair
Silicone / wax buildup Same
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
None Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove. Your hair
Clarifying wash needed
Moderate Your hair
Moderate Your hair
Oils and butters Same
Present, lower down Oils are present, but low enough to be a finishing touch. Your hair
Present, lower down Oils are present, but low enough to be a finishing touch. Your hair
Hard-water defence Same
None No chelating agent in the list. Your hair
None No chelating agent in the list. Your hair
Formula completeness
out of 10
A simple formula
out of 10
Covers the core
Who should choose this
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Fine hairthat flattens under most products
  • Silicone-free routinesno silicones appear in the list
  • Very dry hairno fast-drying alcohol in the list
  • Fragrance-freeno fragrance (parfum) on the label — scented
  • Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
  • Dry, thirsty hairhumectants and emollients both sit up front
  • Fine hairthat flattens under most products
Why you might skip it
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Dry or very humid airwhere heavy humectants work against you
  • Scents bother youthis product carries a scent
  • Dry or very humid airwhere heavy humectants work against you
  • Tight budgetsit sits in the upper price tiers
from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.
More facts about each one
Type
Scalp treatment
Scalp treatmentserum
Where to buy
—
Brand website · Salons · Grocery / mass …
Free of
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
  • sulfate-free
  • silicone-free
  • fragrance-free
  • protein-free
  • curly-method compatible
Vegan
—
Vegan · label states
Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Cruelty-free · label states
Scent
Scented, not described
—
Use stage
Before shampoo
—
Start on
wet hair
—
Label wait
no wait
—
Needs
not stated on the label
—

Facts as we recorded them. A dash means we have not researched that field for that product — it is not a "no".

The bottom line

The bottom line depends on your hair

Which of these two suits you is a question about your hair, not about them. The consultation answers it — and tells you what your routine needs around it.

Take the consultation

$49.00 once, for your consultation and hair profile. No subscription, no required purchases.

The detail behind the table

Where the readings above come from: the ingredient lists themselves, each brand’s claims checked against them, what owners report, and cost per ounce in context.

Shared and distinct ingredients

Shared and distinct ingredients

Computed from the ingredient lists as printed. "Shared" means both lists carry it; where it sits on each label is stated, because position is what tells you how much.

What both formulas carry

IngredientInstant Exfoliating Scalp ScrubNo.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment
Glycerin
Moisturizes
#2Leading
#2Leading
Water
Neutral
#5Supporting
#1Leading
Phenoxyethanol
Stabilizes
#24Below the 1% line
#7Below the 1% line

What only one of them carries

Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment

Full ingredient list — Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub (25)
Full ingredient list — No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment (45)

Claims check

What each brand says, against what each formula shows

Claims are quoted from each brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when that product’s ingredient list actually speaks to it.

VerdictsInstant Exfoliating Scalp ScrubNo.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment
Supported
0
2
Partly supported
0
1
Stated by brand
0
4
Potential conflict
0
0

Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

No claims recorded for this product beyond the ones above.

No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment

  • Immediately hydrates and soothes scalpSupportedHelps hair feel hydrated.
  • Strengthens and protects scalp barrier and microbiomePartly supportedSupports the surface, not a treatment.
  • Promotes soft, shiny and visibly healthy hairSupportedReflects light for visible shine.
  • Visibly healthy, softer hair after 4 weeksStated by brandCan’t be confirmed from label.
  • 5X more hydrated scalp immediatelyStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • 51% improved scalp barrier in 14 daysStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.
  • 80% said scalp felt nourished after just one useStated by brandOnly the brand’s testing shows this.

What owners say

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings, and we never balance one product’s themes against another’s by inventing them.

Both praised for how gentle it is. Kristin Ess Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub draws complaints about weight and residue or cast; Olaplex No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment draws complaints about the scent and volume.

Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Reviewers repeatedly credit it with clearing product buildup and leaving the scalp and hair feeling noticeably cleaner

reviewers using it periodically for buildup removal

Many reviewers with dandruff, itchy scalp or flaky buildup reported noticeable relief and soothing after using it

reviewers describing dandruff, eczema, psoriasis or an itchy/flaky scalp

A recurring complaint is that the scrub is difficult to rinse out completely and leaves hair feeling heavier or greasier, some saying they had to wash more often afterward

reviewers describing post-rinse residue

Several reviewers found the thick, gritty texture hard to distribute through the hair to reach the scalp, especially with curly or textured hair, though some said it was worth the effort

reviewers with thick or curly hair working the scrub through to the scalp

No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment

The precision applicator tip is repeatedly praised as easy to use for parting hair and applying product directly to the scalp without mess.

general reviewers

Reviewers with dry, itchy, tight or menopause-related scalp issues report noticeably less dryness, tightness and itchiness with regular use.

reviewers with dry, itchy or aging scalps, including menopause-related scalp changes

A large recurring complaint is that the product has a strong, unpleasant smell that reviewers compare to rancid cheese, yeast, or ammonia, unlike other Olaplex products.

reviewers across hair and scalp types

Several reviewers found the product made no noticeable difference to their scalp or hair volume, calling it expensive for the small tube size relative to results.

reviewers with normal to oily scalps

Price check

Cost per ounce, in context

Cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in. Value labels are computed from that percentile and from how many products that do the same job cost less; they are comparisons, not judgements about a brand.

$2.23/oz vs $26.04/oz — Olaplex No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment costs about 12× more per ounce than Kristin Ess Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub.

$1.25/oz median $7.12/oz $55.03/oz $2.23/oz Instant Exfoliating Scalp $26.04/oz No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Tre

Every mark sits on one distribution because these are compared against the same set: 152 scalp treatments with a computable unit price.

Value readInstant Exfoliating Scalp ScrubNo.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment
Label
Lower cost than most scalp treatmentsCosts less per ounce than most scalp treatments we have researched.
Same job for less elsewhereYou are paying above the range for a formula close to several lower-priced options.

Computed from cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced, and from how many products that do the same job cost less. It is a comparison, not a judgement about the brand.

Compare with something else

Close formulas to each of these, as their own comparison pages.

Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub vs Save Our Scalp Serum Squeeze BottleKreyòl Essence · 93% function matchNo.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment vs Balance Collection Scalp SerumTGIN · 93% function matchInstant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub vs Balance Collection Scalp ExfoliatorTGIN · 93% function matchNo.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment vs Argan Stem Cell Age Defying Scalp IntensiveAndalou Naturals · 92% function matchInstant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub vs Scalp Refreshing SprayCÉCRED · 90% function matchNo.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment vs Mineral Detox Pre-Shampoo RinseKristin Ess · 92% function matchInstant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub vs Deep Scalp DetoxPATTERN Beauty · 88% function matchNo.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment vs Rosemary Mint Clarifying Sugar Scalp ScrubMielle Organics · 90% function match

Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub · No.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment · All scalp treatments in the library

How this page was made

  • This page is assembled from the same researched records the individual product pages render: identity, each ingredient list as printed, each brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. Nothing on it is written per comparison.
  • We do not rank these against each other. Which of them suits you depends on your hair, and that is what the consultation works out.
  • The formula similarity percentage is a stored, precomputed number: position-weighted overlap of the two ingredient lists blended with agreement on the attributes we derive. It measures how alike two formulas are, not how well either works.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 12 sources were consulted across the products on this page.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice. We do not sell these products and take no placement fees.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.

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