"Life-Changing"
I never would've believed it — I have an oily scalp and this totally works. It's life-changing.
Kenda R. VERIFIED BUYER
The essential first step to soothe your scalp, stop flaking, and prep your hair for its best days yet.
“I've had an oily scalp my whole life. Now it no longer gets oily — I can go 3–4 days. It's amazing!”
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT
1 product. 1 bottle. 1 step that works better than anything you've used before. All with less clutter, less shelf space, and less money spent.
Pre-Wash is powered by prebiotic micellar technology that breaks down buildup, oil, and dirt while balancing your scalp's microbiome. All so that healthier hair can start right where it should: at the root.
Every ingredient in Pre-Wash earns its place. Sustainably sourced rambutan extract for moisture, upcycled betaine to keep your scalp hydrated, and gentle glycolipids that cleanse while they soothe. It's also vegan, silicone-free, paraben-free, and BS-free.
Pre-Wash is made with sustainably sourced ingredients, ships in recyclable packaging, and is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free. It fulfills our promise to make the world a cleaner place, one scalp at a time.
When we launched New Wash in 2015, we had no idea the sensation that it would become. After 11 years, countless magazine articles, multiple awards, and a few TikToks later, we bring the same obsession to every bottle of Pre-Wash that we share with the world.
I never would've believed it — I have an oily scalp and this totally works. It's life-changing.
Kenda R. VERIFIED BUYER
You can instantly feel your scalp getting cleaner. A lovely feeling the moment you apply it.
Martine V. VERIFIED BUYER
It clears the way for a healthy scalp. No more itching, and it makes washing twice a week easy.
Mary T. VERIFIED BUYER
The best scalp product I've ever used. Amazing for my scalp health.
Kari S. VERIFIED BUYER
Makes my hair extra soft - and I love that there are no heavy perfumes.
Pippin S. VERIFIED BUYER
I love using this between washes. I get more out of New Wash, and my hair feels amazing after.
Leslie S. VERIFIED BUYER
Detergent-free micelles latch onto oil, dirt and product buildup and rinse it all away: a real deep clean that never strips or dries out your scalp.
A prebiotic complex feeds the beneficial bacteria your scalp depends on, calming irritation while keeping excess oil in check.
Natural, upcycled betaine pulls water deep into every cell, so your scalp stays hydrated and balanced long after you rinse.
Prebiotic Micellar Scalp Rinse
Get a head start on your New Wash routine with a quick and refreshing deep clean that breaks down buildup, oil and dirt in just 3 minutes.

Hairstory was founded to give you fewer, better things for your hair: Products with fewer, better ingredients. Routines with fewer, better steps. And even schedules with fewer, better wash days. We are a small company with big ambitions, but only when our growth creates enduring value. That’s healthy haircare, without compromise. Promise.
Pre-Wash is a scalp-purifying rinse that refreshes your hair and preps for wash day by removing unwanted product buildup, oil and dirt. Pre-Wash’s detergent-free micellar technology ensures effective and gentle cleansing, while prebiotics help balance moisture and improve the health of your scalp’s microbiome.
Every hair and scalp type can use Pre-Wash. It is perfect for those with excess oil, product buildup and scalp irritation. Pre-Wash also helps with the transition period if you have just switched to New Wash from traditional shampoo.
Section dry hair to ensure thorough application. Apply Pre-Wash to the scalp using the targeted applicator. Start at the roots and move along the parted sections, ensuring even coverage. Massage it into the scalp with the scalp brush or your fingertips. Allow it to remain on your scalp for 3-4 minutes. Wash your hair as you normally do with New Wash.
Use solo, before New Wash or as the first step of the New Wash Method: Pre-Wash, New Wash and Primer.
Pre-Wash’s detergent-free micellar technology gently and effectively cleanses while soothing the scalp with the prebiotics in its formula, derived from starmerella bombicola/brassica oil fermentation. Natural, upcycled betaine helps maintain optimal scalp moisture and transport water at a cellular level for long-lasting moisturization.
The transition period occurs when your scalp has been used to harsh, drying detergents. In response, it produces more oil to combat dryness, even though that’s not necessary with New Wash. This is where the prebiotics and micellar technology in Pre-Wash comes in: It helps balance the scalp’s microbiome more quickly and absorb excess oil before you wash with New Wash, which effectively helps prevent the transition period.
Pre-Wash has a distinctive lightweight, thin, fluid consistency that effortlessly coats the scalp and hair strands, providing refreshment, moisture and nourishment without any greasy residue.
Yes, you can use Pre-Wash if you have a dry scalp. The prebiotics in its formula will help balance your scalp microbiome, while betaine helps maintain optimal scalp moisture and transports water at a cellular level for long-lasting moisturization. The results: a healthy and nourished scalp!
Yes! Everyone can benefit from Pre-Wash, no matter the condition of their scalp. The scalp is constantly collecting dirt, oil, dead skin cells and product buildup that can impact follicle health. These factors can cause hair strands to become weakened and/or damaged. Pre-Wash’s unique technology refreshes your scalp for a better cleansing experience.
You can use Pre-Wash with every wash or as needed to help remove excess oil, dirt and buildup caused by hair treatments or styling products.
Yes, Pre-Wash is fragrance-free, so it’s suitable even for the most sensitive scalps.
Yes, Pre-Wash is vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified. Leaping Bunny is the beauty industry’s most trusted cruelty-free certification.
Yes, Pre-Wash’s detergent-free formula is safe for color-treated hair.
The scalp microbiome is a community of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that live on the scalp. Like the skin microbiome, it provides the first line of defense against harmful pathogens, shielding the hair follicles and scalp from infection, toxins, irritation, hair damage and more. This results in a stronger scalp barrier and healthier hair.
In contrast, a disrupted and imbalanced scalp microbiome can result in irritation, dryness, damaged hair and sebum buildup and may even impede hair growth.
Prebiotics are ingredients that act as food for good bacteria on your scalp. In haircare products, they help keep the scalp’s natural balance of bacteria in check, which is essential for overall scalp health.
Step 1: Twist and Open — Twist off the entire top cap.
Step 2: Remove Seal — Remove the interior safety seal.
Step 3: Twist and Use — Before each use, twist off the applicator tip cover.