Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub vs Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub

If you're looking for a way to remove build-up, excess oil, and product residue from your scalp, both the Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub Cleanser and Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub are popular options, but because they take slightly different approaches, they’re surprisingly not “dupes” of each other.

Davines Solu Scrub is a deep-cleansing scalp and hair treatment that uses sea salt to exfoliate the scalp and remove buildup. On the other hand, Ouai's scrub is a sugar-based scalp and body scrub, making it a more versatile option that can be used from your scalp down to the rest of your body.

I've used both for months, and will honestly repurchase both once I run out! That said, they are very different and you do not need both. Depending on your preferences, one is absolutely better than the other.

Below, I shade my side-by-side comparison in terms of exfoliation, cleansing power, texture, lather, how they leave my scalp and hair feeling, and how often you actually need to use them. I also break down the price per ounce to share which is cheaper, and whether or not that makes it the better value, too. Keep reading for my full Davines Solu vs Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub comparison to help you decide which one is worth adding to your routine.

davines solu sea salt scrub

I am way more obsessed with the Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub that I expected (or wanted) to be. At $52, it’s one of the most expensive hair products I’ve used, but it actually works SO well and makes my hair feel (and look) incredible. The sea salt formula gently exfoliates, yet your hair does not feel stripped or dry afterwards. This is one of the few hair products that makes my fine, limp hair feel bouncy and lightweight afterwards, and it is so refreshing to use after a day at the pool or a week of dealing with hotel hard water.

Though Davines says you can use it every 2-3 washes, I prefer to use this monthly as a deep reset for my hair. In between, I supplement with a clarifying shampoo to help the scrub last longer.

pros

• Gel-like consistency; not too oily or dry

• Keeps its consistency over time (doesn’t dry out)

• Light, earthy fragrance

• Removes product build-up without your hair feeling super stripped after

• A little goes a long way, so it will last

• Easy to work in (turns into a lathering wash) and easy to rinse out

• A true scalp treatment

• No greasy residue after

• Doesn’t weigh down hair after

• Barely-there fragrance

• Color-safe and cruelty-free

cons

• Expensive!! Especially compared to DIY sugar scrubs you can make at home

• May make your hair a little stripped if its already dry

• Does not double as a body scrub

how often should you use davines solu sea salt scrub?

Davines recommends using SOLU every second or third wash, alternating it with your regular shampoo. In my experience, you don’t have to use it that often (especially since it is pricey). I personally use it once a week in the summer, and every 3ish weeks when I need a deep reset.

ouai scalp and body scrub

Surprisingly, I prefer Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub for my body, not my hair. It does a great job exfoliating and turns into a bubbly lather, but the coconut oil makes it a little too heavy for my fine hair; it just doesn’t give me that “deep clean” feeling that I like in an exfoliating hair product (or clarifying shampoo).

Still, it is one of the few products that can actually be used on both hair and body. The scent is incredible, but may be too strong if you are sensitive to fragrance. I think that it is fairly priced ($44), especially since you can use it a few different ways.

pros

• Actually works for both face and body

• Removes product build-up without your hair feeling stripped after

• Softens rough areas like elbows and knees

• A little goes a long way

• Easy to work in (turns into a lathering wash) and easy to rinse out

• No greasy residue after

• Doesn’t weigh down hair after

• Color-safe and cruelty-free

cons

• Premium price, especially compared to DIY sugar scrubs you can make at home

• Fragrance can be too strong for some

• No fragrance-free options

• Can be too abrasive if you use it too often

how often should you use ouai scalp and body scrub?

Ouai considers its Scalp and Body Scrub to be a weekly treatment. Keep in mind that your body is less sensitive than your scalp; using a scrub too frequently can leave some scalps feeling dry or irritated.

what is the difference between davines solu sea salt scrub and ouai scalp and body scrub?

The biggest difference is their primary purpose. Davines Solu Sea Salt Scalp Scrub is a deep cleanser designed specifically for the hair and scalp. It removes build-up while leaving the hair feeling lighter and more refreshed. It is grittier in texture, yet doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.

Ouai’s Scalp and Body Scrub is more balanced; it exfoliates while also smoothing and nourishing the skin, so it is more hydrating. It does leave a little residue behind, which is why I prefer it for body over hair.

Both can remove scalp build-up, but Davines is best for a true scalp reset. Ouai’s scrub is more of a multitasking body-and-hair product.

price

If you’ve visited my website before, you know I love to break down the price per ounce because while I’m not opposed to investing in good haircare, I want to make sure the product is truly worth the price. That said, here’s the pricing breakdown of the Davines vs Ouai Scrubs:

• Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub costs for $52 for an 8.5oz jar, making it $6.47 per ounce

• Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub retails for $44 for an 8.8oz bottle, making it $5 per ounce

Looking at cost per ounce, Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub is cheaper and the better deal. Going off of personal experience and usage, I am torn on which is actually the better value.

On one hand, you can use the Ouai scrub on both scalp and body, and I find it actually works better on body than scalp. That said, if you purely want an exfoliating scrub for your hair, I think Davines is the better value because you don’t need to use much and it is the more effective scalp exfoliator.

formulas and texture

The Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub is gel-like and has larger salt crystals, giving it a gritty texture.

The Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub is much more like a traditional sugar scrub, with finer crystals. It is a little more oily, but does not dry out over time.

Both turn into a great lather; I think Solu is easier to wash out, though.

cleansing power: which removes more buildup?

Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub gives you a stronger deep-cleaning effect. Its formula is specifically designed to deeply cleanse the scalp and remove build-up and environmental impurities, while also exfoliating with sea salt.

Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub also provides a deep cleanse, but its sugar-and-coconut-oil formula has more of a balance between cleansing, exfoliating, and conditioning the skin.

which is better: davines solu sea salt scrub vs ouai scalp and body scrub?

It depends on what you want from a scalp scrub.

Davines Solu is best if your main goal is deeply cleansing the scalp and removing product build-up, residue, and environmental impurities.

Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub is better if you want a more versatile scrub that can be used on both your scalp and body, especially if you prefer a softer, more nourishing feel.

buy davines solu if:

• You mainly want to remove scalp and hair build-up

• Your roots get oily or weighed down

• You use a lot of styling products (especially dry shampoo)

• You want a stronger deep-cleaning treatment

• You want a scrub specifically designed for the scalp and hair

buy ouai if:

• You want a scalp and body scrub in one

• You prefer sugar over salt exfoliation

• You want more of a nourishing body-scrub experience

• You have a dry scalp or skin

• You love a strongly fragranced, spa-like shower product

You absolutely do not need both, but as someone who has each product, I’d say to buy both if you want one product for occasional deep cleansing of your hair and scalp (Davines) and another for body exfoliation and a gentler scalp-scrub option (Ouai).

frequently asked questions

which is stronger?

Davines Solu does a better job of removing build-up and turning into a lather.

which removes hard water better?

I think Davines Solu does a better job.

is one more stripping?

Neither strips your hair, but if I had to say something, I’d say that Davines Solu is slightly more drying because Ouai’s scrub contains coconut oil.

which one is better for sensitive scalps?

This depends; I think that Solu has a grittier texture, so it could be more abrasive on a sensitive scalp, but Ouai’s scrub contains heavier fragrance, which is can be irritating.

I have dry, sensitive skin and can use either scrub without issue, though I recommend doing a patch test or getting a sample in-store if you can.

which one is better for oily hair?

Davines Solu is best for oily roots because its primary purpose is deep cleansing the scalp and removing excess build-up and impurities.

which one is better for dry hair?

Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub may be the better choice if your scalp and skin tend to feel dry, especially if you also want to use the product on your body. Its formula combines exfoliating sugar crystals with coconut oil and is intended to cleanse while helping soften and balance the skin's moisture level.

That said, Davines Solu can still be used on dry hair, but because it provides a more intensive cleansing experience, you may want to follow-up with a nourishing conditioner or hair mask.

which one is more exfoliating?

Both provide physical exfoliation, but they feel different. Davines Solu uses thicker sea salt crystals, while OUAI uses sugar crystals. Davines has more of a traditional scalp-scrub/deep-cleanse feel, while OUAI leaves you feeling more moisturized afterwards.

can you use davines solu or ouai on color-treated hair?

Both are color-safe.

can you use either scrub instead of shampoo?

You can absolutely use Davines Solu as your clarifying shampoo. Ouai’s scrub is also meant to be used that way, but it leaves a little bit of a greasy residue if you don’t completely wash it out.

In general, neither of these scrubs should replace your normal shampoo.

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