If you have been paying attention to skincare over the past few years, you have probably heard a lot about the skin microbiome.
Prebiotics. Probiotics. Postbiotics. Barrier support. Microbiome-friendly skincare.
But increasingly, that same conversation is moving a little further north.
To your scalp.
Because your scalp is skin too.
Just like the skin on your face, your scalp has its own skin barrier and microbiome, and the products you use on it can play a role in how your scalp feels.
This is why AMPERNA® has taken the microbiome-focused philosophy behind our skincare and extended it into haircare.
Our DERMACARE Haircare range combines gentle scalp care with prebiotic and postbiotic technology, hydration and carefully selected hair-supporting ingredients.
So, what exactly are postbiotics in haircare?
And why might you want them in your shampoo, conditioner and scalp serum?
Let's start with the scalp.
Your Scalp Has a Microbiome Too
When we think about haircare, we tend to focus on the hair we can see.
Is it shiny?
Is it soft?
Is it frizzy?
Is the colour fading?
Does it feel dry?
But underneath all of that hair is skin.
And living on that skin is a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, collectively known as the scalp microbiome.
The scalp microbiome exists alongside your skin barrier, natural oils and the external environment.
That environment can also be exposed to quite a lot during an average week.
Shampoo.
Conditioner.
Dry shampoo.
Hair colour.
Styling products.
Sweat.
Heat.
Pollution.
And whatever else you put through your hair.
As we explain in our guide to 10 everyday hair habits that could be affecting your scalp health, looking after your hair should not mean forgetting about the skin underneath it.
At AMPERNA®, we believe scalp care should be approached much like skincare.
Cleanse gently. Support the barrier. Maintain hydration. Consider the microbiome. Stay consistent.
So, What Are Postbiotics?
You may already be familiar with probiotics from the world of gut health.
But postbiotics are different.
Postbiotics are non-living ingredients derived from microorganisms and the fermentation process.
Unlike live probiotics, postbiotic ingredients do not need to contain living microorganisms.
This makes them particularly interesting for cosmetic formulations.
In our guide to probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics in skincare, we explain the differences between these three terms and why AMPERNA® has built so much of our formulation philosophy around postbiotic technology.
And the same thinking can be applied to the scalp.
What Do Postbiotics Do in Haircare?
When we talk about postbiotic haircare at AMPERNA®, we are not simply thinking about the hair shaft.
We are thinking about the environment underneath the hair.
Postbiotic and microbiome-conscious ingredients can form part of a scalp care routine designed to help:
- support a balanced scalp microbiome
- support the scalp's natural barrier
- maintain hydration
- support scalp comfort
- maintain a healthy-looking scalp environment
This is particularly relevant if you are trying to take a more considered approach to scalp care rather than choosing hair products based purely on how they make your lengths look.
Healthy-looking hair starts with caring for the scalp underneath it.
Prebiotics vs Postbiotics in Haircare: What's the Difference?
They sound similar, but they have different roles.
Prebiotics are ingredients that help support the microorganisms already present within the skin or scalp microbiome.
Think of them as helping create a supportive environment for the existing microbiome.
Postbiotics are non-living ingredients derived from microorganisms or fermentation.
Rather than adding live bacteria to a cosmetic formula, postbiotic technology allows us to incorporate beneficial microorganism-derived components into carefully formulated products.
AMPERNA® haircare uses prebiotic and postbiotic technology together as part of our microbiome-conscious approach to scalp care. Our current DERMACARE formulas include ingredients such as Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide and Lactobacillus-derived ingredients.
Why Does the Scalp Microbiome Matter?
Your scalp is an ecosystem.
Oil production, moisture, cleansing, environmental exposure and the microorganisms living on its surface all form part of that environment.
This doesn't mean you need to become obsessed with trying to create a "perfect" microbiome.
It means recognising that the scalp is living skin and caring for it accordingly.
If you want to explore this in more detail, our article on the balanced vs unbalanced scalp microbiome looks specifically at how everyday factors such as harsh cleansing, overwashing and product buildup can affect how the scalp feels.
This is also why our approach to haircare starts with something very simple:
Don't unnecessarily strip the scalp in the pursuit of clean hair.
Is Postbiotic Haircare Good for a Sensitive Scalp?
If your scalp is easily unsettled, it makes sense to look beyond what a shampoo does to your hair and consider how the entire formula interacts with your scalp.
For example, does your scalp feel extremely tight after washing?
Dry?
Uncomfortable?
Does your shampoo rely heavily on fragrance?
Are you constantly switching products?
Are you aggressively cleansing because you associate "squeaky clean" with a healthier scalp?
Our article on dry scalp vs dandruff explores this distinction in more detail, including why a scalp that simply feels dry or stripped may benefit from looking closely at the products being used to cleanse it.
AMPERNA® DERMACARE was created with sensitive scalps in mind, combining microbiome-conscious ingredients with gentle cleansing, hydration and scalp support.
And that brings us to the products.
Meet AMPERNA® Postbiotic Haircare
We didn't want to create another shampoo and conditioner that focused exclusively on the hair.
We wanted to take what we had learned from developing barrier-first, microbiome-conscious skincare and apply that philosophy to the scalp.
The result is a simple three-product system:
SUPPORT → CLEANSE → CONDITION
Step 1: [DERMAFIX]
Scalp & Hair Care Serum
Your skincare routine doesn't start and end with cleansing, so why should scalp care?
Scalp & Hair Care Serum [DERMAFIX] brings a targeted, skincare-inspired step to your scalp routine.
It is a lightweight overnight or pre-wash scalp treatment formulated with prebiotic and postbiotic technology, barrier-supporting ingredients and a vitamin-rich complex.
DERMAFIX includes Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide and Lactobacillus-derived technology alongside Niacinamide, Glycerin and Vitamins B5, B6, C and E to support scalp hydration, comfort, the scalp barrier and a balanced scalp environment.
Apply it directly to the scalp, massage it in and leave it overnight or use it as a pre-wash treatment before following with [DERMACLEANSE] and [DERMASTRENGTH].
You can learn more about why we developed it in Introducing AMPERNA® Scalp & Hair Care Serum [DERMAFIX].
Step 2: [DERMACLEANSE]
Cleanse & Rebalance Dermal Care Shampoo
After supporting the scalp with DERMAFIX, it's time to cleanse.
[DERMACLEANSE] is our fragrance-free, sulfate-free shampoo formulated to gently cleanse the hair and scalp without leaving them feeling unnecessarily stripped.
Its formula incorporates AMPERNA®'s prebiotic and postbiotic approach alongside hydrating ingredients including Glycerin, Hydrolysed Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate.
It also contains Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide and Lactobacillus-derived ingredients as part of its microbiome-conscious formulation.
Think of [DERMACLEANSE] as:
Skincare thinking, in shampoo form.
It cleans away everyday oil, sweat and buildup while keeping the scalp itself front of mind.
Step 3: [DERMASTRENGTH]
Strengthen & Protect Dermal Care Conditioner
Scalp-first haircare doesn't mean forgetting about your actual hair.
After cleansing comes conditioning.
[DERMASTRENGTH] is designed to hydrate, detangle and soften the hair while complementing AMPERNA®'s scalp-focused approach.
The formula combines our prebiotic and postbiotic complex with proteins and amino acids selected to support the condition, softness and manageability of the hair.
It is also fragrance-free and sulfate-free and has been developed to pair directly with DERMACLEANSE.
DERMAFIX supports.
DERMACLEANSE cleanses.
DERMASTRENGTH conditions.
Together, they create a simple scalp-to-strands AMPERNA® routine designed to care for the skin underneath your hair as well as the hair itself.
What Does a Postbiotic Haircare Routine Look Like?
It doesn't need to be complicated.
At AMPERNA®, we don't believe moving from skincare to scalp care means creating another 10-step routine.
Our approach is simply:
SUPPORT
Scalp & Hair Care Serum [DERMAFIX]
Apply as an overnight or pre-wash scalp treatment.
↓
CLEANSE
Cleanse & Rebalance Dermal Care Shampoo [DERMACLEANSE]
Gently cleanse the scalp and hair.
↓
CONDITION
Strengthen & Protect Dermal Care Conditioner DERMASTRENGTH
Condition, soften and support healthy-looking hair.
You can explore all three together in the AMPERNA® Haircare Collection.
Who Should Consider Postbiotic Haircare?
Postbiotic and microbiome-conscious haircare can be considered by anyone wanting to bring a more scalp-focused approach to their routine.
You might be particularly interested if:
- you already think carefully about your skin barrier and want to extend that philosophy to your scalp
- your scalp tends to feel dry, tight or sensitive
- you prefer fragrance-free haircare
- you want a gentler approach to cleansing
- you use styling products or dry shampoo regularly
- you colour your hair
- you want to care for both your scalp and your strands
- you are interested in microbiome-conscious beauty
If you're regularly colouring, heat styling or relying on dry shampoo, it's also worth looking at the broader habits surrounding your routine. We cover these in 10 Everyday Hair Habits That Could Be Affecting Your Scalp Health.
Are Postbiotics Only for Your Scalp?
In haircare, postbiotics make particular sense when we start thinking about the scalp as skin.
Your hair shaft and your scalp have different needs.
The hair itself benefits from conditioning ingredients that help it feel soft, smooth and manageable.
The scalp benefits from a skincare-inspired approach that considers cleansing, hydration, barrier support and the microbiome.
That's why AMPERNA® does both.
[DERMACLEANSE] considers the scalp while cleansing the hair.
[DERMASTRENGTH] conditions and supports the hair.
[DERMAFIX] gives the scalp its own targeted skincare step.
Rather than asking one product to do everything, each formula has a clear role.
Do Postbiotics Make Hair Grow?
Postbiotic haircare is better understood as scalp care, rather than as a shortcut to hair growth.
Hair growth and hair loss are complex and can be influenced by genetics, hormones, age, illness, stress, nutrition and other factors.
What you can control as part of your everyday haircare routine is how you care for the scalp and existing hair.
That is where gentle cleansing, hydration, conditioning, scalp comfort and consistent care become important.
Can Postbiotic Haircare Help a Dry-Feeling Scalp?
If your scalp simply feels dry, tight or uncomfortable, your cleansing and haircare routine is worth looking at.
A scalp that feels dry does not necessarily need aggressive exfoliation or stronger cleansing.
Sometimes it needs a gentler approach.
Our guide to Dry Scalp vs Dandruff: What's the Difference? explains why scalp flaking can have different causes and why persistent or significant scalp symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be simple dryness.
For everyday scalp care, AMPERNA® focuses on gentle cleansing, hydration and microbiome-conscious formulations.
How Often Should I Use Postbiotic Haircare?
There is no universal wash schedule that suits everyone.
How frequently you wash your hair can depend on your scalp, hair texture, styling routine, exercise, oil production and personal preference.
[DERMACLEANSE] and [DERMASTRENGTH] can simply replace your existing shampoo and conditioner as part of your normal wash-day routine.
[DERMAFIX] can be incorporated as an overnight or pre-wash treatment, depending on how you prefer to use it.
The important part is consistency.
Just as with skincare, constantly changing products can make it difficult to understand what actually works for you.
Why AMPERNA® Put Postbiotics Into Haircare
Postbiotics aren't new to us.
AMPERNA® was built around microbiome-conscious, barrier-first skincare.
So when we decided to move into haircare, we didn't want to leave that philosophy at the hairline.
We looked at the scalp for what it actually is.
Skin.
Skin with a barrier.
Skin with a microbiome.
Skin that can feel dry.
Skin that can feel sensitive.
Skin that is regularly exposed to cleansing, styling products, environmental stressors, heat and hair colour.
Our [DERMACARE] range brings the AMPERNA® approach from face → body → scalp, creating a more complete way to care for your skin from top to toe.
If you're new to the range, you can read more about the thinking behind it in Introducing AMPERNA® DERMACARE Haircare: For Scalp Comfort and Strong Hair.
Your Scalp Is Skin. Treat It Like Skin.
Haircare has traditionally focused on what we can see.
Shine.
Smoothness.
Volume.
Frizz.
But healthy-looking hair doesn't exist separately from the skin underneath it.
Postbiotic haircare gives us another way to think about that relationship.
Instead of simply asking:
What will make my hair look good?
We can also ask:
How am I caring for my scalp?
At AMPERNA®, our answer is simple.
Support. Cleanse. Condition.
Care for your scalp microbiome.
Respect the scalp barrier.
Keep your routine consistent.
And choose haircare that considers the skin underneath your hair, not just the strands you can see.
EXPLORE AMPERNA® SCALP + HAIR CARE →
Frequently Asked Questions About Postbiotics in Haircare
What are postbiotics in haircare?
Postbiotics are non-living ingredients derived from microorganisms and fermentation. In haircare, they can be incorporated into microbiome-conscious formulas designed to support the scalp environment alongside other cleansing, hydrating and conditioning ingredients.
What is the difference between prebiotic and postbiotic haircare?
Prebiotics help support the microorganisms already present within the scalp microbiome, while postbiotics are non-living microorganism-derived or fermentation-derived ingredients. AMPERNA® combines prebiotic and postbiotic technology within its scalp and haircare range.
Is postbiotic shampoo good for a sensitive scalp?
The complete formulation matters more than one ingredient alone. AMPERNA® DERMACLEANSE combines prebiotic and postbiotic ingredients with gentle cleansing and hydrating ingredients and is fragrance-free and sulfate-free. It has been developed for all hair types, including sensitive scalps.
Does AMPERNA® make postbiotic shampoo?
Yes. Cleanse & Rebalance Dermal Care Shampoo [DERMACLEANSE] is formulated with AMPERNA®'s prebiotic and postbiotic approach and is designed to gently cleanse while supporting scalp comfort and balance.
Does AMPERNA® make a postbiotic scalp serum?
Yes. Scalp & Hair Care Serum [DERMAFIX] is an overnight or pre-wash scalp treatment combining prebiotic and postbiotic technology with a vitamin complex and barrier-supporting ingredients.
Can I use DERMACLEANSE, DERMASTRENGTH and DERMAFIX together?
Yes. The three products have been designed to form a complete AMPERNA® scalp and haircare routine. [DERMAFIX] provides the targeted scalp-support step, [DERMACLEANSE] cleanses, and [DERMASTRENGTH] conditions the hair.
