I really hate to break it to you, but chances are, you’re using clarifying shampoo wrong. It’s not like your regular shampoo. In fact, when used incorrectly, it can have detrimental effects to your hair health.
In this post I’m sharing everything you need to know from a hairstylist perspective. Let’s start from the very beginning!
What Is Clarifying Shampoo?
Clarifying shampoo is a powerful cleanser that is stronger than your traditional shampoo. Due to the presence of heavy surfactants, it raises the hair cuticle slightly higher to remove heavier product buildup, impurities, and oil or sebum buildup on the scalp.
This is not your primary shampoo that you’d use during the week. And it shouldn’t be used too often either. Try every 1-2 weeks for oily hair, and 1-2 months for normal to dry hair.
There’s multiple hair benefits to incorporating this into your hair regimens. Check out why in the next section.
The Benefits of Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoo can really elevate your wash days. When double cleansing, it’s a great product to use as your first initial shampoo, followed by a regular one.
Here’s some of the main benefits your hair and scalp can gain:
- Great Scalp Health. Remove dirt, oils, and sebum directly from your scalp to promote healthy hair follicles and growth.
- Reset Your Hair. If products are no longer giving you the desired results, your hair might need to be fully reset to a completely clean canvas.
- Balance pH and Oil Production. If you’re prone to a lot of oil or product buildup, this can re-balance your scalp’s microbiome.
- Boosts Hair Volume. It’s ability to break down product buildup, including silicone based products, will unplug follicles to give more body and life to your hair.
- Prevents Dull Hair Color. This is perfect to give your strands a freshly clean canvas. Color absorbs better and won’t be lackluster due to the buildup on the hair.
- Restores Curls & Coils. Moisturizing products can add weight to your hair, especially silicone based, which encapsulates the hair shaft. Break it down with clarifying shampoo to give those curls a new life.
To Use or Not To Use Clarifying Shampoo?
That’s the real question.
Unfortunately, it’s not suitable for everyone’s hair condition. In this section I’ll share common signs that your hair could use a good clarifying shampoo, along with who should or should not use it.
Common Signs Your Hair Needs To Be Clarified
If you’re not sure that you should use a clarifying shampoo, here are the most common signs:
- Your hair feels oily, or still has buildup even after washing.
- Hair is tangling more easily (but this could also mean you are due for a trim).
- Hair looks dull and lackluster.
- Your hair is in need of a reset!
If any of these sound like you, read onto the next sections to make sure this is best for your hair.
Who Should Use It?
More likely than not, a cleanser like this is best for any of the following:
- If you are prone to oily scalp or get a lot of product buildup
- Have low porosity hair (read this post if you aren’t sure if you do)
- Use silicone based products
- Excessive hair shedding
- Swim often
- Are exposed to different types of water
- Have specific hair concerns
Who Should Find An Alternative?
Because this is such a powerful cleanser, if you suffer from any of the following, refrain from using one or consult with a professional beforehand.
- Scalp Conditions like Psoriasis, Scalp Eczema, Extreme Dryness, or Flaking. The high content of cleansing agents can irritate these conditions, making them worse in the long run.
- Vivid or Fantasy Colored Hair. Your color will be dulled dramatically after using a shampoo like this one. However, you can use it before applying any fantasy colors to increase longevity, more even tone, and vibrancy.
How To Use Clarifying Shampoo
If you’re still with me, it’s probably safe to assume you’ve skimmed the above sections and decided you’re ready to add a cleansing shampoo into your regular hair wash days. Here’s how I incorporate it to get the best results.
Try Hair Oiling Beforehand
In short, hair oiling uses a carrier oil of your choosing to infuse moisture into the scalp and strands, while adding a protective layer before washing. This prevents over drying, especially on your ends.
Also, the oil acts as a magnet to attract dirt and sebum, making it easier to rinse out entirely.
Use Before Coloring Hair
I’m not here to judge if you choose box color from the store or go to the salon to have it done. Either way, clarify your hair before. It’ll help the color penetrate the cuticle much better, and you won’t run the risk of dulling and ruining your freshly done hair.
Focus Only On The Scalp.
Like I’ve said earlier, this type of shampoo can be drying. As with your traditional shampoo, you should only be focusing the product on the scalp and near the roots. The same goes for a clarifier.
Applying directly to the ends, or rubbing into the ends will not only cause dryness (on the part of your hair that is already the most dry), but it can create a tangled mess causing further breakage and harm to your tresses. Your ends will get just the right amount of clean as you are rinsing the shampoo from your hair.
Always Double Cleanse
Clarifying shampoo is an addition to break through the buildup of oil, dirt, and sebum. But now you’ve got to replenish some of what you’ve removed. Use a secondary shampoo of your choice to target whatever other hair concerns you might have (moisture, volume, or strength, to name a few).
Use Warm Water Only
Not hot. Believe me, as good as it feels, your hair does not like it. Hot water not only dries out your hair, but your skin, too. So, just do yourself a favor. Turn the temp down when working on your hair, at least.
Follow Up With A Hair Mask
We’ve establish that this can be drying. So if your hair naturally falls on the dryer side of the spectrum, it won’t hurt to follow up with a deep conditioning mask to restore moisture.
Natural DIY Clarifying Shampoo Alternative
Perhaps you are looking to steer away from commercial cleansers and prefer to create a natural alternative at home. Ingredients like apple cider vinegar, bentonite clay, activated charcoal, lemon juice, essential oils, and baking soda have been fan-favorite buildup busters for years. Check out some quick and easy recipes from Our Oily House. Mixing apple cider vinegar and baking soda is my preference- it’s great for curls and adds lots of shine!
Phew! That was a lot of info. Thanks for stickin’ it out with me.
I hope you now understand the importance of using a clarifying shampoo. And how to use it correctly. If it’s drying out your scalp, that is definitely a sign to stop or space out your uses with more time in between. You can really set yourself up for hair wellness success by using this type of cleanser the right way!