What is Clarifying Shampoo?

Hair products, chlorine and environmental impurities can all leave hair and scalp buildup over time. We explore what clarifying shampoo is and how it can be a beneficial addition to your hair care routine.

Clarifying Shampoo Explained

What does clarifying shampoo do exactly? Clarifying shampoos have gained popularity in the hair and beauty community for their ability to deeply cleanse the hair and scalp. With an abundance of these products available, it’s important to understand the definition of a clarifying shampoo and how it works. We’ll also dive into the benefits of using it in your routine.

When choosing a clarifying shampoo, always opt for a sulphate-free version to avoid drying out your hair, especially if you have color-treated or curly hair.

What is a Clarifying Shampoo?

Product build up and environment can affect the look and feel of your natural hair.

• Product build up includes the use of shampoos and conditioners that contain parabens and silicones which coat the hair to make it appear shiny, as well as styling pomades and hair spray.
• Environmental factors include pollution, cigarette smoke, and dust.

Clarifying shampoo for curly hair or other hair types is designed to remove this buildup, restoring your hair to its natural state. This intense cleaning helps your hair feel fresh, lightweight, and shiny again.

Benefits of a Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoos offer multiple benefits beyond just cleansing. From providing an intense clean to boosting volume, here are three key advantages of adding a clarifying shampoo to your routine.

#1: Intense Clean

A clarifying shampoo delivers a powerful clean by removing oil, product residue, and environmental buildup. How often should you use clarifying shampoo as a hair reset? We recommend using it once every 1-2 weeks, as frequent use may dry out your hair. This is particularly important if you have curly or textured hair, as it tends to be more prone to dryness.

#2: Pre-treatment step

Using a clarifying shampoo before a deep conditioning mask ensures that your hair absorbs the treatment more effectively. By clearing away any residue, your hair can soak in the nourishing ingredients fully. This step is essential for anyone looking to rejuvenate their strands, whether they have straight, wavy, or curly hair.

#3: Volume Booster

Clarifying shampoo removes grease and product buildup, which can weigh your hair down. By eliminating this, your hair feels lighter and looks more voluminous. This is especially useful for people with oily hair who want to enhance their volume. It's also a great option for those with fine or limp hair.

If you have color-treated hair, you might wonder, does clarifying shampoo remove color? The answer is yes—clarifying shampoo can strip away some color, especially if used too frequently. If your hair is color-treated, we recommend using a color-safe shampoo more often and limiting your use of clarifying shampoo to once a month or as needed.

For color-treated hair, try to find clarifying shampoos that are color-friendly and gentle enough to prevent quick fading.

Clarifying shampoo for curly hair is a great option to keep your curls looking fresh and bouncy. Curly hair tends to attract more buildup due to the natural oils from the scalp not being able to travel down the hair shaft as easily. This can make curls look dull and weighed down. A clarifying shampoo helps remove that buildup, leaving curls light and defined.

Just be sure to follow up with a hydrating conditioner or deep conditioning mask to replenish moisture, as clarifying shampoos can sometimes be drying.

Clarifying shampoos are great for refreshing your hair, but they should be used sparingly. If you frequently use styling products, swim in chlorinated pools, or notice your hair feeling heavy or dull, incorporating a clarifying shampoo into your routine can help. Remember, how often you should use clarifying shampoo depends on your hair type and styling habits. For color-treated hair, use with caution to prevent fading.