What Is Clarifying Shampoo? Your Complete Guide to Deep-Cleaning Your Hair

Have you ever noticed your hair feeling weighed down despite regular washing? Then you might be dealing with product buildup.

That’s where clarifying shampoo comes in – the unsung hero of hair care routines that’s often misunderstood but essential for healthy locks.

Clarifying shampoos are specialty cleansers designed to give your hair and scalp a thorough deep clean, removing residue that everyday shampoos might miss.

Unlike your regular cleanser, clarifying shampoo isn’t meant for daily use but works brilliantly as an occasional reset button for your hair.

What does clarifying shampoo do?

Traditional shampoo is great for keeping your hair and scalp clean on a daily basis, but what about when you feel like you need a deeper clean?

That’s where clarifying shampoo comes in. Hair care experts recommend using a clarifying shampoo to get rid of buildup in your hair.

What does a clarifying shampoo do exactly? It offers several advantages that your standard wash-and-go products simply can’t match:

• Removes product buildup from styling products like hairsprays, waxes, and gels
• Clears away excess oils that can weigh hair down
• Eliminates minerals from hard water that dull your hair over time
• Acts as a shampoo to remove the build-up of products
• Prepares your hair for treatments or colour services
• Restores natural shine and bounce

Even if you have a good showerhead filter to remove harsh minerals from your water, other elements can dull your hair.

What is a clarifying shampoo and how is it different?

What is a clarifying shampoo compared to regular options? Like other types of hair cleansers, clarifying shampoo is made up of between 80 and 90 percent water.

The difference is in the active ingredients. What sets clarifying shampoo apart from other cleansers is its level of heavy surfactants.

Surfactants are soap-like ingredients that get rid of residue, grease, and impurities in your hair.

These are much stronger than traditional cleansers.

The main surfactants in clarifying shampoos include:

• Ammonium-sodium lauryl sulfate: This ingredient provides the deepest cleanse. These may be best for extreme hair care product buildup or very oily hair.
• Chlorides or bromides: These are a milder cleanser, but can help make your hair soft.
• Cetyl-fatty alcohols: These have milder cleansing effects.

How often should you use a clarifying shampoo?

What’s a clarifying shampoo’s ideal usage frequency? Most experts agree that moderation is key.

For most people, using a clarifying shampoo once every week or two provides the perfect balance.

Those with oily hair might benefit from weekly use, while those with dry or coloured hair might stretch it to once a month.

Are clarifying shampoos safe?

While clarifying shampoos are generally safe, they can have some drawbacks if overused:

Using this shampoo more than a couple of times per week can leave your hair feeling dry and dull. You may also see some flyaways and a lot of frizz.

You’ll also want to be careful if you have colour-treated hair. That’s because heavy surfactants may damage your hair colour.

As a rule of thumb, if a clarifying shampoo doesn’t say it’s colour-safe on the label, then it’s likely not suitable for colour-treated hair.

People with scalp conditions should also be cautious:

Dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis are other considerations you might have before choosing a clarifying shampoo.

Unless the clarifying shampoo also has ingredients like salicylic acid that can control these types of skin and scalp conditions, then the product may not be suitable.

Clarifying shampoo vs. hair detox

You might have heard of detox shampoo treatments and wondered how they compare to clarifying shampoos.

A clarifying shampoo has virtually the same goals as a hair detox. They both remove residue, minerals, and oils. The key difference lies in the active ingredients.

Hair detox relies primarily on “natural” ingredients, while clarifying shampoos have more synthetic ingredients that can dry out your hair if you overuse them.

Additionally, a hair detox may utilise deep conditioning ingredients, such as olive oil, shea, or bentonite clay.

Clarifying treatments generally don’t add moisture to the hair. A hair detox also aims to get rid of environmental toxins.

How to use clarifying shampoo

Using a clarifying shampoo properly ensures you get all the benefits without any unwanted side effects:

Clarifying shampoo is designed for use once or twice per week. You can apply it as you would any other shampoo.

1. Work a small amount in your hands and then apply to your damp scalp, massaging the product until you have a good lather.
2. Leave in your hair for up to 30 seconds.
3. Rinse the shampoo out completely before applying conditioner.

It’s important to use conditioner after every shampoo session. Not only does conditioner help keep your hair soft, but it also seals in moisture in the hair cuticle to keep it from drying out.

You don’t have to use any special conditioner after your clarifying shampoo.

Simply apply your regular conditioner to your middle and lower locks in an even layer, wait a few seconds, and then rinse.

Some people even pair clarifying shampoo and conditioner specifically designed to work together.

Best clarifying shampoo for different hair types

Finding what is the best clarifying shampoo for your specific hair needs can make all the difference:

Best clarifying shampoo overall

The Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo is a fan favourite for a reason.

It outperforms other options regarding how well it cleanses the hair and scalp.

When paired with a quality conditioner, this good clarifying shampoo leaves hair feeling light and soft without any itchiness or tingling effects.

Best drugstore clarifying shampoo

A high-quality, effective shampoo can cost you a pretty penny these days, but The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair is affordable and works just as well as some pricier options.

This best drugstore clarifying shampoo deep cleans the hair and scalp, removing hard water and product buildup, excess oil, and chlorine.

Best clarifying shampoo for oily hair

For an oily scalp, we like K18’s Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo. The best clarifying shampoo for oily hair is made with activated charcoal, salicylic acid, and K18Peptide that work together to absorb toxins and excess oils, clear buildup without stripping, and keep hair feeling healthy.

Best clarifying shampoo for coloured hair

Ouai Detox Shampoo is made with apple cider vinegar and is a safe option for colour-treated hair.

This colour safe clarifying shampoo effectively cleanses without stripping your colour, so you don’t have to worry about fading or dulling after use.

When you need clarifying shampoo for colour treated hair, this is an excellent choice.

Best clarifying shampoo for curly hair

Act+Acre Curl Cleanse Shampoo is perfect for curly hair because it’s super gentle (intense cleansing can result in curls falling flat).

The best clarifying shampoo for curly hair is designed specifically for curls, removing buildup without disrupting your curl pattern.

Clarifying shampoo for fine hair

If you have delicate strands, look for a gentle formula. Biolage Scalp Sync Clarifying Shampoo works well because it doesn’t weigh down fine hair types while still providing that deep clean you need.

A good clarifying shampoo for fine hair helps add volume by removing residue without being too harsh.

Clarifying shampoo for natural hair

For those with natural hair textures, you’ll want something that cleanses without stripping essential moisture.

Clarifying shampoo for natural hair needs to balance effective cleansing with maintaining your hair’s natural oils and texture.

Sulfate free clarifying shampoo

If you’re sensitive to sulfates or prefer to avoid them, there are plenty of sulfate free clarifying shampoo options that still deliver excellent results.

These typically use alternative cleansing agents that remove buildup without the potential harshness of sulfates.

How long do clarifying shampoos take to work?

The good news is that clarifying shampoos deliver results immediately. Unlike treatments that might need multiple applications or weeks to show effects, you’ll notice a difference after just one wash.

For best results, let the shampoo sit on your hair for 2-3 minutes before rinsing.

This gives the active ingredients time to break down and lift away product buildup, excess oils, and environmental residue.

Your hair should feel noticeably lighter and look more vibrant right after drying.

If you’re dealing with serious buildup from hard water minerals or months of styling product accumulation, you might benefit from shampooing twice during the same wash session.

Apply, lather, rinse, and then repeat for an extra-thorough cleanse when your hair feels particularly weighed down.

Most users report that their hair feels “squeaky clean” – that’s the telltale sign your clarifying shampoo has done its job effectively!

What to look for when buying clarifying shampoo

When shopping for a clarifying shampoo, consider these important factors:

Ingredients

If you need a super-deep clean and don’t find sulfates to be stripping, you might want to seek out a product that does contain sulfates, as they tend to offer excellent cleansing benefits.

If you have a sensitive scalp or find that your hair is easily stripped, go for a product that replaces sulfates with more gentle ingredients, like apple cider vinegar.

If you have dry hair, you’ll also want to consider choosing a formula that contains moisturising ingredients like oils and butters to hydrate hair.

For those looking for gentle clarifying shampoo options, look for formulas with added conditioning agents.

Colour-safe formulas

Clarifying shampoos used to do a number on colour-treated hair (aka, they can strip the colour), but that’s not the case as much anymore.

If you have dyed or bleached hair, it’s essential to look for clarifying shampoo for coloured hair to preserve your colour and shine.

The best clarifying shampoo for coloured hair will specifically state that it’s colour-safe on the packaging.

For those looking to remove hair colour, there’s also the best shampoo for stripping hair colour available, which deliberately helps fade unwanted dye.

Takeaway

A good clarifying shampoo is an essential part of any complete hair care routine.

Used properly – about once a week or as needed – it can remove buildup, restore shine, and leave your hair feeling lighter and healthier.

Remember that while clarifying shampoos provide a deep clean, they shouldn’t replace your regular shampoo.

Think of them as a reset button for your hair that you press occasionally to remove accumulated products, oils, and environmental residue.

Clarifying shampoo can be a good addition to your hair care routine, but it’s not designed for everyday use.

To gain the most benefits, you’ll want to use it in between your regular shampoo days.

For special hair care concerns, such as chemical- or colour-treated hair, see your stylist for specific product recommendations.

A dermatologist can also help diagnose and treat any underlying scalp conditions affecting your overall hair health.

By incorporating cleansing shampoo into your hair care regimen, you’re giving your locks the chance to start fresh and shine to their full potential.