What is clarifying shampoo? It isn't like your regular shampoo. Think of it like a facial scrub but it's a scalp scrub for your hair. The best clarifying shampoo is a natural and a sulfate free shampoo so it cleans without stripping away all of the natural oil in your hair. They are formulated to strip your hair of excess oil and build up, either from general life or product buildup. Clarifying shampoos are not formulated to be used on a regular basis. They are a semi regular deep cleanse for your hair. You get the deepest cleanse with less frequency.

When should I use a clarifying shampoo?

You should use a clarifying shampoo when deep cleansing is needed. If you have been outdoors sweating all day, use a clarifying shampoo. If you have been using an excess of styling products for a special occasion, wash them out with a clarifying shampoo. Let your hair get too oily? You're about to colour your hair? You get the idea. They're like detox shampoos for those days you really let loose.

How often should I use a clarifying shampoo?

Only when you need them. The best clarifying shampoos are used for a specific issue and not every day or even every week. You only need to use it as often as you need to get that deep clean hair feeling after excess. Treat your hair and scalp to a thorough clean when it's very oily or very dirty. If you do it every day, or even just every wash, over time you will dry out your hair and your scalp. If you experience a build up of grime or product, you can use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a week, but be careful if you're prone to dry skin or dry hair.

Using a clarifying shampoo with natural hair dye

You will get the best results using a natural hair dye if your hair is really clean first. You will find that many hair colour kits on the market will have a clarifying shampoo sachet inside them. This is because color treated hair takes colour better when it's really clean. If the sachet isn't enough, keep a bottle of clarifying shampoo on hand for each time you colour.

That said, after the dye is on your hair, using a clarifying shampoo will more than likely strip the colour out of your hair, so save it for when you're just about to dye.

Is clarifying shampoo like dry shampoo?

No, it's nothing like it. A dry shampoo is an 'in between' powder used to remove excess buildup for oily hair. You cannot get a deep clean from a dry shampoo, but using a clarifying shampoo to wash out any dry shampoo is a good idea if you use it on a regular basis.

When is a clarifying shampoo a bad idea?

Since they're formulated to strip hair, even the natural ones can cause an issue for people who suffer from dry scalp conditions including dandruff, eczema or psoriasis. Any clarifying formula will be a little drying, which is why we don't recommend their use daily.

Do I need to use conditioner after a clarifying shampoo?

Yes. It's more important after a detox shampoo like this than a regular shampoo. It doesn't have to be a specific conditioner, it can be what you use all the time, or even a hair mask for additional nourishment.

Is clarifying shampoo the same as a hair detox?

Clarifying shampoo is usually step 1 in a hair detox. For a hair & scalp detox, you'll focus on cleansing the scalp well with your clarifying shampoo and follow with a nourishing scalp treatment. Once a month is a good period of time for most people to perform a full hair detox.