Having clean, vibrant, and shiny hair can make an excellent first impression and boost your confidence and self-esteem. In the natural hair care world, shampooing is simply basic. It is fundamental and essential. Many people are familiar with shampoos to a reasonable extent. It is always the first thing in any hair care routine.
As popular as shampoos are, there is still a lot that so many people have yet to learn about. Some believe that shampoos are meant to cleanse the hair. While true, Shampoos have many other benefits for your hair. Do you know that shampooing can promote hair growth? Yes, it does. It helps to create the right environment for hair growth and can also help solve many hair issues, such as dryness, dullness, hair loss, scalp issues, etc.
We all have different hair types and different shampoos. Some people have oily hair, others have dry hair, and some may just have dull hair. Knowing the type of shampoo to choose for your hair type is very important. Do you want to know how to make the best purchasing decision when it comes to shampoos? Come, let’s find out.
Types of Shampoos
We have different types of shampoos, all of which are formulated for specific purposes. Let’s briefly examine each one.
Moisturizing Shampoos
Moisturizing shampoos are ideal for dry and damaged hair. They are enriched with hydrating ingredients such as oils, butter, and humectants. They help replenish moisture, improve elasticity, and restore vitality to dry and dull hair. If your hair is very prone to dryness, a moisturizing shampoo is best for you.
Volumizing Shampoos
Volumizing shampoos are formulated to add volume or lift to fine hair. They contain lightweight ingredients such as polymers or proteins that do not weigh hair down and help create the appearance of fuller hair.
Cleansing Shampoos
A cleansing shampoo is somewhat similar to a clarifying shampoo. When used, it helps to remove impurities and buildup from the hair and scalp. However, it tends to be milder and gentler, making it suitable for regular use without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Color-Protecting Shampoo
This shampoo is for people with color-treated hair. It is specifically designed to preserve and extend the vibrancy of color-treated hair. It often contains UV filters and antioxidants to prevent color fading caused by sun exposure and other environmental factors.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
This type of shampoo contains active ingredients like zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, or coal tar to combat dandruff and soothe the scalp.
Clarifying Shampoos
A clarifying shampoo is designed to deep-cleanse the hair and scalp, eliminating stubborn buildup from styling products, hard water minerals, and environmental pollutants. It contains stronger cleansing agents and may be formulated with ingredients like sulfates to provide a thorough cleanse. Clarifying shampoos are crucial for removing the buildup of product residue, minerals, and pollutants from the hair and scalp.
Additionally, clarifying shampoos can prevent dullness, enhance volume, and maintain overall hair health by ensuring that styling products and pollutants don’t weigh down the hair or clog the scalp pores. They help restore natural shine, improve manageability, and prepare the hair for better absorption of treatments like conditioners and masks.
Who should use a Clarifying Shampoo?
People with Dandruff Issues: Dandruff can be a real pain and embarrassing. There are even cases where some people wash their hair using a moisturizing shampoo or any regular shampoo, and right there, as they wash, the scalp ‘refuses’ to get clean. Even as they shampoo, they can feel all the residue and dirt on their scalp, which does not go away. If you have experienced this before, you know how frustrating and annoying it can be simultaneously. For people who can relate to this experience, a clarifying shampoo is just what you need.
People who use styling products and gels frequently: Clarifying shampoos are particularly beneficial for individuals with natural hair who frequently use styling products such as gels, mousses, or serums. Over time, these products can accumulate on the hair shaft, leading to dullness, limpness, buildup, and even scalp irritation.
People living in areas with hard water: Individuals residing in areas with hard water may experience mineral buildup on their hair, necessitating the use of clarifying shampoos to cleanse their hair effectively.
Top 7 Clarifying Shampoos for Natural Hair
Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo
For gel and styling product lovers, this shampoo can help you cleanse your scalp properly. It effectively removes up to 90% of dulling residue caused by styling products, leaving hair clean, refreshed, and revitalized.
Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
This clarifying shampoo is infused with rosemary and mint, which helps to cleanse the scalp gently, leaving it feeling refreshed and revitalized. It also has a wonderful aroma.
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo
This clarifying shampoo detoxifies the scalp, soothes irritation, and promotes a balanced and healthy scalp environment. It is formulated with African black soap, tea tree oil, and willow bark extract. It is suitable for those with sensitive scalp.
Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
This shampoo is among the minority of clarifying shampoos that do not contain sulfates. It is ideal for curly and wavy hair types, effectively removing buildup without stripping the hair of its natural oils, leaving curls bouncy, defined, and frizz-free. It is very mild on the scalp, so feel free to try this out if you have a very sensitive scalp.
Carol’s Daughter Lisa’s Hair Elixir Clarifying Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Enriched with biotin, vitamin E, and peppermint oil, this sulfate-free clarifying shampoo clarifies the scalp, stimulates circulation, and stimulates circulation which supports healthy hair growth. It’s a nourishing option for those looking to improve hair health alongside cleansing their hair.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
This clarifying shampoo is particularly effective for those with scalp issues. It contains charcoal and coconut oil, alongside other ingredients that help detoxify the scalp, remove impurities, and soothe dryness and irritation.
Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo
This shampoo is formulated with volcanic ash and botanical extracts to detoxify and remove impurities, restoring hair’s natural balance and shine.
Having this as a guide, you should be able to choose a suitable clarifying shampoo. And don’t be scared to experiment with different options till you find what is perfect just for you.
