“If I shampoo every few days, do I really need to use a clarifying shampoo in my routine?” The answer is yes!
But knowing what clarifying is and understanding why it matters for your curls are two different things.
So, let's talk about why clarifying is important for curly hair and the benefits it can bring to your curls.
What Is Clarifying Curly Hair?
Clarifying is an occasional reset your hair and scalp need, especially because we use hair care and styling products regularly. Over time, these products – gels, creams, oils, butters, and certain silicones – can build up on our hair.
Sweat, excess sebum, dead skin cells, and minerals from hard water can also accumulate and contribute to that buildup.
While your regular shampoo takes care of everyday dirt, sweat, and excess oil, it may not remove all the residue left behind, particularly if you're using a shampoo marketed as moisturizing as they tend to contain fewer harsh cleansers. This is also true if you're intentionally using a very gentle shampoo (or a low poo or no poo) for your usual wash.
It's like washing your hands after getting oil all over them. Sometimes, the soap you use just doesn't get rid of that coated, oily feeling. You can either wash your hands two or three more times with the same soap or use a soap that's better at cutting through grease the first time.
That's essentially how clarifying shampoos work. These products are formulated to give your hair and scalp a more thorough cleanse and help get rid of product buildup that a gentler shampoo just can't get through.
Here are a few clarifying shampoos to consider:
What if you live in a hard-water area? Would a clarifying shampoo do the trick?
It depends on the formula. Some clarifying shampoos contain chelating agents, such as EDTA, which bind to mineral deposits and help wash them away. If yours doesn't contain these ingredients, you may need to switch to one that does to tackle hard-water buildup.
I'd totally recommend the Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo. You can also check out their Hard Water Wellness Treatment or the entire Hard Water Wellness Collection. Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo is also chelating.
7 Benefits of Clarifying Curly Hair
Why is clarifying so important for your curls?
Here are some of the benefits:
1. It Helps Remove Product Buildup
Curly hair tends to be drier, and this is through no fault of its own. Because the hair follicle is oval-shaped, natural oils from the scalp don't travel down the hair shaft as easily. For this very reason, we have to rely more on products to keep our curls moisturized, defined, and manageable. We also tend to leave more time between wash days to help retain moisture.
Between all those curly hair products and the time between wash days, buildup is bound to happen eventually. Clarifying helps get rid of that residue, giving your curls a fresh start.
2. It Helps Restore Your Curls' Bounce and Definition
Product buildup can take the shine and bounce out of your curls, literally! The residue can weigh your hair down, leaving your curls looking limp and defeated, stretched out, or less defined.
If your curls are starting to look lifeless or fall into any of these categories, they might need a deeper cleanse. Clarifying can help bring back some of your curls' natural bounce and definition.
3. It Helps Your Styling Products Work Better
When your favourite gel or curl cream isn't giving you the definition you're used to, you might think, “Oh, it's time to switch products or add something new to my routine.” But sometimes, the problem isn't your products. It could very well be product buildup.
So, before buying anything new, try clarifying first.
4. It Helps Get Rid of Dullness and That Coated, "Producty" Feeling
If your hair still feels like something is sitting on it after washing, doesn't look or feel clean, or your curls look dull and greasy, that's a major sign of product buildup. As residue accumulates on your strands, it can leave your hair feeling coated, waxy, or even stiff, and regular washes might not be enough to get rid of it.
However, this could also be a sign of mineral buildup. If that's the case, you'll need a chelating shampoo to help remove those mineral deposits.
5. It Helps Keep Your Scalp Clean
Your scalp can accumulate buildup too. Excess oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and product residue can collect between washes. So, pay attention to your scalp when clarifying, because it matters just as much as caring for your curls.
Clarifying gives your scalp a breather, helping it feel cleaner and fresher.
However, using a clarifying shampoo too often can be counterproductive, as it can leave your scalp feeling dry or irritated. And if you're dealing with persistent itching, redness, or flaking, buildup may not be the only issue. You may need a shampoo formulated for your specific scalp concern or a trip to your local dermatologist or trichologist (scalp specialist).
6. It Helps Your Hair Absorb Moisture Better
Here’s the thing: when products build up on your hair, they can leave a coating on your hair that makes it harder for water to spread evenly through them. And we all know how important moisture is for curly hair. This buildup can make it harder for your curls to get the moisture they need.
Using a clarifying shampoo helps remove that buildup, allowing water to spread more easily across your strands and making it easier to get your hair thoroughly wet before conditioning.
7. It Helps With Better Curl Definition
Well-defined curls often come down to how well your strands clump together. But when there's too much residue on your hair, your curls may struggle to form those natural clumps, leaving them looking stretched out or uneven.
So, clarifying to the rescue! A good clarifying wash can help remove that buildup, allowing your curls to clump together more easily and look more defined.
A few additional things to keep in mind:
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Don't clarify too often. Leave at least two to four weeks between clarifying washes. Clarifying once a month may even be enough. How often you need to clarify depends on your hair, scalp, and the products you use. Some people may never need to clarify (though this is rare, from our experience) because the shampoo they use regularly is enough. Listen to your hair and scalp and make a decision that suits you.
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Try clarifying before buying new products or giving up on your holy grails. If your usual favourites aren't giving you the results they used to, a clarifying wash might be what you need.
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Always use a clarifying shampoo with conditioner. This is the golden rule when clarifying. A good clarifying shampoo may make your hair feel drier than usual, but it won't completely strip your scalp. Always follow it up with a good deep conditioner to get that moisture back in when your hair is most receptive. Clarifying effectively gives you a blank slate to work with.
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Clarify when switching up your routine. If you're moving to a new set of products, clarifying can help remove residue left behind by your previous ones.
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Don't expect clarifying to reverse protein overload. Clarifying may help remove residue from protein-rich products, but it won't reverse every effect of protein overuse.
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Consider your hair type. Fine hair, oily scalps, and low-porosity hair that tends to accumulate buildup may benefit from more frequent clarifying.
- If you colour your hair, wait about two weeks before clarifying. Clarifying shampoos will not strip colour, however they also do not help preserve it, so for best results don't clarify too often if you colour your hair.
