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When it comes to hair care, wash day is very sacred. Most of us have a thorough routine right down to the tee. Routines are important, whether you follow a 3-step or 10-step routine, but the products you incorporate are even more important. Shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in treatments are obvious, but clarifying hair products are also worth looking at. “It has countless benefits, including adding shine and longevity to silk presses,” says Lenny Gadar, global artistic director of textures at Aveda.
As you walk down the hair care aisle, you’ll notice that there are a lot of clarifying shampoos out there. While these formulas are great for deep cleaning your hair, they aren’t the only type of hair care product that will clean your hair. There are a lot of variations in this category, perfect for any routine. The key is to find the right one.
Below, we spoke to three industry experts to learn everything you need to know about product clarity, including their favorites.
What are clearing hair products?
Clarifying hair products are designed to remove buildup from the scalp and around the hair roots. When it comes to shampoos, “this means they have more detergents in them, like surfactants,” Gadar says. Formulation plays an important role in making the product transparent.
According to trichologist and hair growth expert Shabu Kaspara, “clarifying products are formulated without the additional moisturizing and nourishing ingredients found in shampoos, and typically use more effective cleaning agents.” Resurfacing or exfoliating ingredients are a prime example. “Apple cider vinegar and AHAs such as glycolic acid and lactic acid are some of the most common ingredients found in clarifying agents in hair products,” says Marie Abellion, director of product development and clinical at The Rootist. He adds.
Beyond typical laundry products, Abellion says specific tools could also be defined. “Scalp massagers are the most notable because they exfoliate just a little bit to help loosen buildup better and distribute product evenly,” she says.
What are the benefits of clarifying hair products?
Buildup is a common problem that occurs naturally due to styling products, dead skin cells, dirt, and natural oils. “Over time, it can create a filmy residue that dulls your hair and prevents other products from reaching your scalp,” says Abellion. Shampoos are designed to cleanse and strengthen your hair, but they aren’t powerful enough to break down dirt on your scalp. That’s where cleaning products come into play. Similar to face scrubs and chemical exfoliants, these products gently remove build-up and deeply cleanse the scalp. “This increases cell turnover, renews scalp health, unclogs hair follicles, and promotes hair growth,” says Kaspara.
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01 Bioterra Intensive 2:1 Scalp Scrub & Shampoo
“Regardless of whether your roots are oily or not, everyone should use a purifying product to thoroughly cleanse their scalp. This two-in-one uses apricot seeds and scalp-friendly ingredients to cleanse your scalp. It gently exfoliates the skin and removes oil and product buildup without damaging the hair,” Kaspara says. She recommends adding this to your routine on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Available at www.amazon.com 02
02 Raw sugar vinegar hair rinse
“Both natural and protected styles can benefit from targeted cleaning products to keep the scalp clean and healthy,” says Abellion. This conditioner harnesses the power of herbs like rosemary and mint, which are blended with mint and apple cider vinegar to create a powerful hair rinse. It cleanses the scalp without stripping it of its natural oils and can also be used as an alternative to shampoo. This nozzle is also great for cleansing box braids and other braided hairstyles. Available at rawsugarliving.com 03
03 Shower head with canopy filter
This filtered shower head won’t just change your shower experience. The handheld design has a unique massager attachment that uses jets to revitalize the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. Basically, it’s twice as effective as a scalp massage and deep hair root cleansing. Available at getcanopy.co 04
04 Aveda Scalp Solution Exfoliating Scalp Treatment
For curly, coily texture, Gadar recommends this scalp treatment that removes buildup and excess oil. “When retexturing your hair, it’s important to strike a balance between scalp maintenance and retaining the moisture and conditioning properties of the hair shaft. This treatment takes care of the scalp without damaging the hair itself, removing surface contaminants. ,” she says. Available at www.aveda.com 05
05 Conair Triple Action Scalp Care Triple Action Bristle Brush
This little tool is perfect for massaging your scalp while shampooing. “Promotes blood circulation and effectively cleanses the roots and hair surface. This is the same idea as exfoliating your skin once a week, but instead it thoroughly cleanses the scalp and increases cell turnover.” and promotes renewed scalp health,” says Kaspara.
06 The Rootist Clarify Balancing Serum for Oily Scalp
Scalp serums can help relieve itchy scalp and prevent excess sebum production. This serum uses salicylic acid to minimize oil and balance your microbiome without drying out your scalp. Use it on a clean scalp after washing your hair, or throughout the week to loosen any dirt that may have built up before your hair wash day. Available at therootist.com
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