Hair Clarifying Shampoo: What Is It And How To Clarify Hair With Natural Alternatives

Years before I even knew that a hair clarifying shampoo was a thing, I've always prided myself on having a healthy hair, without that much maintenance, mainly because of good genetics (thanks mom and dad!), but also because of the minimal chemical intervention I did in my hair ritual. However, after the last haircut I got, I noticed my hair didn't get all that revitalized as I had expected.

It wasn't growing as fast as before, it was falling in chunks and on top of that, was getting (and most importantly, looking!) more oily than before, even though I hadn't changed a thing in my haircare. I knew I needed a change and began researching solutions, which led me to the concept of hair clarifying shampoo. The idea of deeply cleaning my hair to restore its natural shine intrigued me, but I was also curious about natural alternatives.

What is Hair Clarifying Shampoo?

A hair clarifying shampoo is designed to remove buildup from styling products, hard water minerals, and environmental pollutants that regular shampoos often miss. This powerful cleanser penetrates deeper into the hair shaft, lifting away impurities and restoring the hair's natural vibrancy. Unlike regular shampoos, which primarily focus on cleaning the scalp and hair surface, hair clarifying shampoos delve deeper, providing a more thorough cleanse.

Why Use a Hair Clarifying Shampoo?

Using a hair clarifying shampoo can bring multiple benefits, the main one of which having a shiny and clean hair, which is the ultimate goal, am I right? Another benefit from hair clarifying is for example, removing buildup that comes with regular usage of conditioners, hairsprays, gels and even regular shampoos. Yes, even though they are supposed to cleanse your hair, they leave teeny-tiny bits of buildup that eventually makes your hair heavy and not-so-clean.

By removing these heavy residues, clarifying shampoos help restore the natural shine and volume of the hair, and that on its own makes it easier for the hair to absorb treatments like deep conditioners, hair masks, or color treatments. A clean scalp is also less prone to issues like dandruff and excess oil production.

Natural Ways to Clarify Hair

There are quite some recipes online on how to make your own hair clarifying solution, or the so-called DIY hair clarifying shampoo. I have tried most of what's out there and can honestly recommend the following ingredients as your personalised DIY hair clarifying shampoo.

First and foremost, let's dive into why we would use baking soda as an ingredient. Isn't that going to bleache our hair and what-not? Well, not really. Baking soda is a powerful natural cleanser. Mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water and applying it to wet hair will really cleanse hair to the core. I like to put this solution on somewhat-clean hair (but with visible signs of oiling) and then massage gently. After that I'd rinse thoroughly and I can hear that crisp clean sound while brushing my hair. This mixture helps to remove product buildup and excess oils.

The ingredient I saw most people talk about is the oh-so-famous apple cider vinegar (ACV). I must say this REALLY WORKS WONDERS! And I say this as a vivid vinegar hater - seriously, ask my mom - I cannot stand vinegar even in my salad. But the facts are that it does work and is excellent for balancing hair pH and removing residue. I've personally never tried it, because I have this pet peeve of my hair forever smelling like vinegar, but the general advice is to mix two tablespoons of ACV with one cup of water. After shampooing, you should pour the mixture over your hair, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse.

The acidity of ACV helps to dissolve buildup and leaves the hair shiny. I've seen this work especially well with curly hair, as it is a bit more difficult to tame and keep curls clean and neat, but vinegar simply does the job!

Now, for girlies like me who are not the biggest ACV fans, there is another healthy acidic ingredient that helps in a similar way, and that is lemon juice. When I was a kid, I read somewhere that lemon juice makes your hair lighter, just like the sun does! I have no idea if that's true, but what I know now for sure, is that lemon juice could make or break your hair - so use it in moderation and 1-2 times per week max.

The citric acid in lemon juice can clarify hair by breaking down product residue. I just mix the juice of one lemon with one cup of water, similarly to the ACV process and then apply this mixture to wet hair after shampooing, leaveing it on for a few minutes, after which rinsing thoroughly.

Another favourite of mine are of course clay masks, and especially bentonite clay or rhassoul clay that can absorb impurities and clarify hair. I do this when I want to feel fancy, aka when I have time and I'm not rushed to go out. I simply mix the clay with water to form a paste, apply it to my hair, and leave it on for about 10-15 minutes before rinsing. This method also adds that extra shine to my hair, and I'm not sure if it's placebo effect or the way I blow-dry my hair, but I also see quite a nice volume after using clays in my hair.

Lat but not least, aloe vera is also a great ingredient for a lot of cosmetics applications. It has natural cleansing properties, so when I mix fresh aloe vera gel with a few drops of lemon juice and apply it to my scalp, I can almost immediately see the difference. I usually keep it on for 10-15 minutes and rinse thoroughly after. This treatment not only clarifies but also conditions the hair and makes it stronger.

The Benefits of Natural Clarifying Methods

As I've mentioned before - using natural ingredients is better for your body, but also for the environment. Commercial shampoos often contain synthetic chemicals that can be harmful when washed down the drain. Natural alternatives are biodegradable and less likely to cause environmental harm. Secondly, natural clarifying methods are generally gentler on the hair compared to harsh commercial products. They cleanse without stripping the hair of its natural oils, maintaining a healthy moisture balance.

Now, we all think of the cost first sometimes - what is good for my hair, but at the same time, what will not break the bank. And think about it - the majority of the ingredients I mentioned in the previous section are actually natural clarifying ingredients that we normally have at home. That automatically is making them a budget-friendly option. Instead of spending money on specialized shampoos, you can achieve similar results with simple kitchen ingredients. And most importantly, with natural clarifying methods, you can tailor the ingredients to suit your specific hair needs. Whether you have dry, oily, or color-treated hair, you can adjust the formulations accordingly.

Embracing Natural Hair Care

While commercial products are effective, I've found that natural methods provide a gentler, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective alternative. By using ingredients like baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice, I've been able to maintain clarified hair without compromising my commitment to natural living.

If you're looking to revitalize your hair and strip away the residues of modern hair care, consider trying a hair clarifying shampoo or one of the natural methods I've shared. Not only will you see a visible difference, but you'll also feel good knowing you're taking a more natural approach to hair care. Here's to healthier, shinier, and more vibrant hair!

This post was on the topic of what hair clarifying shampoo is and its benefits, as well as how to use natural products as alternatives, that will bring the same clarifying effect.