How To Clarify Hair Without Damaging It (6 DIYs + Shampoos)

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Learn how to clarify your hair with this easy-to-follow guide. From natural solutions to specialized cleansers, achieve healthy, beautiful locks today!

“You can’t reach for anything new if your hands are still full of yesterday’s junk.” – Louise Smith

The same goes for your hair. If your scalp isn’t clean and healthy, it’s a long way to regrowing quality hair.

Be it a polluted environment, synthetic hair products, or your scalp’s natural oils. All can be the leading factors for attracting dirt and grease near the hair follicles, thus blocking the way for new hair.

That’s why experts recommend clarifying or cleansing hair once in a while to rid your scalp of such buildup. As a result, your hair becomes lighter in weight, lusher, and stronger.

Cutting to the chase, let’s get to what you’re looking for.

In this blog, I’ll be covering hair clarification in detail — when, why, and how to clarify hair (DIY recipes and clarifying shampoos).

So, let’s get started!

Benefits Of Clarifying Hair

How To Clarify Hair: A Definitive Guide that'll make life easy for you

Wondering why you need to clarify your hair when you already shampoo them regularly? Here’s what a clarifying treatment does to your hair:

1. Keeps Your Scalp Clean

Shampooing your hair twice or thrice a day isn’t enough. Your daily-use hair products like shampoo and conditioner can stick to your scalp even after a thorough rinse. Not to forget if your tap has hard water, the condition of your scalp is all set to worsen.

Mineral deposits can strip off your hair of moisture and add unnecessary greasiness to them. Plus, they are one of the biggest reasons behind itchy scalps and dry, frizzy hair.

A clarifying shampoo or a DIY hair clarifying recipe ensures this clingy (and toxic) buildup is removed from your scalp. It also stabilizes the pH level of your scalp, which is generally thrown off the balance by synthetic hair products.

2. Strengthens Your Hair

A healthy scalp stimulates the growth of thicker and shinier hair. By clarifying your hair, the hair follicles unclog, and new roots can finally emerge. The quantity as well as the quality of your hair increases, locking in necessary moisture to keep them rejuvenated.

**Do You really Need To Clarify Your Hair?**

Below are some pressing signs your hair needs clarification:

Your hair feels heavy and weighed down
Shampooing doesn’t seem to work — buildup remains even after washing your hair
You use synthetic hair products frequently (more than once a week)
You have frizzy hair that’s rough to touch
Uncontrollable hair fall
You swim more than once a week (which is enough time for mineral deposits)
You wash your hair with hard water
Your hair becomes oily right after shampooing
You have an itchy scalp with flakes/dirt

How To Clarify Hair Using DIY Remedies?

Here are the top 6 DIY hair clarifying treatments that can help you attain wholesome hair:

1. Baking Soda + Tea Tree Oil

Baking soda is known for its exfoliating properties and is thus one of the best homemade treatments for dandruff. It helps attain the desirable pH level for your scalp and steers it away from infections.

Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, tea tree oil provides soothing relief to itchy and dry scalps and locks moisture in your roots.

How to clarify hair using baking soda and tea tree oil:

Add two tbsp baking soda to one cup of water and stir the solution until the soda granules dissolve completely.
Put in 6-8 drops of tea tree oil. However, do run a patch test for tea tree oil beforehand to see whether you’re allergic to it or not.
Use this solution as a post-wash rinse. You can leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

The three most praiseworthy qualities of apple cider vinegar are its antimicrobial, acidic, and high vitamin nature.

The first helps in combating infections and microorganisms thriving on a dirty scalp. The second treats brittle hair which is a result of a scalp with a higher pH level (alkaline). The last quality nourishes your hair inside out and makes them vigorous.

How to clarify hair using apple cider vinegar:

Take 450ml of water and add 3-4 tbsp of ACV to it.
Stir the mix properly and follow either of the steps given below:

Pour the mix into your hair after shampooing. Let it sit for a good 10 minutes before rinsing it off with water.
Transfer the mix into a spray bottle and then apply it to your scalp to cover your roots thoroughly. Rinse it off with water after 10 minutes.

3. Bentonite Clay

If you live or work in a polluted environment and have trouble restoring the lost shine of your hair, bentonite clay is exactly what you need.

With this powder-like substance, you can moisturize dry and limp hair while eliminating the greasy layer on your scalp simultaneously.

How to clarify hair using bentonite clay:

Take bentonite clay and water in a ratio of 2:1. So, if you’re taking one cup of bentonite clay, use half a cup of water. Mix well to form a smooth paste.
Add 2-3 tbsp of aloe vera gel to this batter-like blend. You can buy it from an organic seller or use fresh gel (always a better choice).
Wrap it up by adding ¼ cup of ACV.
Apply this to damp hair and rinse it off once dry.

4. Lemon

All of us have heard about the bleaching properties of lemon — the reason why they are used so extensively for de-tanning, removing blemishes, and lightening skin color.

The same benefits can also be leveraged by your hair. Lemon is a powerhouse of vitamin C, which boosts collagen production. Its acidic quality helps restore higher pH levels of your scalp and beats dandruff.

You can also control oil secretion using lemons and lighten your hair color naturally!

How to clarify hair using lemon:

Squeeze one lemon into two cups of lukewarm water and pour the final product into a spray bottle.
Use a comb to split hair and spritz the liquid properly all over your scalp and roots.
Let your hair soak for another 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off.

5. Rhassoul Clay

Rhassoul is a Moroccan clay that conditions your hair using silica, an exfoliating agent. It adds shine and gloss to your hair, treats clogged hair follicles, and boosts the overall health of your hair.

How to clarify hair using Rhassoul clay:

For this remedy, you’ll need half a cup of Rhassoul Clay, half a cup of water, 2 tbsp of ACV, 2 tbsp of olive oil, and 7-8 drops of essential oil (optional).
Combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Apply it to damp hair and cover your scalp properly with the mix.
Leave it for 10 minutes and then rinse it off with a mild shampoo.

6. Sea Salt

If you’re fed up with shampooing your hair only to find unwashed oiliness, it’s time to add sea salt to your hair care.

Sea salt crystals are natural scrubbers and exfoliators. Thus, you can unclog your pores and facilitate hair growth with them.

Plus, sea salt is one of the best natural cleansers that also adds a decent amount of minerals necessary for improving hair cells and treating numerous skin disorders.

How to clarify hair using sea salt:

Add 4-6 tbsp of sea salt to 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice and 1 tbsp of hair of your choice (almond/coconut/olive)
Massage this mix into your hair (don’t go too hard on your delicate roots) and scrub it in for 10 minutes.
Let it rest for 15 minutes before washing it off with mild shampoo.

Best Hair Clarifying Products You Can Use

1. Pattern Beauty Cleansing Shampoo

Finding the right clarifying shampoo for curly hair types is like finding a needle in the haystack. Lucky you, the first recommendation on this list is a much-needed product on the shelves of proud and gorgeous curly-hair owners!

Pattern Beauty extends a deep-cleaning solution to the prevalent issue of frizzy, dry, and rough tresses of type 3 and type 4 curls. The main ingredients include Matcha Green Tea (here are some Matcha benefits for you), Panthenol, and Aloe Vera.

The 7.8 fl. oz. comes in recyclable packaging and is sulfate-free! You can use it as your regular shampoo and go for one or two washes, depending on your hair requirements. Finishing up with a conditioner adds the cherry on the cake.

2. Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo

Suitable for all hair types (even colored!), Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo is a sulfate, phosphate, and paraben-free product. Its highly concentrated formula consists of Argan Oil, Keratin, Panthenol, and extracts of Lavender, Rosemary, Jojoba, and Chamomile.

Rich in antioxidants, structural proteins, and vitamin B5, the Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo can also be used before any chemical treatment for better results.

Since it’s a highly concentrated solution, “less is more” fits well here. You can lather it up by adding water to rinse your hair thoroughly before conditioning them.

This shampoo can be used twice a week by swimmers and twice a month by those who have comparatively cleaner scalps.

3. Neutrogena Exfoliating Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo

For those who don’t have time to make DIY hair-clarifying recipes, Neutrogena brings forth its grapefruit cleansing shampoo.

Made of pink grapefruit extract, this product will detoxify your scalp, exfoliate and cleanse it, no matter how oily or messed up it is. It attracts dirt and buildup like a magnet and the scrubbing effect facilitates this process. Plus, it’s perfect for color-treated hair as well.

You can use Neutrogena’s Clarify shampoo with its conditioner once a week along with the conditioner for consistent results.

4. Alodia nourish & heal organic black soap wash

Looking for something natural and organic? Alodia is here to save your day!

Synthesized using tea tree oil, cocoa seed powder, and plantain skins, this product is a must-have for sensitive skin types and treating badly (like really, really bad) damaged hair. The miraculous blend of lavender and spearmint oils enhances blood circulation in your scalp for hair growth and strengthens it from within.

The texture might be watery since no artificial thickening agent is present in this shampoo to offer 100% natural rejuvenation to you. It’s safe for color-treated tresses and can be used twice a week.

5. Ouai Detox Shampoo

Perfect for hard water users, Ouai Detox Shampoo clarifies as well as chelates your hair to remove mineral deposits and other grime from your scalp. ACV and tamarind seed extract are the hero ingredients of this paraben, phthalate, SLS, and SLES-free product.

Don’t hesitate to use this detox shampoo even if your hair has undergone a color and keratin treatment. Plus, it does not weigh your hair down, has an appealing fragrance, and can be used weekly.

How Often Should You Clarify Your Hair?

There’s no fixed answer to this question. Every scalp is different, and thus it comes down to individual requirements and preferences.

Generally, clarifying your hair once a month is considered ideal, given that your scalp doesn’t accumulate much dirt and most of the buildup gets removed by your regular shampoo.

For people who swim regularly and use hard water to wash their hair, twice or thrice a month is a good frequency for clarifying your hair without stripping away the natural oils.

Clarifying once or twice a week is recommended for super oily and greasy hair — a result of using abundant synthetic products.

And if you’ve never clarified your hair, it’s best to use a clarifying shampoo/DIY recipe at least 2-3 times first before following the once-a-month routine.

How to clarify curly hair?

Oh, curly hair! It looks gorgeous when it’s all bouncy and shiny, full of life and energy. But, let’s be honest, curly hair requires some extra special attention, doesn’t it? You can’t just use any old shampoo and conditioner on curly hair and cross your fingers for the best.

1. Use a clarifying shampoo

A clarifying shampoo will remove all the buildup from your hair, leaving it squeaky clean. Use just once a week to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils. But make sure your clarifying shampoo is non-drying, sulfate-free, and silicone-free. I mean, you wanna risk that bounce?

2. Do an apple cider vinegar rinse

Apple cider vinegar is excellent for clarifying curly hair. Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 3 parts water and pour it over your hair after you’ve shampooed it. Let it sit for a few minutes (approximately 5-10), then rinse it out with water and say goodbye to all the product buildup.

3. Use a deep conditioning treatment

After clarifying your hair, using a deep conditioning treatment is essential to restore moisture and hydration. Apply the treatment to your hair and leave it on for at minimum 30 minutes before rinsing it out. It’ll put the moisture and bounce back to your squeaky clean curly hair in seconds!

4. Avoid heavy products

Heavy products, like oils and butter can contribute to buildup in curly hair. If you love using these types of products, consider limiting their use or using lighter versions instead.

5. Be gentle

Curly hair is delicate, and rough handling can cause breakage and damage. Be gentle when you’re washing or detangling your hair to avoid causing any harm.

In A Nutshell – how to clarify hair

In a world full of people who settle with regular shampoos, be someone who clarifies hair regularly!

Accumulation of dirt and buildup on the scalp is normal in today’s world since we’re exposed to pollution, toxins, and chemicals on a daily basis. But it doesn’t have to be permanent.

With proper hair care, you can get rid of harmful deposits which clog your pores and prevent hair growth.

I’d suggest trying the above-mentioned DIY hair-clarifying recipes first before switching to products available in the market. They are 100% natural and safe.

However, if you have a lot on your plate and no time, using clarifying shampoos is your best bet! But don’t overdo it and you’re all good to go!

How To Clarify Hair: A Definitive Guide that’ll make life easy for you

Learn how to clarify your hair with this easy-to-follow guide. From natural solutions to specialized cleansers, achieve healthy, beautiful locks today!