What is a Clarifying Shampoo?

 Have you ever felt like your hair was weighed down, itchy and dry? Have you ever washed your hair with your favorite shampoo, and it seemed to still feel the same? If you answered, “Yes”, you may need to get a clarifying shampoo. Yep, your regular shampoo isn’t doing the job and there is a logical reason for this. But before we get into that. What is a clarifying shampoo?

A clarifying shampoo is much different than regular shampoo. Regular shampoos mildly cleanse the hair and scalp. However, clarifying shampoos are a deep cleanse of debris, oils, product build up and dandruff.  They usually include more levels of surfactants or foaming agents and cleansers than your regular shampoo.

What are the benefits of using a clarifying shampoo?

Clarifying shampoos help your hair get back to its healthy state. Healthy hair and scalp can be described scientifically as having an acidic pH balance of 5. When your scalp is not clean, the pH balance becomes a base and not able to fight off bacteria. If you’re using a shampoo that still has your scalp itching, your pH balance has not been restored. It’s vital to deep clean your hair and scalp because if not you’re inviting more bacteria and fungus into your scalp. Eventually, you’ll have dandruff, caked up product build up and lifeless curls. And that’s NOT a good hair day.

What ingredients should you look for in a clarifying shampoo for curly hair?

Natural Surfactants

When looking for clarifying shampoo for curly hair it’s best to avoid sulfur, parabens, silicone, phthalates and harmful chemicals. Instead look for natural, plant-based cleansers known as surfactants cleansers like:

·       Decyl glucoside: a mild nontoxic cleanser derived from plants. It’s used in baby and natural shampoos, perfect for people with sensitive skin. The suds are milder but cleanses well.

·       Coco Glucoside: a thicker nontoxic cleanser derived from coconut and sugars. It’s used as a foaming agent in natural shampoos because it produces more suds.

·       Lauryl Glucoside: a thick nontoxic cleanser derived from palm kernel oil, coconuts, or corn. Also used in natural shampoos.

Avoid ingredients that are chemicals produced in a lab like Minoxidil and Pyrithione Zinc. Minoxidil was “originally a hypertension medication” with “negative side effects of the medication including increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, rapid weight gain, edema, seborrhoeic dermatitis, scalp itching, and scaling.”

Pyrithione Zinc derived from the metal zinc and then combined with a chemical in the lab. You may find these ingredients in dandruff shampoos like Head & Shoulders Royal Oils or Bosley shampoos.

A natural alternative to Pyrithione Zinc is Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is naturally from apples. It kills fungus, yeast and other bacteria while restoring the pH balance of your scalp and hair. It removes dandruff, product buildup and smooths the hair shaft to creates soft and shiny hair. The Mother in the ACV is great for natural hair because it has nutrients in them.

Other ingredients great for natural hair in your clarifying shampoos are called good alcohols. Yes, there are GOOD alcohols for hair. Most of us know the store alcohols that contain ethanol and or have the word “prop” (isopropyl) are not for your hair. If you find these alcohols in any hair product steer away immediately! However, the good alcohols you should be looking for in your clarifying shampoo will help lock in moisture because they are fatty alcohols, plant and oil based.

Good Alcohols for Natural Hair

·       Cetyl alcohol

·       Ceatryl alcohol

·       Lauryl alcohol

·       Stearyl alcohol

·       Behenyl alcohol

Finally, you want to look for carrier oils, essential oils and natural ingredients that moisturize and prevent bacteria and fungus. As well as stimulate hair follicles for healthy hair growth like:

·       Lavender oil: Prevents bacteria and fungus.

·       Tea Tree oil: Has Vitamin D which prevents scaling by slowing the skin cell growth for people diagnosed with scalp psoriasis.

·       Jamaican Black Castor: moisturizes scalp and prevents split ends,

·       Mint or Peppermint (depends on your preference): Promotes blood flow in the scalp to get your hair follicles stimulated for hair growth.

So the next time you’re shopping for a shampoo to get rid of that itch or dandruff. Reach for a natural or vegan clarifying shampoo or shop online at Shateria Beauty . The best part is that you can use it as frequent as your regular shampoo when the ingredients are natural or vegan.