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Clarifying shampoo: how to choose one for oily hair?

If you struggle with oily hair, incorporating a clarifying shampoo into your hair care routine can be a game-changer. These shampoos are specifically designed to remove excess oil, product buildup, and impurities, leaving your hair feeling fresh and revitalized. However, selecting the right clarifying shampoo for greasy hair is crucial to ensure it addresses your hair’s specific needs without causing dryness or damage. 

A man in his 40-ties with grey, styled hair looking at the camera and smiling.

What is a Clarifying Shampoo?

A clarifying shampoo is a deep-cleansing formula that targets and eliminates buildup from the scalp and hair strands. This buildup can result from natural oils, styling products, hard water minerals, and environmental pollutants. Regular shampoos may not effectively remove these residues, leading to dullness and limp hair. Clarifying shampoos, however, provide a more intensive clean, making them particularly beneficial for individuals with an oily scalp and dandruff or those who frequently use styling products.

Discover What Causes Greasy or Oily Hair? 

So, if you have a particularly oily scalp you might find that you need to use a clarifying shampoo every now and then to eliminate the build-up – particularly if your regular shampoo doesn’t clean well enough.

Benefits of Clarifying Shampoos for Oily Hair

  • Removes Excess Oil: A deep cleansing shampoo is formulated to cleanse the scalp, effectively removing excess sebum that contributes to greasy hair.

  • Eliminates Product Buildup: Clarifying detox shampoo dissolves the residue left by hair products, hard water, and pollution, restoring your hair’s natural shine and volume.

  • Enhances Volume & Manageability: By removing heavy residues, clarifying shampoos can add volume and improve overall hair texture.

One downside of clarifying shampoos is that they don’t normally contain many moisturizing ingredients; in fact, some don’t have any at all. This can leave your hair feeling dry and rough, and also leaves it more vulnerable to damage. 

But by using the right shampoo every time you wash your hair, you can keep oily hair under control and still get great conditioning and shine. 

A young woman with very curly brown hair pinned up standing sideways to the camera.

How to Choose the Best Clarifying Shampoo

When selecting a clarifying shampoo, consider:

  • Hair Type Compatibility: Choose a shampoo for an oily scalp that controls oil production without stripping essential moisture.

  • Gentle Formulas: Opt for a gentle clarifying shampoo to prevent dryness.

  • Frequency of Use: Some clarifying shampoos are designed for weekly use, while others can be used more often.

For an effective cleansing shampoo, try Head & Shoulders Clarify & Shine Shampoo, a clarifying shampoo designed to refresh and purify the scalp.

Our Instant Oil Control Shampoo as an enhanced cleaning effect, removing oils and leaving your hair and scalp free from heavy build-up. 

How to Use a Clarifying Shampoo

1. Wet Your Hair Thoroughly – Ensure your hair is completely saturated with water before applying.

2. Apply the Shampoo – Use a small amount of clarifying shampoo, focusing on the scalp. Massage gently for a deep cleanse.

3. Rinse Thoroughly – Rinse to remove dissolved impurities.

4. Follow with Conditioner – Use a hydrating conditioner to prevent dry scalp.

Need a scalp care routine? Read more Tips for Your Scalp

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