Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair: Unlocking Your Best Curls

As we know, curls look pretty but are difficult to handle. The nature of curls which are spiral and wavy doesn’t allow the natural oils formed on the scalp to travel to the roots uniformly and provide them nourishment, leaving the curls rough and frizzy. 

No amount of shampoos and conditioners come in handy when we are dealing with curls. Hence, your pretty but difficult curls require some special treatment. 

Born with heavy curls, I have tried and tested multiple products to ensure smooth and healthy curls. I finally found a one-stop solution to ensure bouncy curls and get rid of post-wash frizziness. 

Yes, I am talking about clarifying shampoos which have helped me not just ensure cleaner and oil-free but also voluminous and bouncy curls. Clarifying shampoo for curly hair helps to keep them soft, smooth and healthy.

I. Introduction

Let us begin by understanding what is a clarifying shampoo. These shampoos are made to trap impurities and offer a deep cleansing of hair and scalp. They are a bit stronger than regular shampoo as they are designed to remove residual layers from the hair. 

Definition of Clarifying Shampoo

If your hair get exposed to heat or water frequently or you swim regularly bringing your hair in contact with chlorinated water, in such a case, clarifying shampoos are a perfect fix for your hair.

People are often skeptical of using clarifying shampoos as they are stronger than regular shampoos. Experts advise to not use such shampoos regularly and only in cases when your hair is too dirty and oily for the normal shampoos. 

Clarifying shampoo for curly hair can be considered a home-based spa treatment. 

Clarifying shampoo is a deep cleanser that can be used on all types of hair. Unlike regular shampoo, a clarifier will cut through oils and product buildup easily, leaving you with fresh and clean tresses. However, it should not be used in the same manner as a more regular or daily shampoo.

Importance of Using Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair

The main purpose of a clarifying shampoo is to deep-clean the scalp and hair. This helps to clean every curve turn off your curls and make them healthier and bouncy. 

Due to the shape and texture of curls, it often gets difficult for a normal shampoo to clean it properly. Hence, the occasional use of a strong clarifying shampoo can help to manage the curls. 

Overview of the Guide’s Content

Before we understand the use and importance of a clarifying shampoo, we need to understand the nature of curly hair. Here is a simple guide to curly hair types and their characteristics. We will further understand the reason why curly hair tends to turn frizzier than straight hair and how to avoid it.

II. Understanding Curly Hair

To take care of your curls, you need to understand your curls in terms of their texture and nature and accordingly, you can choose the right products. 

Hair is part of your DNA, hence its quality is often determined by the genes of your parents. 

Curly hair is considered a dominant gene trait while straight hair is recessive. That means, if one parent passes on a curly-haired gene and the other parent gives you a straight-haired gene, you are likely to be born with curly hair. 

Types of Curly Hair 

There are several types of curly hair. Some of them are specific to certain regions. Universally,  there are ten types of curls found across the world. Let us understand all these types in detail. 

Unique Characteristics and Challenges

There are four kinds of hair – 

Type 1- Straight Hair

Type 2- Wavy Hair

Type 3- Curly Hair

Type 4- Coily Hair

They are separated by their sizes of waves, crimps, perm, curls, and coils. 

Curly hair is divided into 3 more subcategories A, B, and C based on the diameter of the curls in wavy, curly, and coily hair. 

In total, there are 10 different types of hair: Type-1, Type-2A, Type-2B, Type-2C, Type-3A, Type-3B, Type-3C, Type-4A, Type-4B and Type-4C

Why Curly Hair Requires Special Care

As explained above the natural shape of curls does not allow the scalp oil to transfer to the tips of hair naturally, thus leaving them frizzy and dry. 

Hence, we need to give extra care to the curls so they remain healthy and bouncy. 

III. What is Clarifying Shampoo?

Clarifying shampoo is a hair care product in the form of viscous liquid. It is available in both liquid and solid bar formats. 

Definition and Purpose

Clarifying shampoo is typically used to remove the unwanted build-up of sebum in the hair without stripping it out to make hair unmanageable.

It is generally made by combining a surfactant, most often sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, with a co-surfactant, most often cocamidopropyl betaine in water. 

The sulfate ingredient acts as a surfactant, trapping oils and other contaminants, similar to soap

How Clarifying Shampoo Differs from Regular Shampoo

Any deep-cleaning product is designed to remove the product residue, excessive oil, dead skin cells, and other dirt which makes the hair look dull and make them weaker. 

Regular shampoo will just clean the surface of hair and scalp but a clarifying shampoo will help in cleaning it thoroughly. 

Ingredients to Look for in Clarifying Shampoo

Some of the must-have ingredients in a clarifying shampoo are – 

• Eucalyptus is known for its anti-inflammatory properties
• Rosemary oil is known for its antibacterial elements
• Willow Bark helps to clear pores, attain a clean scalp, and reduce dandruff
• Dog Rose which contains Vitamin C and helps stimulate collagen production 
• Ginseng which is a Korean herb is also extremely good for hair but difficult to be found
• Sage helps in the formation of hair follicles

IV. Benefits of Using Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair

Clarifying shampoos have been made for all types of hair. Their essential function is to remove dirt and oil from the hair. However, the major use of a clarifying shampoo is for curly hair or Type-3 and Type-4 hair.

1. Removes Buildup and Residue

The role of a clarifying shampoo is similar to scrubs which help to exfoliate your skin and clean deep pores. 

A clarifying shampoo reaches the depths of the scalp and roots of the hair and tries to suck out oil, dirt, and other unwanted substances. It is often used in case a person is dealing with dandruff, lices, or other hair-related problems. 

You often go outside and expose your hair to dirt, sun, and other impurities which leave your hair brittle and damaged. The build-up is a layer of product residue and dirt that builds up on the hair surface.

A layer of residue is also formed due to over-usage of hair products which often leave behind oil and other by-products on the scalp and roots of hair leaving them oily and greasy. 

Clarifying shampoos can attack each residual portion of your hair and remove it completely. 

Clarifying shampoos are made up of heavy surfactants which are soap-like ingredients that get rid of residue, grease, and impurities in your hair. These are much stronger than traditional cleansers.

2. Enhances Natural Curls

Clarifying shampoos not only deep clean your hair but also leave your curls healthy and bouncy. It helps to remove the residue that weighs down on your curls and helps them retain their shape.

3. Balances Scalp Health

Unlike normal shampoos, clarifying shampoos also clean your scalp apart from your hair. There is often some fear about how strong clarifying shampoos can wrongly impact health. 

4. Prevents Hair Damage

The presence of dirt and residue left behind due to overuse of hair products can damage the hair and weaken the roots. Clarifying shampoo will help to remove such unwanted elements and ensure better hair health.

V. How Often Should You Use Clarifying Shampoo?

As I have clarified above frequent use of clarifying shampoos is not recommended, hence one must exercise caution while using these as they are stronger than normal shampoos. 

1. Factors Influencing Frequency

As per some experts, you should use clarifying shampoos only once or twice a month depending on the nature of your hair and exposure to dust and extreme temperatures. You must consult a specialist of your hair stylist before opting for a clarifying shampoo brand.

But if you are having extremely damaged curls, then in the beginning you can use it once a week as well but do observe its impact on your hair and make an informed decision. 

2. Recommended Usage Guidelines

Unlike normal shampoo, clarifying shampoos are too strong and require special attention. One must seek expert advice before picking on a particular brand.

VI. How to Choose the Right Clarifying Shampoo 

As the clarifying shampoos are so strong, it is important to choose the right set of shampoo and conditioner. 

1. Analyzing Hair Type and Needs

Hair type involves understanding different qualities of your hair, including density, texture, porosity, elasticity, and curl pattern. 

In total there are 10 different types of hair: 

Type-2A, Type-2B, Type-2C, Type-3A, Type-3B, Type-3C, Type-4A, Type-4B and Type-4C

2A hair is the loosest wavy hair type. 2A hair is like s-shaped tresses towards the middle of your hair and downwards. The top may be slightly flat and straight. The somewhat wavy tresses add a little volume and bounce to your hair.

2B hair is full, loose waves that start midway down the hair shaft with straight hair toward the roots. They often get frizz. 

2C hair is wavy but can look a bit curly as well. S-bend hair is thick and the waves start at the roots.

3A hair is shiny, loose curls. 3A curls can fall flat and can easily become dry. They are prone to breakage. People often recommend to keep them moist to avoid breakage.

3B hair types are curly.  your curls are likely big, bouncy, and voluminous. The “S”-shaped curls are usually about the circumference of your index finger or a Sharpie marker and may vary between tight spirals and loose waves.

Type 3C hair has defined curls that hold a tight, S-shaped pattern. They are dense. A whole lot of strands are packed together to form one curl.

Type 4A hair has multiple medium-sized, loosely packed curls. The curls have a springy S-shape and are about the size of a crochet needle.

Type-4B hair has densely packed curls which are tighter than 4a. They resemble tight curls that aren’t as tight as the 4c curls and bend in such a way that they have a zig-zag pattern.

Type-4C is tightly wound around itself/ they are more prone to snapping or breakage. They won’t leave their shape even after stretching them unless being put under unnatural pressure.

2. Reading Labels and Ingredients

It is extremely important to read the labels behind the bottles of Clarifying shampoo to understand its composition.

 A Clarifying shampoo often consists of sulfates or surfactants which help to remove oil and residue. It may also consist of citric acid and glycerin.

Top-Rated Clarifying Shampoo Brands

You must refer to your hair stylist and opt for some samples of Clarifying Shampoo before you decide on the right brand for yourself. 

Here are some top-rated clarifying shampoo brands that you can consider. 

1. L’Oréal Metal Detox Shampoo–

One of the amazing shampoo to take care of your damaged and chemically treated hair strands. As the name sugggests it helps to not only remove the product build ups, but also remove the metal in the hair coming from water.

Features-

• Strengthens hair strands
• Improves hair elasticity
• Makes hair and scalp healthy
• Detoxify hair

2. Moroccan Oil Clarifying Shampoo–

A highly recommended shampoo that helps to remove product buildup and all the environmental impurities. It gives life to the hair and make it shiny and strong. Rich in antioxidants, it also nourishes hair.

Features-

• Cruelty-free
• Nourishes hair
• Removes all the impurities and product buildup
• Amazing fragrance

3. OUAI Detox Shampoo–

A clarifying shampoo which removes product buildup, dirt, and oil. A detox shampoo which is not greasy and helps to clean the hair. The shampoo uses chelating agents to remove heavy metal, minerals and chlorine from hair.

Features-

• Sulfate-free shampoo
• Hydrolyzed Keratin tames frizz and flyaways
• Strengthens and nourishes hair
• Restores volume and shine in the hair

4. Oribe Cleanse Clarifying Signature Shampoo–

A premium brand to pamper and love your curls unconditionally. Oribe signature shampoo is custom blended from the most effective ingredients. It detangles, protect and silken the hair. Helps to remove all the product buildup from the hair and keep it healthy.

Features-

• Strengthens and nourishes hair
• Free from chemicals
• Detangle and protect hair

VII. How to Apply Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoos are very strong and must be applied carefully. One must read the instructions given on the back side of the shampoo bottle. 

Tips for Even Application

Overuse of hair products can lead to a residual build-up of hair leaving them dry and frizzy. A good quality clarifying shampoo can help to get rid of the unwanted dirt and the material piled up on the surface of the hair and give you clean and shiny hair. 

It often gets difficult to apply shampoo evenly in the case of curly hair. Here are some simple steps to evenly apply the clarifying shampoo. 

• You must de-tangle your curls before applying the shampoo. Use a wide-toothed comb to do so.
• Then wet your hair to make it moist and allow the shampoo to sit well on the surface of the hair.
• Take a small amount of maybe coin-sized shampoo on your palm 
• Start applying them on the roots of hair and scalp
• Cover the entire area and then work from top to bottom
• Gently cover all the curls with the shampoo and let the foam soak in all the dirt and unwanted oil
• Massage your scalp and hair
• Then wash the hair using cold or lukewarm water
• You can use an applicant brush to ensure even application of shampoo
• Part your hair and apply the shampoo between the partitions, repeat this process until all the hair is covered

Massaging Techniques

Wet curls tend to become fragile upon using the shampoo. Hence, it is of utmost importance to handle them with care while washing them. 

Here are some common massaging techniques that you can follow while washing your hair using a shampoo. 

1. Rotary Massage –

Move the fingers and thumb in a circular or rotational movement. Apply gentle but firm pressure on the scalp and the curls to ensure the removal of dirt and oil from the surface of the hair. Follow the same motion across the surface of hair and scalp and repeat it until the entire hairline and scalp are covered

2. Finger massage –

Massaging too hard can cause breakage and scratches on the scalp. The best practice is to use the pads of your fingertips, and not your fingernails, to scrub your scalp. Using circular motions with slight pressure will be enough to cleanse the scalp and hair

3. Shampoo massage –

Gently rub your palms over your hair, and massage your scalp with your fingertips in a gentle kneading motion. Take some shampoo and mildly spread it over using the same massage technique

4. Unit 215 Level 2 vrq Hairdressing –

This device helps in a firm, circular massage movement, using the pads of the fingers on the scalp during the shampooing process

5. Tapotement –

This is mostly used during spa treatments. It involves rhythmic, rapid movements on the body. The movements include tapping, patting, clapping, beating, pounding, or knocking

VIII. Clarifying Shampoo Myths and Facts

In comparison to normal shampoos, the number of users of clarifying shampoos is low. This can be due to some of the myths surrounding clarifying shampoos. Let us try to address some of them.

Debunking Common Misconceptions

The use of a clarifying shampoo weekly does not replace the need for a scalp treatment in your hair-care routine. Scalp treatments serve many other purposes than just removing excess oil, sebum, and buildup.

Myth: Clarifying shampoo might hinder hair growth and weaken roots. 

Fact – Sebum, the natural oil at the scalp, weighs hair down starting at the root. Clarification collects excess oils rinses them away and helps to gain a bouncy texture. The hair growth will also improve.

IX. Precautions and Potential Side Effects

Clarifying shampoos are effective but too strong. Their immediate results might entice the user to over-use it. However, its overuse can be harmful. 

How to Avoid Overuse

Follow a timetable for the usage of clarifying shampoo. If you wash your hair twice or thrice a week, limit the use of clarifying shampoo to only once or twice a month.

In case you are not sure about the impact of clarifying shampoo on your hair, then consult a stylist or seek other professional help.

Addressing Dryness and Frizz

Clarifying shampoos often consist of strong chemicals such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, apple cider vinegar, and menthol which can make your hair roots weaker due to over-usage. They suck out all the oil and residual build-up on your hair and sometimes impact the natural layer of oil on hair and scalp as well leaving them dry and dull. 

Hence, it is recommended to always use a hair lotion or cream on the scalp and hair to help the hair retain its moisture.

It is also advisable to do a hot oil massage before washing the hair so that it gets the required portion of moisture.

Handling Sensitivity

Clarifying shampoos are stronger than regular ones and hence must be handled sensitively. 

It is important to follow all the instructions given on the back side of the bottle of clarifying shampoo and consult a specialist in case of any doubt. 

X. DIY Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair

It is quite common for people to be skeptical about the usage of clarifying shampoos and the presence of harmful preservatives and chemicals that might further damage the hair. 

It is not necessary to be dependent on artificially manufactured clarifying shampoos. You can also opt for some natural ingredients which have certain properties which can help you to deep clean your curly hair and scalp.

Homemade Recipes with Natural Ingredients

Here are some DIY recipes for homemade clarifying shampoos.

1 ) DIY Clarifying Shampoo 

To make a clarifying shampoo with baking soda, you will need

• baking soda and water,
• and essential oils

which will enhance the quality of your clarifying shampoo and ensure a good after-shampoo smell. Some of the best essential oils for hair include lavender and rosemary

• Pour some water into a small bowl
• Add in the essential oils and stir well.
• Take some baking soda.
• Add that to the water and oil mixture.
• Stir it until the baking soda is dissolved.

• Wet your hair and evenly apply the DIY clarifying shampoo
• Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and then rinse out with warm water.
• Then apply some hair conditioner and rinse it again.

2 ) DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Shampoo 

Apple Cider Vinegar consists of two main ingredients which are natural components of hair.

• Dilute the vinegar using one bowl of water as direct use of it might damage your hair. 
• Take a spray bottle
• Add the ingredients along with some essential oils and shake well.
• Wet your hair and then spray the mixture all over the hair and scalp.
• Use your hands to evenly spread it across. 
• Leave it for 3-5 minutes and then rinse it off.
• You can apply some mild conditioner after that. 

Safety Measures

As told above, clarifying shampoos must be dealt with care as their overuse can further damage the hair and hair roots. 

Avoid direct contact with eyes, try covering them with some sunglasses or in case the shampoo gets into the eye, wash them immediately. 

Use small samples of different clarifying shampoos to understand their impact on your hair and scalp. 

User Experiences and Testimonials

Tara who calls herself as skincare and hair care guru shared her experience of using a clarifying shampoo on her Instagram page where she wrote, “Did you know Apple Cider Vinegar can help boost energy, burn fat AND clarify hair?  Great for all hair types but AMAZING results for anyone who is oily or has dandruff I love the purifying rinse on days when I mow the lawn or swim. It cleans my hair without over-shampooing which can dry out your hair”

Instagram influencer Welshie Curl Girl recommends the use of clarifying shampoo to tackle over-moisturised curls. She wrote, “How do we rectify over moisturized hair? CLARIFY – overloads are simply built up. ADJUST THE LEVEL OF CONDITIONING IN YOUR ROUTINE – do you need that deep conditioner? Or that amount of cream? If you are struggling, you can rinse out the conditioner for leave-in conditioner. Once you have done this, assess the levels of protein, grit, and hold in your routine. It may be that you need extra to help that curl hold.”

XI. Incorporating Clarifying Shampoo into Your Hair Care Routine

Here are some easy steps to incorporate clarifying shampoo into your daily hair routine.

Sample Hair Care Routine

It is important to go for some sample testing of clarifying shampoos to understand their impact on your hair and scalp.

Complementary Products (Conditioner, Styling Products)

Invest in complementary products such as Conditioner, and Styling Products. Understand their impact on your hair and only then opt for them or else they might result in residual build-up and cause further harm to the hair.

Maintenance Tips

It is important to always use conditioner after the use of clarifying shampoo. 

As clarifying shampoo is pretty strong, ensure you use some hair cream or lotion to keep the curls moisturized. 

XII. Real-Life Success Stories

Here are some real-life success stories of people with curly hair who have been able to effectively use clarifying shampoos.

Testimonials from Individuals with Curly Hair

One of the users used red onion and black seed shampoo, oil, and conditioner by Wow Science and said that while the shampoo made her hair worse, oil helped in the regrowth of her hair.

A woman with scalp Psoriasis due to overuse of hair products used clarifying shampoo to cure the condition 

Transformative Experiences with Clarifying Shampoo

As per Ovation Hair in a clinical study, “after just one use of Ovation’s Clarifying Shampoo: Over 90% of dulling deposits left by styling products were removed and shine and bounce were restored to lackluster locks”

XIII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

XIV. Conclusion 

One needs to understand the texture of their curls better and then make an informed decision about the choice of clarifying shampoo. 

Recap of Key Takeaways

Let us recapitulate our learnings about the clarifying shampoo. 

Firstly, limit the usage of clarifying shampoo to once or twice a month. 

Always, use a conditioner and then a hair cream after the wash to replenish the moisture. 

Encouragement to Embrace Clarifying Shampoo

While there are so many myths surrounding clarifying shampoos, their benefits are far-reaching. Those who tend to expose their curls to extreme conditions must use clarifying shampoo. 

Achieving Healthy, Beautiful Curly Hair

I know it is quite an oxymoron to say, that curly and healthy curls are the most fragile form of hair, but with little effort, curls can be rewarding as they will give you an edgy look.

Here are four ways to ensure healthy hair – 

1. Wash your hair when needed as over-washing curly hair can turn them dry, frizzy, and hard to manage
2. Keep your hair moisturized
3. Remember to clean your scalp
4. Detangle your hair and protect your curls from the sun

Have you ever used Clarifying shampoo for curly hair?