These shampoos are considered purifiers, detoxers and even deep cleaning shampoos. They are designed to remove stubborn build-up from your hair like silicones, waxes, moisturizers or anything that is just weighing down your tresses and leaving a dull film to your hair.
They do help in lifting away mineral deposits from hard water but not as effectively as a Chelating shampoo* (further down the list) as their primary job is to remove gunk from your hair.
They tend to be harsher than regular shampoos because they are working harder than a regular shampoo that will have gentler formulations.
Clarifying shampoos contain fewer conditioning agents, and more surfactants, in order to clean the hair as thoroughly as possible so conditioning after is a MUST and deep conditioning* is a no-brainer as well.
Shampoo Bars
Most shampoos are in liquid form but a shampoo bar* is a solid. Shampoo bars are an all natural conditioning shampoo in a solid bar form and usually made from all natural ingredients.
They are usually chock-full with natural oils* and they gently cleanse without drying out or harming the hair. They are great for traveling, no waste associated with them and they tend to last much longer than a liquid shampoo.
Sulfate-free Shampoos
Sulfates like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) are cheap yet rather powerful, grease cutting detergent that also aids in the foaming nature of soap.
The problem with sulfates like SLS is that they can irritate the skin (scalp) and are extremely drying to naturals. A sulfate-shampoo is just using alternative ingredients to get the job done or cleanse the hair.
They are just as effective as sulfate shampoos without the hassle and problems of sulfates. Sulfate-shampoos are the win/win for many naturals who love shampoo but hate the drying effects it can give to their tresses.
These shampoos do not get much press and actually I only heard about them a few weeks ago! If you have hard water you either have already heard of chelating shampoos or if not then you need to take heed.
Hard water is usually defined as water which contains a high concentration of calcium and magnesium* ions. They have high concentrations of minerals in the water and all that is being deposited and negatively affecting your hair.
They are hard to remove and regular shampoos cannot do the job and even some clarifying shampoos cannot. Chelating shampoos are specifically formulated to bind with metals and minerals and remove them from the hair.
Chelating agents are useful for removing the metals in hard water and minerals/chemicals of chlorine water. Chelating products typically contain EDTA or Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.
As you would ave guessed, these are powerhouse shampoos that will leave your hair drier and thirstier than before you used them.
You MUST condition and deep condition after their use and they should not be your only shampoo. Too much use and you will be harming your hair.
Yolanda says
Ladies and Gentlemen, do your research. Remember that products do not have to be harsh, drying, and full of chemicals to do their job! I have found several all-natural shampoos (through trial & error and many dollars later) that do the job of all the different types of shampoos listed above. My general sulfate-free shampoo I found at nattynaturals.com named Dudu Osum Shampoo. I found a “clarifying” shampoo at justnaturalskincare.com called “shampoo to remove buildup”, also at this website I found a chelating shampoo alternative in the vinegar rinse (the products may seem pricey but they are all-natural and a little goes a really long way!) I have also found a gentle cleansing shampoo that I think works better than any cleansing conditioner or co-wash. All the shampoos cleanse my scalp and hair without stripping or drying my hair. I am actually able to do light finger detangling…if need be with the shampoo in my hair-no tangles! So after 2 years in my “back to natural” hair journey, many websites, blogs, questions and tons of my own research I think I know my shampoos very well 🙂