Did you know clarifying shampoo should be used at least once every couple of months or more frequently depending on your lifestyle? Wondering why? Is your hair feeling greasy and weighed down? Does it feel like your scalp isn’t able to breathe? Does it seem like you don’t feel fresh after a shower? It’s possible that there’s scalp or product buildup. Wondering what’s that?
We use different products on our hair and scalp every day. It could be hair oil, serum, gel, hair cream, conditioner, etc. It doesn’t have to be only hair color or styling products! Everything that you put on your hair and scalp tends to accumulate over time and clog the pores on your scalp.
Add dirt and grime to this accumulation, and you have a combination that not only affects the health of your hair and scalp, it clogs pores and curbs hair growth, and also prevents nutrients from entering the roots and hair follicles. That’s where clarifying shampoos can help – to clarify your scalp and get rid of product buildup and scalp accumulation.
What’s a Clarifying Shampoo and How Does it Work?
Unlike a regular shampoo that only cleanses your hair and scalp, clarifying shampoos detoxify and get rid of accumulation, working as a clarifying treatment for your scalp. Clarifying shampoos leave your hair smooth, soft, and a scalp that can finally breathe!
DIY Clarifying Shampoo Benefits
Clarifying shampoo offers the following benefits:
Get rid of oil and dirt.
Scalp exfoliation
Combats dandruff
Gets rid of product buildup and dirt
Leaves your hair shiny and with healthier hair
Neutralize odors
Leaves our locks healthy and bouncy
DIY Clarifying Shampoo Recipes
1. Coconut Milk Clarifying Shampoo
Deeply nourishing coconut milk can help deep clean your scalp while also nourishing your hair. Let’s take a look at how to do it.
What You’ll Need
- Liquid Castile Soap – 2 Tbsps.
- Coconut Milk – 2 Tbsps.
- Sweet Almond Oil – 1/2 Tbsp.
Directions
Nothing special, mix all the ingredients together till combined.
Application
Gently massage your hair and scalp and let it sit for a few minutes.
Rinse off with warm water and then thoroughly rinse with lukewarm or cold water.
Condition as usual and air dry.
Notes
You can add baking soda to this recipe.
This is a mild and gentle recipe that’s also clarifying. However, you can add apple cider vinegar, which is not as harsh as other clarifying agents.
This shampoo also nourishes your hair strands and strengthens them.
2. Vegan Baking Soda
One of the most commonly used clarifying agents, baking soda shampoo is easy to prepare and very effective.
What You’ll Need
- Shampoo – 1 Tbsp.
- Baking Soda – 1.5 Tbsps.
- Lavender Essential Oil – 2 Drops
Directions
Mix all the ingredients together to form a homogenous mixture. Your baking soda shampoo is ready.
Application
Apply the prepared homemade clarifying shampoo onto your hair and scalp, massaging your way through your scalp.
Let it sit anywhere from a minute to about 5 minutes.
Rinse off thoroughly and condition your hair.
Notes
You can finish off with an apple cider vinegar rinse or spray apple cider vinegar on your roots.
Essential oils are optional and can be left out in this baking soda shampoo recipe.
3. Vegan Aloe Clarifying Shampoo
Aloe vera is a natural moisturizer and can soothe an irritated or itchy scalp.
What You’ll Need
- Aloe Vera Gel – 2 Tbsps.
- Liquid Castile Soap – 2 Tbp
- Sweet Almond Oil – 1 Tsp.
- Myrrh Essential Oil – 2 Drops
Directions
Nothing special, just mix all the ingredients together till combined.
Application
Apply the prepared homemade clarifying shampoo onto your hair and scalp.
Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
Condition and let your hair air dry.
Notes
You can skip or add the essential oils; it’s a matter of choice.
4. Vegan ACV Clarifying Shampoo
Apple cider vinegar is a gentle clarifying agent and can do wonders for your hair and scalp.
What You’ll Need
- Apple Cider Vinegar – 1/2 Cup
- Water – 2 Cups
- Frankincense Essential Oil – 2 Drops
Directions
Add all the ingredients to a spray bottle and shake to combine.
Application
Spray liberally on your hair and scalp.
Comb through using your fingers to spread the clarifying spray.
Rinse thoroughly and condition your hair.
Notes
Essential oil is optional. You can skip it or add it.
Apple cider vinegar doesn’t leave any residual aroma and evaporates shortly after application. So don’t worry about that smell.
5. Vegan Clarifying Shampoo with Active Charcoal
Active charcoal helps get rid of impurities naturally. We’re going to use that in our clarifying shampoo for an invigorating and nourishing cleanse. Charcoal has been used in many hair treatments and helps with hair and scalp health, which is an added bonus.
What You’ll Need
- Liquid Castile Soap- 4 Tbsps.
- Activated Charcoal Powder – 1 Tbsp.
- Rosemary Essential Oil – a few drops
Directions
Mix all the ingredients till well combined.
Application
Apply the homemade clarifying shampoo onto your hair and scalp and wait a few minutes.
Rinse off thoroughly and follow up with a conditioner.
Let your hair air dry.
Notes
Charcoal is a fine powder that needs rinsing to remove the fine particles from your scalp.
You can finish off with an apple cider vinegar rinse for added shine.
You can skip the essential oils or use the ones you prefer. It’s an optional ingredient.
Tips for Making the Most of a DIY Clarifying Shampoo
Don’t use a clarifying shampoo way too often. Even with a lot of buildup, you should not use it more than once or twice a month. Using clarifying shampoos excessively can result in dry and brittle hair, as they strip hair’s natural oils.
Never skip conditioning, especially after using a clarifying shampoo.
Gently massage the clarifying shampoo on your scalp and wash it off. Don’t scratch or scrub your scalp excessively. Even without doing all that, clarifying shampoos clarifies the scalp effectively.
Rinse well after using a clarifying shampoo. Use water generously to wash off and completely remove dirt and grime.
You don’t have to apply a lot of shampoo; just shampoo like you always do when washing hair.
Conclusion
We have given a few natural and affordable ideas to clarify the scalp. All of these recipes can be customized to suit your tastes and requirements better. The best part is we’re using natural ingredients and mostly available ingredients for our recipe. Do let us know how the recipes turned out for you.
However, if you’re not keen on DIY for whatever reason, we have you covered with a range of vegan premium hair cosmetics from Vitamins Revive. Do check out their online store to learn more about their products. As always, feel free to write to us and let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or queries. We love hearing from our readers.
