
Can You Use Clarifying Shampoo Daily?
Washing your hair makes you feel clean and fresh, but clarifying shampoo is a different story. Although this type of shampoo is ideal for cleansing the hair deeply, there are many people who have the same question: Can you use clarifying shampoo every day?
In this blog, we'll cover all the basics of clarifying shampoo: what it does, when to use it, and more appropriate everyday alternatives for healthy, manageable hair.
What Is a Clarifying Shampoo?
A clarifying shampoo is a deep-cleaning formula that removes:
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Buildup from styling products
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Excess oil and sweat
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Hard water minerals
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Dirt and pollutants from the environment
Unlike your regular natural hair shampoo, which is designed for gentle, everyday cleansing, clarifying shampoos offer a deeper cleanse, but they should be used carefully.
Can You Use Clarifying Shampoo Daily?
No, it is not recommended to use clarifying shampoo every day. It can strip your scalp of natural oils, making your hair dry, brittle, and frizzy.
If your hair feels greasy or weighed down, try using a clarifying shampoo just once a week. Between overly hydrating, use one that is a little more hydrating, such as an argan oil shampoo, to keep moisture up to your excitement levels without deposits.
Who Might Need Clarifying Shampoo More Often?
Certain lifestyles or hair types may call for more frequent clarifying:
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Swimmers who deal with chlorine exposure: Chlorine and pool chemicals can build up in the hair, making it dry, rough, and discolored. Clarifying shampoo helps remove those chemicals and restore balance.
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Frequent product users: Styling products can leave residue that regular shampoos may not fully remove.
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Those living in areas with hard water: Hard water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium that stick to the hair shaft, causing dullness and stiffness. Clarifying shampoo removes these deposits for a cleaner feel.
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People with naturally oily scalps: Excess oil can clog hair follicles and make hair look greasy soon after washing. A clarifying shampoo can help control oil and keep the scalp fresh.
- Individuals with itchy or flaky scalps: Buildup from sweat, oils, or pollution can irritate the scalp over time.
To keep your scalp clean without harsh effects, rotate your clarifying shampoo with a soothing formula like a tea tree shampoo. It’s gentle, refreshing, and helps with itchiness too.
How Often Should You Use Clarifying Shampoo?
Here’s a helpful table showing how often you should clarify based on hair type:
Hair Type |
Clarify Frequency |
Pair With |
Oily Hair |
1–2 times/week |
Use a balancing cleanser like tea tree shampoo |
Dry or Frizzy Hair |
Every 3–4 weeks |
Try coconut milk shampoo to hydrate |
Curly or Natural Hair |
Once a month |
Follow with amla shampoo for softness |
Color-Treated Hair |
Rarely |
Protect with the best keratin shampoo |
How to Use Clarifying Shampoo Properly
Using clarifying shampoo the right way helps you get the benefits without damaging your hair. Follow these steps:
- Wet your hair completely: Prior to shampooing, ensure that you get your hair completely wet. This is important to apply the product evenly and to avoid excess dryness.
- Use only a small amount of shampoo: That is right, only a small amount of clarifying shampoo is necessary. To use, rub the shampoo between your hands until it lathers, and apply in a gentle, massaging motion to both your scalp and hair.
- Gently massage shampoo on your scalp: While massaging shampoo into your scalp, be sure to use only the pads of your fingers to gently rub your scalp in a circular motion. This helps work the product into and remove any build-up on your scalp, while stimulating blood circulation without irritating your scalp.
- Rinse completely, and repeat only if necessary: Make sure that you rinse the shampoo completely so that you leave no shampoo in your hair. Only repeat if your hair feels oily or heavy after your first wash.
- Always follow with a conditioner: Clarifying shampoo will remove natural oils from your hair. To help restore some moisture and softness, use a very rich conditioner, or a hair mask would certainly work as well.
- Use a nourishing shampoo after clarifying your hair: After you have clarified your hair, consider using something such as onion shampoo to help nourish your scalp and help promote healthy hair growth.
After clarifying, using a nourishing product like olive oil shampoo can support scalp health and strengthen hair from the roots.
What to Use Instead of Clarifying Shampoo Daily
Instead of using clarifying shampoo every day, here are some milder options you can switch to:
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Use coconut milk shampoo for soft, hydrated hair, especially if your hair is dry or wavy.
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If your strands are frizzy or chemically treated, try using the best keratin shampoo to keep them smooth and protected.
- Tea tree shampoo is a great option for both men and women dealing with a flaky scalp, as it helps soothe and refresh the skin.
These gentle shampoos work great for regular use and prevent dryness caused by over-washing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these mistakes when using clarifying shampoo:
Mistake |
Why It’s Bad |
Fix |
Using too often |
Dries out hair and scalp |
Use weekly, not daily |
No conditioning after |
Leads to roughness and frizz |
Apply a rich conditioner after washing |
Using after chemical treatments |
May strip color or damage hair |
Use gentler formulas like olive oil shampoo |
Mixing with harsh products |
Over-processing hair |
Space out treatments to avoid damage |
Conclusion
Clarifying shampoos are great for heavy-duty cleansing, but daily use can do more harm than good. Most hair types need to be clarifying shampooed once a week or once a month.
Whenever you are not using a clarifying shampoo, use oils or mixes like coconut milk shampoo, onion shampoo, or olive oil shampoo to maintain clean, soft, healthy hair.
To have great hair? Consistency with a balanced routine that is appropriate for your hair type.