If you have long, blonde hair and use the same shampoo to wash it daily without switching up your products, you may start to notice that your hair doesn’t look or feel as shiny and silky as it used to. If this sounds like you, it’s time to break out the clarifying shampoo! But how do you know if a shampoo is clarifying? Is it the same thing as an anti-dandruff shampoo? What are some signs that your hair needs it? Here are five ways to tell if you need a clarifying shampoo in your life!
How Do You Know If A Shampoo Is Clarifying?
Look for salicylic acid in the list of ingredients. The ingredient that clarifies most effectively is, by far, salicylic acid. Look for products with these as their main ingredients and avoid anything without an active ingredient list. Also, look for shampoos that say clarifying or purifying on them; those are likely to contain salicylic acid as well. The challenge with using any product over time is that your hair can develop a tolerance to it—meaning it stops working as effectively and won’t rid your hair of oil like it used to. Look for clarification products that have alternate ingredients, like niacinamide or glycolic acid, which penetrate hair follicles more effectively than salicylic acid but don’t build up in your system over time.
Read Our Reviews HereHow Do You Know If A Shampoo Is Good For Your Hair
A good clarifying shampoo is essential for getting rid of product buildup, whether that’s from hair products or styling tools. Product buildup can weigh down your hair and interfere with its ability to maintain a healthy balance of oil and moisture. If you want to know if shampoo is good for your hair, make sure it has no silicones and sulfates in it. Both of these ingredients are common in many drugstore shampoos—and both do more harm than good for your hair. Silicones block off natural oils by creating a barrier between your scalp and hair, which can cause flaking and frizziness. Sulfates strip all oils out of your hair—and not just harmful ones.
How Do You Know If A Shampoo Is Sulfate-Free
Many shampoos promise to improve your hair’s health, but many also have sulfates in them. Sulfates are chemicals that can leave a buildup of residue on your hair and scalp. If you use products with sulfates, over time you might notice you’re not getting as much volume or hold in your hairstyle as before—and that can be frustrating if you don’t know why it’s happening. To check if the shampoo is sulfate-free, you need to check for ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), ammonium laureth sulfate (ALS), sodium Laureth sulfate (SLES), and others. The good news is there are plenty of shampoos available that don’t contain these ingredients!
How Do You Know If A Shampoo Is Ph Balanced
If you’re a blessed natural-hair guru, then you know how much of a hassle it can be to balance your pH levels. A shampoo that is PH balanced is made with ingredients that help restore your hair’s ph. More than anything, your hair will become silky soft—and if you have problems with oily roots and dry ends, these products are likely for you. If a shampoo says ph-balanced or deep conditioner on it, feel free to buy and use it without looking at its label any further!
How Do You Know If A Shampoo Is Color Safe
You can also see if your shampoo is color-safe by looking at its ingredient list. For example, shampoos with amodimethicone or dimethicone in their names are excellent color protectors. Ingredients with names like Cyclopentasiloxane and polyquaternium-7 are excellent water-resistant hair sealants that keep color from fading. If you want to double-check your shampoo’s claims about protecting against fade, you can look for a certification seal on its label or check out a guide like Pantone’s Color Safe Cosmetics List. It’s important to note that some clarifying shampoos use ammonia as a cleansing agent; although it won’t damage your hair, it could potentially mess up your color—particularly lighter shades.
How Do You Know If A Shampoo Is Expired
If you leave your shampoo in a hot, humid bathroom for too long, it’s likely to expire and go bad. Expiration dates do exist on shampoo bottles and boxes; they are typically located just below other information about how long a product is effective. But if you don’t have access to that info or if you don’t know what an expiration date is, use these other ways to determine whether your shampoo has gone bad or not: Look at your shampoo—if it smells funky or if it color has changed drastically, it’s time to toss. Also take a good whiff of any conditioner you plan on using with it—if either product doesn’t smell quite right anymore, toss them both out.
How Do You Know If A Shampoo Is Bad For Your Hair
Shampoos are among your daily essentials. They keep your hair looking clean and smelling fresh. When it comes to choosing a shampoo, price and brand name may be key factors, but there’s one other important thing to consider before buying — clarifying vs. non-clarifying shampoos. If you notice build-up in your hair over time, chances are you need to clarify; however, there are some instances when even clean hair could benefit from additional cleaning agents. To check if the shampoo is bad or good for your hair you need to see these signs of damage. Signs that indicate that your hair needs a clarifying shampoo include dullness, dryness, oiliness, and limpness.
How Do You Know If A Shampoo Is Silicone Free
To check if a shampoo is silicone-free or not, look at its ingredients. Moreover, you can also ask your hairstylist. Silicone-free shampoos are formulated without dimethicone and other silicones (e.g., Cyclomethicone). If you have dry hair, look for products that are labeled as moisturizing or hydrating to help add moisture back into your hair. Silicone-free shampoos are great for all hair types because they don’t weigh down fine strands and they won’t leave oily strands feeling greasy. Silicones can build up over time on your scalp and in your hair follicles and lead to a buildup of residue that can clog pores on your scalp.
How Do You Know If A Shampoo Is Residue-Free
To check if a shampoo is residue-free, look for sulfate-free products. Sulfates, like sodium lauryl sulfate, can leave behind a filmy layer on your hair. This can make your hair feel sticky and heavy, so it’s important to avoid them. Another common ingredient to avoid is silicone, which coats your hair and makes it hard to style or even brush out after showering. Look for shampoos that list their ingredients and make sure they don’t contain any of these offenders!
How Do You Know If Shampoo Is Biodegradable
The first step is to understand what biodegradable means since there are two different meanings of biodegradable. There is technical or scientific biodegradability, and then there is consumer or commercial biodegradability. Scientifically speaking, biodegradable refers to how long it takes for an object to decompose naturally under certain conditions.
A shampoo bottle made out of sustainable bamboo would technically be considered biodegradable because it breaks down when exposed to air and water. But unless you’re willing to plant your shampoo bottle in your backyard and wait over 100 years for it to break down completely, you’ll never know if a shampoo is biodegradable from a consumer standpoint.
Final Thoughts
A lot of people suffer from dry hair, which may lead to breakage and split ends. When buying shampoo, it’s important to look for products that are labeled clarifying or intense moisturizing. Ask your stylist or check online if you can’t find any clarification products on store shelves. Generally speaking, clarifiers will soften buildup without stripping your hair too much; they should also contain gentle ingredients like honey and papaya extract. Keep in mind that not all shampoos are suitable for color-treated hair—some contain harsh sulfates that can strip dye jobs—so read labels carefully and talk to your stylist before trying anything new!