Finally, A Non-Drying Clarifying Shampoo
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I have a thing for hydratingshampoos. Back in 2021, I wrote about theSienna Naturals HAPI shampoo, which is so moisturizing I detangle with it. I initially incorporated it into my routine because I’d become obsessed with the K18 Molecular Repair Mask for maintaining healthy curls. With that, you can’t use aconditionerso I needed ashampoohydrating enough that I wouldn’t notice removing a conditioner from my routine. I was happy with my swap, and still am, because the Sienna Naturals shampoo is both hydrating and cleanses well enough, but I couldn’t be a hundred percent sure that it was getting everything off my hair, especially the heavy-duty waxes and pastes I use on the fine hairs in the front.
After a month-long stint of wearing stitch braids, I washed my hair and noticed my curls didn’t look normal. They were a bit limper and heavy-looking. That wasn’t immediately alarming—it can take a few washes for hair to “pop” back after an extended period of wearing a braided hairstyle, but I wanted to try a clarifyingshampooto see if it would help things along. Clarifying shampoos offer a deeper cleanse than regular ones and are designed to remove any residue from hair. It’s helpful for curly hair in particular because many of us tend to use products that easily build up like gels and thick creams to achieve different styles. I also frequently use edge control—a waxy paste that helps to lay my hair flat. Using these products without thoroughly washing it out can cause build up over time, which can stop moisture from entering the hair shaft or prevent products from doing their job. Build up can even clog the hair follicle, which can lead to hair thinning and loss.
I’d used clarifying shampoos in the past, but in the half-decade since, my hair needs have changed. My hair is color-treated now and has been for a while, and I’m so in love with the color I didn’t want to inadvertently strip that out. That led me toK18 Peptide Prep, one of the rare color-safe formulas. Peptide Prep is formulated with skincare-inspired ingredients like salicylic acid and activated charcoal, which binds to oil and absorbs excess oil and dirt. It also contains peptides, which helps to reduce protein loss. Protein loss often happens during chemical hair treatments like bleaching and relaxing, but can also happen due to heat styling and environmental damage, so I like that it contains this ingredient, which helps to offset some of that damage and keep my hair strong.
From the first wash with the K18 Peptide Prep, I was impressed with how moisturized my hair still felt. It wasn’t as hydrated as it typically was after using Sienna Naturals, but given that they’re designed to do different things, I didn’t expect it to be. I washed once with the clarifying shampoo and a second time with my regular shampoo and was pleased with the results. My curls popped back and my scalp felt squeaky clean. When my hair dried, I noticed it was a bit bouncier than normal, like my curls were finally buildup free.
Since then, I’ve worked the clarifying shampoo into my wash-day routine. I wash my hair every five days or so and use Peptide Prep every other time. Alternating how often I use it ensures that I don’t totally dry my hair out while also making sure my mousses and gels aren’t sitting on top of my hair for weeks on end. That brings me to a wider point about clarifying shampoos. They shouldn’t be used every wash, even the gentle ones like Peptide Prep. Using it too often can make hair brittle and dry because it’s stripping everything away. This can lead to breakage and scalp irritation over time.
At this point, I’ve been using K18 for at least eight months, and I’m on my third bottle. Recently, I splurged on the jumbo size with the pump. My hair has never been happier, and I feel good knowing that my hair doesn’t just look good but is healthy too.
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