Detox shampoo is having a moment, but the idea is an old one: every so often, hair needs a deeper clean than the everyday wash. Here is what it really does, how often to use it, how it differs from a scalp scrub and how to tell whether you need one.
Short answer: A detox shampoo, also called a purifying or clarifying shampoo, removes what your everyday shampoo leaves in your hair: limescale from the water, silicone residue, dry shampoo, hairspray and heat protectant. It is usually used twice a week, with your usual shampoo on the other days. Choose one without silicones and without SLS or SLES.
In short
- A detox shampoo (also called a purifying or clarifying shampoo) removes what your everyday shampoo leaves behind: limescale from the water, silicone residue, dry shampoo, hairspray and heat protectant.
- It is not for every day: once or twice a week, alternating with your usual shampoo.
- It does not replace a scalp scrub or a treatment: it cleanses the hair and roots, and you still need conditioner.
What a detox shampoo does
Every product you use leaves something in your hair. An everyday shampoo is designed to cleanse without drying, so it removes the day’s dirt but not always the residue that gradually builds up: limescale from hard water, silicones from masks and serums, dry shampoo, hairspray. A detox shampoo cleanses more thoroughly to remove that build-up and give your hair back its lightness and shine.
Do you need one? Common signs
- Your hair looks dull even when it is clean.
- Your roots go flat or feel heavy within a few hours.
- You use dry shampoo, hairspray or heat protectant several times a week.
- You live in a hard-water area or often go swimming in a pool.
- Your usual products seem to work less well.
How often to use it
The usual frequency is twice a week, with your regular shampoo on the other days if you need it. If your hair is coloured, cut back to once a week for the first two weeks after colouring. If you only use light products and the water where you live is soft, once a week may be enough.
How to use it properly
- Wet your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- First wash: use a small amount, massage the roots with your fingertips and rinse. This lifts the surface residue.
- Second wash: this is the deep clean. Leave the lather on for a minute, then rinse.
- Conditioner from mid-lengths to ends, never on the roots. After a deep cleanse, your lengths will thank you.
Detox shampoo, scalp scrub or everyday shampoo
| Everyday shampoo | Detox shampoo | Scalp scrub | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it removes | The day’s dirt | Build-up on hair and roots | Sebum and dead skin cells from the scalp |
| Frequency | Whenever you need it | Once or twice a week | Once a week |
| Where to apply | Roots and lengths | Roots and lengths | Scalp only, before shampooing |
| At Nitiel | CALM WASH (sensitive scalp) | RESET WASH | MINT DETOX |
If you want all three steps in the right order (scrub, purifying shampoo and conditioner), the Purifying Ritual brings them together in one pack.
What to look for when choosing one
- No silicones: a shampoo that deep-cleans while depositing silicone makes little sense.
- Surfactants that don’t dry: if you will use it twice a week, look for formulas free from SLS/SLES.
- Suitable for colour-treated hair if you colour yours.
- Certification: a seal such as ECOCERT COSMOS guarantees that the formula has passed an independent audit. RESET WASH is ECOCERT COSMOS Natural certified, 98% of the formula is of natural origin, and it is vegan.
Sources and references
- Hardness of Water. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Defines water hardness as the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium and explains why soap lathers less.
- Hair Cosmetics: An Overview. M. F. R. Gavazzoni Dias, International Journal of Trichology (2015). Scientific review of surfactants, silicones, conditioners and protein hydrolysates in hair care.
Frequently asked questions
Does detox shampoo help with dandruff?
It is not an anti-dandruff treatment. Sometimes what looks like dandruff is product build-up at the roots, and that does improve with a deep cleanse. We explain how to tell them apart in product build-up or dandruff. If you have intense itching or flaking that won’t go away, see a dermatologist.
Can I use it every day?
If your hair tolerates it well, yes, but it is rarely necessary. Most people use it twice a week and a gentle shampoo on the other days.
Does it dry out hair?
A well-formulated detox shampoo shouldn’t dry your hair, especially if you follow with conditioner on the lengths. If your ends feel dry, cut back to once a week.
Does it strip hair colour?
Very aggressive cleansing can make colour fade sooner. That is why it is best to choose one that is suitable for colour-treated hair and use it less often for the first two weeks after colouring.
Not sure where to start? Take the hair quiz and we will tell you which ritual suits you.