We demand a lot from our hair. One moment, it’s hair-sprayed into a red carpet-esque up-do, and the next, it’s a crunchy salt-spray of mermaid waves. Whether we’re letting our daughter cover our scalp with sparkles for her unicorn-themed bake-sale, or we’re just trying to get that stubborn cowlick to stay in place for that all-important Zoom meeting, we’re putting a lot on (and into) our hair.
And it’s all fun and games – till our hair starts to lose its luster and fall flat.
If not properly cleansed, that constant barrage of hair products we’re using to style, volumize, shimmer and shine up our hair can cause product buildup, which can be detrimental to the health of our hair and scalp.
What is product buildup?
Product buildup is the gradual cumulative residue collection of hair products on the scalp and throughout the hair. These products are typically beauty-related and can be anything from styling gels and pastes to hair spray, mousse, heat protectants and even some shampoos and conditioners.
Over time, product buildup can clog hair follicles, blocking out nutrients and moisture and ultimately impeding natural hair growth. This excess buildup also physically weighs hair down, drying it out and making it more susceptible to breakage. If not properly treated – that is, properly cleaned – product buildup can also lead to scalp irritations such as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
Why does product buildup happen?
Product buildup can happen when one or more hair products are layered on top of each other over a period of time and left on the hair for too long.
Now, these frequently-used hair products aren’t inherently bad – after all, they help us achieve those striking looks we want. The problem arises when we either leave these products in our hair for too long without washing them out, or we aren’t doing a good enough job to deep clean those products out of our lovely locks.
Signs that you have product buildup
- Thin, dull and dry-looking hair
- Lack of shine
- Greasy hair that doesn’t seem to get clean after using regular shampoo
Solutions for product buildup
Fortunately, the solution for product buildup is simple – scheduling a routine deep clean.
You can achieve this deep clean through natural means, such as with a DIY vinegar, lemon, or baking soda hair rinse recipe. Or, if you’re short on the time it takes to concoct an at-home remedy, you can adopt a clarifying shampoo into your hair care routine.
What does clarifying shampoo do?
Regular shampoos are designed to remove dirt, bacteria and grime, but clarifying shampoos kick it up a notch. Along with doing everything a regular shampoo does, clarifying shampoos are specially formulated to target and break down product buildup in the hair and on the scalp.
How often should you use a clarifying shampoo?
Both your hair type and the actual amount of hair products you’re using (and accumulating) on a daily basis are good indicators of how often you should be using a clarifying shampoo.
Because clarifying shampoos offer more potent cleaning power than regular shampoos, it’s a good idea to use them sparingly in order to avoid drying out your hair.
Start by using a clarifying shampoo once per month, and see how your hair reacts. If you’re still not seeing that soft and shiny luster return to your hair, then try increasing the frequency, up to once per week.
Natural DIY remedies for removing product buildup from hair
1. Apple Cider Vinegar + Essential Oil Hair Rinse
Ingredients
3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 cup water (filtered)
Few drops essential oil of your choice
Directions
- In mixing bowl, combine ACV, water and essential oil, then pour into a spray bottle.
- Shake bottle, then spray onto clean, wet hair, massaging through hair and scalp.
- After 3-5 minutes of massaging, rinse hair with cool water to help seal in the cuticles.
- Optional: apply a hydrating leave-in conditioner to the ends of your hair.
2. Lemon Juice Hair Rinse
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 cups water (filtered)
Directions
- In mixing bowl, combine water and lemon juice; stir until dissolved.
- On clean, wet hair, pour mixture and gently massage through hair and scalp.
- After 3–5 minutes of massaging, rinse hair with cool water to help seal in the cuticles.
- Optional: apply a hydrating leave-in conditioner to the ends of your hair.
3. Baking Soda Hair Rinse
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. baking soda
3 cups water (filtered)
Directions
- In mixing bowl, combine water and baking soda; stir until dissolved.
- On clean, wet hair, pour mixture and gently massage through hair and scalp.
- After 3–5 minutes of massaging, rinse hair with cool water to help seal in the cuticles.
- Optional: apply a hydrating leave-in conditioner to the ends of your hair.