Best for anyone dealing with oily roots, mineral buildup from hard water, or residue from frequent use of styling products — including swimmers dealing with chlorine buildup. It's suitable for color-treated hair when used as an occasional clarifying step rather than a daily shampoo.

Not intended as a replacement for a daily or color-safe maintenance shampoo, and shouldn't be used in the first week after a fresh color service.

Regular shampoos aren't formulated to fully remove the silicone, wax, and mineral buildup that styling products and hard water leave behind over time; this shampoo's stronger surfactant base resets hair and scalp periodically so other products — conditioners, treatments, styling products — can work the way they're meant to.

Use as an occasional deep-clean rather than a daily shampoo — roughly once or twice a month, or weekly for heavy product users or hard water.

• Wet hair thoroughly with warm water
• Apply shampoo, concentrating on the scalp and roots where buildup collects
• Massage in for 30 to 60 seconds
• Rinse thoroughly
• Follow with a moisturizing conditioner

Pros:

• Effectively strips product buildup, excess oil, and hard-water mineral deposits using a stronger sulfate surfactant base than a daily shampoo
• Color-safe when used as directed, and works well as a reset before a deep-conditioning treatment
• Leaves hair genuinely 'squeaky clean,' which is exactly the effect a clarifying step is meant to produce

Cons:

• Contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a strong detergent that can be more drying than a daily shampoo if used too often — it isn't meant for everyday washing
• Should not be used in the first week after a fresh color service, since clarifying can accelerate color fade
• Typically needs to be followed by a moisturizing conditioner to offset the deep-clean effect