Anyone with visible scalp buildup, product residue, or a scalp that feels weighed down between washes, across all hair types.

Paul Mitchell specifically calls out color-treated hair as a good fit, since the rinse's slightly acidic pH helps seal the cuticle rather than stripping color the way a high-pH clarifying shampoo can.

The combination of kombucha ferment and apple cider vinegar is the differentiator here — fermentation produces mild organic acids that help exfoliate the scalp, while the vinegar's acidity balances scalp pH and closes the cuticle, which is why the brand backs it with a specific 74%-buildup-removal claim rather than a vaguer 'clarifying' promise.

Because the whole treatment takes 1-3 minutes and slots in before a normal wash, it's a low-effort way to add a deeper scalp cleanse without switching to a separate clarifying shampoo full-time.

Used before shampooing, not after — apply it to wet hair and scalp first.

• Apply directly to wet hair and scalp prior to shampooing.
• Massage in and leave for 1-3 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Use in place of a regular shampoo once a week, or as needed for a deeper detox.
• Follow with conditioner.

Standout points:

• Clinically tested by the brand to remove 74% of scalp buildup in one use
• Sulfate-free and paraben-free, with a quick 1-3 minute contact time
• Acidic formula positioned as safe for color-treated hair
• Doubles as an occasional shampoo replacement for a deeper scalp reset

Watch-outs:

• Contains dimethicone and other synthetic conditioning agents, so it isn't a silicone-free option
• It's a rinse-out treatment rather than a leave-in scalp treatment, so effects are surface-level buildup removal
• Fragranced, so it's not suited to a fragrance-free routine