If you found yourself here, you're probably in a state of (confusion? Desperate? Both?) look into hard water shampoos, chelating shampoos, or anything else that can help you get rid of the hair devils or remove hair buildup. Oh, I see. I should mention that hard water, which is water that naturally contains more minerals, may attach to your hair, dry it out, and damage it. Oh, and it may totally wreck your hair color, either by slowly rinsing it out or by altering the color to the point that not even a professional hair toner can fix it. Irinel de Leon, a famous hairdresser, told Cosmo that magnesium and calcium are two of the most frequent and plentiful elements found in tap water around the planet. High levels of iron and manganese in the water supply are referred to as "hard water." This mineral-rich water is damaging because it blocks out moisture and leaves hair feeling "filmy, straw-like, and limp," as de Leon puts it. The very definition of Something Bad. If you see white residue around your sink's or shower's fixtures, you probably have hard water; if you're still dubious, get some hard water test strips. Installing a shower head designed for use with hard water may help filter out some of the minerals, and using a shampoo designed for use with hard water will help remove the minerals from your hair. A guide to choosing a shampoo that can withstand harsh water You may use either a chelating or clarifying shampoo to get rid of the buildup that complex water causes. Unlike clarifying shampoos, chelating shampoos (also known as demineralizing shampoos) actively remove minerals from the hair by adhering to them and breaking them down as you lather. 
Although clarifying shampoos are helpful in removing certain mineral buildup and other types of product buildup, they are not as successful at removing stubborn minerals. Your hard water shampoo, whichever you choose, will most likely contain several ingredients designed to dissolve minerals, the most common of which is EDTA. Alternatives to the most potent chelators? Apple cider vinegar, phytic acid, citric acid, and vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) Unfortunately, dry hair is par for the course with hard water, so if you want to avoid the worst of the damage, try coating your ends with conditioner before you shampoo and do weekly deep-conditioning treatments. Finally, if you're here for the suggestions, here you go: Read on to learn about some of the finest shampoos for hard water. Now that you know some of the best shampoos for hard water (yes, there are more than just the ones listed above), continue on for a rundown of the whole bunch. New Malibu C Wellness Hard Water Shampoo: It uses a potent brew of chelating and clarifying agents to remove heavy mineral deposits from the hair, making them lighter and cleaner. Intense treatments like this call for equally effective aftercare measures to restore moisture to your hair. Sulfate-free and formulated with apple cider vinegar and sodium citrate, Aveeno's Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo effectively cleanses without drying out the hair or leaving behind any lingering residue. 
Apple cider vinegar's anti-inflammatory properties are a welcome bonus for those suffering from itchy scalps. If hard water deposits have rendered your dye job nearly invisible, it's time to try Color Wow's Dream Filter Pre-Shampoo Mineral Remover. Although it's not shampoo in the traditional sense, this treatment can be used before washing your hair to get rid of those pesky minerals (like magnesium and calcium) without damaging your hair. Pre-shower application is simple; just spray it all over your dry hair, wait three minutes, and then proceed with your regular shampoo. Whether you have buildup from hard water or healthy water, this Ion shampoo will remove it with the help of chelating ingredients EDTA and sodium gluconate. Additionally, it is "technically" sulfate-free (although it still uses some strong clarifying cleansers), making it a slightly gentler option on the spectrum of hard-water shampoos. Chemically-Enhanced Detoxifying Chelating Shampoo for Hair: The following is a little-known fact: Since it's made entirely from plants (we heart clean beauty), this chelating shampoo manages to be both powerful and mild. This shampoo effectively removes hard water buildup without damaging your hair by using coconut-based cleansers and a vegetable-based chelating agent. This clarifying shampoo is the ultimate reset cleanser for tighter hair textures that need the occasional clarifying rinse because it removes product buildup and hard-water residue with EDTA (the gold-standard chelator, reminder) and sulfate-free cleansers while simultaneously hydrating curly hair types with aloe, panthenol, and green tea extract. 
While the Anomaly Clarifying Shampoo won't make you look like Anomaly co-founder Priyanka Chopra (sigh), it will help get rid of some of the buildups on your hair from things like hard water and greasy scalp oils. Your hair will feel lighter and "reset" after using this two-step system that combines sulfate-free cleansers, oil-absorbing charcoal, and mineral-destroying EDTA. For those with highly dense or thick hair (hi, 4c people), the pointed nozzle of the R+Co Teacup Peacholine + Kombucha Detox Rinse is essential for focusing the product where it's needed most: on the scalp. With no sulfates and only a trace of citric acid to aid in mineral buildup removal, this rinse is among the milder chelating formulas available; give it a try if you're just dipping your toes into the clarifying world and want to start with the "lowest potency." This is the Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Shampoo. This clarifying shampoo contains EDDS, a chelating ingredient that binds to and inactivates hard water minerals like calcium and copper. Keep in mind that copper is a significant destroyer of hair color, and try this sulfate-free shampoo if you're concerned about damaging your blonde or color-treated hair or if you're just looking for a moderately effective clarifying formula. Triple Detoxifying Perfect Hair Day Shampoo by Living Proof: If you're going to talk about shampoos for hard water, you have to mention this favorite cult formula from Living Proof that eliminates buildup from anything, including hard water, environmental pollutants, and heavy products. 
Surprisingly, it doesn't contain any silicones or sulfates, making it suitable for use with dyed, curly, and dry hair (though, you know, DIY hair masks will still be your hair's best friend throughout this hard-water journey). Argan Oil, the Creme of Nature Rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar can help with dandruff, itching, and buildup of oils and minerals on the scalp, and it will leave your hair smoother and shinier. No kidding. Just switch to this clarifying rinse once a week in place of your regular shampoo (though you may need to use it more frequently based on your hard-water situation).
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