If you ever run your fingers through your hair sense an uncomfortable residue, then you might have yourself a serious buildup situation. Products that use synthetic ingredients are hard to wash away and so they cling on — but there are products that don't cause scalp buildup that you can use instead to remedy the issue.
Just think about how many different products you use on any given day: Shampoos are rinsed through hair anywhere from one to two times in a shower, then a conditioner and possibly a mask are reached for right after. To style your locks things like heat protectors, mousses, gels, pomades, and shine serums are concocted together to get your hairdo just the way you like it, and it all gets sealed in with hairspray.
And if you're using products that contain silicone, parabens, and sulfates (which a lot do,) then they'll cling on and leave a gross residue on your scalp. If you're tired of your hair never being quite clean, then it's time to trade in your products for new ones. Ahead are 11 hair products that fight hair residue —from hairsprays to shampoos and conditioners, you'll be covered.
1Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo
Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, $5, Amazon
Formulated for all hair types, this shampoo is supposed to get rid of 90 percent of dulling residue in one use. Which means it will help you clear away all that hairspray or shine serum build up that's weighing your hair down.
2Acure Clarifying Conditioner
Acure Clarifying Conditioner, $8, Amazon
When you flip over a hair product and you see ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and silicones, then you'll know that they will contribute to hair residue. Those ingredients wrap around your hair and are water-resistent, which is why they create build-up on your scalp.
That's why this conditioner will do the opposite — it's paraben, sulfate, silicone, and sodium chloride free. It's also color safe!
3Organic Leave-In Conditioner
Innersense Organic Beauty Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner, $22, Amazon
If you want to soften your locks outside of the shower, then this gentle leave-in conditioner will do the trick without making your hair greasy. It's made with a a natural infusion of natural oils, herbs, and flower essences, so it won't weigh your hair down.
4Organic Whipped Creme Texturizer
Innersense Organic Beauty Whipped Creme Texturizer, $18, Amazon
Swap out your greasy and heavy pastes and pommades for this lightweight texturizer that helps you create separation and definition without the buildup. It's petroleum-free, and instead uses organic shea butter, fruit oils, and wheat protein to add texture and strength to strands.
5Curl Styling Aid
Curl Control Quiet Calm Styling Aid, $22, Amazon
Get your curls flawless and your frizz under control with this lightweight cream. The organic shea butter and orange oil moisturize your coils, the wheatgrass smooths away frizz, and the unflower seed extract protects hair color.
6Park Ave Blow Out Balm
Park Ave Blow Out Balm, $28, Amazon
If you like to blow out your hair perfectly straight, then you'll know how quickly your hair can buildup when using protective sprays and creams. But this blow out balm coats the hair without weighing it down thanks to its formula that has no parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, and petrolatum.
7Flexible Hairspray
R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray, $29, Amazon
This hairspray comes without parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, or petrolatum, which means you can layer it on without much hair residue after the fact. It offers flexible hold and also thickens the strands.
8Apple Cider Shampoo
Fekkai Apple Cider Shampoo, $17, Amazon
Apple cider helps strip away buildup and restores your hair to its natural pH, so this apple cider shampoo will help clarify your hair back to its natural state. Just make sure to use it once weekly!
9Cleansing Foam Conditioner
R+Co Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner, $29, Amazon
This conditioner comes out as a foam and "weightlessly softens and conditions" the hair. With no parabens, sulfates, or mineral oils, it uses an herb called horsetail extract instead that cleanses the cuticle.
10Organic Styling Gel
Innersense Organic Beauty Organic Styling Gel, $22, Amazon
This organic hair gel uses honey which acts as a natural resin to create hold and shine on your hair, letting you style your locks without ending up with heavy buildup or annoying flakes.
11Smoothing Oil
R+Co Tinsel Smoothing Oil, $24, Amazon
If you like to have a silky, shiny hair, then you'll know that after a day your hair is heavy with product and not as clean as it should be. To help you avoid that, use a serum that doesn't use mineral oils like this one. Instead it uses argan and jojoba oil to bring sleekness to your locks.
Trade some of your old products for these upgrades and your hair will be squeaky clean rather than weighed down by gross residue. It'll be a total game changer!
Images: Amazon (11)
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