Are detox shampoos color-safe?

Worried about losing vibrancy and depth of color on your newly dyed hair? Don’t be – here’s proof that using detox products are color-safe

We get it: when you’ve spent precious time and money coloring your hair (be that at home or in the salon), you want to make sure the products you use daily will work with – and not against – the results. More than that, it would be amazing if the shampoo and conditioner you use helps prolong the vibrancy and depth of your color. And we’re here to tell you this is totally possible. 

Of course, it’s best to choose a formula specifically created for color-treated hair, but what about the detox products that work to wash away product build-up, along with all the dirt, oils and impurities that gather in your hair? It’s easy to think that they’re probably going to be too harsh, or that they’ll strip or fade the color. But if you choose the right products, they’ll be more than just safe: they will actually make your color pop.

What are detox shampoos and conditioners?

Sometimes referred to as ‘clarifying’, detox shampoo and conditioners do exactly what you would expect: they work to get rid of all the oil, pollution, and styling products that get caught up in your hair between washes. They are often considered the heavy hitters of the hair-washing world because they work harder and smarter than regular shampoos. This is also why they’re better when used less often. In some ways, they’re like a magnet, attracting and dissolving all the dirt on your head, leaving both your hair and scalp feeling refreshed, light-as-air, and squeaky clean.

Can you use detox shampoo and conditioner on colored hair?

The resounding answer is, yes. While clarifying shampoos and conditioners used to have a bad reputation – especially when they were used on colored hair – this is no longer the case. Why? Once upon a time, detox shampoos were packed full of ingredients that were often too harsh for colored hair; not only would they strip the scalp, leaving it feeling dry and malnourished, but some products were formulated with heavy surfactants (which work to break down dirt and other impurities) that, over time, could damage and lift the color of dyed hair.

However, these days, most detox shampoos and conditioners are formulated with ingredients that are much kinder to hair, so they are less harsh overall. Even without all those harsh chemicals, they now work just as well, if not better, and will leave your hair looking and feeling just as fresh as the day you colored it.

How to use detox shampoo and conditioner on colored hair

Using a detoxifying formula is pretty much the same as using regular shampoo and conditioner, but how often you use them depends on the amount of styling products you use and where you live. If you don’t use many styling products in your routine, detoxing a few times a month is enough, but if you use a lot of products and live in a hard-water area (find out if you do here), you may benefit from using them once a week. 

When it comes to applying the products, it’s best to concentrate the shampoo on the top of your head; that’s where the most build-up occurs. It’s also beneficial to allow the product to sit on your scalp for a few minutes before you wash it off; that way it has time to break down all the dirt and do its best work.

The best detox shampoo and conditioner for colored hair

As well as being gentle on hair and free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, dye and phthalates, Love Beauty and Planet’s Sulfate-Free Charcoal & Bergamot Shampoo and Conditioner are infused with charcoal – a hardworking ingredient known for its detoxifying properties. It works to remove excess dirt and oil, promising to leave your hair and scalp super clean. Plus, they’re scented with zesty bergamot that’ll boost your mood no matter what time of day you wash your hair. 

For a more regular, daily detox that won’t risk your color, try Love Beauty and Planet’s Murmuru Butter & Rose Shampoo and Conditioner to keep color-treated hair in tip top shape. The inclusion of hydrating coconut oil means your natural oils stay safe, too.