Your Guide to Chelating Shampoo

You’re doing all the right things—cleansing, conditioning, moisturizing. But suddenly your roots get oily by noon, your scalp feels off and your go-to stylers just don’t deliver. It’s not you—it’s (likely) buildup.

From product residue and hard water to city air, your hair collects more than you’d think. Over time, that buildup can leave your scalp congested and your strands harder to manage. That’s where chelating shampoo comes in—a deeper clean that cuts through all the stuff your regular shampoo can’t. 

Ahead, everything you need to know: what chelating shampoo does, how it’s different from clarifying shampoo, and how to use it for hair that feels fresh, balanced and ready for anything.

What is chelating shampoo?

Chelating shampoo is a deep cleanser formulated to dissolve mineral buildup on your hair and scalp—think hard water deposits, chlorine, and metals like copper and iron that sneak in from your water. 

If you live in a city, chances are your tap has higher levels of minerals or chlorine thanks to local water treatment. So even if you’re not a swimmer or don’t pile on products, mineral buildup can still cling to your strands over time. 

What that buildup leads to:

• Hair that feels rough, looks dull or won’t hold style

• A scalp that feels dry, itchy or imbalanced

• Color that fades fast or shifts tone completely

Chelating shampoos use chelation technology to help break those bonds and rinse away the residue, giving your hair and scalp a clean slate.

How is chelating shampoo different from clarifying shampoo?

Both clarifying and chelating shampoos are designed to remove buildup, but they go after different types: 

• Clarifying shampoos focus on surface-level grime: product residue, excess oils and general buildup.

• Chelating shampoos go deeper, lifting mineral deposits and metal ions left behind by hard water or chlorine.

The good news? You don’t need to double up. Our Clarifying Shampoo is a dual formula that clarifies and chelates. It removes product, pollutant, chlorine and mineral buildup in one go—without the harsh sulfates or that overly stripped feeling deep cleansers often get a bad rap for. It’s gentle, color-safe and designed to reset your hair without wrecking your moisture balance.

How to use chelating shampoo

Chelating shampoo isn’t your everyday wash—it’s more of a weekly (or bi-weekly) reset. Tailor your frequency to your lifestyle and hair needs.

If you swim often, live in a hard water area or use lots of products, try once a week. If your routine is more low-maintenance, every two weeks or so should do the trick.

Step-by-step:

1. Start by fully saturating your hair with warm water to help loosen surface residue.
2. Optionally, exfoliate your scalp first with our Scalp + Body Scrub for an even deeper clean.
3. Lather a small amount of chelating shampoo into your scalp and massage gently using your fingertips. 
4. Let it sit for 1–3 minutes to fully break down mineral and product buildup.
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Follow with a hydrating conditioner or Moisture Mask to maintain balance and softness. 

Pro tip: Chelating clears the way for your conditioner to really sink in, making it the ideal moment for deep hydration. 

Who is it good for?

Short answer? Pretty much everyone—as long as you’re using the right formula and not overdoing it.

• Curly + coily hair: Helps remove product and mineral buildup from creams, gels and oils. For curls and coils, try our Curl Defining No-Lather Shampoo—a gentle, low-suds chelating option designed just for you.

• Fine hair: Lifts away mineral weight that can flatten strands, bringing back natural bounce and volume.

• Color-treated hair: Helps prevent unwanted discoloration and brassiness, especially for blondes and lighter shades.

• Oily or flaky scalp: Removes residue that your regular shampoo can’t reach.