As if there weren't enough hair problems already to deal with that hard water came into our life to damage our strands ever more! Well, worry no more, we have got you covered! These best shampoos for hard water are here to make your day better! Let us tell you, they do more than they claim – not stopping at extracting the residues, but making sure the strands remain healthy and moisturized at the same time.

Explaining how hard water works on hair, Gautham Srinivasan, Chakravarthi Rangachari Srinivas, Anil C Mathew, Divakar Duraiswami, cited in their article 'Effects of hard water on hair', "Hardness of water is determined by the amount of salts (calcium carbonate [CaCO 3] and magnesium sulfate [MgSO 4]) present in water. The hardness of the water used for washing hair may cause fragility of hair." And, their warning is enough to not take the matter so lightly!

While hard water is known for creating a stubborn layer around your hair shaft and roots, the shampoos with gentle formulas take the upper hand in breaking the layers without harming or stripping away the natural oils from the strands. But you may be confused which one to choose from a truckload of products in the market. Well, don't be, because we have already rounded off a few best ones drawing from our experiences. Take a look to pick one - 

• 1
  Cruelty-free

  MAPLE HOLISTICS WINTER BLEND Shampoo And Conditioner

  Buy on Amazon

The pack of shampoo and conditioner not only cleanses the hard water residue from your hair but also infuses moisture into the strands for a healthier appearance. Packed with natural oils, the sulfate-free formula of the shampoo also combats itchy scalp and reduces flakiness at the same time. So, why wait? Say adios to build-up that was causing damage, dry, and lifeless shafts in the first place with this product in your stash! Because, lest you forget, the shampoos made without parabens, GMO, BPA, phthalates that the brand boasts of, provides you with the most gentle formula to care for your mane.

2

Eco-friendly

MALIBU C hard water wellness Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

With a tantalizing scent of orange sorbet amalgamated with malibu fusion, the hard water shampoo will take you to a tropical paradise as you use it. The effective formula naturally removes hard water residues and bestows you with soft, bouncy, and lustrous hair. Moreover, loaded with citric acid, flax protein, and provitamin B5, it also takes the upper hand in detoxifying your hair from roots to tip. Addedly, the product revitalizes your hair texture and moisturizes your strands without fading the color.

3

Kid-friendly Ingredients

ULTRA SWIM CHLORINE REMOVAL Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

The shampoo deserves a special mention for clarifying copper deposits and oxidized metals from your hair roots and shafts to deliver you the strands of your dreams. Packed with vitamin E and aloe, the unique formula also leaves your hair nourished and moisturized and helps in managing tangles. The best part? It is kid-friendly and helps in getting rid of the harmful effect of pool water. Lastly, the gentle formula also works well on chemically treated, colored, and permed hair for a long-lasting effect.

4

Premium Packaging

OUAI DETOX Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

This clarifying shampoo for hard water is specially formulated to cleanse the dirt, oil, debris, residues, and build-up from your scalp without stripping away the natural oils. Infused with keratin and apple cider vinegar, the product also deeply cleanses the hair roots and leaves your strands soft and shiny. It also has chelating agents that extract all the hard water deposits and impurities for effective results. Furthermore, it is well blended with the notes of rose, bergamot, cedar-wood, lychee, and white musk for a sensual experience while using the product.

5

Increases Hair Manageability

ion purifying solutions hard water shampoo

Buy on Amazon

The ion purifying solution is a blessing in disguise for those who are done with dealing with hard water in their area. Fret not! The shampoo promises to strip away all the built-up stubborn minerals like magnesium, copper, and iron to leave you with the soft and shiny mane you've always wanted. It also promises to protect the artificial colors of your hair for the longest possible time. Our research indicates that the product is suitable for all hair types, including chemically treated tresses.

6

Marine-friendly

TRIHARD SWIMMERS Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

The Trihard shampoo is masterfully curated for hardcore swimmers and the daily problems they deal with their brittle hair. It promises to take good care of their post-swim dry hair by eliminating all the pool chemicals and neutralizing chlorine scent. However, to keep your hair protected from chlorinated water, our contributor Kate Ross, Hair and Beauty Specialist, suggests, rinsing the hair with clean water before swimming, applying a leave-in conditioner or an oil to coat the hair shafts, wearing a swim cap to cover the hair, and using a pre-swim hair defense product to prevent chlorine absorption. Furthermore, packed with menthol, dead sea mineral, shea butter, jojoba oil, epsom salt, and natural algae, the gentle formula also helps relieve them from the itchy and dry scalp that they often deal with after a swimming session. So, what are you waiting for? Grab the product already!

7

Professionally Developed

cibu DETOX + CLARIFY Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Revitalize your hair with the help of this clarifying shampoo that deeply cleanses the roots without extracting the natural oils. Infused with rosemary and sage extracts, the detox shampoo removes all the impurities to leave your hair rejuvenated, hydrated, and lustrous. Addedly, the sulfate-free shampoo is excellent for lifeless and color-treated hair to make the shaft smooth and lock the moisture in. Last but not least, the gentle formula doesn't form much lather that could further make the hair dry.

8

Protects Hair Color

ColorProof Clear It Up Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Packed with the goodness of eucalyptus oil, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, the effective shampoo helps in clearing hard water residues, exfoliating the scalp, stimulating the hair follicles, and whatnot! The extremely gentle formula also promises to not make your hair shaft dry and brittle during the regular process, while leaving the strands soft, lustrous, and incredibly smooth. The best part? It comes with the tantalizing scent of lemongrass that cancels out the foul chlorine smell.

9

Lightweight Formula

OGX EXTRA STRENGTH refreshing scalp + teatree mint

Buy on Amazon

OGX Extra Strength range comes with the soothing scent of sweet peppermint, ice vanilla, and teatree to calm your senses as you use the product. The sulfated surfactant-free formula also deeply cleanses the hair roots while re-energizing the shafts at the same time. Addedly, the lightweight and moisturizing formula clears the residues without weighing down the hair. So, what are you waiting for? Grab this to witness the change right away!

10

Soothing Properties

AVEENO SCALP SOOTHING HAIRCARE Clarify & Shine Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Aveeno has come up with a new packaging but the same old effective formula that promises to soothe the scalp and bestows you with clarified radiance from root to tip. The sulfate-free formula gently lathers the scalp to balance the pH while removing the buildup at the same time. Lastly, blended with colloidal oat and apple cider vinegar, the clarifying shampoo for hard water ensures volume and promotes high shine. Speaking of the goodness of apple cider vinegar, our contributor Kate Ross, says, “Apple Cider Vinegar can help lower the pH of your hair and scalp and make them more balanced. It can also remove product buildup, enhance shine, reduce frizz, and soothe itchiness.”

11

NOT YOUR MOTHER'S NATURALS Shampoo And Conditioner Set

Buy on Amazon

The shampoo and conditioner set comes without parabens, sulfate, silicone, and phthalates to keep your mane safe and away from harmful chemicals and preservatives. Plus, packed with a blend of aquatic mint and coastal sea holly, the organic formulation takes care of your hair from root to tip. The shampoo also helps remove daily environmental pollutants, thereby leaving your hair with a tingling cooling sensation for the best results. So, why wait? Grab it now!

12

PAUL MITCHELL Shampoo Two

Buy on Amazon

When you feel like your hair needs a deep cleansing session that your average shampoo is unable to deliver, grab this product in between your wash days! With a citrusy fragrance, the shampoo takes the upper hand at extracting all the build-up from your roots that was harming your scalp. It also offers you a color-safe formula that leaves your strands clean, nourished, and shiny that you would love to flaunt!

13

Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

The scalp clarifying shampoo is loaded with the tempting scent of sheer florals, sparkling fresh bergamot, and pink grapefruit to awaken your senses while cleansing your hair. It also works as a chemical exfoliator to remove all the build-up and residues while maintaining the natural barrier of the scalp. Addedly, the paraben-free formula works best for all types of hair, including the color-treated tresses. Well, do you need more reasons? C'mon snag it!

Now that you have already checked out the best shampoos for hard water in the market, take a look at how you can pick the top one for yourself - 

Here are a few aspects to consider before vouching for the best shampoos for hard water - 

a) Ingredients- Take a look at the clarifying or chelating power when it comes to picking up a shampoo for hard water. Chelating ingredients like citric acid, phosphoric acid, sodium gluconate are more likely to clear the mineral build-ups, while clarifying ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and cocamidopropyl betaine clear excessive oil and residues.

b) Formula- Hard water shampoos are meant to clear the stubborn build-ups around the hair shaft. Thus, you have to look for a formula that is gentle enough to not strip away the natural moisture from your hair.

c) Hair And Scalp Type- Most of the hard water shampoos are formulated for every kind of hair and scalp. However, if you have specific needs like color protection, dye protection, sensitive scalp, then pick one that covers all the areas. 

Conclusion

Ta-da! You have plenty of options to choose from the best shampoos for hard water, and we can vouch that they are here to change your hair care game for better! Besides, we understand how daunting it is to deal with hard or chlorinated water that leaves your hair with brittle, dry, and lifeless ends. Based on our observations, these products, packed with natural and effective ingredients, are a boon to those who want to remove all the build-ups and residues from the hair without damaging it further, i.e., by infusing harsh chemicals. So, which one is making its way to the cart? C'mon grab one already!

Contributor: Kate Ross, Hair and Beauty Specialist - Irresistible Me