10 Best Shampoos That Still Work With Hard Water

1. Aveeno Scalp Soothing Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0

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Even though the majority of Americans have to cope with hard water in their homes, a lot of these people get water that is only technically hard. This means that while the water scientifically qualifies as hard, the actual concentration of minerals in it is not very high.

Because the water they get isn’t very hard, these people don’t need chelating hard water shampoos. They don’t even need super strong clarifying shampoos. In fact, if they were to use these types of shampoos, their hair would become incredibly dry and straw-like. What these people need is a gentle clarifying shampoo.

This Scalp Soothing Shampoo from Aveeno is the perfect example. Aveeno is a company that specializes in oats-based hair products. They began in 1945 but have since become fairly popular for being able to incorporate oats into virtually every hair product type.

As a result, this shampoo is based on two of the best naturally occurring ingredients when it comes to cleansing the scalp and hair – oats and apple cider vinegar. The inherent nature of oats to cleanse the scalp by absorbing buildup works perfectly well with the clarifying nature of apple cider vinegar in this shampoo.

Moreover, these two ingredients don’t work like conventional surfactants which makes them nearly immune to the minerals in hard water. Further, both these ingredients combine well to soothe and calm the scalp as well. Apple cider vinegar even manages to make the hair smooth and shiny also.

All the ingredients in this shampoo are clean and sourced from reliable sources. For example, Aveeno says that it gets its oats from a “quiet mill” located in the Mississippi River Valley.

The formula of this shampoo is completely free of parabens and sulfates too. However, it does contain silicones. The silicones coat the hair to protect it from adverse environmental conditions such as pollution and excess humidity.

Unfortunately, it tends to build up over time, leaving the hair greasy and oily. If you don’t have incredibly hard water this would be fine. However, if you do, then this shampoo may not be effective enough for you because the silicones and oats would prevent your scalp from truly getting cleared.

The absence of sulfates and reliance on natural ingredients means that this shampoo doesn’t produce a lot of lather either. This is another reason why this shampoo wouldn’t perform well against very hard water.

In terms of its scent, some people think that this shampoo would smell of apple cider vinegar but it doesn’t have that sharp and tart smell. Instead, this shampoo smells distinctly of apple cider. The scent is very sweet so this is something you should take into account before making a purchase.

This is also a very cheap hair product. If this shampoo does suit your requirements and produces appropriate results for you, you can get complimentary products as well. It is also available as a rinse and a conditioner.

Who’s it for: If your hard water problem isn’t incredibly severe and you need a clarifying shampoo that can moisturize your hair too, get this one from Aveeno.

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2. Ion Hard Water Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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The Ion Hard Water Shampoo is the exact opposite of the Aveeno Scalp Soothing Shampoo. It is intended to be a very strong shampoo that can take on very hard water. It is even likely that it can help swimmers keep their hair clean too although the company doesn’t mention chlorine in its marketing material. It does specify copper, magnesium, and iron as the minerals that this shampoo can handle well.

The most important quality of this shampoo is its strength even though it doesn’t contain any sulfates. In fact, this shampoo’s formula doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients silicones or parabens. It is still able to cut through the toughest of buildup because it contains high concentrations of coconut-based cleansers.

The reliance on coconut-based cleansers, though, means that this shampoo cannot produce a lot of lather. Therefore, if you’re someone who doesn’t like non-lathering shampoos then we suggest looking elsewhere. What we can tell you is that even without a lot of lather, this hard water shampoo does its job well.

While they may not lather like sulfates, these cleansers behave like synthetic sulfates in all other ways including the side effects i.e., drying. This means that this hard water shampoo is so strong that it can leave your hair very dry. This is why we don’t recommend using it daily despite the fact that the company says it can be used every day. Instead, we suggest using it weekly or even bimonthly.

The absence of thickening agents in the formula means that this shampoo has a very thin consistency. This can make it difficult to apply because the moment you put it in your hair, it will start flowing down your head. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about wastage because this is an incredibly cheap shampoo.

The smell of this hard water shampoo reflects its strength. It is very strong even though the scent comes off as very clean and fresh.

You can get this hard water shampoo in two differently sized bottles. The smaller one will contain 10.5 ounces of the shampoo while the larger one will hold 33.8 ounces.

Who’s it for: If you’re on a budget but still want a super-strong, super-effective hard water shampoo, try this one from Ion.

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3. Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 3.75/5.0

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The Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo from Neutrogena is designed specifically for product-related buildup. In fact, the company specifically mentions “shampoos, conditioners, and styling products” when describing the kind of buildup this clarifying shampoo can handle.

However, this is a shampoo that will do well against mineral-related buildup because of its strength. It will be able to cope with hard water because it not only contains sulfates but also a slew of coconut-derived cleansers.

The two types of ingredients combine well to make this clarifying shampoo very potent. In fact, they make it so strong that it will leave your hair feeling very dry and straw-like. As is the case with all hard water shampoos, we recommend using a strong conditioner or even going through deep conditioning regime every time you end up using this product.

Even though this shampoo contains both sulfates and coconut-based cleansers, it still doesn’t produce a lot of lather. We don’t understand why this happens but it is definitely something that a lot of people experience with this shampoo.

The formula of this shampoo is quite simple too. Other than the two ingredients we’ve already mentioned, this shampoo contains only hydrogenated castor oil. The castor oil fights valiantly against the drying nature of this shampoo but fails miserably in the end. This shampoo’s formula is also free of all other synthetic ingredients including parabens and silicones.

The smell of this shampoo reflects its potency. It is very strong and has chemical or medicinal notes that many people don’t like. In fact, many users even think that its smell is a bit too masculine even though we find it gender-neutral instead.

In terms of cost, though, this shampoo is quite pocket-friendly. Since you’ll be using this once a week only, it will also stay with you for a very long time as well.

Who’s it for: If you want a simple but super-strong hard water shampoo that is also pocket-friendly, get this one from Neutrogena.

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4. Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three (Best Budget)

Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0

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In the budget market segment, this shampoo from Paul Mitchell is possibly the strongest of them all. It has the capacity to remove the most well-entrenched buildup while simultaneously preventing buildup in the future too.

It contains very strong deep cleansers with the potential to remove all types of minerals including iron and chlorine. This also makes this shampoo great for swimmers because it can prevent their hair from getting that dreaded chlorine green tint.

It is able to deliver such strength on the back of multiple sulfates being used in the formula. These compounds are surfactants used commonly in all types of shampoos. However, in this shampoo, they are present in very large concentrations.

Their large concentration also means that this shampoo produces tons of lather even in smaller quantities and in the hardest of water. Further, the presence of sulfates in such high concentrations also means that this shampoo can be very drying. This is despite the fact that it contains silicones to combat the effects of sulfates.

The formula, fortunately, is free from other synthetic ingredients such as parabens. In fact, it is also a good choice for animal lovers because it is rated to be cruelty-free.

The smell of this shampoo is quite attractive. The company says that they’ve combined the scents of pink grapefruit and Valencia orange along with orange blossom in this shampoo. This makes sense because this shampoo’s smell is distinctly citrusy.

Paul Mitchell hair products don’t tend to be cheap enough to be included in budget categories normally. The only reason this shampoo has qualified for this market segment is the largest bottle.

If you buy the largest 33.8-ounce bottle, you pay about $0.77 for every ounce. On the other hand, if you go to bigger bottles, this amount goes up till the price becomes high enough to turn this shampoo into a premium product. This is why we recommend the biggest bottle.

The other sizes that you’ll be able to choose from are 3.4 ounces, 10.14 ounces, and 16.9 ounces.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for the strongest, pocket-friendly hard water shampoo that performs well against chlorinated water too, buy this one from Paul Mitchell.

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5. BIOLAGE Normalizing Clean Reset Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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The Normalizing Clean Reset Shampoo from Biolage tries to combine the best of nature and technology. It incorporates great naturally occurring cleansing ingredients as well as synthetic clarifying ingredients into its formula.

The natural cleansing ingredients this shampoo makes use of are coconut derived cleansers. On the artificial side, this shampoo utilizes sulfates. As a result of this blend, this hard water shampoo can offer an intense cleansing experience.

It is able to remove tough buildup from all types of hair types too, although people with dry hair need to be careful how they use it. The fact that it utilizes sulfates and is a super-strong cleansing shampoo means that it will leave hair very dry which isn’t something that people with already dry hair should accept.

Apart from making it very strong at clarifying, the sulfates also give this shampoo the ability to produce a lot of lather. If you’re used to mainstream shampoos and the lather they produce, you’ll be very satisfied with this shampoo. In fact, you won’t even have to use a lot of it to get the suds you crave. A little of it will go a long way in both, producing lather and cleansing your scalp.

Even though it includes sulfates in its formula, the headline ingredient in this hard water shampoo is lemongrass. This shampoo derives its scent from lemongrass too. Its scent can be best described as mild, fresh, and slightly citrusy.

Other ingredients this shampoo incorporates are salicylic acid, vitamin E, sage leaf extract, cucumber fruit extract, and matricaria flower extract. Other than sulfates, this shampoo doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients such as parabens or silicones.

You can get the Biolage shampoo in two different sizes. The available bottle capacities are 13.5 ounces and 33.8 ounces.

Who’s it for: This Biolage clarifying shampoo is ideal for people who like their hair products to blend the qualities of nature and modern science.

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6. Malibu C: Hard Water Wellness Kit

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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This is a full-fledged kit that is widely recognized to be one of the best solutions for swimmers and people who get hard water at home. The only reason this product hasn’t received a higher rating from us is that it takes a bit of time to show lasting results.

Effectively, you need to use it over an extended period of time to see what it can really do. If you’re willing to wait for results, then this is easily the best option you can get in the market right now.

This Hard Water Wellness Kit consists of three things. The first is the hard water shampoo, the second is a hard water conditioner, and the third is a set of four wellness hard water remedy pouches. The company says that you’ll need to use all three to see the full potential of this kit. However, whether you need to go that far or not will depend on how hard your water is and what type of minerals it contains.

The most important thing with this kit is that it will not dry your hair like all other hard water shampoos do. The formulae of this shampoo and conditioner combine well to not only cleanse your scalp and hair but also leave it moisturized and comfortable.

The effect of this hydration is that your hair will feel softer and more manageable after you’ve used this kit. As you go down this guide, you’ll realize that this is incredibly rare in hard water shampoos.

The smell of this kit is also interesting. Users say that while the pouches deliver the promised results, they have a very peculiar smell. The shampoo and conditioner, though, smell quite nice. Their scent can be best described as a blend of minty and citrusy smells. The only problem is that this is the scent in the bottle.

When you apply the shampoo to your hair, you’ll find its scent changing. As the shampoo will go to work on the mineral deposits in your scalp and hair, its scent will seem different. It will take on a distinctly metal flavor which can be quite off-putting. However, the change in scent can also be heartening because it is a sign that the shampoo is working.

You should be warned that this shampoo will not produce a lot of lather even while it is working on the deposits in your scalp and hair. The reason for this is the fact that it doesn’t contain sulfates and is instead based on cleansers derived from coconuts. In fact, the formula is completely clean because it doesn’t even contain parabens or silicones.

Who’s it for: If you want the complete hard water solution for your hair without investing in a water softener, get this kit from Malibu C.

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7. Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo with Lemongrass & Argan (Best Value)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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The entire shampoo line from Acure is exceptional because each shampoo is good enough to feature in their respective top 10 lists. The Acure shampoo that qualifies for the top 10 hard water shampoos is called Curiously Clarifying.

This is a shampoo that combines lemongrass for its inherent clarifying properties and argan oil for its strong moisturizing qualities. The result is a super-gentle shampoo that cleanses the scalp well without being overly harsh. In fact, this is one of the very few clarifying shampoos that you can consider using daily. This is not because it doesn’t dry hair because it does. It is because it won’t dry your hair as most hard water shampoo will.

While lemongrass extract contributes to the cleansing ability of this shampoo, a much bigger role is played by a series of cleansers derived from coconuts. These cleansers perform well, particularly in hard water, because the minerals in the water are unable to prevent them from lathering up. In fact, this shampoo lathers up quite handsomely, which is something that should appeal to the mainstream shampoo user in you.

It is impressive that this shampoo is able to produce so much lather only on the back of coconut-based cleansers because it doesn’t contain any sulfates. In fact, the entire formula of this product is clean and free of synthetic substances such as parabens and silicones. It is even rated to be a vegan and cruelty-free product.

Because of the amount of lemongrass it contains, it also smells strongly of this ingredient. The lemongrass smell can be best described as fresh, clean, and slightly citrusy. However, the strength of this smell can put you off if you’re sensitive to scents and fragrances.

Acure offers its shampoos in two bottle sizes. This is true for this shampoo too as it comes in eight and 12-ounce bottles.

Who’s it for: If you want a hard water shampoo that isn’t very harsh on the hair, then Acure’s Curiously Clarifying Shampoo is something you should consider.

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8. Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Argan oil is one of the strongest moisturizers in nature. This would make you think that it would be impossible to make a hard water shampoo based on this ingredient. However, this is exactly what Moroccanoil has managed to do with this Clarifying Shampoo. It isn’t all that surprising because if anyone could create an argan oil clarifying shampoo, it would have to be the specialists, Moroccanoil.

Not only have the developers at Moroccanoil created an argan oil-based clarifying shampoo, but they’ve also created an incredibly strong one too. In fact, the company itself says that this is a “highly concentrated cleansing shampoo”.

This shampoo’s strength is the real reason why it is effective even in hard water. It is capable of cutting through the mineral buildup in the scalp and remove all kinds of environmental impurities from the hair.

However, its strength also means that it will strip the hair of all its natural oils. As a result, this shampoo can leave your hair very dry even though it is based on argan oil.

This extra strength doesn’t come at the cost of undesirable ingredients, though. This shampoo doesn’t contain any sulfates but instead relies on non-sulfate surfactants to cleanse the scalp. It is even free of other synthetic ingredients such as parabens and silicones.

In contrast, it boasts of a very impressive ingredients list comprising ingredients that are incredibly beneficial for hair health. It incorporates ingredients such as avocado oil, rosemary, matricaria, lavender, jojoba, provitamin B5, and hydrogenated castor oil. It even contains multiple types of proteins including keratin amino acids, hydrolyzed keratin, and silk amino acids that help repair damaged hair strands.

Because this shampoo uses non-sulfate surfactants, it cannot produce a lot of lather. In fact, it barely produces any. If you want suds, you’ll have to use a lot of it to get it going. On the other hand, if you’re only looking for the cleansing action, then very little of this shampoo will go a long way in producing the right results.

This is important too because this is a fairly expensive shampoo. Even if you buy the larger bottle, the cost per ounce of this shampoo can be on the expensive side. The larger bottle contains just short of 34 ounces while the smaller bottle’s capacity is 8.5 ounces. Another benefit of buying the bigger bottle is that it comes with a dispensing pump that makes it easier to use the shampoo.

In terms of smell, like all Moroccanoil products, this shampoo also smells of argan oil. The smell is distinct and if you’re not sure if you’ll like it or not, we suggest smelling it somewhere before making a purchase. The smell can be best described as amber with floral notes. It is also quite strong and has a tendency to linger through the day.

Who’s it for: If you’re a fan of argan oil and want a hard water shampoo based on this ingredient, look no farther than this one from Moroccanoil.

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9. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo (Top Pick)

Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0

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The Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo from Living Proof is one of the best hard water shampoos in the market because of how effective it is. It is capable of dealing with all types of buildup, irrespective of whether the source of the problem is pollution, sebum, hair products, or hard water.

It offers such a diverse range of cleansing qualities because it contains chelating agents, surfactants, an excess oil remover, and even a moisturizer.

The chelating agent is important for the purposes of this guide because it transforms this product from a simple detoxifying shampoo to a hard water shampoo. The chelating agent works well to remove scale-like mineral buildup caused by hard water.

The surfactants in this shampoo come in the form of coconut-derived cleansers. They also help detoxify the scalp by pulling the loose buildup away. Similarly, the oil remover prevents sebum buildup in the scalp. In case you didn’t know, sebum buildup can facilitate mineral buildup from hard water. The role of the oil remover is played by activated charcoal.

The moisturizer in this hard water shampoo is witch hazel. While it provides some level of hydration, it is not strong enough to cope with the clarifying, cleansing, and detoxifying properties of this super-strong shampoo.

However, that is okay because hard water shampoos are supposed to be super strong. This means that while they remove mineral buildup from your scalp, they will also cause your hair to become very dry. This is an inescapable flaw of washing hair in hard water. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that this shampoo from Living Proof also has this flaw.

Other than these primary ingredients, this shampoo is completely free of fillers and unnecessary synthetic substances. This includes parabens and silicones. As a result, the formula of this hard water shampoo is one of the simplest in this guide.

Despite the absence of sulfates, though, this shampoo manages to produce a decent amount of lather. While it isn’t comparable to mainstream sulfate-laden shampoos, it is still enough to satisfy people who are used to suds from their shampoos.

Smell-wise, this shampoo will appeal to people with sensitive noses. The reason for this is that it has such a mild scent that, for all intents and purposes, it can be considered to be unscented.

The biggest problem with this shampoo is its cost. It will prove to be expensive even if you buy the biggest bottle available. However, we still advise buying the biggest bottle because it comes with a dispensing pump and a hard water test strip. The strip can be very useful if you want to confirm that you have hard water in your home.

The bottle sizes you’ll be able to pick from are two ounces, 5.4 ounces, and 24 ounces.

Who’s it for: If you want a hard water shampoo without any flaws and are willing to pay for such excellence, get this one from Living Proof.

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10. R+Co Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Hard water shampoos, by their very nature, tend to dry hair. They’re supposed to remove mineral buildup caused by hard water. This type of buildup tends to be particularly stubborn and difficult to deal with.

As a result, hard water shampoos need to be particularly strong to be able to cut through the buildup. This is why the majority of hard water shampoos you’ll come across in the market will leave your hair feeling dehydrated and straw-like.

However, the Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo from R+Co is different. Its formula is such that it can clarify and cleanse the scalp without making the hair too dry. It does this by incorporating hydrating and nourishing ingredients that compensate for all the natural oils its clarifying ingredients take away.

This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t clean properly or that it leaves the hair greasy. On the contrary, it is strong enough to handle residue of all types including hair products, swimming, and hard water.

The most notable ingredients in this shampoo are rosemary, coconut oil, witch hazel, and amino acids. Rosemary is the ingredient responsible for removing buildup, coconut oil and witch hazel moisturize the hair, and amino acids help heal damaged hair. Other ingredients worth mentioning are vitamin E, tea tree oil, matricaria, wheat amino acids, and hydrolyzed soy protein. These secondary ingredients support the primary ones ably.

None of these ingredients are animal-based, which makes this shampoo vegan. In fact, it is also rated to be cruelty-free which is something that should appeal to animal lovers. The formula is even free of artificial substances such as silicones, parabens, and sulfates. It still manages to produce considerable lather, which should satisfy people who are used to mainstream shampoos.

The scent of this shampoo is very complex and hard to pinpoint. The company says its scent is bright with an earthy composition. We feel that it is a mix of citrus and spice with a special emphasis on green tea. The scent is also very strong. If you’re sensitive to scents then you need to be careful when it comes to buying this shampoo.

Apart from its strong strength, the biggest flaw of this hard water shampoo is its cost. It is priced astronomically high, making it financially unattractive to a lot of people. The only saving grace is that you don’t need a lot of it. A little of it goes a long way to create lather and cleanse the scalp.

Who’s it for: If you want a hard water shampoo that will not dry your hair and are willing to pay for it, try the Oblivion from R+Co.

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