Best hard water shampoo for all hair types: tried and tested

Our top pick has to be the Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo. One of a kind, it repairs, protects and nourishes. You could say that it's a triple threat. And, this Olaplex pick is even safe for colour hair - a godsend for all of us living in hard water areas. Yes - it will remove build-ups, excess oil and pollutants without drying out your precious 'do'. A super nourishing and clarifying pick, it's a must-have for all hair types, for cleaner, manageable, healthier and shinier hair. What's not to love? And, what did our curly-haired tester think?

"Wow - isn't Olaplex fantastic? My hair feels super soft and my hair is drying quicker than usual, too - which is a plus from a curly-hair-haver. This seems to have stopped any minerals and product residue build-up in its tracks. Not only that, but you only need a small amount for a heap of difference. Hard water has been taking a toll on my skin and hair - but, seems to be getting back to its former glory..."

If you need something a little more budget-friendly, the Noughty Detox Dynamo Clarifying shampoo gently clarifies for peak scalp and hair condition. With superpower plant ingredients such as peppermint, sorrel leaf, beetroot and cucumber, this plant based shampoo packs a punch. Equipped to banish any build-ups from your hair and scalp, it offers a gentle, sulphate-free cleanse without stripping away your hair's essential oil. This washes away any nasties for a super clean feeling. Hard water won't know what's hit it.

Who doesn't love Wild? Known for taking the deodorant world by storm, Wild has rocked our perception of what it means to be truly ethical and eco-friendly, offering a variety of armpit-easing scents in the form of "refills". Their expansion involves a range of shampoo bars, known for lasting much longer than liquid and with no plastic in sight. Their shampoo has been made with natural ingredients like sweet almond and jojoba oil for long-lasting nourishment and incredibly soft hair. It's free from any nasties (chemicals and sulphates) and last longer than its liquid counterpart...

Of all the flavours available in Wild's extensive repertoire, Coconut and Vanilla is a firm favourite of Piper, Homes and Lifestyle Writer for Yours, who has been using their deodorant for a few years now. So, she was so desperate to try the shampoo bar counterpart...

"I've tried a few shampoo bars before (from Ethique and Faith in Nature) this one is a fabulous choice for hair needing a little nourishment. It's perfect for all hair types, especially curls and coils."

Not only does it eliminate dandruff and conquer dry scalp irritation, but this Guava Scalp Relief Shampoo from Cantu will help stop the build-up of hard water minerals in their tracks. Yes - believe it or not, the formula has been enhanced with apple cider vinegar, an acidic ingredient, to tackle the alkaline nature of the leftover calcium build-ups in your hair. This, of course, is alongside cleansing and clarifying agents to banish stylish product residue for good. Cantu is a go-to brand for those of us with curly and/or textured hair, and it will help with dandruff, too.

Piper has been using Cantu's range for a few years now - and decided to give this Guava Shampoo a try to help with the hard water and product build-up in her curly hair...

"I was lucky enough to try this clarifying shampoo from Cantu - and I am impressed. I've used their Curling Cream in the past - and it helps bring out my curls - without a doubt. I've started using hair oils (such as the HASK Repairing Argan Oil) recently to give my hair a little boost (when I can't be bothered to wash it); there comes a time to banish any product residue that may be making my hair feel greasy or weighed-down. So, I sometimes turn to this product to sort me right out. There are probably better products on the market - but, I am reassured with the blend of ingredients, that this is OK to use at least twice a week if you use products and/or live in an area where the water is hard. I live in the Test Valley, so the struggle is real. This shampoo helps my hair shed any pesky minerals and excess oils. With the right conditioner, it's a good tool to have."

Looking for some rapid hair rescue? We recommend the Green People Intensive Repair Shampoo if you're thinking your coloured hair could do with some TLC. We love this pick for its commitment to using natural ingredients to give your hair a boost, even in hard water areas. It comes with quinoa and green tea (amongst many other ingredients) to intensely repair and nourish dry, damaged hair - switching "brittle" for a glossy, shiny look and feel. You're said to feel the difference in just five washes. Piper put this to the test...

"Another fabulous product to use in hard water areas. For those in soft water areas, I still recommend it for its reparative properties - and not to mention, it doesn't take out any colour in your hair—a big bonus for my wife who (currently) has hot pink curls. Especially if I haven't been looking after my curls - or have used too much product - this intensive repair shampoo is always here to help, ensuring my hair feels refreshed. Pair with their Intensive Repair Conditioner for the best results, of course."

The Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo has been recommended by our expert, Moe Harb - resident hair expert at Beauty Club London, for its clarifying properties. She says that it's "great at tackling hard water buildup without stripping natural oils from your hair". And, we have to agree. It's been formulated to hydrate, gently cleanse and preserve the vibrancy of your hair, even in the hardest of waters. Plus, if you colour your hair, it will help with any discolouration you've been experiencing. It's vegan and sulphate-free, too - which we like.

Reviewers on Amazon seem to like Malibu C's offering, saying it cleans the hair (and scalp) gently and many have noticed a difference in their hair since using it. One customer says that they moved to a hard water area recently and noticed their hair becoming coarse and brittle. After using this Malibu C Shampoo, their hair feels sleeker and not too frizzy, either. Another says it's a lifesaver for greasy hair, also, but recommends using a hydrating conditioner with it. Customers seem to use it once a week to get rid of the mineral build-up in their hair.

However, some customers are unsure about how good value for money it is.

Another suggestion from Moe from Beauty Club London is the Redken Hair Cleansing Cream is a powerfully formulated shampoo to tackle super hard water areas. Not only does it give you an irresistible shine, but it removes product residue, dry shampoo, mineral buildup, excess oil and even pollution in one swift clean. Not only that, it's also a specialised dandruff shampoo. (What can't it do?) Yes - it comes with pyrithione zinc to help fight and control dandruff. You can even massage it into dry hair - just leave it in for five minutes, though.

Reviews on Amazon are mostly positive - saying that this shampoo smells lovely, and helps their hair feel soft and clean. Most importantly, it's said to remove build-ups and bring back some volume to the hair. Some customers find it excellent - cleaning their scalp well and leaving their hair soft. You only need a small amount - so it lasts a little long than you'd expect. It can tackle anything from hairspray to hard water minerals with ease...

Some customers found it dried out their hair a little - so, we recommend using it in conjunction with a hydrating conditioner with shea, argan or coconut. For those with dry or damaged hair, we'd probably recommend the Green People Intensive Care Shampoo instead.

With a fresh apple fragrance, the Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo will relieve flakiness and itchiness, and clarify your locks of any nasty mineral build-ups, too. Though a dandruff formula, it's mild and gentle enough to be used daily - and won't strip your hair of essential hair oils and your colour. Use it as a main shampoo - or in conjunction with the recommended pick for your hair texture for an occasional deeper clean. Philip Kingsley's multi-award-winning clarifying shampoo was put to the test by our Lifestyle writer, Piper.

As a curly-haired individual who lives in a hard water area, Piper is no stranger to a scalp problem and product/mineral build-up and was excited to try Philip Kingsley's offering...

"I love Philip Kingsley's Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo. When I'm in a funk and forget to wash my hair for a little bit, this is a great choice to get my hair back in shape. Especially when I've used a lot of product that week and worn my satin bonnet every night, I can feel a little irritation in my scalp. But, this shampoo is a great remedy - to stop any itchiness by clarifying any product residue from my curls. Plus, as someone who lives in the Test Valley, I am well-accustomed to hard water, and this shampoo counteracts the dryness that it causes..."

Perfect for hydrating dry and colour-treated hair, this Evolve Superfood Shine Shampoo is another contender for the hard water top spot. Formulated with gardenia and karkade flower extracts, it's your one-stop-shop for restoring moisture and shine, reducing frizz and improving scalp condition. What can't it do? Not only that, it uses a unique quinoa protein to boost hydration and cleansing agents to wash away minerals (all caused by pesky hard water). Plus, it's organic, vegan cruelty-free, and friendly to all skin types, funnily enough.

Piper is currently testing the Evolve Shampoo. Stay tuned for her verdict..

Gentle yet effective, the Tropic Clarifying Hair Wash is just another fab product we had to include on our list. It's (super) natural and doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or nasties. Though gentle, it's a concentrated formula - so, a little will go a long way. It's an economical and sustainable option if you're interested. Not only does it hydrate your hair (with the added aloe vera juice) and wash away the effects of hard water, but it cares for your scalp, too. It's expertly blended with babassu oil, strengthening amino acids and coconut for the best clean.

Piper loves her KP treatment from Tropic, so was keen to try their hard water shampoo...

"This is another great choice for those living in hard water areas or needing to clear out their curls of product. I enjoy Tropic's look, ethos and commitment to natural ingredients. Not only is this pick biodegradable, but it comes with nourishing plant oils, hydrating aloe vera juice and strengthening amino acids which help my hair and scalp feel rejuvenated. It's super concentrated, too, which means you don't need to use as much as you'd think. I'd recommend pairing it with an ultra-hydrating coconut, shea or argan-based conditioner for the best results.

My hair has never looked better..."

If your hair is feeling a little flat and lifeless, perhaps the Sea Magik Pink Salt Shampoo could help. It's volumising and clarifying with plenty of feel-good benefits—too many to mention. With the essential oil blend, you will feel uplifted and happy after your deep clean, ready to tackle any day ahead. The finely ground pink salt inside exfoliates the scalp and removes any product buildup and hard water minerals for the best-feeling hair. It's a triple threat: deep cleans, adds volume and removes build-up. It can be used as a daily shampoo or once or twice a week clarifying spa treatment for your hair.

From the hundred reviews on Amazon, the Sea Magik Shampoo is well-liked - with an average 4.5/5 star rating. Many customers enjoy the quality, scent and shine it gives your hair. One customer calls it "fabulous" and says it leaves hair "squeaky" clean, soft and shiny. Plus, it's said to get rid of products from your hair. Another user says they have used Aveda in the past, and this Sea Magik pick has lasted a long time (you don't need to use too much - very economical). It suited their thin hair, and it didn't tangle it, either. As a result, their once-limp hair became fuller and felt healthier, too.

However, some customers disagree on its effectiveness.

Gently cleansing, nourishing and strengthening the hair, the FUL.VIC Fulvic Acid Shampoo is the ideal treatment shampoo to support all types. Whether for hair growth or scalp problems, the fulvic shampoo is safe for colour-treated hair, sulphate-free, and loaded with goodies for the healthiest waves and curls. It's essential for us if your hair is thinning. Plus, it comes complete with aloe vera gel and B vitamins to heal damaged locks, horsetail and silica to improve texture and strength, and various flower extracts for a chilled-out scalp. It's fab.

Piper was lucky enough to try this pick - and loved how soft it made her hair feel.
"I was apprehensive at first - as it seemed to have contained some stronger ingredients than I was used to. I'd never heard of fulvic acid, either, which seemed to be the central ingredient. After a little research, I found out that fulvic acid is naturally sourced, and often found in muddy swamps. Basically, it's rich in nutrients and makes a great addition to both skin and hair care. And, I love that it's specified to help combat hair loss in both men and women - and is suitable for all hair types. It's a great choice if you want your hair (and scalp) to feel a little healthier."