This Aztec Clay & Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask Is The Perfect Hair Refresher 

Buildup does a number on your hair and scalp. Perhaps the most well-known side effects are those that affect the latter: Excess buildup in the area can cause issues ranging from flat roots and flakes to skin inflammation and even hair loss. And while buildup tends to accumulate on the scalp more easily, buildup on the strands is also a particularly frustrating issue—one not to be ignored. 

Buildup on your strands comes from styling products, leave-ins, and even some conditioners. See, these products work by coating the strand in order to help coax the cuticle to lie flat, seal in moisture, and increase manageability. These are all good things, mind you. But as with most things in life, using these too much or not correctly can lead to unintended damage. 

What are we to do about this situation? Well, this is where clarifying shampoos and treatments come into play. "I love that these new shampoos are healthier for your hair, but the problem that many stylists are seeing now is that they are so gentle that people aren't properly cleaning their hair or scalps," says certified trichologist Shab Reslan. "If you want to stick with your low-lather shampoo, you absolutely should, but you might need to do a weekly clarifying shampoo or treatment."

However, not all options are created equal—nor work the same for everyone. There are traditional clarifying shampoos, which rely on strong sulfates to clean the hair. There are clean versions, which use botanicals and gentler cleansing agents to get the job done. You can make DIY versions, like this baking soda one (however, many people have sensitivities to baking soda and thus stay away from it).

Or you can use this DIY Aztec Clay and ACV mask. 

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is a fan-favorite, do-it-all, 100% natural calcium bentonite clay. (To say that this product has amassed devoted users the size of a small nation would arguably be an understatement.) Bentonite clay contains natural minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron; the ingredient is extremely porous and absorbs gunk quite effectively, holding on to it before you wash it down the drain. "Calcium bentonite is gentle and provides the body with lots of minerals," says holistic skin care expert Samantha Story, M.S., LAc.