Ion Hard Water Shampoo vs Malibu C (The Definitive Guide)

Although hard water is a common problem for many of us, it’s not always easy to find the perfect product to help you combat build-up. Let’s face it, not all products are created equally, and trying out different clarifying shampoos can get expensive.

That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you by comparing two of the most popular hard water shampoos: Ion vs Malibu C Let’s get into it!

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Ion vs Malibu C Hard Water Shampoo

Anyone who deals with hard water can relate to the build-up it can cause on your scalp. Thankfully, there are products that can help you out with that. Hard water shampoos are specifically formulated to target scalp build-up and flakiness, leaving your hair feeling lightweight, beautiful, and bouncy.

Two of the *best* hard water shampoos around are the Ion Hard Water Shampoo and the Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo.

Ion is a popular hair care brand that offers affordable products which promise salon-quality results. The brand is best known for its amazing color protection products and nourishing leave-in treatments.

The Ion Hard Water Shampoo is made with 100% vegan ingredients. However, the ingredients do include some sulfates and parabens, which is a bummer for those seeking a gentle option for their hair. Despite this, it is marketed towards all hair types, and one of the biggest appeals of this product is the affordable price point.

We love the Ion Hard Water Shampoo because it eliminates dryness and reduces the damage that comes along with using hard water. This shampoo effectively clears your scalp of build up and it is gentle enough to use daily. It lathers up nicely and feels luxurious on your scalp. After using the Ion Hard Water Shampoo, your hair will feel soft, shiny, and more manageable.

Malibu C is a brand that specializes in high-quality hair care and skin care products made with natural ingredients. The brand features a myriad of custom hair care products. One of their most popular collections is their Hard Water Wellness line. All of their products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, including their Hard Water Wellness Shampoo.

The ingredients in Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo feature all of the cleanest ingredients and do not include sulfates, parabens, or preservatives which can cause damage to your hair. It promises to restore moisture to your hair while protecting it against further hard water damage.

The first thing that you will notice about Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo is the delightful orange dreamsicle scent. But that’s not the only thing that will impress you about this shampoo, it is simply amazing! Although it doesn’t lather up quite as much as the Ion Hard Water Shampoo, it is still effective in removing build-up and leaving your hair feeling silky smooth and more manageable.

In fact, this shampoo is so good at removing build-up that it is not recommended to use it more than once a week, because it can actually be quite drying.

Overall, these two shampoos are *incredibly* similar, so you can rest assured that you will love whichever one you pick. It has to be said, though, the Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo is the more popular of the two and is extra appealing thanks to being sulfate-free and paraben-free.

This article was originally published on August 10th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 12th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.