How does Mutaly's hair care quiz work?

Mutaly's quiz has 5 sections covering hair type, scalp condition, hair characteristics (porosity, density, thickness), current condition, and treatments. The algorithm analyzes your moisture, lipid, and protein balance to generate a personalized care routine with specific product type recommendations.

What is hair porosity and why does it matter?

Hair porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. Low porosity hair has tightly closed cuticles and resists moisture. High porosity hair (often from damage) absorbs quickly but loses moisture fast. Knowing your porosity helps choose the right products — low porosity needs lightweight products and heat to open cuticles, while high porosity benefits from heavier oils and butters to seal moisture in.

What is the moisture-protein balance in hair?

Healthy hair needs a balance of moisture (water, humectants) and protein (keratin, amino acids). Too much moisture makes hair limp, mushy, and overly stretchy. Too much protein makes it stiff, brittle, and prone to snapping. Mutaly detects imbalances and adjusts care recommendations to restore equilibrium.

Is the Mutaly hair quiz free?

Yes, the hair care quiz and your personalized hair profile are completely free. Product recommendations, INCI ingredient analyzer, and the hair diary are available with a premium subscription.

What languages does Mutaly support?

Mutaly is available in 7 languages: English, Russian, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

Are the recommended hair products safe?

All recommended products are screened against EU cosmetics regulations. Products containing ingredients banned in the EU — such as Lilial, Lyral, MI/MCI in leave-on products, Glyoxal, and formaldehyde releasers — are excluded from all recommendations.

Scalp Buildup: What It Is and How to Clear It

Flaky scalp that isn't dandruff? You likely have product buildup. Here's how to identify and clear it without over-stripping.

What buildup actually is

Buildup is residue your regular shampoo can't remove. Sources:

Silicones — especially non-water-soluble (Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone)
Styling products — waxes, gels, hairsprays
Dry shampoo — starches and powders
Oils and butters applied to scalp
Mineral deposits from hard water (calcium, magnesium)
Oxidized sebum — especially on oily scalps

Over weeks, these layer up, block follicles, and weigh hair down. Symptoms:

Hair feels heavy, limp, can't be styled
Dull, even after washing
White/yellow flakes that lift off in chunks (not fine)
Oily scalp that doesn't respond to regular shampoo
Scalp itches but without redness

How to clear it

Option 1: Clarifying shampoo

Look for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate high in INCI. These are strong but effective.

Use once. Then return to gentle shampoo. Clarifying weekly strips the scalp — only use once every 2–4 weeks.

Option 2: Chelating shampoo (for hard water)

Look for EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) or sodium phytate. These bind to minerals and wash them out.

Essential if your water is hard (feels slippery when soapy, leaves residue on glass).

Option 3: Scalp scrub

Physical scrubs with salt or sugar exfoliate buildup. Use weekly or biweekly.

Chemical scrubs with salicylic acid dissolve oil-based buildup. Good for oily scalps.

Option 4: Apple cider vinegar rinse

Dilute: 1 tablespoon ACV in 1 cup water, rinse through, leave 2 minutes, rinse out. Helps mildly with mineral buildup. Not a replacement for proper clarifying.

Preventing new buildup

Switch silicones

Non-water-soluble: Dimethicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone — accumulate
Water-soluble: PEG-modified (look for "PEG" prefix), Dimethicone copolyol — wash out easily

Not all silicones are bad. Water-soluble versions don't build up.

Apply products right

Dry shampoo: only roots, only emergency
Leave-in: mid-length to ends, not scalp
Oils: length and ends only, not roots unless you're doing a pre-wash treatment
Styling gels: hair, not scalp

Water check

Hard water leaves minerals in every wash. Signs: soap doesn't lather well, shower doors scale up, skin feels dry after shower. Solution: shower filter (~$30) or chelating shampoo.

When buildup looks like something else

Buildup vs dandruff: Dandruff is scalp skin cells. Buildup lifts off in sheets — dandruff is smaller and embedded.

Buildup vs dry scalp: Buildup is oily/heavy; dry scalp is tight and light.

Buildup vs seborrheic dermatitis: SD has visible red patches and yellow greasy flakes. Buildup is just residue.

After clearing — rebuild

After one clarifying wash, hair can feel dry. Follow with:

A deep conditioning mask (5 minutes)
A leave-in lightweight (mid-length + ends)
Optional: light oil seal on ends

Your hair should feel lighter, bouncier, and more responsive to styling.

Why periodic clarifying matters

Even in a simple routine, oils and minerals build up over 4–8 weeks. One monthly "reset" keeps your baseline healthy.

The Mutaly quiz factors in your water type and styling product use to recommend clarifying cadence.