The 5 Best Clarifying Shampoos

What's a clarifying shampoo, you ask? You've come to the right place, especially if you're in need of a deep, scalp-enriching cleanse. Clarifying shampoos cut through product buildup, oil, and grease, so your hair looks and feels extra-clean and extra-fresh. This kind of deep cleanse is also wonderful for hair in the long run. When you purge your hair and scalp of any built-up grime and product gunk, you're helping to make way for healthier, longer, thicker strands. Not all clarifying shampoos are created equal; but, these five stand out from the bunch.

WOW Activated Charcoal & Keratin Shampoo

The WOW factor can't be denied

Wow Activated Charcoal and Keratin Shampoo wins on all counts.

Best Overall

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If your hair is dull, dry, or damaged (or all three), bring it to life with the WOW Activated Charcoal & Keratin Shampoo. This vitamin-enriched clarifying shampoo does a fantastic job of restoring moisture while getting rid of heavy product buildup. And, thanks to key vitamins like vitamin B5 and vitamin E, hair looks and feels shiny and well-nourished. Plus, conveniently for those with color-treated hair, this shampoo provides a deep cleanse without stripping hair color, and the formula is free of sulfates, parabens, and other chemicals that can damage your scalp.

Pros:

Formula is enriched with key vitamins that provide a hefty dose of nourishment and shine, in addition to getting rid of oils, grime, and product buildup.
Free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones that can damage the scalp.
Provides a deep, thorough cleanse without stripping hair color, so it’s safe to use for color-treated hair.

Cons:

Has a fairly strong charcoal scent.

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo

Best for drugstore queens

Who says a decent clarifying shampoo has to be inaccessible to most? Not so with Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo.

Best Drugstore Find

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For a great drugstore find, look no further than Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. This highly accessible shampoo is great at providing a gentle, thorough cleanse and rinsing away any dirt and buildup, and it’s suitable for all hair types (and color-treated hair, too). Plus, it can even help to boost volume.

Pros:

You can find it at most drugstores.
Gentle, non-irritating formula that effectively sweeps away dirt and grime.
Can help to boost volume.
Designed for all hair types.

Cons:

If your hair is especially dry, this might not be the best pick since it’s pretty drying.

Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo

Because...you're worth it

Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo is worth every penny.

Best Splurge

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Luxuriously indulgent, Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo is the kind of beauty product that’s worth splurging on, simply because there are few other clarifying shampoos that work as well as this one. Without stripping your scalp or removing your hair’s natural oils, this shampoo goes deep, purifying the hair and scalp and sweeping away oil, dirt, and product buildup. It’s also easy to use: The aerosol mousse transforms into a rich lather, so you can easily massage it into your hair and scalp.

Pros:

Provides a deep, purifying cleanse without stripping the hair or scalp.
Super-effective at getting rid of every last speck of dirt and buildup.
Transforms into a rich, foamy lather, so it’s easy to use.

Cons:

The high price tag.

Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo

Non-toxic beauty for the win

Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo is crafted using only the safest, most natural ingredients.

Best Safe Ingredients

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Get that squeaky-clean feeling from Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo, a high-quality, non-toxic clarifying shampoo that successfully dissolves buildup, deep-cleans, and promotes healthy hair growth. Best of all, it doesn’t even contain any harmful chemicals or toxins, like sulfates—just naturally derived, nourishing ingredients. It’s safe for most hair types to use, and leaves locks looking and feeling smooth, tangle-free, and healthy.

Pros:

Only contains gentle, non-toxic ingredients.
Cleanses deeply and revitalizes hair, without stripping it of natural oils.
Offers up a nice lather.
Safe for color-treated hair.

Cons:

If you have an oily scalp, this product may be a tad too heavy.

Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo

Beauty on a budget

The Avalon Organics Clarifying Shampoo is a budget-friendly gem.

Best Budget Buy

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No need to shell out the big bucks if you want results—Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo is just as effective as many higher-priced products. This super-cleansing shampoo gently removes excess oils and product buildup, so hair feels fresh, clean, and nourished. A balanced blend of lemon essential oil, aloe, vitamin E, and quinoa protein (no parabens or harsh preservatives here) is what does the trick.

Pros:

Budget-friendly.
Crafted using a certified organic formula that’s comprised of plant-derived botanicals and oils.
Cruelty-free and made with non-GMO ingredients; no chemicals or synthetic colors or dyes included.

Cons:

Not the best product for color-treated hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a clarifying shampoo is right for me?

If you use a lot of product in your hair, or you style your hair with heating tools fairly regularly, then a clarifying shampoo can help to remove the grime and residue that builds up over time from products like leave-in conditioners, color treatments, and others.

How do I use a clarifying shampoo?

You use a clarifying shampoo just as you would a regular shampoo, except not as frequently.

How often can I (or should I) use a clarifying shampoo?

Once every two weeks is a good rule of thumb, depending on how often you’re using styling products. Once a day is probably too much, since you could run the risk of stripping your hair of its natural oils.