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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
No matter whether your hair and scalp are oily, you live somewhere with hard water, or you just love going five days in between washes and loading up on dry shampoo in the meantime, you can benefit from a clarifying shampoo. Formulated with higher levels of cleansing ingredients, think of these as shampoos on steroids, souped-up versions that are extra effective at de-gunking both your hair and scalp. These products once came with the connotation of being harsh, drying, and stripping (and understandably so). Now, however, the latest versions are none of the above, doing the heavy-hitting cleansing without taking a toll on your hair.
Meet the Expert
John Mouzakis is a stylist and co-owner of 3rd Coast Salon in Chicago. He has over a decade of experience in the industry, working as both a hairstylist and educator across the globe.
Use any one of the best clarifying shampoos below and prepare to be amazed at how fresh and clean your hair looks afterward.
Best Overall: Davines SOLU Shampoo
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Amazon
Works for all hair types
Transforms into light foam
Adds plenty of shine
May strip color
Who else recommends it? Marie Claire also picked the Davines SOLU Shampoo.
What do buyers say? 89% of 600+ Amazon Reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
This sudser is a go-for for Byrdie Senior Editor Karli Bendlin, and it's so clarifying that it’s meant to be used to deep clean hair before a perm. But trust us: Go ahead and use it whether or not you’re getting a perm. This shampoo quickly transforms into an airy foam that whisks away all kinds of excess residue, gunk, and grime, all while leaving hair with mega-watt shine.
Size: 8.45 fluid ounces | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Budget: Suave Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo
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Courtesy of CVS
Affordable
Gentle formula
Can be drying
Not quite sold on the fact that you need a clarifying shampoo? Or just don’t want to shell out the big bucks for one? This guy will cost you a few dollars—a very small price to pay regardless, but even more so when you consider the efficacy. Gentle and pH-balanced, it still gets the job done and also has a very lovely, fresh scent.
Size: 12 fluid ounces | Scent: Fresh | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Splurge: ORIBE The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo
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Courtesy of Amazon
Nourishing
Unique mousse consistency
Exfoliates scalp
Pricey
There’s no sugar-coating it—there’s something about the idea of a clarifying shampoo that just feels, well, kind of clinical. But trust us, there’s none of that with this luxurious shampoo, which has high-end hair treatment vibes. The whipped foam boasts a luscious texture and high-end scent (in true ORIBE fashion). But that doesn’t keep it from being a heavy-hitting treatment, using volcanic ash to exfoliate your scalp and hair, taking oil and product buildup with it.
Size: 7.1 fluid ounces | Scent: Cote d’Azur | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Splurge, Runner-Up: OUAI DETOX SHAMPOO
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Ulta
Combines clarifying and chelating benefits
Smells great
Lightweight
Pricey
Should only be used weekly
“This is a lighter clarifying shampoo that leaves hair softer than many other formulas do,” says Mouzakis of another one of his picks. Lathering up nicely, it contains both apple cider vinegar for clarifying purposes and chelating agents to remove hard-water deposits. There’s also strengthening keratin in the mix, always a nice plus.
Size: 10 fluid ounces | Scent: OUAI's Melrose Place scent | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Let it sit on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing to reap the best benefits.
Best Drugstore: Aveeno Scalp Soothing Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo
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Amazon
Affordable
Adds plenty of shine
Volumizing
Can be drying
The namesake ingredient in this pick deep cleans both your scalp and hair. It also comes with soothing oats to help calm a stressed-out scalp. Free from sulfates, parabens, and dyes, it’s another great pick for colored hair and happens to add plenty of shine and volume, too.
Size: 12 fluid ounces | Scent: Fruity | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Oily Hair: Amika Reset Clarifying Gel Shampoo
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Courtesy of Sephora
Lightweight
Contains effective oil-removing ingredients
Can be drying
If you have oily hair, you can benefit from incorporating a clarifying shampoo like this one into your routine. This touts two oil-absorbing ingredients more often found in skincare—pink clay and charcoal—to not only sop up excess grease but also remove all kinds of odors, residue, and other unwanted gunk and grime. The lightweight gel-to-foam texture that won’t weigh down your hair is another plus, given that those with oily hair also tend to have finer hair.
Size: 6.7 fluid ounces | Scent: Cote d’Azur | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Colored Hair: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo
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Courtesy of Space NK
Safe for color-treated hair
Combines clarifying and chelating benefits
Can be drying
If you color your hair, proceed with caution when using a clarifying shampoo. After all, by definition, they made of formulas that are more stripping than traditional. This can spell disaster when it comes to unwanted color fading. That being said, there are plenty of options out there that are safe for colored hair, which can also benefit from a deep clean every once in a while.
Take this option, for example, which boasts a litany of ingredients to get the job done. These include an anionic polymer that removes product residue, chelating agents that attach to dulling minerals in hard water, charcoal to absorb excess oil, and sulfate-free surfactants to clean without removing your color.
Size: 5.4 fluid ounces | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Curly Hair: Pattern Beauty Clarifying Shampoo
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Courtesy of Ulta
Moisturizes and hydrates
Contains antioxidants
Recyclable packaging
Strong scent
Does curly hair ever need a clarifying shampoo? The short answer is yes. Not only do people with curly hair tend to go longer in between washes, but they also tend to use more product. Both of factors raise the need for reaching for a clarifying formula occasionally.
Make it this pick, from the brand created by Tracee Ellis Ross to specially address the (unique) needs of curly girls everywhere. In this case, that means purifying your hair and scalp—but also making sure your curls aren’t stripped of their natural moisture, thanks to ingredients such as aloe vera and pantheon.
Size: 7.8 fluid ounces | Scent: Jasmine, bergamot, sandalwood | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for All Hair Types: Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
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Works for all hair types
Safe for color-treated hair
Moisturizes and hydrates
Strengthening
Pricey
Have fine, straight hair? This is a great option for you. Blessed with thick curls? Yep, still a great option. For any and every hair type and texture, this formula gets the clarifying job done while also delivering plenty of moisturizing argan, avocado oils, and strengthening keratin in the process. It’s safe for colored hair, too.
Size: 8.5 fluid ounces | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Sensitive Scalps: GIRL+HAIR CLEAR+ Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Rinse
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Amazon
Tingly, refreshing feeling
Balances scalp pH
Targeted nozzle for easy application
Small bottle
For those whose scalp is on the sensitive side, the last thing you want to do is use an intense or overly harsh shampoo that can cause further dryness and possible irritation. Instead, reach for this rinse. While you use it as a shampoo, it relies on apple cider vinegar rather than detergents to remove residue and help balance your scalp’s pH, and there are hydrating shea butter and oil-absorbing tea tree oil in the mix, too. Plus, the targeted nozzle makes it easy to apply directly to your scalp.
Size: 10.1 fluid ounces | Scent: Apple | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Heavy Duty Buildup: UNITE Hair Weekender Shampoo
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Walmart
Safe for color-treated hair
Smells great
Should only be used weekly
This is a top pick for Mouzakis. The caveat? Use it just once a week; it will help clarify your scalp and hair without stripping natural oils or color. It’s safe for chemically treated hair and extensions, too, and the refreshing, mandarin-lemon scent is a nice bonus.
Size: 8 fluid ounces | Scent: Citrus | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for City Dwellers: Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo
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Amazon
Adds plenty of shine
Combines clarifying and chelating benefits
May strip color
Stash this in your shower if you live in a city. Mouzakis says it helps remove not only product buildup but also pollution residue and minerals found in hard water (like copper, iron, magnesium, and calcium) that can change both the texture and color of your hair. Plus, the formula is pH balanced to help keep hair looking and feeling healthy and shiny.
Size: 8.5 fluid ounces | Scent: Citrus | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Flaky Scalps: AMELIORATE Clarifying Shampoo
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Ameliorate
Can be used daily
Trichologist approved
Pricey
Clarifying shampoos can be a good way to help remove dead skin on the scalp—so long as the formula isn’t too stripping, which can end up exacerbating the situation. Enter this option. The mild shampoo clarifies but contains prebiotics and a unique hydration complex to help soothe your scalp while still getting rid of flakes. Plus, it can be used daily.
Size: 8.4 fluid ounces | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Natural: Alodia Nourish & Heal Organic Black Soap Wash
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Amazon
Natural and organic
Works for all hair types
Affordable
Watery texture can take getting used to
The ingredient list of this deep-cleansing formula is super minimal—and entirely natural and organic. Think of things such as tea tree oil and cocoa seed powder to help break down gunk and residue that can clog the hair follicles. It’s safe and effective for all hair types and a great option for those sporting styles such as locs and weaves, too.
Size: 8 fluid ounces | Scent: Minty | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Unknown | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
When your hair (and/or scalp) needs a deep clean, reach for a clarifying shampoo. The Davines SOLU Shampoo is our top choice, super-effective yet non-stripping and imparting plenty of shine. If you’re looking for a splurge-worthy pick, consider ORIBE's Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo or OUAI's Detox Shampoo, both of which also offer tons of other added benefits—and smell amazing. On the flip side, Aveeno's Scalp Soothing Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo is a top drugstore pick, while Living Proof's Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo is our recommendation for those who have colored hair since the formula is non-stripping. (Just make sure to pair it with a conditioner.)
What to Look for in a Clarifying Shampoo
Sulfate-Free
Ideally, you want a sulfate-free formula so that the shampoo won’t overdry your hair (since clarifying formulas can already innately be a bit more drying).
Hydrating and Strengthening Ingredients
Similarly, options that contain moisturizing ingredients (e.g., oils, butters) as well as strengthening ingredients such as keratin or biotin are also a nice way to ensure the health of your hair.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She colors her hair and is judicious about using clarifying shampoos. She tends to use them at least once a month—or whenever she feels like her hair is feeling especially oily and/or generally weighed down.