In recent years, it’s become somewhat of an (albeit odd) bragging right to see how many days you can last before washing your hair. And whether that’s two days or five, the fact is most of us are shampooing less frequently, which can lead to dulling buildup on your scalp and strands. This is where a clarifying shampoo comes in.
The 15 Best Clarifying Shampoos, Vetted by Editors, Experts and Reviewers
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Published Feb 20, 2024
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What is a Clarifying Shampoo?
A clarifying shampoo is formulated to remove stubborn buildup (think oils, silicones, dry shampoo, hair spray and even residual shampoo and conditioner) from your hair. It’s also used to lift the chlorine that’s left on hair after swimming and removes the mineral deposits that result from hard water. If you’re looking to implement a clarifying shampoo into your routine, we compiled a list of the best recommendations, straight from hairstylists and PureWow editors. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly pick like Andalou, a salon-worthy find like Christophe Robin or our overall pick (ahem, Bumble and bumble), keep reading to find the right clarifying shampoo for you.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York. She's also an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell New York Presbyterian Medical Center. She specializes in cosmetic and medical services including treatments for acne, psoriasis, skin cancer, wrinkles and more.
- Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris is a trichologist and the founder of Alodia. She has a bachelor of science degree in Biology and a Ph.D in Bio-Medical Sciences. She uses her science background and her personal hair journey to develop her own haircare brand.
- Shab Caspara is a hairstylist and a trained trichologist based in New York. She has over a decade of experience as an expert on hair and scalp health, trends and haircare. She's also the founder of Leona, a haircare brand that offers personalized products, devices and solutions based on your hair concerns and needs.
How We Chose the Best Clarifying Shampoos
We asked our editors for their top recommendations and their honest opinions on products they’ve tried and tested. We also tapped hairstylists, dermatologists and trichologists, who shared the clarifying shampoos they love to use on their clients. After reaching out to our experts and editors, we dug deeper into each shampoo’s key ingredients and benefits. From there, we categorized each one to fit specific hair types and needs, so it would be easier for our readers to find the right formula for them. Keep reading to find the 15 best clarifying shampoos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Choose the Right Clarifying Shampoo for You
1. Identify key ingredients. A clarifying shampoo should contain hydrating ingredients like apple cider vinegar, charcoal and tea tree oil to deeply cleanse the scalp and nourish strands. “These ingredients can have soothing or antioxidant-rich properties and may contribute to a healthier scalp,” says Dr. Isfahan. “Some other important features to look out for are gentle, yet effective formulations, pH-balanced, and [shampoos that are] free of silicones and heavy ingredients, which can cause additional build up.”
2. Address specific hair needs. As Dr. Isfahan notes, find shampoos that target your hair type and needs. Ask yourself, do I have an oily or dry scalp? What about flakes, itchiness or dandruff? These questions can help narrow down your search.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Clarifying Shampoo?
“Since most shampoos don't provide the required cleansing capability to remove scalp residue due to excess sebum, product or environmental build-up (which can be necessary for healthy hair growth), clarifying shampoo [does this and it] allows your hair to expose its natural shine and increase the penetration and efficacy of your conditioner,” explains Caspara.
How Often Should You Use a Clarifying Shampoo?
The experts say it all depends on your hair texture, lifestyle and styling routine. If you’re someone who regularly uses a lot of styling products or has a very oily scalp, you’ll want to use a clarifying shampoo once a week to cut through any buildup. But if you use styling products sparingly or have drier strands, you’ll want to limit your use of a clarifying shampoo to once or twice a month. As Dr. Garshick explains, a clarifying shampoo is so good at its job that it can be drying when used excessively. Regardless of how often you use a clarifying shampoo, always follow up with a conditioning treatment on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair to restore moisture.
Is a Clarifying Shampoo *Actually* Good for Hair?
If you think clarifying shampoos are a gimmick, Dr. Garshick is here to put your skepticism to rest. “Clarifying shampoos can definitely be a helpful way to remove excess buildup. However, for individuals (prone to sensitivities or excessive flakes) where clarifying shampoos may not be the most effective, it’s best to see a board-certified dermatologist to determine if any additional treatments may be needed,” she says.
Should All Hair Types Use a Clarifying Shampoo?
According to Dr. Garshick, a clarifying shampoo works best for oily scalps or anyone who regularly deals with buildup and visible flakes. She adds, “Clarifying shampoos can be helpful for someone who experiences a lot of product buildup, excess oil, frequent exposure to chlorine or someone who doesn’t wash their frequently.”
On the flip side, the experts say that people with fine or thin hair and sensitive scalps should avoid using clarifying shampoos too frequently. “Clarifying shampoos have the ability to cleanse much deeper than a daily shampoo, so I would recommend that those with thinner, finer or damaged hair avoid using it on their ends, and instead, focus it on their roots to prevent drying out or further damaging their hair,” says Caspara.
As for color-treated hair? Our experts say that some clarifying shampoos can strip color and be too harsh on the scalp. However, there are formulas that are designed for color- and chemically-treated hair, which we made sure to include on this list.
