I’m a big slick-back-bun girl. I have low-porosity hair that takes over an hour to dry and style, and frankly, I don’t have the patience for that most days. Unfortunately for my scalp and hair health, I slather my hair in product and call it a day. To avoid buildup over time and restore my natural texture, I rely on clarifying shampoos. These formulas are essentially a detox for the hair that help remove buildup and residue of products, minerals from hard water, and natural oils. Think of clarifying shampoos as the clay face masks of hair care.
Here, I rounded up my favorite clarifying and detoxifying shampoos you’ll want to use after not washing your hair for three or four … or five … days and dousing your roots in dry shampoo.
So, you're looking for the best clarifying shampoos?
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Our Top Picks
The Best Overall
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Key Ingredients: Sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, glycerin
I love this shampoo because it’s effective without being too heavy. It lathers up well, and the texture is thin and lightweight. It keeps my hair feeling cleaner for longer, and I’ve noticed that my hair doesn’t get as greasy after I use it. Plus the scent is a blend of pink pepper, sandalwood, apple, and tobacco, which makes my shower experience much better.
The Classic
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Key Ingredients: Patented bond-builder technology, broad-spectrum surfactant system
The Olaplex Bond Maintenance line has a cult following, and for good reason. You probably know the classic No. 4 Bond Maintenance shampoo, which noticeably repairs split ends and damage while restoring and protecting hair. This clarifying version uses the same patented technology plus a deep-cleansing system that removes buildup without causing dryness. I actually like it more than the No. 4 Bond Maintenance because not only does my hair feel unbelievably clean right out of the shower, it feels incredibly soft. The formula is designed to be used on all hair types and textures and is safe for color-treated hair.
The One That Smells Divine
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Key Ingredients: Nutrient-rich blend of botanicals
Dae products have never let me down. I’ve had the Cactus 3-in-1 Styling Cream in heavy rotation for years, so it’s no surprise that the clarifying shampoo is just as great. Some reviewers say it stripped their hair, so I wouldn’t use it more than directed or if you have dry hair. My scalp feels refreshed, and my hair feels softer after using it. Plus, like all Dae products, the scent is delicious.
The Sulfate-Free Shampoo
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Native Scalp Detox Shampoo
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid
Native products are free of aluminum, dyes, sulfates, silicones, phthalates, and petrolatum. The hero ingredient in this shampoo is salicylic acid. And just like when it’s used in skin care, it penetrates deep into the scalp to remove oil and buildup. If you crave that tingly-clean feeling, you’ll love this one because the mint and eucalyptus notes leave a refreshing, cooling sensation without stripping the scalp or hair.
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More Tried-and-True Options
The Best for Buildup Caused by Hard Water
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Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, salicylic acid, K18PEPTIDE
Also color safe and non-stripping, this detox shampoo features K18’s patented K18PEPTIDE, which penetrates deep into the hair and repairs damage at the molecular level. It’s especially effective at removing buildup and metals from tap and hard water, thanks to toxin-absorbing activated charcoal. It also contains salicylic acid to remove excess oil and sebum in hair follicles.
The Best for Dry, Flaky Scalps
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Key Ingredients: Binchotan charcoal, coconut oil, microcrystalline cellulose
Designed to be used once a week on dry, flaky scalps, this scrub shampoo contains detoxifying charcoal to absorb oil and buildup, coconut oil to moisturize, and a plant-based physical exfoliator to gently buff away dry skin. It’s also infused with vanilla mint, so it leaves the scalp with a nice, tingly sensation.
The Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Infused Shampoo
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Ouai Detox Shampoo - 10 Fl. Oz.
Key Ingredients: Chelating agents, apple cider vinegar, hydrolyzed keratin
When I moved into my last apartment, I quickly realized the shower had hard water because my hair was so tangly after every wash, and I started noticing breakage at the roots. This shampoo really helped the situation and repaired some of the damage by removing a bit of the buildup, making my hair easier to brush out and style. It’s formulated with hydrolyzed keratin and apple-cider vinegar to gently exfoliate and remove flakes, buildup, and residue.
The Exfoliating Scrub
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Key Ingredients: Bolivian mountain salt, papaya enzymes, prickly pear extracts
It’s a scalp scrub and a shampoo all in one, featuring a whipped texture containing grains of mineral-rich pink salt to provide physical exfoliation. Papaya enzymes help remove product buildup and nourish the hair, while prickly pear extracts help moisturize and smooth frizz. The lather is so luxurious, plus it’s silicone- and sulfate-free.
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FAQs
Who should use a clarifying shampoo?
Clarifying shampoos are ideal for people with buildup from excess oil, hair products, or hard water mineral deposits. They are also great for people with naturally oily or thin hair that can sometimes look weighed down. If you have curly or textured hair, look for a sulfate-free formula (such as the Olaplex No. 4 Clarifying Shampoo or the Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo) that will detoxify the hair without stripping it. If you have color-treated hair, limit your use of clarifying shampoos and look for color-safe formulas (such as the K18 Clarifying Detox Shampoo) to preserve your color.
How do I know if I need a clarifying shampoo?
If your scalp feels greasy or waxy, even after washing it, or if it constantly looks weighed-down and lacks volume, it might be time to try a clarifying shampoo. Other signs include an itchy or irritated scalp or flakes that feel stickier and heavier than dandruff.
How often should I use a clarifying shampoo?
This depends on your hair type and concerns, but you should not use a clarifying shampoo every time you wash your hair. If your hair tends to get oily between washes, if you shower in hard water, or if you apply heavy products on a regular basis, use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove buildup, improve scalp health, and restore your natural hair texture and appearance. Otherwise, using a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month will suffice.
