It's not secret that hair of all types and textures are put through a lot on the daily. From appointments with hot tools to heavy styling products, hair can be dried, be exposed to heat damage, as well as experience breakage and split ends the more strands are touched. However, preventative measures can be taken to help lessen the likelihood of this from occurring, as well as help address any of the buildup, impurities, residues and more that can results in hair that's limp, dull, and heavy (Spoiler Alert: it's all in the products that you use).
The best way to combat an unhealthy scalp and strands is by striking back with a clarifying shampoo into your routine. These hard-working shampoos make it easy to deeply cleanse both without stripping them of natural oils and impacting sebum, resulting in refreshed tresses and a healthy scalp that supports growth, shine, and vibrancy. Below, my fellow Who What Wear beauty editors and I share a selection of clarifying shampoos that we've added to our personal routines, and why they stand out to us.
The Best Clarifying Shampoos, Listed
- Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
- Pattern Curl Cleansing Shampoo
- Act + Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo
- Ouai Detox Shampoo
- Mizani Moisture Fusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
What Is a Clarifying Shampoo?
When you see a clarifying shampoo on the shelf of your beauty supplier, it may look unassuming to the untrained eye. However, these hair and scalp-saving shampoos are filled to the brim with ingredients that will transform the look, feel, smell, and overall health of your hair in a single step. These are deep-cleansing hair products that will work harder than your average shampoo to sweep away product buildup, residues, impurities, and excess oil from your scalp and tresses with powerful cleansing agents like physical exfoliants, nourishing seed oils, and purifying charcoal. Think of them like a reset button for a well-rounded haircare routine that rebalances the hair and scalp while also setting them up for the next products in your lineup.
How Should Clarifying Shampoos Be Used?
As with any other step of your haircare routine, the frequency of use or how a clarifying shampoo is applied is dependent on the product itself. Some of the best clarifying shampoos are housed in bottles with formulas that offer a lather when in contact with water that should be applied to the scalp and hair, while others differ entirely from "traditional" liquids shampoos and are applied to dry strands before being emulsified with small amounts of water before transforming into a fine lather.
To confirm how a specific cleansing shampoo should used, make sure to follow the directions provided on packaging, or check online for any helpful tips and tricks shared by the brand. The same sentiment applies for how frequently a product should be used as part of your haircare routine. While a number of the clarifying shampoos are designed to be gentle enough for everyday use, a select few pack high-powered ingredients that can completely remove oil and product build-up, but only require use once a week.
According to Beauty Editor Kaitlyn McLintock, this is the shampoo to add to your haircare routine if you love a luxurious lather and are looking for a reliable way to strengthen your strands. "It foams up into a silky lather and tackles everything from product build-up to excess oil, mineral deposits, and silicone, without fading hair color. Thanks to a proprietary strengthening complex, it even helps 'zip up' split ends and strengthen weak areas of the hair strands," says McLintock.
Customer Review: "I’m absolutely in love with this shampoo! It hydrates and moisturizes my hair so effectively, leaving it soft and silky without me having to put in much effort. The scent is amazing—it’s fresh and long-lasting, making my hair smell incredible all day. What I love even more is that you don’t need to use a lot, so it lasts for a while, making it really cost-effective. If you have dry hair like I do, I highly recommend this shampoo! It has made such a difference in the overall health and texture of my hair."
Product Size: 10.0-ounce, 33.8-ounce bottle
Scented: Yes (pink pepper, tobacco, gardenia, white cedarwood, palo santo)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: No
Sabrina Talbert, Who What Wear's Assistant Beauty Editor, swears by this shampoo from Pattern to revive the scalp and promote strong hair without stripping away healthy oils. "I've been using it for a little over a year now. It has a great lather and helps me get rid of any buildup from styling products," she says. "I like to follow it up with the brand's moisturizing shampoo and conditioner after for a complete reset. It also smells great."
Customer Review: "My hair and scalp always feel so clean after using this—it’s honestly the best shampoo I’ve tried so far. It leaves my hair feeling fresh without drying it out, and I love how light and healthy it feels after every wash. Definitely a new favorite!"
Product Size: 7.8-ounce bottle
Scented: Yes (jasmine, bergamot, sandalwood)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Senior Beauty Editor Jamie Schneider recommends this clarifying, non-stripping shampoo by Dae to gently sweep away excess oil, impurities, and product buildup from the scalp and strands. "[It] smells unreal and doesn't feel like a clarifying shampoo whatsoever (as we know, these can be really stripping)," she says. It's formula is enriched with purifying desert botanicals that offer a rich lather and leaves behind a dreamy citrus scent.
Customer Review: "This shampoo is exactly what I was looking for and it will be my go to shampoo from now on. After using it, my hair is soft, shiny and feeling light. Prior to using this my hairline would get noticeably oily within the same day as washing it and definitely very oily the next morning. I also like that you don’t need to use a lot of this shampoo, I use about 2 pumps and it lathers very nicely. Highly recommend this product!"
Product Size: 10.0-ounce bottle
Scented: Yes (sparkling orange, orange blossom, vanilla)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
If you've been on the hunt for an alternative take on your more "traditional" cleansing shampoos that also make a great travel investment, why not add this Clarifying Shampoo Bar by SuperZero to your shopping basket? I like this one because it's formula activates directly on your scalp to remove buildup, excess oil, minerals from hard water, chlorine, and more. It's also a smart money saver: one bar is equal to two bottles of 8.4-ounces of liquid shampoo.
Customer Review: "All of the SuperZero shampoo bars are amazing but this might be my favorite. Its rich and sudsy lather quickly rinses away dirt and hair product residue. My scalp is left super clean while my hair feels light and ready for styling. This is a must have for any hair product junkies!"
Product Size: 2.35-ounce bar
Scented: No
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Some shampoos, like Curlsmith's Wash & Scrub Clarifying Detox Shampoo, use exfoliating agents to sledge away at the dirt and buildup that occur on the scalp. This one has microfine exfoliating particle (perlite) that exfoliates skin without leaving residue behind, while the addition of apple cider helps melt away dirt and buildup and helps maintain the hair's natural moisture. I really like the amount of slip and the lightweight foam it provides as I work though my 4c coils.
Customer Review: "For reference I have 2B low-porosity hair. This was different than what I expected, but I loved it! I thought it would be stripping but my hair came out pretty soft and my scalp seemed happy. I don’t have the 'primer' you are supposed to use before this but I did oil my hair the night before. The scrub aspect is pretty minimal, not too scratchy but it does feel satisfying. I used the Curlsmith calming conditioner on my roots afterwards (and a mask on my ends) and it felt amazing."
Product Size: 8.0 oz bottle
Scented: Yes (ginger, nettle, dragon fruit, guarana)
Cruelty Free: yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
One of the most important things I've learned about my hair after moving from coast-to-coast is how much its effected by hard water. To ward off any future damage from hard water use, I experimented with Act + Acre's Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo with impressive results. McLintock echoes the sentiment. "It's a must if you have hard water, meaning there's high mineral content in the system—mainly calcium, magnesium, and iron. It removes slodgy mineral build-up from the scalp and roots, unveiling softer, smoother, and shinier hair," she says.
Customer Review: "This shampoo left my hair feeling incredibly fresh, clean, and light—like it could finally breathe again! After just one use, I noticed that all the product build-up from my hard water was completely gone. My scalp felt detoxed, and my strands looked noticeably shinier and more voluminous. It’s made my hair feel stronger overall, and I love that it doesn’t weigh it down. Definitely a new staple in my routine!"
Product Size: 10.0-ounce bottle
Scented: No
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Even us beauty editors have our bad hair days, but this bond building and clarifying shampoo majorly improves how our strands look from day-to-day. Using the brand's cutting-edge Broad-Spectrum Clarifying System and Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate technology, the shampoo removes damaging product buildup, excess oil, hard water minerals, chlorine, heavy metals, and pollution from the scalp and strands while also repairing bonds for stronger hair.
Customer Review: "I have thin, fine hair and an oily scalp. This is by far the best shampoo I’ve ever used! I used to have to wash my hair every other day, but I can go 3-4 days between washes with this shampoo. It also my hair incredibly soft and improves my split ends."
Product Size: 8.50-ounce bottle
Scented: No
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Another option for all hair types and textures McLintock stocks up on when she gets the chance is Ouai's Detox Shampoo. "It's one of the few clarifying shampoos that removes product build-up (ahem, dry shampoo) without stripping too much moisture from my parched strands. It never fails to leave my hair soft, silky, and incredibly clean," she says. The shampoo's fast-working formula is infused with softening and shine-inducing hydrolyzed keratin, cleansing apple cider vinegar, and chelating agents to remove hard water deposits and impurities.
Customer Preview: "I have 3C hair and have found other products to be too heavy or stripping. This detox shampoo has been a game changer! I’ve used it once a week for 2 weeks now and have seen great results. Reduced dry/flaky scalp and buildup without drying my hair out. Left a nice, clean feeling. Would repurchase!"
Product Size: 3.0-ounce, 10.0-ounce bottle
Scented: Yes (bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, white musk)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
One of the most underrated ingredients for removing your hair and scalp's impurities and buildup is charcoal, but this shampoo happens to use it as its main ingredients. The Moisture Fusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo leaves the hair and scalp refreshed with charcoal, while coconut oil adds luster, shine, and softness to your strands from root to tip. My coils are always left looking fresh and softly scented with notes of mandarin, peony, and amber.
Customer Review: "This clarifying shampoo is unique, it uses charcoal to cleanse the hair and scalp. When washing it did not feel like my hair was being stripped, the moisture was still there but felt very cleansed. The scent is very fresh smelling, not overwhelming for sensitive noses. I like that my hair was soft and shiny afterwards, I noticed the difference and it did make may hair more lively. I was overall satisfied with this shampoo and will purchase in the future."
Product Size: 17.0-ounce, 34.0-ounce bottle
Scented: Yes (mandarin, lavender, peony, waterlily, green apple, amber, musk)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Of all the clarifying shampoos I've gotten my hands on over the years, this is one of the most gentle on my sensitive scalp. The Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo uses a non-stripping formula with magnetic polymer to attract and remove product buildup, a naturally derived chelating agent to combat buildup from hard water, and activated charcoal to detoxify hair by absorbing odors and impurities. It also has an energizing green tea, citrus scent that always helps me start my day on the right foot.
Customer Preview: "This clarifying shampoo is unique, it uses charcoal to cleanse the hair and scalp. When washing it did not feel like my hair was being stripped, the moisture was still there but felt very cleansed. The scent is very fresh smelling, not overwhelming for sensitive noses. I like that my hair was soft and shiny afterwards, I noticed the difference and it did make may hair more lively. I was overall satisfied with this shampoo and will purchase in the future."
Product Size: 8.0-ounce bottle
Cruelty Free: Yes
Scented: Yes (green tea, yuzu, grapefruit)
Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Ideal for all hair types and textures, this clarifying shampoo addresses oil buildup and product buildup of the scalp with an active formula powered by Valtellina buckwheat extract (an ingredient rich in proteins, antioxidants, and amino acids. It will leave the skin and scalp refreshed and ready for chemical treatments with salon-level results. This one's unique fragrance also stands out to me: an earthy, intoxicating blend of bright citrus and green herbs.
Customer Review: "I have been using this product for the past two years as a monthly clarifier for my hair. Its a great product! It gets my scalp feeling very clean and free from buildup as I have 3b/3c curly hair. I was introduced to this product from my hairstylist and I still continue to purchase! Definitely recommend for curly heads."
Product Size: 8.45-ounce bottle
Scented: Yes (citrus, green herbs)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Formulated with three unique natural ingredients that work in tandem to create a barrier against pollution build up on the scalp and hair while also combating mineral build up from hard water, the Anti Pollution Shampoo can't be beat. It also smooths the surface of the hair to prevent pollutants and odors from sticking, and eliminates odors. You'll be left with healthy, shiny hair, a subtle lavender fragrance, and a new favorite shampoo in the shower.
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this shampoo, and all of the other Sachajuan hair products that I have I first started purchasing because of the divine scent, but it is not just the scent that keeps me buying now It is excellent on my hair. I highly recommend."
Product Size: 8.5-ounce bottle
Scented: Yes (lavender)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Christophe Robin's Purifying Shampoo with Thermal Mud deeply cleanses the hair and scalp, rebalancing and detoxifying the scalp. This one's unique formula uses thermal mud, which draws out impurities and excessive oils after transforming into a light lathering foam when mixed with water. It also uses another favorite ingredients of mine, Baltic Sea red algae extract, which smooths strands while also shielding it from environmental stress and extending time between washes.
Customer Review: "The unique mousse-to-foam texture of this shampoo is such a joy to use and achieves a really satisfying lather. The smell is also absolutely DIVINE. I use this when I feel I need to detox my roots and it really helps to banish impurities, making my scalp feels ultra fresh and my hair color look more vibrant. Highly recommend!"
Product Size: 8.4-ounce bottle
Scented: No
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Using avocado and jojoba oils, this sulfate-free shampoo cleanses and revitalizes dull tresses while also providing shine-boosting moisture without leaving a greasy residue. Its formula also includes wheat germ oil and vitamins A and E, which help to balance and protect the hair and scalp from environmental damage while also balancing sebum. Perhaps the biggest difference between this shampoo and the others on this list is that it should be applied to dry hair at the scalp in sections before emulsifying with water.
Customer Review: "I like Huile de Germe de Blé in combination with Concentre Energetique (mixed together 1:1) applied on a dry unwashed scalp. While doing this wonderful deep-cleansing treatment for my hair roots, I use another favorite from Leonor Greyl, Masque Quintessence, on the length. Leaving all concoction for an hour or so and washing it, and I have beautiful results. Very clean scalp and strong, yet soft and manageable hair. I truly enjoy this ritual and even more the results of it."
Product Size: 7.0-ounce bottle
Scent: Yes (lemon)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
I always love discovering shampoos that are skincare inspired, and this one by Oribe is one of my favorites. It quickly polishes away dirt, oil, and buildup to purify your hair and scalp with gentle exfoliating volcanic ash, strand strengthening green tea extract, and the brand's Signature Complex to combat damaging environmental elements, oxidative stress, photoaging, and the deterioration of natural keratin. Its rich lather transforms any shower into a spa with Oribe's signature sun-drenched Côte d'Azur scent.
Customer Review: "This is my favorite clarifying shampoo. I use it once a week, and it lasts 8+ months at that frequency. It leaves my hair soft without drying it out too much. It makes a noticeable difference in hair texture, shine and volume without compromising my color. Bonus: the foam texture is fun to use."
Product Size: 7.1-ounce bottle
Scented: Yes (Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood)
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Vibrant, shiny tresses are one step away with Shu Uemura's Gentle Radiance Deep Cleanser. Its formula combines Japanese onsen-inspired ferments that are rich in essential minerals, contain heat-activated antioxidants, and provide protection against UV rays to revitalize the scalp and strands. Not only does it remove dirt, oil, and product buildup without stripping away natural oils, but it balances moisture levels and restore essential nutrients. The best part? It's a universal shampoo that works for all hair types and textures (including color-treated strands).
Customer Review: "After using the Shu Uemura Gentle Radiance Cleanser for a while now, I have noticed a shift in my hair's texture and volume. My hair is starting to feel softer while maintaining shape. My scalp also feels healthier, and not itchy. I also really like how it smells, I look forward to continuing using this shampoo and will explore other products from this brand."
Product Size: 13.4-ounce bottle
Scent: Yes (citrus, yuzu, warm cedar, musk)
Cruelty Free: No
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
Sisley-Paris' gentle and purifying formula deeply cleanses and refreshes the scalp by eliminating surface impurities, sebum and styling product buildup with purifying java tea extract, vitamin E acetate, cotton proteins and more. The brand recommends applying a quarter-sized amount to wet hair before massaging into the scalp and through the ends before adding water to lather. For best results, let it sit for 1-2 before rinsing thoroughly.
Customer Review: "This is a great product which I use as a pre-shampoo before applying the color shampoo or smoothing shampoo. Works really well. Hair feels squeaky clean. You don't have to use it as a pre shampoo but I prefer to. This is a definite buy for future use."
Product Size: 6.7-ounce bottle
Scent: verbena, lemon, peach blossom
Cruelty Free: Yes
Safe for Color-Treated Hair: Yes
How We Chose
We don't take the testing process for the recommendations of products we recommend to our readers lightly, and do so with the utmost attention to detail. This time around, we took a close look at the clarifying shampoos we have experimented with throughout our careers and compared the ones that defied our expectations to those that fell short across our five different hair types and textures. We made sure to take note of everything from a formula's high performing ingredients to the longevity of results.
Why Trust Who What Wear?
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
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