Gabrielle Ulubay
Anyone who has ever shared a bathroom with me can attest: despite being relatively low-maintenance with my locks, I collect hair products—from leave-in conditioners to hair oils and heat protectants—for sport.
But when you're caught up in all of these luxurious offerings, it's easy to forget about the bread and butter of haircare: a simple wash. Though certainly not as sexy as, say, a new hair shampoo, sometimes we need something a little stronger to wash away the buildup from those other products. That's where the best clarifying shampoos come into play.
"Clarifying shampoo is formulated to cleanse the hair and scalp of buildup and impurities," explains Gretchen Friese, a certified BosleyMD trichologist. The expert notes that clarifying shampoos are "often used by people who are infrequent washers, swimmers, have problems with oily hair, or simply want to refresh their scalp."
Celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez agrees, noting that clarifying shampoo is especially helpful for those who use many styling products. "Clarifying shampoos use a unique formula that works like a magnet to attract dirt, dissolve it, and flush it away with water," she says. "They're specifically formulated to clear buildup and remove any residue from styling products. It prevents bacterial buildup on the scalp, creates volume, thoroughly removes buildup, restores your hair’s pH, and prepares hair for coloring services."
Ahead, our expert picks for the best clarifying shampoos on the market—plus how to take proper care of your hair while using them.
The Best Clarifying Shampoos
- The Best Clarifying Shampoo Overall: Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo
- The Best Strengthening Clarifying Shampoo: Ouai Detox Shampoo
Ready for some fun science? Living Proof's Clarifying Detox Shampoo features activated charcoal and magnetic polymers to draw impurities (such as product and pollution buildup, excess oil, and heavy metals deposited from hard water) out of your hair and scalp. Anyone with any hair type or curl pattern can use this brilliant product, as well as those with colored or bleached hair.
Size: 8 oz.
Key Ingredients: Magnetic polymers (attract and remove product buildup); Activated charcoal (detoxifies)
Color Safe?: Yes
What I Love: Prevents color fading; Combats pollution and the effects of hard water; Hair and scalp feel oh-so clean after use; Lathers nicely
What I Don't: Nothing
Review for MC: "I wish I wish I wish that this shampoo wasn't a once-a-week product for me, because I really do love it so much. There's something about it's deep, dark color (all thanks to that activated charcoal!) that gets me mentally prepped to be clean as can be while the formula itself does the actual work. It's so sudsy and I leave the shower with strands that feel fresh but not stripped—a must have for me, when it comes to these products. Also, my color still looks amazing after use." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Jen Atkin, queen of dry shampoos and style maintenance products, knows the importance of cleansing the hair of buildup. This product proves it—just ask the thousands of happy customers who’ve made it go viral on social media. Several reviewers comment on how helpful this formula is with combatting bleach damage and highlight-destroying buildup, while another calls this shampoo "the perfect 'reset' when you use the product throughout the week.” Its keratin-infused formula supports strong, shiny strands from top to bottom.
Size: 10 oz.
Key Ingredients: Chelating agents (remove hard water deposits and other impurities); Apple cider vinegar (exfoliates and removes buildup); Hydrolyzed keratin (smoothing)
Color Safe?: Yes
What I Love: Fights buildup; Color-safe; Cruelty-free; Great for oily scalps
What I Don't: Scent is fairly strong
Customer Review: "If your hair gets weighed down easily from product buildup or you just want a super clean feeling, this stuff is great. It tackles my greasy roots and makes my hair feel refreshed and light. It helps with itchiness too. I usually use it once a week, maybe twice if my hair is feeling extra gross." — Sephora
If you're dealing with dandruff or a similarly flaky/dry scalp, you're going to love what's inside this jar. Formulated for all hair types and textures, Briogeo's Scalp Revival is an exfoliating, sulfate-free scrub made to lift away buildup while soothing your itchy, irritated, oily or dry head. In a clinical study, it was shown to reduce up to 82 percent of dry scalp flaking. Unlike some of its counterparts, it's also super moisturizing—it was clinically shown to increase scalp hydration up to 120 percent.
Size: 8 oz.
Key Ingredients: Binchotan charcoal (detoxifies); Coconut oil (moisturizes and balances); ; Microcrystalline cellulose (exfoliates)
Color Safe?: Yes
What I Love: Cooling; Exfoliating; Made with 95 percent naturally derived ingredients; Works with both oily and dry hair
What I Don't: Doesn't lather much, I don't love the scoop-from-tub format
Review for MC: "When I say this shampoo is soothing, I mean it's soothing. It features a peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oil complex that has a real-life cooling effect my scalp just adores. While I don't love scooping product from a jar in the shower (it's too finicky!), I make do for Briogeo." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Silly R+Co, the treasure isn't lost. You have it right here!!
Size: 6 oz.
Key Ingredients: Apple fruit extract (conditioning); Aloe vera leaf juice (hydrating); Tamanu seed oil (strengthening)
Color Safe?: Yes
What I Love: Smart bottle design makes application easy; Great if you have hard water; Cute branding
What I Don't: Smaller bottle than most with a similar price tag
Customer Review: "I love everything about this product, but my favorite part is the bottle design with the dispenser tip. Thick hair girlies unite! It’s so easy to apply to your scalp and drag down to get all the areas with build up. I love the bottle so much I actually save them and put my regular shampoo in it too. Just makes life easy." — Sephora
A staple for literal decades among so many hairstylists I trust, Aveda's Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo is a classic clarifier formulated with 97 percent natural ingredients to get the job done. While its main power comes from buildup-removing micelles and purifying white vinegar, you won't leave the shower smelling like a pickle. The rosemary and peppermint scent is divine.
Size: 8.5 oz.
Key Ingredients: White vinegar (purifying)
Color Safe?: Yes
What I Love: Great smell; Smart ingredients; Fair price
What I Don't: Nothing
Review for MC: "I'm a Minnesota girl, which means I made plenty of visits to the Aveda Institute for hair modeling throughout college. I won't say those were the best haircuts/dye jobs of my life (they were learning!!), but they were some of the best smelling. To this day, there's something so magical about the brand's signature Rosemary Mint scent. It helps that the product really does what it sets out to do, too." — Sophia Vilensky, Contributing Beauty Writer
Clarifying shampoos can get a bad rap as too harsh for the hair follicle. While using them all the time is not a great idea, the fact is you do need to clear away build-up in order to keep your hair from getting weighed down in residue. This gentle clarifier is the best of both worlds—it’s not overly harsh and it helps clear away styling product resin without stripping your hair’s natural oils or disrupting your scalp’s pH. Manageability is restored and hair feels softer and looks shinier, instantly.
Size: 9 oz.
Key Ingredients: None listed
Color Safe?: No
What I Love: Hair feels softer and looks shinier; Not overly harsh
What I Don't: Nothing
Customer Review: "There is no clarifier quite as effective as un-do-goo. been using for years. its the gentlest, most effective and non drying shampoo I've found." — Malibu C
Bumble and bumble's shampoos and conditioners have long had a cult following. This luxurious-feeling, cleansing formula works quickly to get rid of buildup, leaving you with voluminous strands (starting at the root!) once dry. The vegan formula promises to cleanse excess oil from the scalp, eradicating issues like dandruff and acne. It also includes rosemary leaf extract, a popular natural ingredient that promotes healthy hair growth and smells absolutely fabulous.
Size: 8.5 oz.
Key Ingredients: Ginseng root (cleanses); Rosemary leaf extract (stimulates scalp); Sage leaf extract (clarifies)
Color Safe?: No
What I Love: Volumizing; Effective cleansing; Vegan; Made for all hair types
What I Don't: Contains sulfates; Not suited for color-treated hair
Customer Review: "Simply the best clarifying shampoo I’ve ever tried, will not go looking for another. Color safe, leaves my hair softer than some sulfate free shampoos I’ve used even when I lather up twice and use it on my lengths to de gunk all the serums/oils/silicone products/dreamcoat I use. Don’t know why I overlooked this brand for so long in favour of the some newer brands. Bumble and bumble has been around for a long time! This product especially is a star." — Sephora
This gentle, vegan, cruelty-free shampoo is infused with natural ingredients like lemongrass and Argan oil, which effectively cleanse the scalp without ridding it of the natural oils that protect your skin and strands. Several reviews note that this option was more effective in removing product buildup than other comparable clarifying shampoos, and one person wrote that it gave them volume that "lasted for days." Plus, at just 10 dollars, it comes at a price that truly can’t be beat.
Size: 8 oz.
Key Ingredients: Lemongrass and Argan oil (nourishing)
Color Safe?: No
What I Love: Affordable; Includes natural ingredients like Argan oil; Cruelty-free; Sulfate-free; Paraben-free
What I Don't: Works better in soft water than in hard water
Customer Review: "I have thick, oily hair that requires daily washing. Even though this is advertised as a clarifying shampoo, it’s gentle enough to use every day and makes my hair feel soooo clean, soft, and hydrated. Smells great too!" — Amazon
"My top choice for a clarifying shampoo is Urban Alchemy Salt Scrub Cleansing Shampoo," says Alvarez. "It has a sea salt exfoliator, which deep cleanses the scalp as well as the hair. It also nourishes your hair while preparing it to receive the full benefits of a deep conditioning treatment and/or a conditioner. Another huge plus is that it's gentle yet effective and promotes hair growth!" According to the brand’s instructions, customers should use the scrub once a week for best results.
Size: 8.8 oz.
Key Ingredients: None listed
Color Safe?: No
What I Love: Exfoliating; Gentle; Made from natural ingredients
What I Don't: Exfoliating salt crystals can irritate especially dry or cracked skin on the scalp—proceed with caution
Customer Review: "I was recommended this shampoo by my instructor in Cosmetology school! I’ve always had a flakey, itchy, dry scalp. Since using this, my scalp has never felt better!! I use this once/twice a week before my regular shampoo routine and it helps so much! You just have to use it on your scalp, not ends! Highly recommend!!" — Amazon
Tracee Ellis Ross's popular natural haircare brand, Pattern, designed this shampoo specifically for low-porosity, hydration-craving hair so that it can deep clean without stripping the scalp of essential nutrients or healthy natural oils. Several reviews say that the formula doesn't smell too strongly and that it leaves hair feeling soft and moisturized even as it deeply cleanses. It’s perfect for washing hair after taking it out of a protective style, too, with soothing ingredients like matcha green tea, panthenol, and aloe vera.
Size: 7.8 oz.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B5 (promotes strong hair); Matcha green tea (rich in antioxidants)
Color Safe?: Yes
What I Love: Great for natural hair; Moisturizing
What I Don't: Not as well-suited for straight or greasy hair
Customer Review: "I can't tell if it's a clarifying or moisturizing shampoo. I'm used to clarifying shampoos making my hair feel like sandpaper, but not this one. Both cleansing and moisturizing for my hair type: 4A tight curls." — Ulta
If you’re struggling with frizz as a result of hard water, pollution, and product buildup, consider this shampoo from Virtue. It contains a number of healing ingredients like coconut fatty acids, hops extract, and charcoal powder, but its all star component is alpha Keratin 60ku, a healing protein identical to the keratin that makes up 90 percent of human hair. The influx of protein provided by this shampoo restores damaged strands with every use.
Size: 4 oz.
Key Ingredients: -Charcoal powder (extracts oil and impurities); Hops extract (purifies); Coconut fatty acid blend (cleanses and moisturizes)
Color Safe?: Yes
What I Love: Suited for all hair types; Clinically tested; Free of sulfates and phthalates; Well-suited for thin hair
What I Don't: Not as suited for thick hair; Expensive for a small bottle
Customer Review: "I absolutely love this purifying shampoo. My hair gets oily easily, and I only wash my hair once or twice a week; and I use dry shampoo. Other detox shampoos would leave my hair super dry and tangled or wouldn’t work at all. This shampoo has made my hair look so healthy and it feels clean without drying my hair out. The only downside is the size of the bottle. I don’t mind the price point, but I wish you could purchase it in a larger bottle like their other shampoos." — Sephora
Curly girls, Act+Acre has you covered. Founded on the idea that your scalp deserves skincare-level care, the trichologist-owned brand crafted this particular shampoo to gently cleanse your scalp and hydrate your hair. In the end, with all that dirt, oil, and buildup gone, it helps define the natural pattern of your curls. One reviewer said it makes them feel the most "me" after use—the best compliment to ever receive.
Size: 10 oz.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin (hydrates); Fulvic acid (probiotic)
Color Safe?:
What I Love: Gently cleanses (while still removing buildup); Helps define your curl pattern; Supports overall scalp health
What I Don't: Often out of stock
Customer Review: "I found this shampoo this past spring after months of terrible hair days. This shampoo saved my hair. I was experiencing new hair growth, defined curls, and no frizz." — Dermstore
Just because you're going to town on your scalp doesn't mean your ends should suffer. This product is a cult favorite in France for both its delightful lemon-cream scent and its effectiveness. It’s color-safe and cruelty-free, with its formula free of harsh, harmful ingredients like tar, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, petrochemicals, mineral oil, silicone, and talc. Just be sure that when you’re using it, you scrub thoroughly and spend enough time so that it lathers properly.
Size: 7 oz.
Key Ingredients: Linden extract (antioxidants); Wheat protein extract (hydrates and protects); Sage extract (anti-inflammatory)
Color Safe?: Yes
What I Love: Cruelty-free; Color-safe
What I Don't: More expensive than other options; Contains sulfates
Customer Review: "Love the texture of the foam and the very light yet lux smell. I have been using this shampoo for years, and it really does what it says. Havn't been able to find anything else to replace it." — Dermstore
What to Look For in Clarifying Shampoo
- Ingredients
Friese breaks down three common ingredients in clarifying shampoos and what makes them advantageous. The first compound she names is ammonium-sodium lauryl sulfate, which provides the deepest cleanse. "This may be best for extreme hair care product buildup or very oily hair," she notes. However, if you have any kind of keratin treatment in your hair—including at-home keratin treatments—"you should stay away from this ingredient as it will strip the treatment from the hair."
For those in need of milder ingredients, she recommends looking for cetyl-fatty alcohols as well as chlorides and bromides. The latter "can help make your hair soft," but isn't great for fine hair.
"You should look for moisturizing ingredients like aloe, seaweed and wheat proteins," Alvarez also adds.
- Labels
While labels like "color safe" and "sulfate free" float around on clarifying shampoo bottles, master stylist Yvey Valcin notes that you still need to be wary of how your hair will be influenced.
"There’s still often sodium and alcohol in the product, which will look for any moisture in the hair and drain it off," he says.
How Often to Use a Clarifying Shampoo
For swimmers, people with oily scalps, and those who don't wash their hair often, Alzarez recommends using a clarifying shampoo regularly. Friese agrees, advising people who merely have oily hair to use it about every third wash. If you have naturally dry hair, use it only as needed.
Clarifying Shampoo Aftercare
A good clarifying shampoo treatment should be followed up with a good conditioner. Think of it this way: Your hair has been weakened and it needs some sustenance.
"Imagine you're thirsty and someone makes you run," Valcin explains. "You need to drink water and then take a little time before you start moving again. Let the hair soak in that moisture for a good five minutes and then rinse it out like 90 percent of the way—especially for high-density hair. The best thing to do is a deep conditioning treatment. Soak the hair in some deep conditioner and let the hair drink it up."
Is Clarifying Shampoo Bad For Hair?
While clarifying shampoo isn't necessarily bad for your hair, it's important to use it only when a deep clean is necessary—and to make sure you rehydrate your locks afterward.
“You have to have a reason to use clarifying shampoo," explains Valcin. "Let’s say you’re doing a keratin treatment. It’s important to [preemptively] remove dirt and product buildup, so that would be a good reason to use clarifying shampoo. But let’s say you have virgin hair, you don't use a lot of product, you've never done anything to it. It might strip out the moisture and the nutrients that your scalp produces."
How We Tested
Contributing Beauty Writer Sophia Vilensky found the best clarifying shampoos on the market based on customer reviews, Marie Claire editor recommendations, expert recommendations, and her own testing. After receiving samples of numerous clarifying shampoos and returning to some old favorites, she took about a million showers, evaluating each product based on texture, price, smell, and most importantly how clean it made her hair. Oil who?
Why Trust Marie Claire?
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Yvey Valcin is a celebrated Master Stylist and Founder of Yvey Salon. Known for his superior cutting technique and unique gift for uncovering the individual beauty within his clients, Yvey has styled top editorial and fashion events such as New York and Paris Fashion Week and was one the highest rated stylist at the flagship Gene Juarez salon in Seattle. His passion for hair extended his training to the most respected names in the beauty industry including: Jacques Dessange Paris, Raffel Pages Barcelona, La Biosthetique Canada, and Bumble and Bumble New York. The combination of his passion and technical skills enables him to bring out the best version of each individual sitting in his chair.
Bosley MD’s Certified Trichologist and go-to education authority on all things hair loss and hair thinning, Gretchen always had a genuine passion for hair care and developed her expertise specifically in hair loss and hair thinning, making it her continued mission to help women and men find solutions to their hair loss concerns.
Gretchen has over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, from being hands-on behind the chair in salons, to educating consumers on hair loss solutions and stylists about haircutting techniques. In 2016 she received a certification in Trichology/Hair Loss through the United States Trichology Institute.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Cynthia Alvarez is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with clients of all hair types, including Shakira, Alicia Keys, Dascha Polanco, and more.
