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12 Clarifying Shampoos That Will Properly De-Gunk Your Hair
So fresh and so clean.
The journey to healthy, luscious hair is not one without struggle. We soak our hair in masks to restore moisture and balance, use dry shampoos to prolong wash days, and apply anti-frizz hair oils to keep our flyaways and ends intact. All of these are well and good, but I’m here to let you in on a slightly upsetting secret: without a clarifying shampoo in the mix, none of that stuff will help. Why? Packing a bunch of product into your hair without properly cleansing it every now and then creates excessive build-up and weighs down your hair. Clarifying shampoos is the unsung hero your hair routine desperately needs.
What is a clarifying shampoo?
If you’re looking at your collection of hydrating shampoos in confusion, you’re not alone. We’ve all been taught that moisture is the foundation of healthy hair, but a good cleanse can actually work wonders, too. “Clarifying rids your hair of suffocating build-up while nourishing the scalp,” says colorist Lucille Javier. “It helps stimulate hair follicles, allowing for hair growth, and clears the scalp of dandruff, acne, and scabbing.” You’ve probably used one without knowing it—salons often use them to prep your hair for services like a keratin treatment or relaxer to make your hair totally fresh and ready to take on new products.
Who should use a clarifying shampoo?
Treating your hair to a deep cleanse about once a week–or every other week, depending on your hair type–can make all the difference. “It’s quite simple,” says Javier. “If you have an itchy, oily, or inflamed scalp, dry follicles, hair loss, or any scalp pain, it’s time to detox.” You might notice that the hair products you used to love are not cutting it anymore. That might not be because your products stopped working, but because they cannot penetrate the build-up that’s slowly accumulated on your scalp.
So if you’re tired of feeling like your hair looks lackluster, itchy, or you just want your hair to finally grow, it might be time to invest in a clarifying shampoo. Here are 11 of the best detox shampoos for the cleanest, shiniest, healthiest hair of your life.
Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight
Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight
Pros
- Nozzle tip is great for getting under braids and twists
Cons
- Can feel a bit too drying
Don’t let the runny consistency fool you. Carol’s Daughter’s Wash Day Delight cuts your shampoo time in half with a water-to-foam formula that transforms into a rich lather and deeply cleanses stubborn dirt and build-up. The nozzle applicator gets deep into braids and twists to keep your protective styles fresh and your scalp clean as a whistle.
Amazon star rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon reviewer said: “I wanted a shampoo without all the harsh chemicals. This was nice and light and smells great. I love the design of the top too. It was easy to get into my scalp with braids.”
GIRL+HAIR CLEAR+ Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
GIRL+HAIR CLEAR+ Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
Pros
- Dermatologist-formulated
Cons
- Strong scent
Girl + Hair, formulated by Dr. Camille Howard Verovic, understands the importance of keeping your scalp clean and clear regardless of your hairstyle. Thanks to the nozzle tip, you can directly apply the nourishing formula—which has apple cider vinegar to break down build-up and gunk—to get to the root of all your hair woes.
Danielle James, ELLE.com's Beauty Director, says, "I used this product after taking down my braids. I love how the nozzle tip allowed me to apply the formula directly to my scalp. It broke up build up easily and left my scalp feeling clean and refreshed. It's great to have an affordable product that works!”
| Size | 10.1 fl oz |
|---|
OUAI Detox Shampoo
Pros
- Leaves hair fluffy and bouncy
Cons
- Pricey
If you’re new to the clarifying shampoo world, the OUAI Detox shampoo is excellent for beginners. It’s gentle enough to be used up to twice a week, but it still has intense clarifying ingredients like apple cider vinegar to clean your scalp and strands.
Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I’ve tried other detox shampoos & have been disappointed, but OUAI really cleans your hair & has a nice scent!! I will recommend it to family & friends for sure!!”
| Size | 10 fl oz |
|---|
Nioxin System 1 Cleanser
Nioxin System 1 Cleanser
Pros
- Cleanses without stripping hair
Cons
- Can leave behind a little residue on fine hair
For fine hair that lacks density, this clarifying shampoo allows the scalp to get the maximum nutrients and air needed to grow your hair. After just a few washes, you’ll notice that your hair will start looking fluffier, more voluminous, and over time, longer.
Ulta star rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I do not style my hair; I just brush it and let it air dry. Since using Nioxin, my hair has looked amazing. I have received more compliments about my hair in the last few weeks than I have in my entire life. I started with the mini size and just purchased the full size. Definitely worth it!”
| Size | 33.8 oz. |
|---|
Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
Pros
- Deeply cleanses away oils and dirt
Cons
- Strong scent
Oily hair is most prone to becoming itchy and irritated, so this shampoo was specifically designed to reset the scalp, without stripping out healthy oils. Formulated with detoxifying pink grapefruit, oily hair can finally feel refreshed.
Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Cleans my oily hair after 2 washings. It leaves my hair fresh and clean but not at all dry. It’s awesome!”
| Size | 12 fl oz |
|---|
4U By Tia Clarifying Shampoo with Apple Cider Vinegar and Hemi15
4U By Tia Clarifying Shampoo with Apple Cider Vinegar and Hemi15
Pros
- Hemi15 helps prevent breakage
- Sustainable
Cons
- Might irritate sensitive scalps
This new line by Tia Mowry uses apple cider vinegar and Hemi15, a science-backed ingredient (hemisqualene) that helps penetrate your hair for cleansing and hydration. Our Digital Beauty Director, Danielle James, raves, "I love this new product. I've used it once a month for the past two months to reset my hair from all the creams and oils that can cause build-up over time. The Hemi15 helps strengthen and moisturize your hair while providing protection from humidity and controlling frizz. It's affordable and works well—I highly recommend it!"
| Size | 13 fl oz. |
|---|
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Daily Clarifying & Soothing Scalp Shampoo
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Daily Clarifying & Soothing Scalp Shampoo
Pros
- Helps to eliminate dandruff
Cons
- May not be best for fine hair
Hair that hasn’t been clarified can often look weighed down and dull. This apple cider vinegar-infused shampoo gives such a thorough cleanse that you’ll be left with voluminous, shiny hair.
Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Removes excess scalp oil and leaves my hair silky clean. Excellent product for a fair price.”
| Size | 12 fl oz |
|---|
Davines Detoxifying Scrub Shampoo
Davines Detoxifying Scrub Shampoo
Pros
- Adds luster to dull hair
Cons
- Pricey
Somewhere between a scrub and a shampoo, this product contains some exfoliating beads that remove build-up trapped on the scalp and on strands. All the benefits of a scrub, with the comfort of a familiar shampoo.
Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Im using it once a week and it helps to reduce the oils. Amazing product.”
| Size | 8.45 fl oz |
|---|
Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo
Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo
Pros
- Gently removes build-up and oily roots
Cons
- May not be best for sensitive scalps
This clarifying shampoo from Bumble and Bumble is perfect for those days when you have a little more time to devote to your beauty routine. It uses ginseng root extract, rosemary leaf extract, and sage leaf extract to cleanse and stimulate the scalp. Keep in mind that this product is not meant to be used on color-treated hair.
Sephora star rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “I’ve been using this shampoo for a while now & it leaves my hair so soft & shiny. It also gives some volume to my hair very manageable. My hair feels so clean & I don’t feel like I have a film on my hair.”
| Size | 8 fl oz |
|---|
Living proof Perfect hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo
Living proof Perfect hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo
Pros
- Doesn’t disrupt color treatments
Cons
- Squeeze tube can create release too much product and make a mess
This clarifying shampoo from Living Proof is a great choice for all hair types. Activated charcoal absorbs excess oils, and a patented molecule helps to keep your hair cleaner long after you wash it.
Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “This product really works. I have platinum blonde hair and hard water. Those two things do not mix well and made my blonde look really dirty. Also, my hair was feeling extra thick and not in a good way. Someone recommended I try some hard water shampoo and this one was on a list of them that I read about. After the first use, my hair was so much softer and the blonde was really shining through again. After the second use, I felt just like my old self again with my hair.”
| Size | 5.4 fl oz |
|---|
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Leaves hair smooth and shiny
Cons
- Strong fragrant smell
Clarifying shampoos, like clarifying face toners, can often leave your hair feeling stripped and dry. However, this formula from Moroccanoil contains various nourishing and strengthening ingredients to help keep the hair hydrated during and after the deep cleanse, including argan oil, lavender, rosemary, chamomile, and jojoba extracts, keratin, and panthenol.
Amazon star rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I have always been a fan of Moroccan oil products, and this shampoo is no exception. It does a great job of getting rid of all of the buildup of grease and products in my hair after a week of not washing and leaves it feeling clean and hydrated.”
| Size | 8.5 fl oz |
|---|
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Shampoo
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Shampoo
Pros
- Color-safe
Cons
- Runny, thin consistency
If you’re looking to deep-cleanse your hair and simultaneously deposit a ton of nourishing ingredients into it, this shampoo from Briogeo is for you. The brand describes it as a “juice cleanse for your hair” so you can replenish its nutrients while getting rid of all the impurities. Plus, it’s safe to use on color-treated, keratin-treated, chemically-treated, and relaxed hair.
Sephora star rating: 4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “LOVE this shampoo! I have dry, colored hair and this shampoo does such a nice job of moisturizing. It doesn't weigh my hair down and it smells AMAZING!”
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she has interviewed countless haircare professionals and has personally tested the latest and greatest products across haircare, makeup, and skincare.
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.
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