10 Best Clarifying Shampoos
Kiss Product Buildup Goodbye With These 10 Clarifying Shampoos
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If you've been noticing your hair looks lackluster, lacks volume, or is just plain greasy, you could most likely benefit from a hair routine switch-up. You might want to add in a volumizing product, do an at-home gloss treatment, or — one of our favorite options — rotate in a great clarifying shampoo. Once you've found a good clarifying shampoo, you'll never want to be without it because using one can offer a host of different benefits. If you're sitting there wondering WTF a clarifying shampoo even is, don't worry. We're here to help. Keep scrolling to learn more and to shop some of the best clarifying shampoos out there.
What Does a Clarifying Shampoo Do?
Think of clarifying shampoos as the 'deep cleaners' of hair-care products. They have stronger ingredients than typical shampoos, which can help get your hair squeaky clean. They help to remove product buildup — like leftover residues from styling products, hair masks, and conditioners. They can also help to remove minerals that are in the hair from hard water. One of our editors even used a clarifying shampoo when doing a hair detox and she was beyond impressed with the results.
How Often Should You Use a Clarifying Shampoo?
How often you use a clarifying shampoo depends on your hair type. If you have oily or normal hair, you can use a clarifying shampoo once a week at the most. Clarifying shampoos can dry out the hair, so if you have highlights or are color-treated, we'd suggest opting for once a month.
Best Drugstore Clarifying Shampoo
Kristin Ess Clarifying Shampoo ($12)
If you're looking for an affordable clarifying shampoo that you can pick up at your local drugstore, look no further than the Kristin Ess Clarifying Shampoo. It helps remove buildup and demineralizes hair, so you're left with tons of shine and bounce.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Straight Hair
Neutrogena Clarify and Shine Shampoo ($10)
If you have straight or wavy hair, we'd suggest the Neutrogena Clarify and Shine Shampoo. It's affordable, and it's made with grapefruit to gently cleanse the hair while leaving behind a fruity scent.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Curly Hair
Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo ($24)
Those with curly hair textures will appreciate the gentle Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo. It will remove buildup from the scalp without stripping your hair of the moisture it needs or weighing it down.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Oily Hair
Redken Cleansing Clarifying Shampoo ($39)
Remove hard-water buildup from your hair with the Redken Cleansing Clarifying Shampoo, which contains fruit acids and a high concentration of cleansing agents to leave your hair clean and shiny.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Dry Hair
Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo ($49)
The mousse formula of the Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo fills your hair with a rich lather that melts away grime, leftover product, and more. The mousse makes it a great option for those with dry hair.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Fine Hair
Hask Charcoal Clarifying Shampoo ($11)
The charcoal in the Hask Charcoal Clarifying Shampoo is derived from coconuts and has been combined with lemon and grapefruit oils to gently clean your hair. It's even gentle enough that it won't ruin your color.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Thick Hair
Drybar On the Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo ($26)
Your hair will never feel as clean as when you wash it with the Drybar On the Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo. Incorporating the charcoal-infused product into your routine once a week will ensure your blowouts stay bouncy.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Volume
Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo ($29)
Too much dry shampoo weighing you down? Wash your hair with the Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo to get your volume back. Plus, it smells like a fruit basket of apples and pears.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Hard Water
Kenra Professional Clarifying Shampoo ($21)
Get out everything from your hair before heading to get your color done with Kenra Professional Clarifying Shampoo. This pick is ideal for anyone who washes with hard water or needs to remove chlorine from their hair.
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Colored Hair
Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo ($35)
The Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo can be incorporated into your weekly routine to wash away the minerals, dirt, and stylish products from the week. It's just what you need to start off the next week fresh. It's made with ginseng root to cleanse the scalp, and it's safe for color-treated hair.
— Additional reporting by Sarah Siegel and Danielle Jackson
Danielle Jackson was a former assistant editor for PS Beauty.
Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.
Sarah Siegel is a former assistant editor for PS Beauty. She loves everything cute and has more lipstick than you could ever imagine.
