Detox Your Hair With These Clarifying Shampoos (2024)

We updated this article in December 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on expert advice and top reviews, and added five new products, recommended by expert.

If your freshly washed hair still looks dull and limp, a clarifying shampoo may be in order. Clarifying shampoos, often called purifying or deep cleaning, "are formulated to remove excess buildup, residue, dirt, oils and product on your hair and scalp," says Antoinette Bullock, DIY natural hair expert for Sally Beauty. "They provide a deeper cleanse, thanks to a higher percentage of strong cleansing agents, also known as surfactants." If you use leave-in styling products, have oily hair, wash your hair in hard water or live in an area with high air pollution, all of these factors can leave deposits on your hair that regular shampoo may not completely remove.

But how exactly do they work? "The surfactants produce micelles that surround oily substances like sebum, and pull it off the hair follicle or scalp, making it easier to be rinsed out in water," explains Danusia Wnek, a chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. While the function of clarifying shampoo is consistent across different brands and formulas, they are not all created equal. It's important to choose the right one for your hair type, texture and overall hair condition, especially if your hair is processed or color-treated. Clarifying shampoos are meant to be used sporadically and only when needed. "If used too often, you could end up with super dry hair," explains Bullock.

Over the years, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have evaluated hundreds of shampoos for different hair types and concerns including shampoo for dry hair, oily hair and color-treated hair, brass-fighting purple shampoos for blonde hair, thickening shampoos and more. For each shampoo, our chemists methodically test and quantify the efficacy of each formula (with the matching conditioner) on real human hair swatches and send products out for real consumer feedback. The list below includes our picks for clarifying shampoos that we use in the Lab to thoroughly clean hair swatches before testing, those that are highly rated and reviewed, or our editor and scientist favorites.

Our top picks:

Scroll to the bottom of this article for more information on how we test shampoos at the GH Institute Beauty Lab, tips on what to keep in mind while you're shopping for the best clarifying shampoos and answers to FAQs around clarifying shampoo usage and efficacy. In the meantime, here are the best clarifying shampoos.

Our Lab pros tried this at home and found that it washed away styling product buildup without making the scalp feel too dry. Ouai products have a loyal following so it’s no surprise that the Detox Shampoo is also a favorite at Sephora. It can be used on straight, wavy, curly and coily hair types as well as fine, medium and thick textures. Take note, it did seem to fade hair color treatment during use.

Our chemists call this the "gold standard" for clarifying shampoos because they use this to thoroughly cleanse hair swatches that will be used for testing all types of hair products. It does an effective job of removing dirt and oil, not to mention it’s one of the lowest-priced clarifying shampoos on this list. Shoppers also praised this on Amazon. However, the scent may be too strong for some.

Curls can be weighed down and lose their springy bounce due to product buildup, but the Devacurl Buildup Buster swears it can help restore your natural curls. One reviewer shares that "it really helps reset my curls back to their normal bounce and shine" while another says "without drying my hair in the least bit, it cleaned and left it voluminous for days!" It also claims to be free of silicones, parabens and sulfates. Just beware if you have fine hair: reviewers with that hair type said it is a little drying.

To get an effective clarifying shampoo you don’t need to head to a fancy hair salon or high-end beauty store — all you need is the Neutrogena Anti-Residue shampoo that can be purchased at most drugstores. We haven't tested this in the Lab, but it has quite the following with over 24,000 reviews and a 4.6 rating on Amazon with one reviewer saying they’ve been using this for over a decade. It claims to be excellent at removing buildup, though one shopper notes it did not work as well on their oily hair.

In addition to being color safe and sulfate-free, "the formula is infused with apple cider vinegar and shea butter to balance your pH levels on the scalp and hair strands," Bullock says. It's ideal for those with fine hair as "it strengthens strands to prevent breakage and shedding," she says. One thing to keep an eye out for: a few reviewers share that it leaves hair tangled after using.

Some clarifying shampoos only focus on removing buildup on hair but this clarifying shampoo promises it can remove excess oil as well as product residue and pollutants. Though we didn't put this through our rigorous Lab testing, it's one of the most popular clarifying shampoos at Sephora. It claims to work on many different hair types and textures but it’s best for healthy, oily, non-color treated hair.

Whether your hair has a little wave, a super wavy texture or full blown curls, this shampoo from Texture ID is a great option for you. "I love this one because it’s a low-lather shampoo that gently clarifies without stripping the hair of its natural oil," says Bullock. "It's packed with honey, silk amino acids and hydrolyzed wheat proteins to hydrate hair and prevent breakage." While most reviewers agree that their hair felt healthy and soft after using it, a few noted that the shampoo did leave their hair dry.

If you're looking to keep your color-treated hair vibrant, try the Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox shampoo from Living Proof. It vows it can remove buildup from styling products, hard water and pollution while leaving hair soft, vibrant and manageable. The brand also claims it's non-stripping and safe for color-treated hair.

According to Nothing But, this formula is specifically made for natural hair and deep cleans the hair and scalp. It claims to remove excess oils, buildup and residue from hair. This didn't make it into our Lab tests, but it has over 2,500 reviews and a 4.4 rating with reviewers saying this left their hair "squeaky clean." The one thing to watch for: drying out strands. Reviewers advised using a nourishing conditioner or mask after this shampoo to hydrate hair.

If you’re looking to steer clear of sulfates, try the Drybar On the Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo. It claims to be free of sulfates, parabens and phthalates. It also guarantees it’s safe for color- and keratin-treated hair and contains charcoal to help clean the scalp. FYI: It does have a very strong scent that many reviewers love but others were not a fan of. Enthusiasts of this shampoo rave how clean their hair and scalp feel after they use this shampoo.

While a clarifying shampoo is typically designed to deep clean the hair and scalp, it usually doesn't help with additional scalp issues. Bullock loves that this one from Eden BodyWorks "contains pure peppermint botanicals which help alleviate dry scalp." It also claims to increase scalp circulation and decrease any itching and flakes, though it likely won't help with skin conditions like dandruff, which likely needs OTC products with ingredients such as pyrithione zinc.

Get the salon experience at home with this purifying shampoo. This formula promises to gently deep clean hair and adds body to fine to normal hair. It's rated 4.6 stars from over 3,000 reviews and buyers commented how much they love the invigorating rosemary mint scent and how refreshed they feel after using it. As a bonus, this shampoo also took a top spot in our Sustainable Packaging Awards for its 100% recycled plastic bottle, recyclable cap and no secondary packaging, though some reviewers say the bottle leaks.

Moroccanoil hair products are a favorite among our staffers and this clarifying shampoo is no exception. Though not tested in our Lab, it has a 4.6 rating and over 2,600 reviews on Amazon. This clarifying shampoo made with Argan and avocado oils and claims to remove buildup. According to shoppers, this shampoo is excellent at getting rid of residue but they recommend only using it once or twice a month; otherwise it can dry out hair.

The word "softening" is not usually associated with clarifying shampoos. This one from TPH by Taraji is the exception to the rule. "It helps to remove hard water and mineral buildup which can make hair feel rough," Bullock says. The strongly-scented gel formula contains honey, aloe and willowbark extract which help purify the hair and scalp without stripping natural oils. "This shampoo will leave your scalp and hair fresh and clean but also maintain your hair's softness."

Bullock is a fan of this product "because it's affordable, color-safe, 100% vegan and works hard to remove buildup without stripping moisture from the hair." Reviewers love that it didn't strip their color at all but did a great job at removing buildup. A few users felt it was drying so if you have drier hair, make sure to use hydrating hair products along with it.

Yes, but with a caveat. "Clarifying shampoos are good for your hair because they provide your hair and scalp with a fresh new start," says Bullock. A good clarifying shampoo can effectively and thoroughly cleanse the scalp and hair, but 'it can also have negative side effects if used too often and could leave your hair feeling dry and dull," says Renee. "It's best to find a clarifying shampoo that also includes some moisturizing ingredients." You can also use a rich conditioner or nourishing deep conditioner immediately after to help balance the pH levels.

Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this one as it really depends on your hair type, texture and goals. "Clarifying shampoos should be used only when your hair feels weighed down or you know you need a deeper cleansing than a normal shampoo," says Bullock. But one thing is for sure: "It is not recommended to use a clarifying shampoo every wash day," says Renee. While usage is personal, Renee suggests using a clarifying shampoo more often if you use products that contain silicones or waxes.