Everybody needs to use a clarifying shampoo every once in a while to remove stubborn residue from hair. If you frequently use hair care products, your hair is most likely coated with old, sticky product that can be hard to wash away.
This excess product can cause hair to be weighed down, can cause a sticky texture, and can make hair extremely oily. Depending on how oily your hair is, you can use a clarifying shampoo either weekly, monthly, or every day if it’s gentle enough.
Clarifying shampoos can deeply cleanse hair and restore its natural shine, giving you “hair goals”. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 15 best clarifying shampoos and their reviews.
See one that’s not on the list and should be? Let us know down in the comments below. With that said, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
1. Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo
Do you frequently use hair gel, mousse, hairspray, hair oils, etc.? If so, this is the perfect shampoo for you. The Paul Mitchell clarifying shampoo cleanses and removes any buildup left on your hair from using styling products.
You can transform your lifeless hair into shiny, bouncy, and volumized hair by using this shampoo once a week. It has a lemony scent that leaves your hair smelling good and feeling fresh.
This shampoo contains jojoba oil, a natural oil that contains vitamins B, C, and E and plenty of other nutrients. When jojoba oil is used in shampoo, it can thicken hair and even prevent hair loss.
If you suffer from an oily scalp that needs to be washed almost every day, this shampoo will work wonders for you. It removes unwanted moisture from hair which means you can go two or three days without washing your hair and it still won’t look oily.
Less shampooing also means your hair will have plenty of time to produce its natural oils and become healthier. Since you won’t need to clean your hair as often, you will be saving money from using less shampoo.
Also, if you dye your hair you won’t have to worry about fading or damage as it’s safe for color-treated hair. Not only that, but the completely vegan formula is also paraben free so it won’t cause harm to your hair.
It’s not tested on animals so you will not feel guilty for using this brilliant product. The Paul Mitchell clarifying shampoo is definitely one of the best clarifying shampoos you can buy.
Pros & Benefits:
- Removes moisture without stripping hair
- Can be used on color-treated hair
- Deep cleanses
- Volumises hair
- Removes product buildup and even chlorine
- Contains Jojoba oil that can thicken hair and prevent hair loss
- Completely vegan
- Doesn’t contain sulfates
2. Kenra Clarifying Shampoo
This shampoo is perfect for individuals wanting soft and shiny hair. Regular shampoo can dull hair color over time. Kenra clarifying shampoo isn’t only safe for color-treated hair, but it also brightens highlighted and bleached hair.
It’s also great for removing product buildup and oil without stripping hair and leaving it dry. Do you swim often or use hard water daily? No worries. This shampoo removes any minerals produced by hard water, something that even some stripper shampoos can’t do.
Many hair professionals use this shampoo before styling a customer’s hair to make it healthy and strong. This shampoo contains Witch Hazel.
Which Hazel is a medical oil made from the leaves of the eponymous tree, and when applied to hair, it can cleanse hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth.
It also contains hydrolyzed wheat protein, which can moisture and strengthen your hair. The lovely grapefruit scent freshens hair and leaves it smelling good all day.
This shampoo hydrates hair without coating it and your hair will be untangled and smooth after stepping out of the shower. After using the shampoo once or twice weekly, you will notice that your hair will absorb product much better than before.
Many shampoos can cause hair to be unmanageable after being washed, but this shampoo acts like a balancing conditioner, except in cleanser form. You can see why this is one of the best clarifying shampoos on the market.
Pros & Benefits:
- Restores shine and radiance
- Brightens hair
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Cleans Thoroughly
- Strengthens hair
- Removes product buildup
- Contains Witch Hazel that can promote hair growth
- The hydrolyzed wheat protein in the shampoo moisturizes hair
3. Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo
Do you dream of soft, squeaky clean hair? Use Neutrogena Anti-Residue shampoo and your dreams will come true. This shampoo removes excess moisture and minerals from hair, leaving hair smooth and full of volume.
With many clarifying shampoos, you have to condition after usage, but conditioning isn’t necessary after using this shampoo because it’s very gentle on hair.
In fact, it’s so gentle and pure that it has no color, very little smell and It’s dermatologist recommended. It also lathers very well so a little bit goes a long way.
If you have thin hair, this shampoo will turn baby thin hair into thick, luxurious, and bouncy hair. This shampoo is infused with citric acid that increases blood flow.
In other words, citric acid gets blood moving throughout the scalp which can help hair grow healthy and strong. It’s guaranteed to remove 90% of residue after usage.
This shampoo leaves hair extremely shiny and removes any buildup on the hair. Do you condition your hair after shampooing? Many people don’t realize that conditioner coats your hair over time and can cause an oily scalp. This shampoo removes that unwanted oil to give your hair a fresh start.
It’s safe to use on any type of hair. Not only is this one of the best shampoos you could use, it also costs a lot cheaper than the leading brands of clarifying shampoo. I am ordering myself a bottle of this stuff today.
Pros & Benefits:
- Very gentle on hair
- Lathers well
- Removes residue
- Great price
- Cleans and restores shine
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Infused with citric acid that strengthens hair and promotes hair growth
- Dermatologist recommended
4. Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo
If you have been looking for an organic shampoo that uses all natural ingredients, look no further. Avalon Organics clarifying lemon shampoo is made with organic botanicals that clean hair from the outside in.
The aloe, chamomile, vitamins, and lemon essential oil removes residue from hair and gives hair a natural shine without stripping it. Not only is it made from natural ingredients, it’s also cruelty-free and completely vegetarian so you can have an ease of mind while shampooing.
Parabens and sulfates can be hard on the hair and cause damage, this shampoo is paraben and sulfate free, as well as it doesn’t contain synthetic colors or fragrances.
It will help your hair to be healthy and strong without using harsh chemicals. It’s safe for any type of hair and restores natural shine to highlights.
The lemon essential oil contained in the shampoo keeps hair smelling and feeling fresh all day long. It’s very gentle on hair so it will not irritate your scalp if you have sensitive skin.
For an organic shampoo, the price is very reasonable and well worth it. With some shampoos, you will have a hard time lathering hair and have to use an unnecessary amount to cover the hair completely.
With this shampoo, you will not have to use a lot of the product as it lathers very well, allowing you to cover all of your hair in foam very easily. Can you see why this organic shampoo made it to the top 15 best clarifying shampoos you can buy?
Pros & Benefits:
- Organic
- Made with natural ingredients
- Vitamins, lemon essential oil, aloe, and vitamins remove residue from hair
- Lathers well
- Cruelty-free and vegetarian
- Leaves hair shiny and full
- No parabens or sulfates
5. Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
Are you looking to improve your hair’s health? Moroccanoil clarifying shampoo will do that plus more. Your hair is guaranteed to be healthy after using this shampoo as it does not contain parabens or sulfates and it’s keratin enriched.
Keratin is basically a miracle protein that can turn dry, damaged hair into soft and beautiful hair. Using keratin on your hair can reduce blow drying time by 50%, rid your hair of frizziness, and can even speed up hair growth.
It also contains Avocado oil, which is one of the best moisturizing oils you can use on your hair. This oil promotes hair growth, soothes the scalp, and repairs damages.
This shampoo lathers very well so just a little bit of it will leave your hair shiny and soft. It can help repair split ends, remove product buildup, and help with removing frizz from curly hair.
If your hair is naturally curly, this shampoo can help your curls to be shinier and full of volume. If you currently have a Brazillian blowout, the shampoo won’t cause any damage to it.
Many hairdressers recommend this product to their customers as it’s a high-quality shampoo and works like a miracle for damaged hair. It’s safe for color-treated hair and brightens highlights.
It can turn thin hair into bouncy, thick hair and can make your hair more manageable. This shampoo is so gentle on hair that you won’t even need to condition after use. It’s clear why this is one of the best clarifying shampoos you can use.
Pros & Benefits:
- Paraben and sulfate free
- Enriched with keratin that promotes hair growth and gets rid of frizz
- Repairs damage and split ends
- Improves hair health
- Removes residue
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Contains Avocado oil that soothes the scalp and moisturizes hair
6. Joico K-PAK Clarifying Shampoo
Do you have weak or over processed hair? Use the Joico K-PAK clarifying shampoo and make your hair healthy again. This shampoo will strengthen your hair and fill in any damaged areas of the hair with amino acids.
Not only that, but the aloe and vitamin E contained in the shampoo will protect hair from future damage. Why is aloe good for hair, you ask? Aloe contains many enzymes that remove dead skin cells from the scalp.
It also promotes hair growth, eliminates dandruff, and restores your hair’s natural shine. What about the vitamin E? Vitamin E is great for damaged hair because it repairs hair follicles, reduces scalp inflammation, and deeply conditions hair to make it soft and shiny.
This shampoo creates thick, shiny hair after just a single use. Not only that, but it’s guaranteed to increase your hair’s overall health and help your hair grow out with a nice, beautiful, and smooth texture.
The wonderful floral scent leaves hair smelling fresh for a long time. This shampoo removes unwanted oil and residue from the hair and even removes chlorine for all the people who love swimming but hate the unmanageable hair afterward.
It’s also great for people with thin hair as it creates thick, volumised hair. If you frequently use hard water when showering, this shampoo removes the mineral buildup caused by hard water. This is definitely my favorite shampoo on the list.
Pros & Benefits:
- Contains aloe and vitamin E that repair damages and improve hair health
- Removes mineral and product buildup
- Creates soft and shiny hair
- Removes chlorine
- Has a lovely floral scent
- Strengthens hair
7. Virgo Essentials Clarifying Peppermint Shampoo
There is a reason why this wonderful shampoo is on the top 15 list. The Virgo Essentials Clarifying Peppermint shampoo has special ingredients that combat dandruff and help with eczema and scalp psoriasis.
One of the ingredients is menthol, which helps break down any dead skin so it can be easily washed away. Menthol also helps eliminate scalp itch and irritation.
Peppermint oil, another ingredient used, helps promote scalp circulation that can increase hair growth and soothe the scalp. Another ingredient used, called tea tree oil, unclogs hair follicles to boost hair growth and moisturizes the roots.
Last but not least, the wheat amino acids contained in the shampoo increase hair strength by filling in any damaged parts of the hair. This shampoo is great for anyone who has weak, brittle hair as it can help it grow healthy and strong and prevent it from being damaged in the future.
It also removes oil and deeply cleanses the hair for a healthy, shiny, and volumised finish. It can be used on any hair type and protects against UV rays. The wonderful minty smell is long lasting and keeps hair feeling fresh.
Hair becomes squeaky clean and can be managed easily after use. Upon use, you will notice an amazing cooling sensation as you massage the shampoo into the scalp. This shampoo gives you salon results and its effects are long-lasting. You get great hair for a great price.
Pros & Benefits:
- Eliminates dry skin
- Great for scalp psoriasis or eczema
- Removes product buildup
- Gentle on hair
- Promotes hair growth
- Contains Menthol and Pepperment oil that soothe the scalp and reduce irritation or itching
8. Malibu Un-Doo-Goo Clarifying Shampoo
This nourishing shampoo definitely belongs on the top 15 list. The Malibu Un-Doo-Goo shampoo does exactly as its name states- removes goo. The vitamins and botanicals contained in the shampoo nourish hair and remove residue without stripping or damaging hair.
It also removes minerals from hard water. This shampoo is effective in less than one minute, removing oil and dirt pretty much instantly after applying it to your hair. It does not contain sulfates that can damage hair and be harmful to your scalp.
After using this shampoo, you can go days without washing your hair and it still won’t go limp. Which is very good as you will be saving money from decreasing the amount of shampoo you use each week.
It has a very pleasant smell of vanilla bean and orange zest that lasts for a long time and leaves your hair fresh. The linseed extract in the shampoo is full of fatty acids that nourish hair and give you a healthy scalp.
Linseed extract can also help with eczema and eliminate dandruff. This shampoo brightens blonde or highlighted hair but makes any type of hair look healthy and clean.
Some clarifying shampoos leave hair dry and require conditioning after use, but this shampoo is gentle on hair and can be used as much as needed. It also removes hard water minerals and nourishes hair after you’ve swum in pools. If you want full, volumized, and clean hair this is the product for you.
Pros & Benefits:
- Removes residue
- Gentle on hair
- Sulfate free
- Contains vitamins and botanicals
- Pleasant smell of orange zest and vanilla bean
- Removes hard water minerals
- Starts working almost immediately after being applied to the hair
- Linseed extract in the shampoo helps soothe eczema and removes dandruff
9. Mane N Tail Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
Here is another great clarifying shampoo. Mane N Tail Gentle Clarifying shampoo is gentle enough to use every day or whenever it’s needed. It removes all residue from hair to leave your hair shiny and healthy without drying it out.
It can be used on hair with blowouts, permed hair, relaxed hair, and highlighted or colored hair. This shampoo contains amino acids which repair damaged hair, proteins that strengthen hair, and essential oils that eliminate dandruff and promote hair growth.
It also contains castor oil, a natural oil that is infused with fatty acids that circulate blood flow to the scalp and increase healthy hair growth. This shampoo is also great to use if you have an itchy scalp as it reduces itching and inflammation.
If you have thin and rough hair, this shampoo can make your hair thick and lightweight. The Sodium Chloride in the shampoo works as a thickener, causing your hair to be thick for a long period of time.
The wonderful long lasting scent leaves hair fresh and doesn’t smell too overpowering. If you have curly hair, you would love this shampoo because it enhances curls and makes them shiny and full of volume.
This shampoo repairs split ends, moisturizes dry hair, and hydrates brittle hair. If you want a healthier scalp, deeply cleansed hair, and a stronger head of hair, I definitely recommend this product.
Pros & Benefits:
- Deeply cleanses hair
- Strengthens hair
- Lathers well
- Removes dandruff and reduces scalp itch
- Can be used on all hair types
- Removes residue
- The Sodium Chloride in the shampoo thickens hair and has long lasting effects
- Contains Castor Oil that promotes hair growth and increases blow flow to the scalp
10. Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo
This shampoo contains many different ingredients that will do wonders for your hair. Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo is enriched with honey extract, a conditioning nutrient that repairs breakage and helps hair grow faster, as well as prevents future damage.
It also contains sage, a wonderful herb that promotes hair growth and adds shine to dull hair. Biotin, another nutrient used in this shampoo, helps your hair grow stronger and thicker.
The white willow bark in this shampoo has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which leaves your scalp healthy, oil-free, and exfoliated. Last but not least, the salicylic acid in the shampoo promotes hair growth, removes dead skin, deeply cleanses the scalp, and has been proven to be effective for up to 2 weeks.
This shampoo leaves hair feeling soft and well cleansed, as well as removes residue from hair products used over time. It also has a great scent and lathers well, which means a little bit of this product goes a long way.
This shampoo can transform thin, lifeless hair into full and bouncy hair. It can be used once weekly or less since its amazing effects last a long time. If you have a problem with oily hair, this shampoo can remove oil and keep hair shiny for weeks. There is no doubt that this product belongs on the top 15 clarifying shampoos list.
Pros & Benefits:
- Contains many ingredients that promote hair growth, fight dandruff, reduce scalp inflammation, and deeply cleanse hair
- Removes residue
- Lathers well
- Transforms thin hair into thick hair
- Strengthens hair
- Effects are long lasting
11. Ion Color Defense Clarifying Shampoo
This is one of the healthiest shampoos you can use. Ion Color Defense clarifying shampoo contains zero soy, is completely alcohol-free, is sulfate and paraben free, and doesn’t contain gluten or phthalates.
Why is this important? Soy can cause hair loss, alcohol dries and damages hair, sulfates and parabens can strip hair and cause it to be brittle, gluten can cause itchiness, and phthalates can cause health risks.
While using this shampoo, you can have an ease of mind knowing you aren’t adding any harsh chemicals to your hair. Not only is it very healthy for your hair, it’s also 100% vegan and can be used on color-treated hair.
The lovely citrus smell lasts a long time so your hair will smell fresh all day long. It can be used as often as needed as it’s very gentle on your hair. This shampoo is excellent at removing stubborn product buildup without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
It can enhance your natural curls and make your hair lightweight and bouncy. If your hair is dry after stepping out of the shower, this shampoo can make hair smooth and manageable.
If you love naturally wavy hair, you should use this shampoo because it can make your hair extra wavy and full of volume. I recommend this product to anybody looking for a healthy clarifying shampoo.
Pros & Benefits:
- Paraben and sulfate free
- Gluten free
- Soy and phthalate free
- 100% vegan
- Safe for color treated hair
- Removes product buildup
- Has a long-lasting, pleasant scent
- Enhances natural curls and waves
12. ORIBE Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo
ORIBE Cleanse Clarifying shampoo contains a very special ingredient that leaves your hair with lovely results. This detoxing ingredient is called volcanic ash, and it can give your hair a serious natural lift.
Volcanic ash is made of glass, sand, and rock particles that deeply cleanse hair, remove stubborn oil, and wash away product buildup. Another natural ingredient, charcoal, removes toxins and purifies hair to make it smooth and silky.
The charcoal also eliminates dandruff, reduces scalp itch, and removes oil and minerals from hair. The shampoo contains Kelp extract that cleans out pores and creates shiny hair.
The green tea extract in the shampoo coats each individual strand of hair, protecting it from breakage and future damage. This shampoo cleans all areas of the hair and keeps it strong so you will never have to worry about split ends again.
You will love the way this shampoo feels and looks; it comes out looking like a mousse but almost instantly covers your head in suds while you massage it into your scalp.
Not only that, but the brilliant formula comes out of the container white, then it will suddenly turn grey as the charcoal and other ingredients work their way into your hair.
It’s very gentle and can be used on color-treated hair. If you love shiny, bouncy, and detoxed hair, I definitely recommend this product. You can see why it’s one of the best clarifying shampoos on the market.
Pros & Benefits:
- Contains cleansing volcanic ash
- Contains detoxing charcoal
- Strengthens hair
- The green tea extract protects hair from damage
- Removes residue and dandruff from hair
- The Kelp Extract cleans pores and leaves hair shiny
13. Fekkai Apple Cider Shampoo
This fantastic shampoo is formulated with apple cider vinegar. Why is apple cider vinegar good for your hair? Apple cider vinegar helps restores ph balance in your hair, which improves cuticle health and promotes hair growth.
Not only that, but apple cider vinegar also removes excess oil without stripping your hair, and helps circulate blood flow to the scalp so your hair will grow much faster.
This shampoo is also silicone-free, which means there won’t be a shiny rubbery residue coated on your hair, and instead, your hair will be naturally shiny and light. After using this shampoo, you’re guaranteed to get compliments on your fresh hair because the apple and pear scent is long lasting and smells wonderful.
If you have problems with acne on your head or scalp, this shampoo cleans out pores which can significantly reduce the amount of acne on your head. After using this shampoo, you will immediately notice how much cleaner and bouncier your hair is than it was before.
Since hair does not need to be washed every day as it can remove your hair’s natural oils, you can go a couple of days without washing your hair after using this shampoo and it will not look oily or dirty.
This shampoo is great for anybody who has straw-like hair because it turns hard, brittle hair into silky, soft hair. This is absolutely one of the best clarifying shampoos you could use.
Pros & Benefits:
- Contains apple cider vinegar that restores ph balance in the hair
- Improves cuticle health
- Silicone-free
- Has a lovely scent of fresh apples and pears
- Cleans pores
- Removes product buildup
14. Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo
This is one of the healthiest clarifying shampoos on the market, which is why it’s also one of the best. Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo contains no sulfates, petroleum, mineral oil, paragons, or colorants.
The lovely lemon scent is produced from the ingredients d-Limone and Citral. Not only do these ingredients make the shampoo smell wonderful, they also promote hair growth and reduce scalp inflammation.
This shampoo also contains linalool essential oil. When this oil is used aromatically, has been proven to significantly reduce stress and anxiety, and overall sooth and relax the body.
As mentioned above, this shampoo contains no parabens and instead, contains Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate which is a gentle and natural alternative to paraben. Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate also prevents bacterial growth and cleans the scalp.
This shampoo deeply cleanses hair and removes oil without stripping hair or leaving it dry. The citrus scent is strong and long lasting so your hair will smell fresh and lovely all day. If your hair is thick and unmanageable, you will notice your hair is softer and more lightweight after just one use of this shampoo.
This shampoo is great for removing mineral buildup from hard water. It will also brighten highlights and shine any color of hair. I recommend this product to anyone wanting to see a real difference in their hair texture and health.
Pros & Benefits:
- Doesn’t contain sulfates, petroleum, mineral oil, paragons, or colorants
- Has a lovely long-lasting scent
- Promotes hair growth
- Removes oil and minerals
- Improves your hair’s overall heath
- Brightens highlights
- The ingredient D-Limone reduces scalp inflammation
- Aromatherapy relaxes the body
15. Hask Charcoal Clarifying Shampoo
Here is a fantastic clarifying shampoo for all of the charcoal lovers out there. Hask Charcoal Clarifying Shampoo contains cleansing and detoxing charcoal that removes product buildup and minerals without stripping your hair of its natural oils.
You could compare the charcoal to a magnet, as it attracts dirt so it can be easily washed off. This shampoo also contains argan oil; a natural oil that restores your hair’s shine and softness, bamboo oil; another natural oil that restores shine and protects hair from damage, mint almond oil; an oil that nourishes hair and repairs damage, and Monoi coconut oil; an oil that promotes hair growth, removes dandruff, and protects hair from getting split ends.
This shampoo doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, gluten, alcohol, or phthalates. It also can be used on any hair type and is safe for color-treated hair. This high-quality shampoo will give you full, healthy, and soft hair for a very affordable price.
Many shampoos can give your hair an oily consistency and damage hair with harmful chemicals, but this shampoo is guaranteed to leave hair soft, detoxified, and give you a more healthy head of hair after one use.
The effects from this shampoo last for several days so you will only need to use it once a week or as needed. The salon results that are given from this shampoo are the main reasons why this product is one of the best clarifying shampoos you can purchase.
- Contains detoxing charcoal
- Contains many natural oils
- Promotes hair growth and removes dandruff
- Doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, alcohol, gluten, or phthalates
- Removes oil and restores shine
- Affordable price
Clarifying Shampoo Buyer’s Guide
Everbody has different hair, whether it’s color-treated, highlighted, bleached, fine, thin, thick, curly, wavy, and so on. It’s important that you choose the right clarifying shampoo for your hair.
Some shampoos can enhance natural curls, whereas some shampoos can thicken hair, and there are some that can do both. If you’re not sure which brand of clarifying shampoo you should use, follow the tips listed below to find the perfect match for you.
- Read the ingredients: Certain chemicals can damage and strip hair. For a healthier shine, try finding a clarifying shampoo that doesn’t contain alcohol or sulfates.
- Find out the cleaning power: Some clarifying shampoos lather well, and some of them don’t. Check out how well each shampoo foams and how well they remove dirt.
- Make certain that the shampoo is safe for color-treated hair: Some clarifying shampoos contain ingredients that can fade or ruin colored hair. Find gentle shampoos that specify whether or not they can be used on dyed or bleached hair.
- Be sure the shampoo is safe for your hair: For very thick and curly hair, some clarifying shampoos can dry the hair out and cause it to be unmanageable. Find out if the shampoo is safe for your hair type.
- Find out if the shampoo is gentle on sensitive skin: If you have a sensitive scalp, some clarifying shampoos can irritate the scalp and cause burning. Steer clear of shampoos that contain the chemicals methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, and benzisothiazolinone to prevent scalp irritation. You may even want to choose a non-scented shampoo.
- Discover your favorite scent: Every shampoo has a different smell. Some can be long-lasting, some can be strong, and some can be weak. Find out which shampoo has the best scent for you.
- If you’re against animal testing, find shampoos that are labeled “cruelty-free”.
- Find your price range: Every clarifying shampoo cost different. Some of them can cost up to $50, and some can cost around $5. Look at each price and decide how much money you’re willing to spend on a clarifying shampoo.
- Compare shampoos: Some clarifying shampoos do similar things, whereas some can do completely different things. Compare each shampoo and determine which one will suit your hair the best.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our list of the 15 best clarifying shampoos and their reviews. See one that’s not on the list and needs to be? Let us know down below!