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Everyone Needs a Clarifying Shampoo in Their Routine

Learn more about the benefits of these deep-cleansing formulas and our favorite ones to try.

Headshot of Genesis RivasBy Genesis Rivas
woman bathing and washing her hair relaxed
torwai//Getty Images

Clarifying shampoos are a must for those of us who don't wash our hair for, well, as long as we can possibly get away with it. (If you have a lot of hair, then you know how daunting and demanding the task can be.) But, interestingly, they're also helpful for those who wash frequently. Clarifiers remove the excess oil, residue, and grime that builds up from skipping wash days, but they also rinse away leftover styling products and minerals from hard water better than your go-to shampoo can. "If you feel your hair has become a bit lifeless, then that's typically a sign you need to clarify," says celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez. No matter what's stuck on it, "a clarifying shampoo will wipe the slate clean." The key is to choose the right clarifying formula for your hair type and color.

Our Top Picks

  • 1
    Clarifying Shampoo

    Best for All Hair Types

    Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo

    $26 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    Solu Shampoo

    Best for Shine

    Davines Solu Shampoo

    Read more
  • 3
    Clarifying Shampoo

    Best Affordable Option for Curly Hair

    4U by Tia Clarifying Shampoo

    Read more
  • 4
    CleanReset Normalizing Shampoo, 33.8

    Best Vegan

    Biolage CleanReset Normalizing Shampoo, 33.8

    Read more
  • 5
    Scalp+ Shampoo

    Best for Menopausal Hair

    VITABRID C12 Scalp+ Shampoo

    Read more

Swap a clarifying shampoo for your regular shampoo at least once or twice a month. "Don't use a clarifying shampoo more than once a week because excessive use can dry out the hair or fade color," says Cesar Deleon Ramirez, a celebrity stylist and Toppik brand ambassador.

When shopping for a formula, look for a product that includes hydrating ingredients in addition to cleansing, so it doesn't completely strip the hair of moisture, recommends Alvarez. Here, our favorite clarifying shampoos along with celebrity-hairstylist-approved picks.

1
Best for All Hair Types

Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying Shampoo
1
Best for All Hair Types

Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo

$26 at Amazon$25 at Walmart$26 at Saks Fifth Avenue
Credit: Moroccanoil
Pros
  • Doesn't strip color or moisture
Cons
  • It's pricey compared to other options on this list

Ramirez loves this formula because it effectively removes dirt, oil, and product buildup without stripping the hair of moisture, thanks to argan and avocado oils. It's also great for all hair types, including color-treated.

2
Best for Shine

Davines Solu Shampoo

Solu Shampoo
2
Best for Shine

Davines Solu Shampoo

Credit: Davines
Pros
  • Increases shine
  • Leaves hair feeling fresh
Cons
  • May not be safe for color-treated hair

Another one of Ramirez's go-to formulas? This clarifying solution— because it "leaves hair and scalp feeling refreshed," he says. It contains buckwheat extract, which is rich in proteins, antioxidants, and amino acids that help strengthen hair and boost shine.

3
Best Affordable Option for Curly Hair

4U by Tia Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying Shampoo
3
Best Affordable Option for Curly Hair

4U by Tia Clarifying Shampoo

Credit: 4U by Tia
Pros
  • Great for curly hair
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Not available at Ulta or Sephora

Tia Mowry recently launched a haircare collection, including this affordable clarifying shampoo for curly hair. Alvarez likes it because it has Hemi15, an ingredient that "helps strengthen and moisturize your hair while protecting from humidity and frizz," she says.

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4
Best Vegan

Biolage CleanReset Normalizing Shampoo, 33.8

CleanReset Normalizing Shampoo, 33.8
4
Best Vegan

Biolage CleanReset Normalizing Shampoo, 33.8

Credit: Biolage
Pros
  • Vegan formula
  • Doesn't strip hair
Cons
  • 13.5 oz option is sold out

This CleanReset shampoo is another one of Alvarez's favorites because it doesn't strip the hair of moisture. It's a vegan, cruelty-free formula packaged in a recycled bottle, so not only does it do great things for your hair, but it's helping the environment a bit, too.

5
Best for Menopausal Hair

VITABRID C12 Scalp+ Shampoo

Scalp+ Shampoo
5
Best for Menopausal Hair

VITABRID C12 Scalp+ Shampoo

Credit: VITABRID C12
Pros
  • Promotes fullness and volume
  • Refreshing
Cons
  • It's pricey compared to other options on this list

You'll immediately notice how light and refreshed your hair and scalp feel after using this formula. It also strengthens hair and adds fullness with collagen-boosting peptides, making it ideal for tackling the thinning hair that menopause can cause.

6
Best for Damaged Hair

Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
6
Best for Damaged Hair

Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

Credit: Olaplex
Pros
  • Repairs broken hair bonds
Cons
  • Can be drying

Reach for this when you need a deep-cleanse and strengthening treatment in one. It leaves hair thoroughly cleansed, while its bond-building technology repairs broken areas in strands.

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7
Best Exfoliating

OUAI Detox Shampoo

Detox Shampoo
7
Best Exfoliating

OUAI Detox Shampoo

Credit: OUAI
Pros
  • Exfoliates
  • Reduces frizz and adds shine
Cons
  • It's pricey compared to other options on this list

Made with exfoliating apple cider vinegar, this formula removes flakes, residue, and buildup. Hydrolyzed keratin helps to soften strands, reduce frizz, and add shine.

8
Best for All Curls

Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo

Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
8
Best for All Curls

Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo

Credit: Ouidad
Pros
    Cons
    • Can be drying

    Whether you need to wash away hard-water deposits, chlorine, or residue, fruit acids in this clarifier remove the buildup without stripping curly hair of its moisture. Lemon, grapefruit, and orange extracts also help promote volume so curls are left defined and frizz-free.

    9
    Best for Color-Treated Hair

    COLOR WOW Color Security Shampoo

    Color Security Shampoo
    9
    Best for Color-Treated Hair

    COLOR WOW Color Security Shampoo

    Credit: COLOR WOW
    Pros
    • Preserves hair color
    • Rich lather
    Cons
    • May not be enough of a cleanse for those who use a lot of hair products

    If you color your hair, product residue can dull your strands, and yet the potent cleansers in a clarifying shampoo can be too harsh on your hue. This formula solves that catch-22, relying on a blend of cleansing, hydrating, and strengthening ingredients that build into a lather and then completely rinse out so your color stays vibrant.

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    10
    Best for Fullness

    Michiru Clarifying Shampoo

    Clarifying Shampoo
    10
    Best for Fullness

    Michiru Clarifying Shampoo

    Credit: Michiru
    Pros
    • Helps promote stronger and fuller hair
    Cons
    • Contains fragrance

    Typically, sulfates are the cleansing stars of clarifying formulas, but if you find them too drying, this formula is the perfect alternative. It infuses Japanese yuzu to gently cleanse without stripping the hair. It also contains peony extracts, which can help reduce inflammation and facilitate hair growth.

    11
    Best for Flakes and Itchiness

    Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

    Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
    11
    Best for Flakes and Itchiness

    Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

    Credit: Briogeo
    Pros
    • Soothing formula
    Cons
    • It's a splurge

    A scrub and shampoo in one, this feels like a spa treatment for your scalp. Charcoal helps to cleanse deeply, while coconut oil, panthenol, and tea tree oil target flakes, itchiness, and dryness—and make your scalp feel soothed immediately afterward.

    12
    Best Drugstore

    Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo

    Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
    12
    Best Drugstore

    Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo

    Now 31% Off
    Credit: Neutrogena
    Pros
    • Great for oiliness
    Cons
    • Can be drying

    This affordable drugstore pick is especially great for anyone who experiences excessive oiliness. Grapefruit extract gently exfoliates the scalp and increases shine.

    Headshot of Genesis Rivas
    Genesis Rivas

    Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok

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