A great clarifying shampoo can revitalize your hair care routine by deeply cleansing your hair, exfoliating your scalp, and removing excess oil and product buildup that can leave hair flat, dull, or frizzy. Ideal for oily hair or those with a dry scalp, it acts like a reset button, leaving your hair refreshed, full of volume, and ready to style.

Unlike daily shampoos, clarifying shampoos are made to tackle buildup from styling products and environmental pollutants, improving scalp health and leaving hair shiny and soft. Think of it as an occasional deep-clean treatment for your hair.

Vogue’s Top Clarifying Shampoos

– Best for Curly Hair: Pattern Beauty Cleansing Shampoo – $22 at Nordstrom
– Best for Damaged Hair: Virtue Refresh Purifying Shampoo – $32 at BlueMercury
– Best for a Deep Clean: Ouai Detox Shampoo – $34 at Amazon

What’s the difference between clarifying and regular shampoo?
Celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa explains, “A clarifying shampoo is meant to remove buildup from your hair. It uses special ingredients to eliminate excess oils and product residue more effectively than a daily shampoo. While regular shampoo is good for everyday cleansing, a clarifying shampoo provides a deeper clean for the scalp.”

How do you know when it’s time to use one? Potempa says, “If you notice product buildup or your hair looks dull and needs refreshing, it’s a good time for a clarifying wash.”

Below, discover the 13 best clarifying shampoos for different hair types and concerns, recommended by celebrity stylists and Vogue editors.

Best for Blondes: Kevin.Murphy Maxi Wash
– Price: $36 at Amazon
– Why we love it: Los Angeles stylist Sophie Rose says, “It’s great for blondes, helping to brighten hair by removing minerals that cause brassiness.” It also works as a pre-wash or pre-color treatment for anyone with color-treated hair.
– Key ingredients: Witch hazel, thyme extract, tea tree oil, rosemary leaf extract, grapefruit extract
– Best for: Bleached or natural blonde hair
– Size: 8.4 fl oz

Best Non-Drying: Bumble & Bumble Sunday Shampoo
– Price: $16 at Amazon
– Why we love it: Nashville stylist Marwa Bashir recommends this pollutant-lifting formula, which cleanses gently without drying out the hair or scalp. It contains sage extract for cleansing and rosemary to stimulate the scalp. Sophie Rose adds that it’s perfect for use after removing tape-in extensions to eliminate residue.
– Key ingredients: Panax ginseng root, rosemary leaf extract, sage leaf extract
– Best for: Scalp maintenance or post-extension care
– Sizes: 8.5 fl oz, 33.8 fl oz

Best for Color-Treated Hair: R+Co Lost Treasure Acid Wash
– Price: $34 at Amazon or BlueMercury
– Why we love it: This apple-infused shampoo cleanses without stripping natural oils or color. Bashir says, “It’s a great option if you want to detox your scalp without affecting color vibrancy.” In fact, it helps maintain shine instead of dulling your hair.Ula shampoo boosts vibrance, leaving hair looking refreshed and even a little glossy.
Key Ingredients: Apple fruit extract, aloe vera leaf juice, tamanu seed oil
Best for: Removing dullness with a single wash for noticeable shine.
Size: 6 fl oz

Best for Curly Girls: Pattern Clarifying Shampoo
Pattern Beauty
Cleansing Shampoo
$22 at Nordstrom, $22 at Amazon
Why We Love It: Pattern founder Tracee Ellis Ross says this shampoo makes her curls “joyful, juicy, and poppin’.” Hairstylist Bashir also recommends it for curly hair, noting that it uses gentle cleansers to remove buildup without stripping natural oils. Designed for type 3 and 4 curls, it cleanses while nourishing with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil.
Key Ingredients: Matcha green tea, aloe vera, panthenol
Best for: Clarifying wavy, curly, and coily hair without drying it out.
Size: 7.8 fl oz, 3 fl oz

Best for a Deep Clean: Ouai Detox Shampoo
Ouai
Detox Shampoo
$34 at Amazon
Why We Love It: Vogue’s beauty writer Conçetta Ciarlo calls this a major reset for hair weighed down by product buildup. Hairstylist Davontae’ Washington adds that it removes buildup without stripping hair, leaving it soft and manageable. The rose-scented formula uses apple cider vinegar to cut oil, chelating agents to remove minerals, and hydrolyzed keratin to strengthen hair. It may be too intense for very dry hair.
Key Ingredients: Chelating agents, apple cider vinegar, hydrolyzed keratin
Best for: Refreshing heavily styled hair
Size: 16 fl oz, 10 fl oz, 3 fl oz

Best for Itchy Scalps: K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience
Peptide Prep
$39 at Amazon
Why We Love It: Rihanna’s hairstylist Yusef calls this his favorite detox shampoo. It’s color-safe and gently removes buildup, excess oil, and minerals. Activated charcoal draws out impurities, while salicylic acid soothes irritation. A peptide complex strengthens hair and prevents breakage.
Key Ingredients: Proprietary peptides, activated charcoal, salicylic acid
Best for: A sulfate-free clarifying shampoo that strengthens hair and calms itchy scalps.
Size: 8.5 fl oz

Best for Protective Styles: Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo
Living Proof
Clarifying Detox Shampoo
$36 at Nordstrom
Why We Love It: This shampoo uses magnetic polymers to pull impurities from hair and scalp. Vogue’s Kiana Murden tested it after protective styles and found it left her hair completely clean in one wash, without needing a second shampoo.
Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, magnetic polymer, gentle surfactants, natural chelating agent
Best for: Refreshing hair after protective styles
Size: 8 fl oz

Best for Oily Scalps: Act+Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo For Scalp + Hair Build-Up
Act+Acre
Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo For Scalp + Hair Build-UpAct+Acre Hair Build-Up Shampoo
$32 at Blue Mercury

Why We Love It: If you live in a big city like LA, NYC, or London, you know hard water can be tough on your hair. While a shower filter helps, Act+Acre’s shampoo takes it a step further. According to dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman, “Hard water leaves mineral deposits that make hair look dull and feel heavy. This formula uses chelating agents to remove buildup and restore shine.” It cleans effectively without irritating the scalp, making it gentler than many clarifying shampoos.

Key Ingredients: Coconut cleanser (3%), fulvic acid, carrot seed oil, glycerin
Best for: Anyone dealing with hard water or hair that feels greasy and lifeless.
Size: 4.5 fl oz

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Milk_Shake Deep Cleansing Shampoo
$23 at Amazon

Why We Love It: This shampoo uses a plant-based surfactant to wash away product residue and chlorine, while still keeping hair soft. It’s free of SLES, which can cause buildup, making it a great choice for those who prefer gentler cleansers.

Key Ingredients: Honey extracts, fruit extracts, plant-based surfactant, milk proteins
Best for: Regular swimmers or anyone needing a reset from chlorine exposure.
Size: 10.1 fl oz or 33 fl oz

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Virtue Labs Refresh Purifying Shampoo
$32 at Blue Mercury or Amazon

Why We Love It: This smart shampoo contains Alpha Keratin 60ku, which helps repair damaged hair cuticles for shinier, stronger strands. Celebrity stylist Xavier Velasquez praises the charcoal and hops extract combo for deep cleansing. It’s gentle enough for weekly use to keep hair from feeling weighed down.

Key Ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku, charcoal powder, hops extract, coconut fatty acid blend, white horehound extract, artichoke leaf extract
Best for: Overall scalp and hair health, especially for damaged hair.
Size: 4 oz

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Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
$30 at Nordstrom or Amazon

Why We Love It: Ideal for dry hair, this shampoo cleanses without stripping moisture. It features Moroccanoil’s signature scent—a blend of amber, musk, and florals—and is sulfate-free, making it safe for color-treated hair while still being nourishing.

Key Ingredients: Argan and avocado oils, lavender, keratin, jojoba and chamomile extracts
Best for: Dry hair that needs a deep clean.
Size: 8.5 fl oz

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Rahua Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo
$40 at Amazon

Why We Love It: This shampoo exfoliates the scalp with crushed star anise and fruit enzymes to remove dead skin cells. Botanicals like sacha inchi and morete oil hydrate follicles, leaving hair nourished and balanced.

Key Ingredients: Rahua oil, sacha inchi, morete oil, organic star aniseKristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
Price: $12 at Amazon
Size: 10 fl oz
Best for: An affordable, lightweight option that can be used regularly to remove product buildup, pollution, and excess oil.
Why We Love It: This no-frills shampoo thoroughly refreshes hair without stripping its natural moisture, leaving it soft, bouncy, and full of life. It features a fruit and herb-based formula.
Key Ingredients: Grapefruit extract, peppermint oil, chamomile, panthenol.

Vitabrid C12 Scalp + Shampoo
Price: $32 at Amazon
Size: 10.14 fl oz
Best for: A clarifying boost for fine or thin hair textures.
Why We Love It: A K-beauty favorite praised for soothing the scalp, unclogging hair follicles, and removing product buildup. Its high-tech, sulfate-free formula uses a proprietary peptide-and-vitamin-C complex to help prevent hair loss while adding volume and bounce.
Key Ingredients: Secret Code 151, antioxidants, vitamin B complex.

### Everything You Need to Know

What is the difference between a clarifying and a regular shampoo?
A clarifying shampoo is designed to deeply clean the hair and remove buildup, while regular shampoos are gentler and meant for frequent use. The ingredients are also different; regular shampoos contain more water and do not cleanse as deeply.

What To Look For in a Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoos contain strong, deep-cleansing surfactants that also have moisturizing properties. However, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you have scalp conditions like psoriasis or dandruff, look for formulas with soothing ingredients like salicylic acid. Stylists also recommend ingredients like activated charcoal to absorb toxins and oils, and citric acids to dissolve minerals.

How often should you use a clarifying shampoo?
Use clarifying shampoos in moderation, as overuse can dry out your scalp. For most hair types, it’s best to use one every one to two weeks. People with fine hair, heavy product use, or hard water may need it slightly more often, while those with color-treated or very dry hair should use it less frequently to prevent fading and brittleness.

Is clarifying shampoo color-safe?
Not all clarifying shampoos are formulated to be color-safe.I do exactly that. According to Rose, some stylists even send clients home with clarifying rinses to use as a pre-color treatment. “That’s why it’s so important to choose a shampoo that’s best for your hair type,” she emphasizes.

What hair types should use clarifying shampoos?

“All hair types can benefit from a clarifying shampoo, but you should consider your hair type when choosing the right one,” says Potempa. “For example, if you have color-treated hair, look for a clarifying shampoo without sulfates, which can strip color.”

Hair texture is another factor. “Curly or coily hair, for instance, tends to be drier from the mid-lengths to ends, with potentially oilier roots,” Potempa advises. “If you have this hair type, look for ingredients like charcoal to remove excess oil, but also seek moisturizing ingredients like shea butter.” Yusef adds that clarifying shampoo is especially important for swimmers, those who wash their hair infrequently, or anyone with fine hair. “It removes buildup that can weigh down fine strands,” he notes.

Meet the Experts:

– Marwa Bashir, hair stylist and colorist based in Nashville, TN
– Kevin Kelly, professional hairstylist based in New York and Los Angeles
– Sarah Potempa, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Beachwaver Co.
– Sophie Rose, Los Angeles-based stylist and curl expert
– Dara Spearman, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, specializing in melanoma and skin cancer care
– Davontae’ Washington, celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles, CA

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and naturalsounding FAQs about clarifying shampoos

FAQs Best Clarifying Shampoos for Dull Hair Itchy Scalps

BeginnerLevel Questions

1 What exactly is a clarifying shampoo
A clarifying shampoo is a deepcleansing shampoo designed to thoroughly remove product buildup excess oils minerals from hard water and other impurities that regular shampoos leave behind

2 How is it different from my everyday shampoo
Your daily shampoo is gentle and meant for regular use A clarifying shampoo is stronger think of it like a reset or deep clean for your hair and scalp Its not meant for daily use

3 What are the main benefits of using one
The main benefits are reviving dull lifeless hair by restoring its natural shine soothing an itchy scalp by removing irritants and creating a clean base so other products can work better

4 Who should use a clarifying shampoo
Anyone who uses a lot of styling products swims in chlorinated pools has hard water or has an oily scalp that feels weighed down

5 How often should I use a clarifying shampoo
This depends on your hair and routine For most people once every 2 to 4 weeks is sufficient If you use heavy products daily you might need it once a week If your hair is dry or colortreated you may only need it once a month

Advanced Practical Questions

6 Can clarifying shampoos damage colortreated hair
Some can as they are designed to strip away buildup which can include some color molecules However many modern clarifying shampoos are formulated to be safe for colortreated hairlook for that specific claim on the bottle

7 My hair feels dry and strawlike after clarifying What did I do wrong
This is common Clarifying shampoos can be very effective at removing oils The key is to always follow up with a rich hydrating conditioner or a deep conditioning mask focused on the midlengths and ends of your hair

8 Are there specific ingredients I should look for
Yes look for ingredients known for their cleansing power like citric acid apple cider vinegar or salicylic acid For a gentler