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20 Best Clarifying Shampoos to Deep Cleanse Your Hair And Scalp
With the best clarifying shampoos, you can get rid of dandruff, greasiness, and product buildup on your scalp and revitalize your hair. See our product picks!
Our hair is frequently exposed to harsh substances such as setting sprays, dust, pollution, and mineral deposits from hard water. And with such residues building up, it is likely that your hair looks dull and lifeless even after washing. Hence, when regular hair cleansers fall short, it is time to use the best clarifying shampoos to cleanse and rejuvenate your hair.
A clarifying shampoo is a specially-formulated cleanser that effectively pulls out stubborn impurities and buildup dwelling on your scalp. In reference to clarifying shampoos, Houston-based dermatologist Dr. Andrea Suarez says, “It is intended to be used once a week and is needed for people who use a lot of hair care and styling products”. Timely use of such cleansers prevents and treats hair problems such as dandruff, greasy scalp, and heaviness in your locks. By doing so, such shampoos also allow your hair to breathe and look its best.
While you must think that shopping for such hair products is easy, the truth is that most drugstore clarifying shampoos are loaded with harsh chemicals that can strip your hair of its natural moisture — leading to dryness and frizz. To help you get your hands on the right product, we have curated the following list of the best deep-cleansing shampoos that suit your needs. 
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Our Top Picks:
1. Paul Mitchell tea tree Special Shampoo - Best Overall
2. Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo - Best for Sensitive Scalp
3. Cantu SHEA BUTTER SULFATE-FREE CLEANSING CREAM SHAMPOO - Best for Curly Hair
4. Redken Detox Hair Cleansing Cream - Best for Dandruff Control
5. Herbal Essences WHITE STRAWBERRY & MINT - Best Scented Product
20 Best Clarifying Shampoos to Cleanse And Rejuvenate Your Hair
1. Paul Mitchell tea tree Special Shampoo
Tea tree oil is one of the most refreshing ingredients for your scalp, and this purifying shampoo by Paul Mitchell offers the best of it. You will love the gentle, tingling sensation on the scalp that makes you aware of the shampoo’s cleansing action. The product has a rich blend of rosemary oil, white ginger root, and chamomile extract that purify your scalp and stimulate blood circulation to boost hair growth. It also contains nourishing humectants that ensure your hair and scalp don’t get dried out after washing.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, white ginger root, rosemary oil, aloe vera, and panthenol
Pros:
- Cruelty-free
- Color-safe
- Boosts luster
- Luxuriously hydrating
- Indulges your senses
- Sustainable packaging
- Reduces itchiness in the scalp
- Pleasant natural fragrance
Cons:
- Bit too spicy for sensitive scalps
2. Neutrogena anti-residue Shampoo
As the name suggests, this shampoo by Neutrogena makes your hair and scalp squeaky clean by removing greasy residues, dandruff, or product buildup. The refreshing clear formula is free from artificial dyes and harsh surfactants and works marvelously in cleansing your hair. It is not harsh on your hair or causes any irritation, so you can frequently turn to this product for good results. Plus, the shampoo boosts your hair’s volume and makes it look healthy and beautiful.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, and castor oil
Pros:
- Free from filler ingredients
- Ideal for all hair types
- Color-safe
- Pleasant scent
- A little goes a long way
Cons:
- SLES can be drying
3. Aveeno Apple Cider & Vinegar Blend SHAMPOO
Most products by Aveeno are plush with the goodness of colloidal oat extracts, and this natural clarifying shampoo is no exception. This ingredient generously hydrates and delightfully soothes your hair and scalp while also preventing itchiness (1). Apple cider vinegar catalyzes this cleansing action and makes your hair squeaky clean and fresh. Besides, this product is sulfate-free, so people with dry and sensitive scalps can gear up to reap these benefits.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, and colloidal oat extracts
Pros:
- Paraben-free
- Boosts natural shine
- Adds healthy volume
- Beautifies dull hair
- Anti-bacterial benefits
- Maintains pH balance
Cons:
- Not ideal for washing oiled hair
4. Cantu SHEA BUTTER SULFATE-FREE CLEANSING CREAM SHAMPOO
With this sulfate-free clarifying shampoo by Cantu, you can not only cleanse sweat, oil, and pollution from your hair but also intensely moisturize it. Specifically designed for curly and coily hair, the product beautifies your hair's natural texture and reduces frizz. The product is colorless and gel-like, plush with the nourishing goodness of shea butter, avocado extracts, and panthenol that soften and pamper your hair.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, panthenol, avocado extracts
Pros:
- Mild, pleasant scent
- Free from harsh ingredients
- Rich, creamy lather
- Luxuriously emollient
- Perfect for dry scalps
- Makes hair silky and manageable
Cons:
- Not ideal for straight hair
5. PAUL MITCHELL SHAMPOO TWO
This product by Paul Mitchell is your go-to deep-cleansing shampoo to get rid of grease from your scalp after a long travel or sweaty workout. Ideal for oily scalps, the product ensures that your scalp stays squeaky clean and that you don’t reach out for a dry shampoo every now and then. The shampoo is plush with botanical emollients and rousing floral extracts that revitalize your tresses. Besides, the product smells incredibly fresh and pleasant.
Key Ingredients: White ginger root, aloe vera, rosemary oil, and jojoba seed oil
Pros:
- Vegan
- Hydrating
- Paraben-free
- Helps reduce itchiness
- Reduces dandruff
- Refreshing formula
- Boosts natural shine
Cons:
- Bit too watery
6. matrix total results MEGA SLEEK Shampoo
If your hair reacts to humidity like that of Monica Geller from the famous sitcom FRIENDS, then this product by Matrix is the best clarifying shampoo for you. The product contains the enriching emollient properties of shea butter that effectively tames dry, unruly hair and flyaways by boosting their moisture content. It also contains salicylic acid to treat dandruff and resurface your scalp. This formula is excellent to make your hair smooth and luxuriously soft so that you can’t stop touching it.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, and salicylic acid
Pros:
- Controls frizz
- Climate pledge friendly
- Boosts luster
- Makes hair silky
- Rich, creamy consistency
- Suits all hair types
Cons:
- Weighs down the hair
7. Redken Detox Hair Cleansing Cream
Infused with fruit-extracted AHAs and salicylic acid, this cleansing shampoo by Redken helps get rid of oily residue and dandruff from your scalp and makes it squeaky clean. Its consistency is creamy but water-based — ideal to nourish and pamper your scalp without making it too greasy. With this product, you can cleanse hard water minerals from your tresses and allow them to breathe. Plus, hydrolyzed protein in the formula makes your hair strands stronger.
Key Ingredients: Citric acid, and salicylic acid
Pros:
- Reduces itches
- Refreshing formula
- Makes hair lustrous
- Suits all hair types
- Revitalizing fruit extracts
- Doesn’t strip off natural moisture
Cons:
- Slightly drying
8. KENRA DEEP CLEANSE CLARIFYING SHAMPOO
With this clarifying shampoo by KENRA, you don’t have to worry about overdrying your hair while deep cleansing it. The formula removes greasy buildup on your scalp and prevents your hair from looking dull and lifeless. If you have colored or bleached your hair, then this shampoo will brighten those strands and revive the lost shine. The product is perfect for travelers, swimmers, and others whose hair is constantly exposed to dulling factors.
Key Ingredients: AHAs, blueberry extracts, honey extracts, and vitamin E
Pros:
- Nourishes the tresses
- Color-safe
- Clean scent
- Promotes shines
- Restores damage
- Suits all hair types and textures
Cons:
- Contains both SLS and SLES
9. Herbal Essences WHITE STRAWBERRY & MINT
A luxurious shower with this natural clarifying shampoo by Herbal Essences not only refreshes your hair and scalp but also provides aromatherapy benefits, as it has an indulgent fragrance of strawberry, jasmine, and mint. The shampoo is made with 90 percent botanically-sourced ingredients that fortify your hair with antioxidants and essential nutrients. Besides, the product is free from parabens, silicones, and harmful colorants.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, and sea kelp
Pros:
- Color-safe
- Cruelty-free
- pH balanced
- Nourishing formula
- Rich in carotene
- Provides moisture
- Makes hair voluminous
Cons:
- Bit too drying
10. Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
This purifying shampoo by Neutrogena contains citric acid from grapefruit extracts that cleanse your scalp from pollution and dandruff. However, the product does so without tampering with your scalp’s natural barrier. It contains glycerin and propylene glycol that makes your hair smooth and manageable by nourishing them. To top off, this product is pH-balanced, so it won’t overdry your hair and scalp by making it too alkaline.
Key Ingredients: Grapefruit extract
Pros:
- Color-safe
- Ideal for oily hair
- Suits all hair types
- No parabens or sulfates
- Maintains natural shine
Cons:
- Scalp feels a bit oily
11. ACURE Curiously Clarifying Shampoo
This natural clarifying shampoo by ACURE is rich in botanically-sourced humectants and emollients that nourish and revitalize your hair. It deep-cleanses your hair and gets rid of remnants from styling products and serums, so they can breathe. Plus, it is also a reliable product to freshen a smelly scalp, a problem often caused by excessive sweat and greasiness. For the best results, use this product once a week and alternate it with another moisturizing shampoo.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, argan oil, blackberry extracts, and other natural extracts
Pros:
- Treats dandruff
- Certified cruelty-free
- Pleasant, clean scent
- Refreshing formula
- Suitable for a sensitive scalp
Cons:
- Too many ingredients
12. OUAI DETOX SHAMPOO
The tranquil, clear formula of this deep-cleansing shampoo by OUAI strengthens your hair strands by fortifying them with hydrolyzed keratin. This formula works for all hair types and shows marvelous results in nourishing and deep-cleansing the tresses and scalp. Also, it is one of the best clarifying shampoos to remove hard water minerals alongside dirt, oil, and sweat without stripping off your hair’s natural moisture. It has a clean formula free from harsh filler ingredients.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, chelating agents, and hydrolyzed keratin
Pros:
- Cruelty-free
- Color safe
- Paraben-free
- Floral and woody notes
- Makes hair softer
- Boosts shine
Cons:
- Expensive
13. MOROCCANOIL CLARIFYING SHAMPOO
Moroccanoil’s clarifying shampoo exceeds your expectations of what a hair cleanser can do as the single formula provides several benefits. The product is rich with the emollient properties of argan oil, jojoba extracts, and panthenol that make your hair shiny while protecting its natural moisture content. It also adds life to dull-looking hair by eliminating dirt, oil, and pollution buildup. Plus, it contains floral extracts of chamomile and lavender that add to the haircare benefits of the product.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, keratin, and panthenol
Pros:
- Rehydrating formula
- PETA-certified cruelty-free
- Luxury beauty product
- Rich in vitamin B and E
- Spicy amber and fruity notes
- Loaded with antioxidants
Cons:
- Inefficient packaging
14. NOTHING BUT Clarifying Shampoo
With the fresh, lemony fragrance and tingling sensation of this shampoo by Nothing But, you can apprehend its cleansing action on your hair and scalp. The product is great to make your hair lightweight, volumized, and bouncy by getting rid of the heavy buildup that weighs your hair down. It also makes your hair incredibly soft and smooth so that you cannot get your hands off it. The product is a good choice for people with high-porosity, frizzy, and damaged hair.
Key Ingredients: Olefin Sulfonate, and caprylic glyceride
Pros:
- Boosts hair health
- Suits all hair types
- Works on color-treated hair
- Sulfate-free
- Gentle on the scalp
Cons:
- Not for the scent-sensitive
15. dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
This scalp-cleansing shampoo by dpHUE gently removes sweat, oil, and pollution buildup from your hair to make it squeaky clean, and soft. The product incorporates lavender and aloe extracts besides apple cider vinegar to tame your precious mane and hydrate it generously. It is formulated with amino acids and fatty acids to resurface your hair with strengthening ingredients and seal its natural moisture.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, argan oil, lavender extracts, aloe vera, and fire tulip
Pros:
- Soothes scalp
- Richly moisturizing
- Increases shine
- Helps get rid of dandruff
- Maintains pH balance
- Makes hair luscious and healthy
Cons:
- Slight oily residue
16. ALFAPARF MILANO LISSE DESIGN Keratin Therapy SHAMPOO
The Kera-collagen complex of this cleansing shampoo by Alfaparf Milano will effectively strengthen your hair and boost its elasticity. Being an excellent emollient, the babassu oil infused in the product helps seal in your hair’s natural moisture and boost shine. You can turn to this invigorating product to instantly nourish and replenish your hair. This product is safe for regular use and is free from parabens, paraffin, and formaldehyde.
Key Ingredients: Kera-collagen complex, and babassu oil
Pros:
- Preps hair for a keratin treatment
- Makes hair manageable and silky
- Detangling formula
- Suitable for all hair types
- Safe on bleached and permed hair
Cons:
- Expensive
17. LOVE beauty AND planet Sulfate-free Shampoo
Formulated with hand-picked rose essential oil, this natural clarifying shampoo makes your shower luxuriously aromatic and enjoyable. Infused with organic coconut oil, murumuru seed butter, and glycerin, the product boosts nourishment and adds luster to your tresses. The product softens your hair and makes it so silky that you cannot take your hands off it. Besides, with this product, you can indulge in a guilt-free beauty routine as the brand Love Beauty And Planet has a minimal carbon footprint.
Key Ingredients: Bulgarian rose extracts, and murumuru butter
Pros:
- Highly emollient
- Makes hair manageable
- PETA-certified cruelty-free
- Contains no silicones
- Suits all hair types
- Color-safe
- Plant-based formula
- Pleasant floral scent
Cons:
- Bit drying
18. Fix My Curls Cleansing Shampoo
One of the best cleansing shampoos for curly hair, this product by Fix My Curls makes your locks silky and manageable. The formula contains essential oils of tea tree and rosemary that soothe and stimulate your scalp to boost blood flow and thereby improve hair growth. Despite adequately purifying your hair and scalp, you can trust this product to not mess up its natural pH balance in doing so.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and rosemary oil
Pros:
- Removes buildup
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Mild cleansing action
- Provides hydration
Cons:
- Not for damaged/permed hair
19. GK HAIR PRO LINE HAIR TAMING SYSTEM
By fortifying your precious hair strands with keratin, this clarifying shampoo by GK Hair strengthens them and boosts elasticity. The formula is rich in pro-vitamins and aloe vera extracts that boost hydration from the roots to the tips of your hair, while also sealing its natural moisture. If you frequently use styling products on your hair, then this is the right shampoo to cleanse their buildup.
Key Ingredients: Pro-vitamins, keratin, and aloe vera
Pros:
- Paraben-free
- Boosts luster
- Ideal for normal and oily hair
- Nourishing properties
- Balances pH levels
- Shields from environmental aggressors
Cons:
- Not for sensitive scalps
20. Kalon Activated Charcoal Shampoo
This cleansing shampoo by Kalon uses the properties of activated charcoal to purify your hair and scalp of oil, product buildup, and impurities. With its invigorating formula, you can tackle common hair problems such as dandruff and dullness. The product is derived from nourishing natural ingredients such as aloe extracts, tea tree, cedarwood, and thyme that boost your overall hair health.
Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, Indian gooseberry oil, and tea tree oil
Pros:
- Cruelty-free
- Moisturizing properties
- Soothes the scalp
- No parabens or sulfates
- Suits all hair types and textures
Cons:
- Difficult to lather
Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for the best clarifying shampoos, let us go through the following buying guide and steps to use to shop wisely and make the best of the product.
How to Choose the Best Clarifying Shampoo?
Here are some factors to consider when looking for the best clarifying shampoos:
Hair Type: While most clarifying shampoos suit all hair types, some formulas are specifically made for certain hair types and textures. For instance, if you have straight and fine hair and are using a shampoo designed for curly hair, it may weigh your tresses down and make your scalp too greasy. On the other hand, if you have dry and high-porosity hair and are using a shampoo designed for oily hair, then the product will make your tresses more dry and frizzy. Hence, before investing in a hair cleanser, it is important to understand your hair type and what it needs.
Gentle Formulation: “There are a lot of surfactants added to (clarifying) shampoos that include sodium laureth sulfates, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myreth sulfate, sodium stearate, alpha olefin sulfonate, etc”, says Dr. Suarez. These sulfates intend to adequately cleanse your hair and scalp of impurities and greasy buildup. However, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) can be very harsh on your hair and scalp and strip it of its natural moisture. While this may not be an issue for people with really oily scalps, it is a good idea for people with sensitive scalps to look for sulfate-free formulations that contain the cleansing properties of other ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, Indian gooseberry, etc., and the purifying properties of essential oils.
Hydration Benefits: While the cleansing action can be drying, it is important to mollify your hair and scalp with rich humectants such as aloe vera, colloidal oat, glycerin, panthenol, etc. as well as emollients such as argan oil, coconut extracts, shea butter, etc. These ingredients will also boost the shine of your precious locks and seal their natural moisture content.
Fragrance: Our hair retains fragrances much more effectively than our skin. Hence, a clarifying shampoo is one of the most important beauty products that should contain some fragrance. Even so, a fragrant product can provide aromatherapy benefits to one while causing irritations among other scent-sensitive people — for whom, it is best to choose a fragrance-free or mildly-scented formula.
How to Use the Best Clarifying Shampoo?
Step 1: Start with rinsing your hair and scalp with water. If you have applied any oil or hair mask, massage your hair gently to get rid of the product at this very stage.
Step 2: Next, take about two pumps of the clarifying shampoo (depending on your hair length and as instructed on the packaging). Dilute the product in about 50 ml water, especially if the product has a soap-based formula and lathers a lot.
Step 3: Now, take this diluted mixture and pour it gently over your scalp.
Step 4: Massage the product thoroughly from the roots to the lengths, and pour more of the mixture on your tresses as required. Avoid lathering in circular or upward motions.
Step 5: Wash the product off thoroughly with water.
So there you have it. The above-mentioned products are our top recommendations for the best clarifying shampoos for different hair types. Your scalp needs to be thoroughly purified of the residues from hair serums, conditioners, chemical treatments, and hard water. For this, clarifying shampoos are excellent magnet-like formulas that attract such remnants and flush them away. Ensure you go through our buying guide before making a purchase. Happy shopping!
Why Trust Pinkvilla?
Alvira, our in-house skincare expert, says that clarifying shampoos are the best way to remove stubborn buildup, excess oils, and residue that's present on the hair and scalp. They have an elevated level of cleansing agents that make them perform effectively. She also mentions that though very beneficial, they shouldn't be used every day as it can leave the hair too dry. With some help from her friends, she tested all the products, concluding that Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Special Shampoo outperformed the rest. It gently purified her scalp and simulated blood circulation, delivering the promised results. Additionally, the formula is cruelty-free and safe to be used on colored hair as well.
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Pinkvilla to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
Sources
1. Oatmeal in dermatology: A brief review
