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The best clarifying shampoo can completely transform a lackluster shower routine, deep cleansing hair, exfoliating the scalp, and banishing excess oils and product buildup that can leave strands flat, dull, or frizz-prone. Perfect for oily hair or anyone dealing with dry scalp, it’s like a reset button that will leave your hair feeling refreshed, voluminous, and ready for styling.
Unlike your everyday shampoo, a purifying shampoo is designed to tackle buildup from hair products and environmental residue, giving your scalp health a boost and prepping your strands for shine and softness. Think of it as a once-in-a-while deep clean—a washday treat for your hair health.
Vogue’s Favorite Clarifying Shampoos
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In This Story
- What is the difference between clarifying and regular shampoos?
- What to look for in a clarifying shampoo
- How often should you use a clarifying shampoo?
- Is clarifying shampoo color-safe?
- Which hair types does clarifying shampoo work for?
- Meet the experts
“A clarifying shampoo is a type of shampoo that is meant to remove buildup on your hair,” celebrity hairstylist and Beachwaver Co. founder Sarah Potempa, tells Vogue. “These shampoos use specific ingredients to help remove excess oils and product buildup better than an everyday shampoo would. A regular shampoo is great for daily cleansing, where a clarifying shampoo will give the scalp a deeper clean.”
How do you know it’s time for a clarifying shampoo? “When you see or feel product buildup on the hair—or if the hair is looking dull and in need of a refresh—it may be a good time for a wash with a clarifying shampoo,” Potempa notes.
So which clarifying shampoo is best for you? Below, find the 13 best clarifying shampoos for every type of hair and scalp concern, as recommended by hair and skin experts and Vogue editors.
Best for Blondes: Kevin Murphy Maxi.Wash
- Why We Love It: Kevin Murphy’s clarifying shampoo “is great for blondes,” says Los Angeles–based stylist and curl expert Sophie Rose. “It will help to brighten the blonde by removing any minerals that cause brassiness over time.” Though blondes may have more fun with this Kevin Murphy offering, it’s not exclusively for the flaxen-tressed. Anyone with colored hair may opt to use it as a prewash or precolor treatment.
- Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, thyme extract, tea tree oil, rosemary leaf extract, grapefruit extract
- Best for: Bleached hair or natural blondes
- Size: 8.4 fl. oz.
Best Nondrying: Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Nashville stylist and colorist Marwa Bashir swears by Bumble and Bumble’s pollutant-lifting formula, saying it “gently lifts away dirt and residue without drying out the scalp or hair.” Powered by sage extract for a natural cleanse and boosted with trending ingredient rosemary to help stimulate the scalp, it’s a multitasker that provides real results. Rose agrees, sharing a pro tip: “This is great to use after removing tape-in extensions. It will remove any residue and give the hair a clean starting point to put the extensions back in.”
- Key Ingredients: Panax ginseng root, rosemary leaf extract, sage leaf extract
- Best for: Scalp maintenance or post-hair-extension care
- Size: 8.5 fl. oz., 33.8 fl. oz.
Best for Color-Treated Hair: R+Co Lost Treasure Cleansing Rinse
- Why We Love It: For those with dyed hair, the fear is real: A clarifying wash that’s too effective can strip away your freshly done color. Enter R+Co’s apple-infused cleanse. “This product is designed to cleanse without disturbing natural oils or color,” says Bashir. “It’s a great alternative if you want to detox your scalp without risking color vibrancy.” In fact, instead of dulling your strands, this formula helps boost vibrance, leaving hair looking refreshed and, dare we say, even a little glossy.
- Key Ingredients: Apple fruit extract, aloe vera leaf juice, tamanu seed oil
- Best for: Whisking away dullness with a single wash, leaving hair with a noticeable shine
- Size: 6 fl. oz.
Best for Curly Girls: Pattern Clarifying Shampoo
- Why We Love It: In a promo video, Pattern founder Tracee Ellis Ross called this the shampoo that makes her curls “joyful and juicy and poppin’.” Naysayers may argue Ross is a little biased, but Bashir backs her up, saying she recommends it to her curly clients as well. “It contains gentle surfactants to loosen and remove buildup without removing natural oils,” she explains. Designed with type 3 and 4 curls in mind, the formula not only clears away residue but also nourishes, thanks to moisture-rich ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil.
- Key Ingredients: Matcha green tea, aloe vera, panthenol
- Best for: Clarifying waves, curls, and coils without stripping natural hair of much-needed moisture
- Size: 3 fl. oz., 7.8 fl. oz.
Best for a Deep Clean: Ouai Detox Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Vogue’s beauty shopping writer Conçetta Ciarlo says Ouai’s Detox Shampoo doesn’t mess around—it’s a major reset for hair bogged down by styling products or heavy buildup. Ciarlo’s recommendation is cosigned by Los Angeles hairstylist Davontae’ Washington, who tells Vogue, “This shampoo completely removes all buildup from the hair without stripping it,” adding, “it leaves the hair soft and manageable, and a little goes a long way.” The rose-scented formula leans on apple cider vinegar to cut through oil, chelating agents to tackle mineral residue, and hydrolyzed keratin to strengthen strands, leaving hair refreshed, silky, and strong. That said, those with drier hair types may find the formula a touch too intense.
- Key Ingredients: Chelating agents, apple cider vinegar, hydrolyzed keratin
- Best for: Hitting the refresh button on heavily styled hair
- Size: 3 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz., 10 fl. oz.
Best for Itchy Scalps: K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Rihanna’s go-to hairstylist Yusef crowns K18’s Detox Shampoo his favorite: “It’s a color-safe formula that deeply but gently removes product buildup, excess sebum, and damaging metals and minerals from the hair.” The formula goes beyond cleansing, with activated charcoal to draw out impurities and salicylic acid to exfoliate and calm irritation, making it especially good for soothing itchy scalps. A powerful peptide complex further fortifies strands from the inside out (all while preventing against additional breakage). As Washington puts it: “If you know anything about peptides, you know how good they are for the skin. They’re amazing for strengthening the hair as well.”
- Key Ingredients: Proprietary peptides, activated charcoal, salicylic acid
- Best for: Fortifying strands and soothing itchy scalps
- Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Best for Protective Styles: Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Living Proof’s intelligent formula includes magnetic polymers that work (aptly) like magnets to draw impurities out of the hair and scalp. Vogue’s senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden tested Living Proof’s Clarifying Detox Shampoo as part of her post-protective-style regimen. “Typically, I find that a general clarifying shampoo requires two passes to remove all the product buildup, but this left my hair squeaky clean after one wash,” she writes in her review. “I’m still shocked that I didn’t need to follow it with my regular shampoo.”
- Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, magnetic polymer, gentle surfactant blend, naturally derived chelating agent
- Best for: Refreshing hair after protective styles
- Size: 8 fl. oz.
Best for Oily Scalps: Act+Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Anyone that lives in a big city—from L.A. to NYC to London and beyond—could benefit from a hard-water system reset. If you’ve got a shower filter, you’re already ahead of the game, but Act+Acre’s shampoo can up the ante even further. “Hard water often leaves behind mineral deposits that can make hair appear dull, heavy, or difficult to manage. The inclusion of chelating agents in this formula helps remove calcium and magnesium buildup while restoring lightness and shine to the hair,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman. Plus, Dr. Spearman notes its balance of effective cleansing with scalp-friendly ingredients makes it less likely to cause irritation compared with harsher clarifying shampoos.
- Key Ingredients: Coconut cleanser (3%), fulvic acid, carrot seed oil, glycerin
- Best for: Anyone who need regular protection from hard water and wants to revive strands that feel greasy or lackluster
- Size: 4.5 fl. oz.
Best for Swimmers: Milk_Shake Deep Cleansing Shampoo
- Why We Love It: “This shampoo from Milk_Shake uses a plant-based surfactant to wash away product residue—and it even removes chlorine,” notes Washington. “All the while, it moisturizes the hair so it still feels soft and healthy,” Those who shy away from traditional surfactants will appreciate the SLES-free formulation. “SLES can actually create buildup, so it’s really important to find a version without it,” Washington says.
- Key Ingredients: Honey extracts, fruit extracts, plant-based surfactant, milk proteins
- Best for: Anyone who regularly dips into chlorine and needs a reset for their lengths
- Size: 10.1 fl. oz., 33 fl. oz.
Best for Damage: Virtue Labs Refresh Purifying Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Functioning like a smart shampoo, Virtue’s clarifying wash contains Alpha Keratin 60ku, a proprietary ingredient that intuitively seals damaged cuticles, making them shinier, stronger, and all the healthier. According to celebrity stylist Xavier Velasquez, the shampoo’s “charcoal powder and hops extract create the perfect combo for extracting impurities and cleansing the scalp.” Plus, it’s Ciarlo’s pick for regular scalp maintenance. “This pick isn’t as harsh as most clarifying shampoos. I use it once a week to help keep my hair from being weighed down, especially during warmer months,” she says.
- Key Ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku, charcoal powder, hops extract, coconut fatty acid blend, white horehound extract, artichoke leaf extract
- Best for: Holistic hair care, from offering a scalp refresh to reviving damaged strands (chemical or mechanical damage)
- Size: 4 oz.
Best for Dry Hair: Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Is your dry hair begging for a deep cleanse? Reach for Moroccanoil’s oil-rich formulation. “It removes everyday buildup without stripping any moisture from the hair,” Bashir notes. Infused with the brand’s signature scent—a warm, sophisticated blend of amber, musk, and florals—this shampoo not only cleanses but pampers the senses. The sulfate-free formula is gentle enough for color-treated strands, while those who struggle with dryness will find it simultaneously nourishing and purifying.
- Key Ingredients: Argan and avocado oils, lavender, keratin, jojoba and chamomile extracts
- Best for: Dry strands that still need a deep cleanse
- Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Best Plant-Based: Rahua Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo
- Why We Love It: For a little extra elbow grease, Rahua’s shampoo goes beyond cleansing to gently exfoliate the scalp with crushed star anise, plus mango and passion fruit enzymes, which help sweep away dead skin cells. At the same time, nutrient-rich botanicals like sacha inchi and morete oil deeply hydrate hair follicles, leaving strands feeling nourished, balanced, and revitalized.
- Key Ingredients: Rahua (tree nut oil), sacha inchi (antioxidant-rich seeds), morete oil, organic star anise, organic passion fruit, organic mango sugars
- Best for: Removing scalp buildup with physical exfoliation and improving overall circulation
- Size: 9.3 fl. oz.
Best Affordable: Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Kristin Ess’s Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo is no-frills solution for hair bogged down by product buildup, pollution, or excess oil. Pro hairstylist Kevin Kellly also consigns this pick as both effective and budget friendly. The fruit- and herb-forward formula refreshes strands thoroughly without stripping natural moisture, leaving hair soft, bouncy, and full of life.
- Key Ingredients: Grapefruit extract, peppermint oil, chamomile, panthenol
- Best for: A lightweight option that can be used more regularly
- Size: 10 fl. oz.
Best for Fine Hair: Vitabrid C12 Scalp+ Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Washington raves about this K-beauty favorite for its scalp-soothing benefits. “It will help with clogged hair follicles and take away product buildup at the same time,” he says. The high-tech formula is powered by a proprietary peptide and vitamin C complex designed to help prevent hair loss. Sulfate-free and lightweight, it also gives fine hair extra volume and bounce, an “added bonus,” according to Washington.
- Key Ingredients: Secret Code P-151, antioxidants, vitamin B complex
- Best for: Thinner hair textures
- Size: 10.14 fl. oz.
Everything You Need to Know
What is the difference between clarifying and regular shampoos?
Washington reiterates: “A clarifying shampoo is designed to remove buildup, while regular shampoos are more gentle and meant for regular use.” In short, he says, “clarifying shampoos are used to deep clean the hair, whereas regular shampoos are for frequent washing.” Plus, “the ingredients are very different,” says Bashir. “Regular shampoo contains more water and does not cleanse as deeply or actively.”
What to look for in a Clarifying Shampoo
By virtue of their deep-cleaning nature, clarifying shampoos tend to brim with strong surfactants, including chlorides, bromides, cetyl fatty alcohol, and ammonium sodium lauryl sulfate. “These all have moisturizing properties and are deeply cleansing as well,” Bashir says. But they’re not for everyone.
“If you have problems such as psoriasis, dandruff, and seborrheic dermatitis, you should be careful about using a clarifying shampoo,” she warns. “If the clarifying shampoo does not contain ingredients such as salicylic acid, which helps control a sensitive scalp and skin type, it may not be suitable for use.”
Along with salicylic acid, stylists point to charcoal as an attractive component of clarifying shampoos. Yusef says activated charcoal in particular is great for absorbing toxins, excess oils, and dirt. Meanwhile, Washington prizes formulations with citric acids, which work powerfully to dissolve minerals.
How often should you use a clarifying shampoo?
Whether you go tend to go overboard on hairstyling (perhaps too many spritzes of hairspray) or simply need to pay more attention to your scalp care, a clarifying shampoo is a formidable tool in your beauty product arsenal. Though pro hairstylist Kevin Kelly reminds us the importance of not overdoing it. “Overusing clarifying shampoos can strip your hair of the natural oils it needs to stay healthy,” Murphy tells Vogue, noting it can be especially harsh on color-treated or bleached hair. The solution? Make sure to also treat hair with a hydrating mask to replenish.
Dr. Spearman agrees, noting overuse can also lead to the scalp overcompensating with oil production. So what’s the sweet spot of usage? For most hair types, Dr. Spearman advises using a clarifying shampoo every one to two weeks—with some exceptions. “Those with very fine hair, heavy product use, or exposure to hard water may benefit from slightly more frequent use,” she says. “Conversely, individuals with color-treated or very dry hair should space out use to prevent fading and brittleness.”
Is clarifying shampoo color-safe?
Not all clarifying shampoos are formulated to remove hair color, but some do exactly that. According to Rose, some stylists even send clients home with clarifying rinses to be used as a precolor treatment. “That’s why it’s so important to choose a shampoo that’s best for your hair type,” she stresses.
What hair types does clarifying shampoo work for?
“All hair types can benefit from using a clarifying shampoo, and you should take your hair type into consideration when choosing the right one for you,” says Potempa. “For instance, color-treated hair should look for a clarifying shampoo that does not contain ingredients like sulfates, which will strip the color from the hair.”
Another consideration is hair texture. “Curly or coily hair, for example, tends to be on the drier side from mid to ends, with potentially oilier roots,” Potempa explains. “If you have this hair type, you’ll want to look for ingredients like charcoal that will help remove excess oil but also seek out ingredients like shea butter to add moisture to the hair.” On the other hand, Yusef considers clarifying shampoo a must for swimmers, infrequent washers, or anyone with fine hair. “It will remove buildup that can weigh down fine strands,” he points out.
Meet the experts
- Marwa Bashir is a hairstylist and colorist based in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Kevin Kelly is a professional hairstylist and salon owner based between New York and LA.
- Sarah Potempa is celebrity hairstylist and the founder of hair tool brand Beachwaver Co.
- Sophie Rose is a Los Angeles–based stylist and curl expert.
- Dara Spearman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who specializes in melanoma and skin-cancer care.
- Davontae’ Washington is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles, California.
- Yusef is a celebrity hairstylist whose star studded roster includes Rihanna and more.
- Xavier Velasquez is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Dianna Agron, Diana Silvers, Ashley Benson, Julianne Hough, Naomi Biden, and more.
