We updated this article in December 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on expert advice and top reviews, and added five new products, recommended by expert.
If your freshly washed hair still looks dull and limp, a clarifying shampoo may be in order. Clarifying shampoos, often called purifying or deep cleaning, "are formulated to remove excess buildup, residue, dirt, oils and product on your hair and scalp," says Antoinette Bullock, DIY natural hair expert for Sally Beauty. "They provide a deeper cleanse, thanks to a higher percentage of strong cleansing agents, also known as surfactants." If you use leave-in styling products, have oily hair, wash your hair in hard water or live in an area with high air pollution, all of these factors can leave deposits on your hair that regular shampoo may not completely remove.
But how exactly do they work? "The surfactants produce micelles that surround oily substances like sebum, and pull it off the hair follicle or scalp, making it easier to be rinsed out in water," explains Danusia Wnek, a chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. While the function of clarifying shampoo is consistent across different brands and formulas, they are not all created equal. It's important to choose the right one for your hair type, texture and overall hair condition, especially if your hair is processed or color-treated. Clarifying shampoos are meant to be used sporadically and only when needed. "If used too often, you could end up with super dry hair," explains Bullock.
Over the years, our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have evaluated hundreds of shampoos for different hair types and concerns including shampoo for dry hair, oily hair and color-treated hair, brass-fighting purple shampoos for blonde hair, thickening shampoos and more. For each shampoo, our chemists methodically test and quantify the efficacy of each formula (with the matching conditioner) on real human hair swatches and send products out for real consumer feedback. The list below includes our picks for clarifying shampoos that we use in the Lab to thoroughly clean hair swatches before testing, those that are highly rated and reviewed, or our editor and scientist favorites.
Our top picks:
Best Overall Clarifying Shampoo
Detox Shampoo OUAI Read MoreBest Value Clarifying Shampoo
Daily Clarifying Shampoo Suave Read MoreBest Drugstore Clarifying Shampoo
Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo Neutrogena Read MoreBest Clarifying Shampoo for Color Treated Hair
Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo Living Proof Read MoreBest Clarifying Shampoo for Fine Hair
Strengthen and Restore Shampoo SheaMoisture Read MoreBest Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair
Buildup Buster Micellar Water Cleansing Serum DevaCurl Read MoreBest Clarifying Shampoo for Wavy Hair
Curl Clarifying Shampoo Texture ID Read MoreBest Clarifying Shampoo for Oily Hair
Sunday Clarifying Shampoo Bumble and bumble Read MoreBest Professional Clarifying Shampoo
Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo Aveda Read MoreBest Clarifying Shampoo for Natural Hair
Clarifying Shampoo NOTHING BUT Read More
Scroll to the bottom of this article for more information on how we test shampoos at the GH Institute Beauty Lab, tips on what to keep in mind while you're shopping for the best clarifying shampoos and answers to FAQs around clarifying shampoo usage and efficacy. In the meantime, here are the best clarifying shampoos.
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Best Overall Clarifying Shampoo
Detox Shampoo2
Best Value Clarifying Shampoo
Daily Clarifying Shampoo3
Best Drugstore Clarifying Shampoo
Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo4
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Color Treated Hair
Perfect Hair Day Triple Detox Shampoo5
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Fine Hair
Strengthen and Restore Shampoo6
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair
Buildup Buster Micellar Water Cleansing Serum7
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Wavy Hair
Curl Clarifying Shampoo8
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Oily Hair
Sunday Clarifying Shampoo9
Best Professional Clarifying Shampoo
Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo10
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Natural Hair
Clarifying Shampoo11
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Dry Scalp
Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo12
Best-Smelling Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying Shampoo13
Best Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo
On The Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo14
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Dry Hair
Honey Fresh Clarifying Shampoo15
Best Clarifying Shampoo that Won't Strip Color
Color Defense Clarifying ShampooHow we choose the best clarifying shampoos
The Good Housekeeping Institute has tested a variety of hair cleansing products including moisturizing, color protecting and volumizing shampoos and conditioners. For moisturizing shampoo and conditioners, 12 shampoo and conditioner sets were evaluated using both laboratory and consumer testing protocols. In the Lab, the products were evaluated for their comb-ability properties in hair’s most vulnerable state — when it's wet — using an Instron instrument to measure how well products lubricate hair when it's wet and prevents future damage. Additionally, these products were blinded and sent to consumers who used the product for three consecutive washes before completing a standardized questionnaire rating ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction on a 5-point scale.
We tested color protecting shampoo and conditioners using wet comb testing, fade resistance testing and consumer testing with 22 panelists, and 14 volumizing shampoo and conditioners with consumer testers. While the Lab hasn’t done a specific test on clarifying shampoos, we used our expertise and years of testing to select the picks on this list, comprised of test-winners and recommendations from Beauty Lab experts, hairstylists and reviewers.
What to look for when shopping for the best clarifying shampoos
It's all about the buzzwords. "Look for keywords on shampoo bottles to know that you have purchased the right product for the job," says Bullock. "Keywords include 'stripping,' 'clarifying,' 'deep cleansing,' 'reset,' 'detox' and 'can remove excess product.'"
It is also important to consider your hair's needs. "If you have color-treated hair you want to make sure it says 'color safe' or it might strip away your color," says Bianca Renee, DIY curly hair expert for Sally Beauty. "Read the labels to see if it is clarifying exactly what you want it to clarify, i.e., product build, dandruff or hard water minerals."
Is clarifying shampoo good for your hair?
Yes, but with a caveat. "Clarifying shampoos are good for your hair because they provide your hair and scalp with a fresh new start," says Bullock. A good clarifying shampoo can effectively and thoroughly cleanse the scalp and hair, but 'it can also have negative side effects if used too often and could leave your hair feeling dry and dull," says Renee. "It's best to find a clarifying shampoo that also includes some moisturizing ingredients." You can also use a rich conditioner or nourishing deep conditioner immediately after to help balance the pH levels.
How often should you use a clarifying shampoo?
Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this one as it really depends on your hair type, texture and goals. "Clarifying shampoos should be used only when your hair feels weighed down or you know you need a deeper cleansing than a normal shampoo," says Bullock. But one thing is for sure: "It is not recommended to use a clarifying shampoo every wash day," says Renee. While usage is personal, Renee suggests using a clarifying shampoo more often if you use products that contain silicones or waxes.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jamie Kim, freelance writer and consumer product expert, did the initial research and product selection for this article. She specializes in product testing and reviews, lending her product knowledge across multiple categories such as apparel, textiles, home, kitchen, beauty and tech.
Dori Price updated the story with new details about clarifying shampoos, expert tips and added more product picks. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals such as hairstylists, hair colorists and trichologists. She is an expert in all hair product categories, from shampoos, conditioners, treatments, styling products and tools to hair color, professional services and more.
Danusia Wnek shared her expertise about clarifying shampoos for this piece, as well as contributing all of the information about the Good Housekeeping Institute's testing of shampoos and conditioners. She has spent seven years researching and developing testing protocols for haircare products for the Good Housekeeping Institute.