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ONE OF the most common things you hear about
shampoo is that we use it too much. The common agreement among experts is that everyone tends to over cleanse their hair, which can lead to dryness of both the hair and scalp. That’s all well and good, and maybe cutting down on shampooing is the right thing for most of us, but the flip side of that is that if you have oily hair, use a lot of hair styling products or suffer from other scalp issues like dandruff, that advice may not apply.
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair
Maui Moisture Clarify + Soothe Black Soap Shampoo
$11 at Ulta Beauty
$11 at Ulta Beauty
Read more
Best Invigorating Clarifying Shampoo
Philip B Peppermint Avocado Shampoo
$36 at Nordstrom$36 at NordstromRead more
Best Daily Clarifying Shampoo
Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo
$38 at Dermstore$38 at DermstoreRead more
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Summer
Klorane Clarifying Shampoo with Citrus
$22 at Amazon$22 at AmazonRead more
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Removing Product Buildup
American Crew Power Cleanser Style Remover
$16 at Walmart$16 at WalmartRead more
Best Clarifying Scrub
NatureLab. Tokyo NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Shine Clarifying Scalp Scrub
$17 at Ulta Beauty$17 at Ulta BeautyRead more
Best Clarifying Hair Rinse
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
$37 at Amazon$37 at AmazonRead more
Best Drugstore Clarifying Shampoo
Dove Men+Care Charcoal Shampoo, 12 oz
$7 at CVS$7 at CVSRead more
Baxter of California Deep Clean Shampoo
$35 at Amazon$35 at AmazonRead more
Best Clarifying Shampoo With Charcoal
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo
$49 at Sephora$49 at SephoraRead more
If you don’t want to wash your hair every day, but you suffer from scalp problems or excess oil, a clarifying shampoo is your best solution. Most of these shampoos are intended to be used a couple of times a week (or even just once) and cleanse deeper than your typical daily shampoo to help remove buildup from dirt, oil and styling products from your scalp and hair. Think of them as taking your car to the carwash versus doing it yourself. Clarifying shampoos help to reset your hair to help it look shinier and healthier. We prefer to use them on Sundays to get our scalp and hair ready for a busy week of styling and stress ahead. The thing is, though, not all clarifying shampoos are created equal. Choose one that’s designed for your hair type and lifestyle to avoid over cleansing your hair which can lead to dryness, frizziness and itchy scalp problems. Not sure which to use? Start with this list of the best clarifying shampoos (seriously, we’ve tried hundreds) and get ready for the cleanest hair of your life.
Best Shampoos for Men | Best Hair Growth Shampoos | Best Scalp Treatments | Best Scalp Scrubs
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair
Maui Moisture Clarify + Soothe Black Soap Shampoo
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair
Maui Moisture Clarify + Soothe Black Soap Shampoo
$11 at Ulta Beauty
Pros
Great for curly hairVery moisturizingGreat scent
Cons
May be too thick for fine hair
The enemy of curly hair is dryness, which can cause curls to become crispy, frizzy and unmanageable. The problem is, the ingredients in many clarifying shampoos can leave your hair dry because they are so focused on removing oil. This version, which is packed with hydrating ingredients including black soap, aloe and shea butter, cleanses the scalp and hair effectively without sucking the moisture out of your curly hair.
| Size | 13 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Curly, dry |
| Ingredients | Aloe leaf juice, coconut water, black soap, ginger extract |
Philip B Peppermint Avocado Shampoo
Best Invigorating Clarifying Shampoo
Philip B Peppermint Avocado Shampoo
$36 at Nordstrom$36 at Walmart$36 at Skinstore
Pros
Also volumizes hairContains naturally-derived ingredientsProvides a cooling sensation
Cons
Expensive
The tingly sensation from the peppermint oil lets you know this shampoo is working—and leaves your scalp feeling deeply cleansed without any of the tightness of over-cleansing. Best of all, though, is that this shampoo also helps to volumize your hair, leaving it looking fuller after every wash.
| Size | 2 oz, 7.4 oz, 32 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All |
| Ingredients | Peppermint oil, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil, botanical extracts |
Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo
Best Daily Clarifying Shampoo
Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo
$38 at Dermstore$19 at Skinstore
Pros
Can also help control dandruffHelps control oilGreat scent
Cons
May not be good for sensitive scalps
Not only is this shampoo gentle enough to use every day while still washing away grease and oil from your scalp with ease, but it also helps control itchiness, irritation and even flakes on your scalp.
| Size | 8.33 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, but especially oily |
| Ingredients | Jojoba bark extract, cherry flower extract |
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Klorane Clarifying Shampoo with Citrus
Best Clarifying Shampoo For Summer
Klorane Clarifying Shampoo with Citrus
$22 at Amazon$22 at Skinstore$22 at Dermstore
Pros
Effectively removes buildup from multiple sourcesGentle enough for color treated hairSilicone free
Cons
Some reviewers don’t like the scent
This gentle-yet-effective clarifying shampoo uses citrus pulp and lactic acid to remove buildup from products, oil, dirt, hard water and even chlorine from your hair. If you’re spending a lot of time in the pool or at the beach, use it regularly to keep your hair healthy instead of dull and dry.
| Size | 13.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, but especially oily |
| Ingredients | Citrus pulp, lactic acid |
American Crew Power Cleanser Style Remover
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Removing Product Buildup
American Crew Power Cleanser Style Remover
Now 33% Off$16 at Walmart
Pros
Great at removing product buildupAlso removes oil and dirtNice cooling feeling from menthol
Cons
Contains sulfates
No matter how oily your scalp is, if you use a lot of product (or really, any product at all) to style your hair, this clarifying shampoo is specifically designed to remove excess product buildup to keep your scalp clear and hair fresh.
| Size | 15.2 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, but especially oily |
| Ingredients | Menthol, rosemary extract, thyme extract |
NatureLab. Tokyo NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Shine Clarifying Scalp Scrub
Best Clarifying Scrub
NatureLab. Tokyo NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Shine Clarifying Scalp Scrub
$17 at Ulta Beauty$39 at Walmart
Pros
Can be used instead of shampooContains naturally-derived ingredientsClean and fresh scent
Cons
Scrub crystals can get caught in curly or long hairJar packaging can be hard to open in the shower
Many scalp scrubs need to be followed up with a shampoo because they’re designed to exfoliate but not cleanse. This scrub and shampoo combo changes that. Not only does it use sugar crystals to gently exfoliate buildup on the scalp, but it cleanses hair at the same time while also hydrating it with hyaluronic acid.
| Size | 8.1 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All |
| Ingredients | Sake, sugar, hyaluronic acid |
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dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
Best Clarifying Hair Rinse
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
$37 at Amazon$37 at Walmart$37 at Nordstrom
Pros
Great for dry or oily hairWon’t strip hair of natural oilsSafe for color treated hair
Cons
Some people may find the scent too strongDoes not lather (if you like lather)
The surfactants used in shampoo to create lather can also sometimes strip hair of natural oils leaving it dry, frizzy or dull. It’s especially true of clarifying shampoos which are designed to deep clean. This innovative hair rinse uses natural ingredients to remove impurities from the hair and scalp without stripping it, offering the same deep clean without harsh lather.
| Size | 8.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, but especially dry or oily |
| Ingredients | Apple cider vinegar, lavender extract, aloe vera |
Dove Men+Care Charcoal Shampoo, 12 oz
Best Drugstore Clarifying Shampoo
Dove Men+Care Charcoal Shampoo, 12 oz
$7 at CVS
Pros
Great for a very deep cleanContains natural ingredientsHelps strengthen hair
Cons
Contains added fragrance
This very deep cleansing shampoo contains charcoal to help remove dirt and oil buildup from you scalp effectively without sucking all the moisture out of your hair in the process. Plus, the formula contains naturally derived ingredients that help fortify your hair as well as hydrate it.
| Size | 12 oz. |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Oily, Normal |
| Ingredients | Charcoal, caffeine |
Baxter of California Deep Clean Shampoo
Baxter of California Deep Clean Shampoo
$35 at Amazon$42 at Walmart$35 at Nordstrom
Pros
Extremely effectiveLarge bottleSulfate-free
Cons
Contains added fragranceCan be too harsh to use every day
You know how every so often you need to pull in the professionals to deep clean your house (or is that just us)? Consider this shampoo your cleaning crew. Use it once or twice a week, depending on how oily or dirty your hair is. The immediate result is a sparkling clean scalp and hair that’s brought back to life.
| Size | 16 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Oily |
| Ingredients | Apple cider vinegar, menthol, ginseng root extract |
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Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo
Best Clarifying Shampoo With Charcoal
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo
$49 at Sephora$65 at Walmart$42 at Nordstrom
Pros
Super deep cleanAlso exfoliates the scalpContains naturally derived ingredients
Cons
Jar packaging can be hard to use in the shower
Not only does this scrub remove impurities and buildup from the scalp, but the charcoal in the formula helps control oil. Even though it’s a deep cleaner, hydrating ingredients make it suitable for even curly hair because it doesn’t dry out your strands. Use it once or twice a week when you need a refresh.
| Size | 2 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, 32 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All |
| Ingredients | Charcoal, coconut oil, peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oil complex |
Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
Best Weekly Clarifying Shampoo
Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
$28 at Amazon$32 at Walmart$30 at Nordstrom
Pros
PowerfulAlso helps remove chemicalsNice fresh scent
Cons
Too strong to use every day
This ultra-deep cleaning shampoo is meant to only be used once a week because of it’s sheer cleansing prowess. It instantly removes any trace of dirt, oil or buildup from your scalp and hair and even helps remove chemicals like chlorine. Think of this as your best chance in getting your hair back to zero.
| Size | 8.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, except color treated |
| Ingredients | Ginseng root extract, sage leaf extract, rosemary oil |
Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair
Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
$30 at Amazon$27 at Walmart$30 at Nordstrom
Pros
Safe for color treated hairFragrance-freeCan be used on non-color-treated hair as well
Cons
Expensive
Color treated hair need to be treated differently because the ingredients found in traditional shampoo can dry out hair (which is already prone to dryness when color treated) and dull the color. This weekly deep-cleaning shampoo is designed to preserve and restore color treated hair even when you need to get really, really clean.
| Size | 8.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All |
| Ingredients | Proprietary bond building technology |
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Ouai Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Best Anti-Dandruff Clarifying Shampoo
Ouai Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
$36 at Sephora$36 at Ulta Beauty$36 at ShopBop
Pros
Multi-functionalContains salicylic acidNice fresh scent
Cons
Expensive
Dandruff is its own issue, but even people with dandruff can benefit from a clarifying shampoo – as long as it’s the right one. This shampoo contains salicylic acid (like you find in face products) that helps control oil and dandruff, but also exfoliates dead skin cells from your scalps (in addition to removing dirt and buildup). It’s powerful enough to use even if you don’t have dandruff, but gentle enough for those that do.
| Size | 10 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, but especially dandruff-prone |
| Ingredients | Salicylic acid, Propanediol Caprylat |
Why Trust Us?
Men’s Health‘s Grooming Editor Garrett Munce is a hair care expert, who has been testing shampoos for well over a decade. He has personally tried over 100 clarifying shampoos in the past five years, and looked for formulas that helped remove excess sebum, fix dandruff, and deep-cleaned hair follicles, without overly drying them.
How Often Should You Use a Clarifying Shampoos?
Because these formulas clean much deeper than a typical shampoo, we don’t recommend using them every day. Most of the clarifying shampoos we tried are meant to be used once to twice a week.