10 Best Clarifying Shampoos in 2021

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Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo: Best Overall Shampoo

Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Oily Hair

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Colored Hair

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One of the places in the body where you will find the highest amount of dirt and residue is the hair. You need to continually remove this dirt and debris to keep your hair healthy and pleasant. Now, using water and ordinary soap is not enough to keep them out; you need something more productive, like a shampoo to get rid of them.

Shampoos are great substances to keep the hair clean and fresh; however, there are several types available. One of many is the clarifying shampoo. They are effective in helping you maintain an excellent hair status, as they contain active ingredients like exfoliators, vinegar, charcoal. In this guide of the 10 best clarifying shampoos on the market, you will be introduced to different types used for various purposes. Read on the Best Hypoallergenic Shampoos for Sensitive Skin.

Furthermore, there is a buying guide section to help you with knowing what is best to use. This section consists of factors to consider when shopping online for the best shampoos for oily, color-treated hair, and so on. Hopefully, you will end up choosing a preferred type as aimed in this review.

The 10 Best Clarifying Shampoos Reviewed

1

Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo: Best Overall Shampoo

Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo is a transformative choice to get rid of dirt and residues off your hair without issues. It is a highly-concentrated cleanser that is super-effective in removing build-up and impurities that make their hair unattractive. This shampoo contains active ingredients that enhance its performance, and no doubt, it will leave the hair in great shape. Besides, it is a suitable choice of scalp massage and to get rid of itchiness.

Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo is rich in antioxidants, as well as vitamins and essential fatty acids. These antioxidants play a vital role for enriching the hair with nutrients to make it look great. Also, it contains both Argan and Avocado Oils that have curative effects of stopping hair loss and making sure it stays vibrant. Additionally, it is keratin-enriched while making sure moisture balance is restored to the highest level.

Key Features:

  • Antioxidant-Rich
  • Vitamins
  • Essential Fatty Acids
  • Argan and Avocado Oils
  • Parabens-Free

Specification:

  • Brand name: Moroccanoil
  • Size: 8.5 Oz.
  • Scent: Moroccanoil Scent – blend of spicy amber aromas and sweet floral notes
Pros
  • One of the most versatile beauty shampoos available
  • Keeps the hair hydrated and nourished
  • Has a sweet fragrance
Cons
  • Quite expensive

2

Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Oily Hair

One of the most fantastic choices of clarifying shampoos is the Acure Curiously. Although it works for all hair types, it has specificity for oily hair. Based on the description, it is a performance-drive hair product for ladies who want to get rid of dirt and residue. Also, it is a perfect choice to remove buildup, so the hair stays healthy and fresh. It is not a strong shampoo, instead a gentle cleansing liquid for everyday use.

Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo contains super nutrients for effective performance. For instance, it is vegan to ensure excellent delivery of results. There are mineral oils or formaldehyde in the shampoo so that it doesn’t harm the hair. Furthermore, it is useful in boosting shine, refreshing the hair, and replenishing moisture. All you have to do is apply to wet hair and massage the scalp carefully with the shampoo before rinsing off.

Key Features:

  • Mineral Oil-Free
  • Vegan
  • Formaldehyde-Free
  • No Parabens

Specification:

  • Brand name: Acure
  • Size: 8 – 12 Oz.
  • Scent: Lemongrass
Pros
  • The best clarifying shampoo for oily hair
  • Cruelty-free for excellent performance
  • Nourishes and refreshes the hair
Cons
  • Counterfeits are on the market, like the original

3

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Colored Hair

Another excellent choice of clarifying shampoo to remove buildup from the hair is the Neutrogena Anti-Residue. It is a perfect shampoo that works on all kinds of hair. This shampoo contains some active ingredients like Castor Oil, Glycol, Glycerin that enhances its performance when applied to the hair. As regards, its use, once a week is great so that it would work effectively in giving you that attractive look.

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo contains a mild formula; hence, it is a gentle cleansing shampoo for multicultural hair. Also, it is a non-irritant, which means it cleanses the hair, adds more volume and, at the same time, boosts shine. Furthermore, it is a fantastic choice for color-treated hair.

Key Features:

  • Mild Formula
  • Glycerin
  • Castor Oil
  • Propylene Glycol
  • Water

Specification:

  • Brand name: Neutrogena
  • Size: 6 Oz.
  • Scent: Fragrance available
Pros
  • The best clarifying shampoo for colored hair
  • Contains enriching nutrients through its active ingredients
  • A good choice of hair shampoo to stop bad hair days
  • Removes buildup and adds volume
Cons
  • Could dry up quickly

4

R+Co Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Fine Hair

Do you have fine hair that needs treatment? Or do you want to remove color from your hair? R+Co Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo has you covered on any of these. This hair shampoo contains high-performing ingredients to make sure the desired result is achieved without stress. It is known for its Tea Tree extract composition that has curative functions; hence, you don’t have to worry about delivery.

R+Co Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo is one of the simplest shampoos to apply since it purifies the hair and removes unnecessary buildup. The ability to do that is as a result of the Rosemary Leaf Extract present. Other functions, such as retaining of moisture & adding shine, hair strengthening & conditioning, and scalp purifying are due to the Amino Acids, Coconut Oil, and Witch Hazel present, respectively. With this shampoo, you get a lustrous, soft hair that smells pleasant all day.

Key Features:

  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Amino Acids
  • Petrolatum
  • Coconut Oil
  • Witch Hazel
  • Rosemary Leaf Extract

Specification:

  • Brand name: R+Co
  • Size: 6 Oz.
  • Scent: Relative Paradise – A bright, earthy composition
Pros
  • The best clarifying shampoo for fine hair
  • Contains great ingredients that make it smell nice
  • Leaves the hair soft and vibrant
Cons
  • Sometimes, it leaves a greasy film on blonde hair

5

Suave Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Sensitive Hair

For sensitive skin, Suave Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo is all you need to have. This hair shampoo has a balanced ph and a hypoallergenic formula to make sure it works gently on your hair. It also means that it is cruelty-free, i.e., no parabens, no sulfate, etc. It is quite much in quantity, which makes it a good investment for daily, gentle cleansing of your hair. Additionally, the fragrance is top-notch – everlasting sunshine, strawberry, and aloe waterlily are available.

Suave Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo can produce moisture 2 times more when used with a conditioner; thus, it works effortlessly with others. In the same vein, it enhances beauty by boosting shine. This hair shampoo further contains Vitamin E Acetate which is useful in delivering restorative effects to the hair. It is indeed, a worthy choice for all hair types.

Key Features:

  • PH-Balanced
  • Hypoallergenic Formula
  • Vitamin E Acetate

Specification:

  • Brand name: Suave
  • Size: 30 Oz.
  • Scent: Everlasting Sunshine, Strawberry, and Aloe Waterlily
Pros
  • The best choice of clarifying shampoo for sensitive hair
  • A wide range of fragrance
  • Enriches the hair and makes it hold more moisture
  • No irritation on the skin or scalp
Cons
  • Quite selective in performance

6

Camille Rose Clean Rinse Moisturizing & Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Dry Hair

Camille Rose Clean Rinse Moisturizing & Clarifying Shampoo is another extraordinary substance you could apply on your hair for beauty. It is refreshing, as it makes sure the hair stays better than it used to. This hair shampoo contains a blend of sesame and olive botanical oils to ensure lustrousness and healthy hair growth. Also, these ingredients enrich the hair with deficient nutrients for further growth. Two main ingredients with top-notch benefits in this shampoo include – Organic Honey (emollient hair softener) and Peppermint Oil (exfoliate dry scalp).

Camille Rose Clean Rinse Moisturizing & Clarifying Shampoo has a balanced pH, so that it works gently on the hair without causing damage. This minty aromatic cleanser also helps to retain moisture to the hair, which is what makes it an excellent choice for dry hair.

Key Features:

  • Blend of Sesame (Sesamum Indicum) and Olive Botanical Oils
  • Balanced pH
  • Organic Honey and Aqua

Specification:

  • Brand name: Camille Rose
  • Size: 8 Oz.
  • Scent: Honey, Peppermint
Pros
  • The best clarifying shampoo for dry hair
  • Blend of natural ingredients for performance
  • Refreshing and cleansing
Cons
  • Not available

7

Kenra Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Swimmers

For the restoration of hair radiance and shine, Kenra Clarifying Shampoo is not a bad choice to go for. This hair shampoo is highly active to make sure dulling deposits and buildup are appropriately gotten rid of. It contains a few ingredients, such as extracts of grapefruit and witch hazel to add deficient nutrients and improve hair shine. Also, there are amino acid chelators that further help in cleansing and restoring balance.

Kenra Clarifying Shampoo works well for color-treated hair; hence, it is safe for everyday use. Besides, this hair shampoo is gentle in performance. If you are swimmer or you live in hard water areas, it is a perfect choice of shampoo to use to take care of your hair. In essence, it brightens highlighted, bleached, or even gray hair.

Key Features:

  • Extracts of Grapefruit
  • Witch Hazel
  • Amino Acid Chelators

Specification:

  • Brand name: Kenra Professional
  • Size: 10.1 – 33.8 Oz.
  • Scent: Grapey
Pros
  • One of the best color-safe clarifying shampoos
  • Improves radiance and restores balance
  • Suitable choice for swimmers
Cons
  • Needs to be carefully applied

8

Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Curly Hair

Ouidad is a brand that has involved itself into making products mostly for curly hair; with Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo, there is more to be experienced. This hair shampoo is perfect for all kinds of curls – Loose, Tight, Kinky, and Classic Curls. It combines a lot of fruit extracts, as ingredients to help in the removal of residues and buildup in the hair. It is a corrective shampoo, since it helps in fixing hair problems caused by heavy styling products/tools.

Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo is a gentle hair product that helps in retaining moisture for a healthy hair texture. All you have to do is apply on wet hair and gently massage your scalp every 1 to 2 weeks.

Key Features:

  • Fruit Extracts

Specification:

  • Brand name: Ouidad
  • Size: 8.5 Oz.
  • Scent: –
Pros
  • The best clarifying shampoo for curly hair
  • Combines several natural ingredients for effective performance
  • Gentle and refreshing to use
  • Suitable on all kinds of curls
  • Removes dulling residues and buildups, excessively
Cons
  • The smell is not so great

9

Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo: Best for Mineral Buildup

Another incredible choice for dry hair is the Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo. It is quite effective in removing mineral buildup from your hair, and makes sure it stays healthy that way. These minerals mostly include chlorine and hard water. Also, the hair shampoo polishes away dirt and purifies the scalp without stripping the essence. It is worth the price, following its benefits.

Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo helps in adding shine to a dull-looking hair while providing it with essential nutrients needed for growth. There are several natural ingredients, such as Sea Kelp Extract, Watermelon, Lychee, Edelweiss Flower Extracts, and so on, that aids it top-notch performance.

Key Features:

  • Gluten-Free
  • Watermelon, Lychee and Edelweiss Flower Extracts
  • Sea Kelp Extract
  • Green Tea Extract

Specification:

  • Brand name: ORIBE
  • Size: 7.1 Oz.
  • Scent: Fragrance
Pros
  • Suitable to use on dry hair
  • Contains several active natural ingredients
  • Enhances hair growth and removes buildup
Cons
  • Seems to contain Silicones

10

Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo: Best Natural Shampoo

In case you want to go natural with your choice of clarifying shampoos, Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo is ideal. This hair shampoo is legendary, as it contains only organic ingredients that are actively working to make sure the hair feels great and attractive. It removes excess oils and buildup from the hair, as well.

Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo also provides enriching nutrients like Vitamin E to make sure there is a change to how your hair looks. For instance, the Vitamin E conditions and seals the cuticle to improve vibrancy, which is almost what most people want from shampoos. Overall, its non-harsh preservatives are other reasons why it is safe to use.

Key Features:

  • Lime
  • Chamomile
  • Aloe Vera
  • Vitamin E
  • Paraben-Free

Specification:

  • Brand name: Avalon Organics
  • Size: 11 Oz.
  • Scent: Lemon
Pros
  • One of the best organic clarifying shampoos to remove dirt
  • Cruelty-free
  • Removes excess oils and revitalizes the hair
Cons
  • No fragrance

Buying Guide Questions

Clarifying shampoos are quite significant, but you need to understand them better before you start to use them. The above review is not enough to enlighten you on the use of this type of shampoos; however, this section of the article should. Here, in the buying guide section, you will learn more about clarifying shampoos and their use.

What is a really good clarifying shampoo?

A Clarifying shampoo guarantees you of total removal of dirt and residues on your hair, as well as adding effects to make it attractive. Several products have been able to improve the quality of hair; however, that of shampoos is beyond extraordinary. These shampoos, sometimes, act as moisturizers to keep the hair hydrated and nourished for healthy growth. Therefore, you could judge an excellent clarifying shampoo with these attributes.

Also, a good clarifying shampoo contains active ingredients like Argan oils, antioxidants, vinegar, etc., to further aid performance. Some of the top brands have been mentioned in the review; thus, you could try any of them out.

What is the strongest clarifying shampoo? Can you use Dawn dish soap as a clarifying shampoo?

While there are gentle clarifying shampoos, strong ones exist as well. The result of strong clarifying shampoo is not so different from the usual ones; however, they are often used when the situation of your hair looks complicated. For instance, if you are going through issues like dandruff, scalp damage, etc., gentle shampoos may not work well.

In most cases, gentle clarifying shampoos are used for curly and oily hair. On the other hand, the strongest clarifying shampoo is used to remove build-up as well as colored hair. Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo is a typical example of the strong one in this review.

If you are wondering whether you can use Dawn dish soap as a clarifying shampoo – the answer is No. A regular shampoo contains mild ingredients, which may not be too harsh on your hair; however, dawn dish soap contains harsher ingredients. Peradventure you want to use the soap, ensure you combine with a hydrating deep conditioner.

Is clarifying shampoo good for your hair? What shampoo removes build up?

Using clarifying shampoo to get rid of build-up and dirt is terrific but there are demerits to it. Without a doubt, this type of shampoo has components to keep the hair healthy, fresh and vibrant, but these components could be hazardous. The adverse effects caused by heavy surfactants may leave you with bigger issues. For instance, your hair could start looking dull, frizzy, and sometimes, discolored. Thus, you need to follow the routine for each shampoo above, so that you can find the best of use. Most times, you are advised to use clarifying shampoos at least once a month to remove build-up.

What is the best clarifying shampoo to remove color?

Another exciting thing that clarifying shampoos do aside from removing dirt from the hair is to remove color. They are perfect choices for color-treated hair, and several types on the market are suitable for you (if you need one). In this review, Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo, Kenra Clarifying Shampoo, and Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo are the best types for dyed hair. The performances of each shampoo are quite fascinating, as compared to other products reviewed. You may need to check out individual features, pros, as well as cons before you decide which works for you out of the trio. See here for the Best Toners for Brassy Hair.

What can I use instead of clarifying shampoo? Does apple cider vinegar clarify hair?

Build up of dirt is something you wouldn’t want to experience in your hair because it leaves you uncomfortable. Clarifying shampoos are great, but what if you aren’t capable of getting one due to your budget? There are other alternatives to help re-balance your scalp and make it healthy. One of the easiest DIY solutions to remove build-up is Apple Cider Vinegar. It works effectively since the ingredients are not so hard to find. However, you may need to be careful while making the mixture to apply on your hair. Other practical solutions include Baking Soda and Rosemary Rinse.

Do you use conditioner after clarifying shampoo?

Generally, conditioners are ideal to use immediately after applying shampoos on your hair. There is no exception for clarifying shampoos because the ultimate goal is to keep your hair soft, sweet and pleasant. Also, these conditioners are perfect for keeping moisture retained in your hair; thus, you wouldn’t have to worry about them drying out.

The choice of hair conditioner depends on you; however, ensure that it is one of the best and actively working types on the market. On what to expect, the result of using both (hair conditioner + clarifying shampoo) during a shampoo session is going to be overwhelming.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, clarifying shampoos are excellent choices of hair products to get if you want to remove dirt, build-up, and color from your hair. They work on all hair types, so you don’t have to worry about anything. You may have been presented with a lot of options in the past, but the 10 best clarifying shampoos reviewed above are a few that are exceptional. Try to check each of them out and use the buying guide section to evaluate which will be suitable for you. Need to know more about the Best Dandruff Shampoos for Men? Read.

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