The 11 Best Clarifying Shampoos for Healthy Hair and to Rebalance Your Scalp
Say goodbye to dry, dull hair.
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Sometimes, no matter how thoroughly you wash your hair, you cannot shake the feeling that it could be cleaner. Maybe it feels like there’s product buildup, maybe you’ve been spending too much time in chlorine, or maybe your scalp is naturally oily. Whatever the reason, if your hair feels like it could use a deep clean, it’s time to reach for a clarifying shampoo.
If you have curly hair, however, it’s important to not reach for just any clarifying shampoo. “When you have curly hair, hydration should always be at the top of your mind,” says Lacy Redway, celebrity stylist. “Most clarifying shampoo tends to be drying on curly hair. Look for ones specializing in curls, as they may include other moisturizing properties in their ingredients.” Keep reading for the best clarifying shampoos for curly hair, vetted by experts and rave reviewers.
Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Citrus extracts cleanse without stripping
Cons
- Some find it can be drying
This clarifying shampoo has tons of moisturizing ingredients to keep your curls hydrated. A blend of citrus extracts helps remove buildup without stripping your hair.
Key ingredients: Citrus extracts
Size: 8.5 fl. oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
Our expert says: “Ouidad Clarifying Shampoo is good for curls. It uses a bit of natural botanical extract to keep hair from overdrying.” —Jerome Lordet, celebrity stylist and owner of Jerome Lordet Salon
Pros
- Buckwheat extract gives hair shine
Cons
- Pricey
Davines shampoos are known for being gentle yet effective. This clarifying shampoo is no different, as it deeply cleanses without drying out the hair. The main ingredient is buckwheat extract, which is packed with mineral salts and protein to cleanse and add tons of shine.
Key ingredient: Buckwheat extract
Size: 8.45 fl. oz
Amazon rating: 4.64/5
Our expert says: “It is deeply cleansing without leaving hair feeling brittle. It can be used on all hair types and hair will feel nice and clean but still soft.” —Jerome Lordet
Nexxus Clean and Pure Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Smooths and nourishes hair
Cons
- Some find it to be drying
This gentle clarifying shampoo is made without silicones, dyes, or parabens, making it a great option for curls. It also has a blend of elastin protein and marine minerals to smooth hair.
Key ingredients: Elastin protein, marine minerals
Size: 13.5 fl. oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
Our expert says: “[This shampoo] feels like a spa day for your scalp. It gently removes product buildup and the scalp scrub has minerals that help exfoliate your scalp, leaving it feeling refreshed and clean.”
Curlsmith Wash & Scrub Clarifying Detox Shampoo
Pros
- Exfoliates the scalp
Cons
- Pricey
This shampoo is a heavy-hitter. It deeply cleanses and removes buildup while leaving your hair feeling light as air. It also has micro-fine exfoliators to leave your scalp fresh.
Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, pearlite
Size: 8 fl. oz
Sephora rating: 4.8/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “I have 3c to 4a curly hair. I use a lot of creams and gels throughout the week, which can cause product build-up. The CurlSmith Wash and Detox clarifying shampoo and scrub made my hair feel light and my scalp clean and fresh. It didn’t leave my hair feeling stripped or dry either, which surprised me because most clarifying shampoos do.”
Bread Beauty Supply Clear-Wash: Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Deeply cleanses without stripping
Cons
- Some wish it lathered more
If you have really sensitive skin, highly fragranced shampoos can sometimes make your scalp feel itchy or inflamed. This fragrance-free shampoo helps keep sensitivities at bay while deeply cleansing with collagen-boosting ginger root, strengthening rosemary and eucalyptus, and bond-building amino acids.
Key ingredients: ginger root, rosemary, eucalyptus, amino acids
Size: 10.4 fl. oz
Sephora rating: 4.6/5
A Sephora reviewer says: “Clear-Wash makes my hair feel nice and clean without being dried out or flat, which is so hard to find in a shampoo. My wash day just got a whole lot better and so much cuter!”
Pros
- Exfoliates and clarifies
Cons
- Some dislike the packaging
Leave it to Beyoncé to come up with the most picturesque clarifying shampoo on the market. This shampoo is full of exfoliators, niacinamide to promote scalp health, and clarifying tea tree oil.
Key ingredients: Exfoliants, fermented purple willow bark, tea tree oil
Size: 8 fl. oz
Cécred rating: 4.9/5
An ELLE editor says: “I tend to be skeptical regarding the efficacy of celebrity beauty brands. But we all know Beyoncé is no ordinary celebrity. One shampoo left my scalp and strands so clean! I had to follow up with Cécred's Hydrating Shampoo to add some moisture back to my hair. This product works well for curly hair and is my go-to after I take down my braids.” —Danielle James, digital beauty director
Pros
- Exfoliates scalp while it removes buildup
Cons
- Keratin may add more buildup to hair
If you feel like your hair is looking lackluster, Ouai’s clarifying shampoo restores shine and bounce. Chelating agents help remove heavy metals from hair, while apple cider vinegar exfoliates the scalp and removes any built-up residue. Keratin helps smooth frizz and flyaways.
Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, keratin
Size: 10 fl. oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
Our expert says: “The Ouai Detox Shampoo uses apple cider vinegar (which you can use on its own, too!) to get hair super clean. However, it has keratin added in—this is great to keep hair looking and feeling strong if you are not a heavy product user, but if you are really trying to get rid of all buildup, you should avoid products with additional ingredients like this. ” —Jerome Lordet
Pros
- Stimulates and cleanses the scalp
Cons
- Pricey
Sunday is the most apt name possible for this shampoo—it feels like a Sunday morning reset for your hair. Rosemary and ginseng stimulate and cleanse the scalp, while sage is a natural clarifying agent.
Key ingredients: Rosemary, ginseng, sage
Size: 8.5 fl. oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “This shampoo has been a game changer for my hair. I felt a lot of buildup from using various styling products, and my hairdresser recommended this product. My hair feels clean each week and I have not felt gunk or build up on my scalp since using this.”
Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Density Boost Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Dissolves oil with zinc
Cons
- Some find it’s not very sudsy
If you struggle with having an oily scalp, this shampoo is the perfect solution. It’s formulated with zinc, which helps dissolve excess oils from the scalp without stripping the hair.
Key ingredients: Zinc, vitamin B3
Size: 9.25 fl. oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5
Our expert says: “Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy gently cleans your hair and includes ingredients like vitamin B3, vitamin E, zinc, and peptides.” —Lacy Redway, celebrity hairstylist and hair ambassador
SheaMoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Pros
- Gentle on curls and damaged hair
Cons
- Some don't like the smell
Shea butter, peppermint, and apple cider vinegar are blended together in this deep cleansing shampoo to remove buildup and moisturize at the same time. It’s perfect for hair that needs a little extra hydration.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, peppermint, apple cider vinegar
Size: 13 fl. oz
Ulta rating: 4.4/5
Our expert says: “Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo is designed specifically with textured hair in mind. It is sulfate-free and provides the moisture-textured hair needs.” —Lacy Redway
Tresemmé Cleanse & Replenish 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner & Detangler
Pros
- Removes residue while adding moisture
Cons
- Some may not like the 3-in-1 format
If you immediately balk at the idea of a 3-in-1 shampoo, it’s understandable—not only is this a recommendation from Redway, but it’s also filled with ingredients that help keep curls bouncy and free from excess product. Vitamin C and green tea help nourish hair, while amino acids and ceramides strengthen. Follow up with your favorite conditioner, especially if you have thirsty curls.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, green tea, ceramides, amino acids
Size: 28 fl. oz
Walmart rating: 4.6/5
Our expert says: “[This formula] is good to remove stubborn grease and build up. ” —Lacy Redway
DevaCurl Buildup Buster Gentle Clarifying Cleanser
Pros
- Gentle on curls
Cons
- Some find it drying
The clarifying complex in this shampoo was formulated specifically with all curl patterns in mind. It’s a cleansing serum, so it’s extremely gentle on the hair and scalp.
Key ingredient: Celery seed extract
Size: 8.5 fl. oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon reviewer says: “I was struggling with my curls or the lack thereof. I tried this clarifier one time, and my curls were back.”
What does a clarifying shampoo do and what are its benefits?
If you’ve ever felt like you need a deeper clean than your regular shampoo, a clarifying shampoo can come in handy. “Clarifying shampoos are meant to deep clean the hair more thoroughly than a regular shampoo and are mainly used for cleaning out leftover product residue and oils that are on the scalp,” says Lordet. He explains that clarifying shampoos help any buildup that comes from product, heavy hair masks, or oil that can clog the pores in your scalp.
What should someone with curly hair look for in a clarifying shampoo?
One word: moisture. “When you have curly hair, hydration should always be at the top of your mind,” says Redway. “Most clarifying shampoos tend to be drying on curly hair. Look for ones that specialize in curls, as they may include other moisturizing properties in their ingredients. Minimize the use, to only when necessary, and no more than once or twice for the month.”
Is there anything people with curly hair should avoid when it comes to clarifying shampoo?
Lordet and Redway agree that overuse is the worst thing someone with curly hair can do with clarifying shampoo. “Clarifying shampoos strip moisture, so make sure you limit their use based on how much product you use in your hair and how much your hair can handle,” says Lordet.
Meet the Experts
Lacy Redway is a celebrity hair stylist and brand ambassador.
Jerome Lordet is a celebrity stylist and owner of Jerome Lordet Salon.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE beauty editor Katie Berohn interviewed celebrity hair stylists to find the best clarifying shampoos for curly hair.
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