Groom+Style is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

The Top 5 Best Clarifying Shampoos: Say Goodbye to Buildup

Last modified on :

Rebecca Moses
Your guide to this Review is Rebecca Moses

How we review products

This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you buy after clicking on our links

Best Clarifying Shampoos
A woman holding a bottle of clarifying shampoo

The Top 5 Best Clarifying Shampoos: Say Goodbye to Buildup

TABEL GROOM+STYLE
IMAGE PRODUCT
OUAI Detox Shampoo
  • Gentle formula
  • Perfect for oiliness, shine, and flaky/dry scalp
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
Neutrogena Anti Residue Shampoo
  • Gentle and non-irritating
  • Helps boost volume
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
Carols Daughter Wash Day Delight
  • Natural ingredients & vegan
  • Nozzle tip
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
  • Strong, fragrant smell
  • Packed with nourishing and strengthening ingredients
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
  • Restores fullness and sheen
  • Quick, powerful deep-cleaning formula
VIEW LATEST PRICE →

Are you struggling to find the perfect clarifying shampoo? Have you been using the wrong kind, and now your hair feels dry and brittle? With so many different shampoos available these days, finding the right one be challenging.

The good news is that we’ve researched and compiled a list of the best clarifying shampoos. Not only do they provide a deep cleanse, but they also help restore moisture and balance to hair follicles.

Read on to find out the best ones and how they can help improve your hair health!

The Best Clarifying Shampoos That Remove Buildup

Hair buildup can lead to clogged pores, scalp irritation, and a greasy feeling on the scalp. They can also cause hair loss, weak roots, and dullness. Hence, finding the right shampoo to remove them is essential. Check out our recommendations below!

OUAI Detox Shampoo

OUAI Detox Shampoo
OUAI Detox Shampoo

If you’re new to clarifying shampoos, you might want to start it slowly with a gentle one. This gentle clarifying shampoo provides deep hair cleansing properties with apple cider vinegar, chelating agents, and hydrolyzed keratin to remove buildup from styling products and hard water deposits.

The result? You’ll notice your oily hair feeling super clean and bouncy. Due to the gentle formula, you don’t need to worry about your colored hair being washed out.

Key Benefits

  • Gentle formula
  • Perfect for oiliness, shine, and flaky/dry scalp
  • Suitable for all hair types
  • Cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and SLS&SLES-free

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo
Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo

Recommended by many experts, Neutrogena is undoubtedly a good pick for everyone. It’s gentle, non-irritating, and safe for all hair types, with no artificial dyes or colorants.

What makes it more special is that it boosts volume, minimizing the appearance of limp and lifeless hair — this is excellent news for people with fine hair! You can use it once a week to make your regular shampoo works even better.

Key Benefits

  • Gentle and non-irritating
  • Won’t strip the hair
  • Contains no artificial dyes or colorants
  • Helps boost volume
  • Safe for once-a-week use

Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight

Carol's Daughter Wash Day Delight
Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight

This water-to-foam shampoo comes in revolutionary packaging; it has a nozzle applicator to make it easier to get under twists and braids during shampooing.

On top of that, the runny consistency makes it even easier to reach all hair areas thoroughly during application. For people with curly hair, this product also helps reduce detangling time.

Key Benefits

  • Natural ingredients & vegan
  • Aloe vera scent
  • Non-stripping formula
  • Nozzle tip
  • Cleanses hair quickly
  • Reduces time to detangle hair
  • Silicone-free, sulfate-free, artificial color-free, paraben-free

Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo

Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo

The strong, fragrant scent pops out the most from this product — though some might find it overpowering. However, the formula is packed with strengthening and nourishing ingredients, from keratin to argan and avocado oils, so you can rest assured it’s not too hard on your hair and scalp.

Plus, the formula is highly concentrated, so you can add more water to activate a richer lather. This way, you can save the product for more prolonged use.

Key Benefits

  • Strong, fragrant smell
  • Packed with nourishing and strengthening ingredients
  • Paraben-free and sulfate-free
  • Non-animal testing
  • Suitable for all hair types

Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo

Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo

For a quick action of cleansing your hair and scalp, opting for Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo is the right choice. The formula is powerfully crafted for infrequent washers whose hair needs extra deep cleaning once in a while quickly.

The ingredients include extracts of sage leaf, ginseng root, and rosemary leaf to help stimulate and cleanse the scalp. However, it’s not recommended for color-treated hair since it may wash out the color.

Key Benefits

  • Restores fullness and sheen
  • Quick, powerful deep-cleaning formula
  • Suitable for all hair types except color-treated hair
  • Might be irritating for sensitive scalps
  • Cruelty-free and vegan

Frequently Asked Questions

Is clarifying shampoo good for your hair?

Yes, clarifying shampoo is good for removing impurities and restoring hair’s natural balance as long as it is used moderately. Don’t overdo it to avoid reversing your hair and scalp health.

What’s the difference between detox and clarifying shampoo?

Clarifying and detox shampoos are basically similar. The main difference lies in the ingredients used by each product. While detox shampoo mostly uses natural ingredients, clarifying shampoo contains more synthetic ingredients.

Who shouldn’t use clarifying shampoo?

Basically, all hair types can use clarifying shampoos. However, people with scalp eczema, excessive dandruff, or psoriasis are advised not to use it to avoid further scalp damage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is no one ‘best’ clarifying shampoo. Everyone has different needs regarding their deep-clean hair care routine, and finding the right clarifying shampoo to match your hair type and lifestyle can ensure you’re getting exactly what you need.

The five shampoos on our list are all fantastic options — each with its own benefits — so why not try them and see which one works best for you? Not only will clarifying your hair eliminate any product buildup, but it can also keep your strands looking healthier, shinier, and more voluminous for longer than ever!

Author

  • Rebecca Moses

    Depending on the day, you’ll find Rebecca in a well thought-out ensemble that she handcrafted herself, or in hiking and rock climbing gear. An avid outdoorswoman, cyclist, and cat lover, Rebecca reminds us all on the Groom+Style team just how much we need to get outdoors. She’s worked in spas and salons off and on before going full-time with the G+S team. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-moses-3158b914b/