15 Best Clarifying Shampoos to Deep Cleanse Hair and Remove Product Buildup

So you’ve been using one of the best shampoos on the market, but your hair just doesn’t seem to ever really get clean? The best clarifying shampoos can help—especially if you're experiencing symptoms of dry, itchy scalp, you can’t kick the heaviness caused by excess oil, or it seems like your dry shampoo will never wash out.

A clarifying shampoo is a deep-cleansing shampoo used to remove excess buildup and product, says Kenna Ehman, co-owner of Kenna Kunijo, a salon in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It’s designed to lift away chemical deposits on the hair, as well as remove excess lipids,” adds Paul Labrecque, creative director, master stylist, and colorist at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa in New York City and Palm Beach.

Swapping formulas is especially great in the summer (or for regular swimmers), Labrecque says, “to help remove chlorine and salt from your strands, and to also help remove extra iron and calcium that can build up.” With routine use (more on frequency later), it can help hair stay soft and shiny—not weighed down, frizzy, or dry. Stylists often use a clarifying shampoo to prep hair before a chemical treatment too.

Our top picks:

Does clarifying shampoo really work?

If your hair or scalp needs a reset, a clarifying shampoo really does work, says Labrecque. But unlike regular shampoo, this type of product is not made for daily use, he cautions, since they tend to be drying. “Extended use of this kind of shampoo can rid hair of its natural oils,” he says. It’s a great thing to add to your routine if you are active, use a lot of dry shampoo or hair products, or go a long time between shampooing, says Ehman.

Clarifying cleansers vary depending on your hair type and scalp needs. Look out for ones specifically made for fine, textured, or natural hair, or dry, oil, or sensitive scalps, to ensure you're using the best formula for you.

Can clarifying shampoo remove hair dye?

While these formulas are strong enough to effectively clean, they can’t help you with color oopsies. “Color penetrates the hairs' cortex layer, changing the cysteine hair bond,” explains Labrecque. “Clarifying shampoos don't reach that layer of your hair. Instead, they have the power to lift off the film that's left on the outer layer of your strands, removing only what's on its cuticle layer.”

Ready to kiss oil, product residue, and a flaky scalp goodbye? We polled stylists for their favorite formulas, plus scoured top retailers in search of the most highly rated and well-reviewed clarifying shampoos out there.