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1. A reparative Nexxus shampoo made with a blend of elastin protein and marine minerals that help condition and nourish dull and dry hair. This detoxifying shampoo contains no silicones, dyes, or parabens.
Promising review: "This has been my go-to shampoo for just under 5 years. I have an oily scalp, and this shampoo cleanses everything really well. It smells nice without being overly fragranced. It doesn't weigh down my hair. The matching conditioner is really nice as well." —Lydz
Get it from Amazon for $9.09+ (available in two sizes).
2. A shine-restoring Malibu C shampoo with a unique formula that causes the cuticle to swell, making it easier to remove oils, product buildup, and more. This weekly treatment won't dehydrate your locks but will, instead, lock in moisture. Plus, no sulfates here!
Promising review: "My wife immediately felt and saw a difference in her hair from the moment she first used this shampoo. According to her, it was much easier to manage and style once all the old haircare products were washed out of her hair and scalp. I noticed a big difference too!" —steve peach
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two sizes and also in packs).
3. A mineral- and antioxidant-rich, vegan Attitude shampoo that'll Command-Z any oil from your hair and scalp. Formulated with 97.9% naturally sourced ingredients, this hypoallergenic shampoo was made to revive your dying strands.
Promising review: "I love that this shampoo is EWG Verified, so I feel good about using this product to wash my hair daily! Not only does it smell great, but it cleans my oily scalp and hair so it shines!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $7.49+ (available in two sizes and also in five other formulations).
4. A refreshing Davines shampoo designed with heavily-styled hair in mind, so you can say buh-bye to any product buildup.
Promising review: "I tried this shampoo for oily hair, and it's amazing! It leaves my hair feeling super clean and fresh without drying it out. It controls the oil really well, so I don’t have to wash my hair as often. Plus, it smells great. Highly recommend if you struggle with oily hair!" —Viktoriya Stavytska
Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in two sizes).
5. Or a color-safe Paul Mitchell shampoo if you have a daily styling routine that involves using a lot of product, which, of course, leads to buildup. Reviewers with thick hair swear by this stuff!
Promising review: "Clarifying shampoos usually dry my hair out, especially my ends. However, this shampoo makes my hair SO soft and feels SO clean!! Highly recommend!" —Stephanie Hughes
Get it from Amazon for $8+ (available in four sizes).
6. A salon-quality Redken shampoo because in addition to a deep cleanse, it'll also work to strengthen your hair cuticles. It's pH-balanced with AHA fruit acids and can remove dry shampoo and product buildup, hard water minerals, excess oil, and pollution residue.
Promising review: "I could write a novel about how much I love this shampoo. It’s been a game-changer for my hair care routine. This shampoo is incredibly effective at removing buildup from styling products and hard water minerals. After just one wash, my hair felt noticeably lighter, cleaner, and more voluminous. The formula is gentle yet powerful, making it suitable for all hair types. It doesn't strip the hair of its natural oils, which is a common issue with other clarifying shampoos. Plus, the refreshing scent is a nice bonus, leaving my hair smelling great all day. I use it every other day and it has significantly improved the overall health and appearance of my hair. If you’re looking for a deep-cleaning shampoo that truly delivers, this is definitely worth trying." —Grace R
Get it from Amazon for $29+ (available in two sizes).
7. A detoxifying Ouai shampoo formulated with apple cider vinegar and keratin to help exfoliate, restore shine, and reduce frizz. It also contains chelating agents that work to get rid of heavy metals, chlorine, and minerals that are typically found in hard water, which can damage hair and cause color to fade.
Promising review: "I have been living with well water for years. I never once thought I needed to wash the minerals out of my hair from hard water. Our water is not too hard, but after seeing the buildup of minerals around my sink drains, water stains from hard water, and having to rinse out faucet aerators to remove buildup, I realized all that gunk must be in my hair, as well! After losing most of my hair from an illness, it grew back curly, so with all the hair products, along with hard water, I decided to get a detox shampoo. I purchased this shampoo, and I'm not disappointed! It lathers very nicely! It does leave my hair squeaky clean, so I always use a heavier conditioner after washing and leave it in for a few minutes before I rinse it out. It really helps my curls pop back! This is not a cheap shampoo, but it was definitely money well spent! I love the golden color, and the smell is nice." —Natalie Dean
Get it from Amazon for $34+ (available in two sizes).
8. An oat protein and henna Design Essentials shampoo gentle enough for daily use. This voluminizing formula works on natural and relaxed hair as well as on locs.
9. An eco-friendly Ethique shampoo bar if you're as dedicated to trying to save the planet as you are to have healthy, oil-free hair. It's formulated with oil-dissolving castor oil, moisturizing glycerine, and lime and orange essential oils. And maybe it goes without saying, but this shampoo bar is made with vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, paraben-free, and renewable ingredients.
Promising review: "I’ve tried literally 20+ shampoos to try and tame my hair. I have particularly difficult hair (very thick combo curly/wavy, oily/frizzy medium porosity) and have been searching for a shampoo that makes my hair manageable. This shampoo bar completely cleanses my hair of oil and product/mineral buildup and still manages not to strip my hair completely of moisture, which in turn makes my hair less likely to tangle and reduces frizz. I wouldn’t recommend this for everyday use, but I only wash my hair once a week, ideally to prevent hair damage. Within two weeks (two washes), I noticed that my hair was much more manageable and generally less oily. Even after a few days, my hair is still not overly greasy." —Lucy K.
Get it from Amazon for $14 (available in 10 formulas).
10. An advanced, bond maintenance Olaplex shampoo that's pH-balanced to maintain hydration, and will work to remove impurities from your environment as well as from any hair products you've used. Get your vibrant color and softness back with this tried-and-true shampoo!
Promising review: "WOW! I had a weird waxy build-up on my hair that wouldn't wash out no matter what I tried (including repeated washings, other clarifying shampoos, dishwashing liquid, baking soda, vinegar, and other bizarre home remedies). One wash with this and my poor, damaged hair, which is still struggling to recover from over-processing and massive loss, is shiny, bouncy, and silky! I did not expect such great results after ONE wash. Worth EVERY penny!!!" —Gail Hirt
Get it from Amazon for $32.
11. A manuka honey-infused Matrix shampoo designed with curly and coily hair in mind. This cleansing formula removes buildup while keeping your curl pattern intact. Plus, it's free of parabens and silicones! So if you've noticed a lack of bounce, give this shampoo a try.
Promising review: "After just using it, I could see the difference in my curls. Everything was less frizzy, and the curls were more defined. I have already recommended this to my curly-haired sister." —noseringirl
Get it from Ulta for $22.
12. A pH-balanced Neutrogena shampoo so you can rid your oily hair of residue while also bestowing upon it a lovely pink grapefruit scent. This non-drying formula is safe for color-treated hair
Promising review: "As someone who struggles with a naturally oily scalp, it was hard for me to find the right clarifying shampoo. I researched this shampoo before purchasing it, and ever since I started using it, my hair has been at its best, natural, and healthy look and feel. It offers a clean so exfoliating that my hair has a balanced and textured look after blow drying. It also has a subtle grapefruit fragrance, which makes my hair smell good and refreshed without stripping it. It also helps bring the light back without looking greasy. This product works well in maintaining a healthy scalp and oil-free hair. A MUST-HAVE!!!!!" —ISABEL BECKERMAN
Get it from Amazon for $10.47.
13. An non-irritating Nothing But shampoo made with clean ingredients to get your hair back to its healthy, shiny self. Great for use on curly and coily hair!
Nothing But is a small business making clean, haircare products for all hair types.
Promising review: "Love the way my hair felt after using this shampoo. My hair and scalp were super clean without that stripped, squeaky, drying feeling clarifying shampoos can give. It was soft, moisturized and manageable. My hair is 4a, and clarifying shampoos usually tangle my hair, and I have to follow up with another moisturizing shampoo. Not with this one; I feel I can use it regularly. It's a keeper." —In all honesty
Get it from Nothing But on Amazon for $9.98+ (available in two scents/formulas and multipacks).
14. A gentle, vegan Odele clarifying shampoo — this naturally fragranced shampoo (oak moss, ylang ylang, and cucumber, BTW) removes chlorine, buildup, and hard water deposits without ruining your hair's color. Made with clean ingredients, this sulfate-, formaldehyde-, phthalate-, and paraben-free formula will help shepherd your hair back to its glory days.
Odele is a woman-owned and operated small haircare biz.
Promising review: "Love how this made my hair feel after just one wash. My other shampoo was coating my hair too much, and this restored its health immediately. Soft and clean feel. Love it!" —Sidecar mama
Get it from Odele on Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two sizes and multipacks).
15. A jelly-like Aavrani shampoo designed to help flaky, dry scalps find relief. It has a built-in massaging nozzle to help the product do its thang! Infused with antioxidants, vitamin E capsules, and glycolic acid, this shampoo can get rid of any excess oil and buildup while also hydrating and softening hair. Oh, and it's vegan and cruelty-free!
Get it from Sephora for $34.
16. An affordable and vegan Acure shampoo whose lemongrass scent might just leave you breathless (in a good way)! This also contains argan oil, which is a hydrating antioxidant, so your hair will feel replenished.
Promising reviews: "I have tried a number of 'clean' shampoos and have not been satisfied with any until I tried this one. It lathers well, rinses clean, smells great, and after using it for six months, my hairdresser said my hair looks and feels healthy." —Amazon Customer
"It thoroughly removes product build-up and provides a satisfying lather. As someone with low-porosity hair, I incorporate this shampoo once a week to eliminate any residue left behind by my regular moisture shampoo. It effectively cleanses my hair without causing dryness." —Horse Whisperer
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a pack of two).
17. A Kristin Ess Deep Clean Shampoo is designed to breakdown product build-up and remove excess oils, leaving your hair hydrated and looking and feeling its B-E-S-T.
18. An Aveeno clarifying shampoo that uses apple cider vinegar to naturally and gently hydrate and remove scalp build-up.
19. A Living Proof clarifying detox shampoo designed to remove excess oil and hard water buildup from your scalp. If you dye or highlight your hair, you can use this formula because it's color-safe!
20. A Briogeo micro-exfoliating shampoo formulated with charcoal and coconut oil. Reviewers rave about this hair care essential because it helps their scalp feel clean and effectively removes dandruff.
21. A custom clarifying shampoo because your tresses deserve to be clean and nourished. Just answer some questions about your hair and Prose will create a uniquely-formulated shampoo for your hair.
22. A Bumble and Bumble clarifying shampoo for anybody who likes to deep clean their hair once a week. Use this weekly to get rid of oil and buildup weighing your hair down.
23. An Ouidad Water Works clarifying shampoo to help remove impurities from curly hair using fruit extracts. Get clean, curly hair that's not dry or brittle.
24. A Maui Moisture clarifying shampoo that'll give your curly or color-treated hair a tropical vacation. It's made with apple cider vinegar and aloe vera to gently get rid of buildup and hydrate your locks.
25. Bread Beauty Supply's clarifying detox shampoo is ideal for anyone who wants to gently remove buildup on the scalp or hair without stripping it of its natural oils.
26. Oribe Scalp Oil Control shampoo for folks who want to clarify, but want to make certain their hair retains its shine and moisture.
27. Moroccanoil clarifying shampoo — it's a gentle yet concentrated shampoo that'll rid your hair of all the buildup and impurities. With its argan oil and herbal antioxidant formula, it'll leave your hair nourished and shiny.
28. Biolage Scalp Sync that removes residue, buildup and excess sebum. It's infused with fermented tea and glycolic acid to balance moisture levels and to give your hair that va-va-volume!
29. Hairstory New Wash Deep Clarifying Cleansing Cream, because it's not a shampoo — it's a no poo, designed to help preserve your hair's precious moisture. Instead of washing and then conditioning, massage Hairstory's foam-free cream into your scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, rinse, repeat, and voila!
30. K18 Peptide Prep that must possess some magical properties, because not only does it detox your hair, but also repairs your locks at a molecular level. While it removes product buildup, sebum, and more, it's also working to restore hair health! And yes, it's perfectly safe for colored hair.
31. L'Oreal Paris Ever Pure to rid your hair of hard water residue and styling build-up so your locks can be restored to their shiny, silky self.
32. An Aveda clarifying shampoo that cleans as well as it smells. With a rosemary and mint scent, it'll leave your scalp and locks feeling squeaky and looking shiny.
33. A Jupiter anti-dandruff balancing shampoo to remove flakes, irritation, dryness, itchiness, and any other woes that your scalp has been going through.
34. Dae Hair Desert Detox — a clarifying shampoo that rids your hair of excess oil, impurities, and product buildup that'll leave your hair smelling great and feeling ~amazing~.
35. A scalp shampoo that'll also get rid of any buildup on your tresses. It's formulated with vitamin C, peptides, and additional ingredients to gently cleanse your scalp and hair.
36. A Nature Lab scalp scrub and clarifying shampoo to remove gunk, oil, and whatever else is hiding on your scalp and hair and weighing it down. And speaking of your hair, it's also safe for color-treated tresses.
37. An Ogx rosemary and mint clarifying shampoo that'll leave you smelling as clean and refreshed as your hair feels.
38. A Colleen Rothschild Renew and Replenish Clarifying Shampoo because it retains all the moisture while removing any build-up in your hair.
39. A Kitsch Clarifying Tea Tree and Mint Shampoo because it contains Dandrilys, which reduces oiliness on your scalp with only four uses.
40. An Act + Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo that'll give your hair a thorough cleaning from all the buildup from hard water minerals and more.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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