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The key to a complete hair reset.
Byrdie
In This Article
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TL;DR
The best clarifying shampoo is the OlaplexNo.
4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo.
It cleanses and removes buildup without stripping color or causing dryness.
PHOTO: Olaplex
Clarifying shampoos are made with chelating agents (which capture minerals and impurities) to remove excess residues.
We spent over 600 hourstesting28 popular clarifying shampoos to find the best options for you.
Testers used each shampoo for six weeks, evaluating its cleaning ability, formula, and effectiveness.
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Here are the clarifying shampoos that truly left our hair and scalp feeling better.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Olaplex No.
It outperformed other options we tested regarding how well it cleansed the hair and scalp.
PHOTO: Target
And when paired with a qualityconditioner, this clarifying shampoo leaves hair feeling light and soft.
Additionally, after each use, our scalp felt cleansed without any itchiness or tingling effects.
It also doesnt take much product to get the job done (we used about a quarter size).
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And despite the intense cleansing action, it doesnt strip color-treated hair.
My hair feels clean, light, and it doesn’t affect my color."
It feels like a hybrid between a regular shampoo and a true clarifying shampoo."
PHOTO: Act + Acre
It does a great job of maintaining natural oils in the hair while still being effective.
The formula is also noteworthy because it doesnt weigh down curls; it makes them feel lighter and bouncier.
After we washed our hair, it felt cleaner, softer, lighter, and shinier than before.
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It also worked toreduce frizz(a win-win-win in our book).
Also, it extends the time between shampoos by a day, which we always appreciate.
However, the lemongrass scent lingers longer than wed like.
PHOTO: Amazon
Sharon, tester with fine, wavy hair:“This surpassed a lot of my expectations.
I liked that it controlled my frizz and left my hair feeling soft and smooth.
I also liked that it added some volume without the need for extra products.”
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Case in point: the results we saw from the Bounce Curls Gentle Clarifying Shampoo.
The formula contains pumpkinenzymestoexfoliate the scalp, which we found very effective.
Additionally, the shampoo does an excellent job of removing buildup without leaving the hair feeling dry and brittle.
PHOTO: Bounce Curl
What makes this shampoo stand out, though, is that it leaves hair looking better than ever.
After using the shampoo, our tester noticed more shine and a softer, lighter feel.
However, we wish the bottle was larger so we could get more product for the price.
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Throughout six weeks of testing, she noticed how clean the scalp and hair felt.
It was gentle but thorough."
We love the shampoos gentle formula and how it leaves hair and scalp feeling clean without causing any irritation.
PHOTO: Amazon
The formula has a typical shampoo consistency and is easy to lather and rinse.
After use, hair feels lighter and softer and looks healthier.
Even with product applied after I washed my hair, it stayed really clean and strong between washes."
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Its also gentle and doesnt cause irritation.
Our tester loved that, with continued use, her hair felt cleaner and lighter overall.
We wish it helped reduce frizziness, as some of the other clarifying shampoos we tried.
PHOTO: Sephora
This shampoo thoroughly cleansed and nourished hair, and our tester’s hair health improved with consistent use.
The only con is that you may experience some irritation if you have a sensitive scalp.
I think it’s great!"
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After using this shampoo, our tester noticed a dramatic decrease inscalp residueand itchiness.
Despite its thin consistency, this shampoo lathers well, making it easy to spread across the scalp.
We also like its clean lemon scent and gentlenessespecially given how thoroughly it cleanses.
PHOTO: Ulta
It left her hair feeling dried out at first, but it faded by the next day after use.
Throughout the trail period, I felt like I was able to go longer between washes."
We appreciate the gel-like texture and how well it lathers.
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Its also fragrance-freeperfect for people sensitive to smell or that synthetic fragrances irritate their skin.
It feels so much softer, almost like a child’s hair."
This sulfate-free shampoo reduced oil in our hair well and left the scalp feeling super clean.
PHOTO: Sephora
It seals the cuticle with 98% plant-based ingredients, includingargan oil, nourishing superfoods, andapple cider vinegar.
It also lathers nicely and is easy to spread throughout the hair.
We loved how it controlled oily roots while adding volume and shine to the lengths of the hair.
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It feels very clean, and clean for longer.
Ashley found that it was easy to lather, and it felt gentle on her easily irritated scalp.
She was also a big fan of the light, citrus scent.
PHOTO: Amazon
However, when a conditioner ordeep conditionerwas added, her hair looked and felt silky.
I was really surprised by how soft my hair felt after using this."
If you’re looking to address dandruff or an oily scalp, we recommend asalicylic acid shampoo.
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Mouzakis recommends using a clarifying shampoo no more than once a week.
Overuse can end up stripping out color and drying out the scalp, he cautions.
According to Mouzakis, theyll work in just one use.
PHOTO: Sephora
For the best results, let the shampoo sit on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing.
She colors her hair and is judicious about using clarifying shampoos.
Ashley Ziegleris a lifestyle writer specializing in beauty, haircare, and fashion.
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She tests beauty products frequently, so she can stand behind her recommendationsincluding several hair products for Byrdie.
Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L.A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss.Skin Appendage Disord.
2017;3(3):166-169. doi:10.1159/000462981
PHOTO: Ulta
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PHOTO: Dae
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