The Best Clarifying Shampoos

Tea Tree Special Shampoo

Reinvigorate Your Mane

Tea Tree's Special Shampoo scores the top spot on our list thanks to its effective cocktail of safe ingredients and its affordable price.

Best Overall

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It’s not expensive, it smells fantastic, and it’s super effective. We’re describing Tea Tree’s Special Shampoo, which helps breathe life into the hair with just a dab. Better yet, this option is vegan and free of parabens, so you can feel confident that you’re not replacing product gunk with more product gunk. For those looking for the fast-track route to healthier-looking hair, go with Tea Tree.

Pros:

• Reputable company with transparent business practices
• Great value for the price, especially considering how small of a dab you need for a complete wash
• The lavender and peppermint smell amazing

Cons:

• May leave your scalp dry if not paired with a conditioner

Nioxin Cleanser Shampoo System

Reliably Rejuvinating

Another great option, this one from Nioxin is often preferred by the professionals for good reason.

Runner Up

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Another excellent overall option, this one from Nioxin nails the professional formula. Of course, a premium shampoo like this one comes with a premium price tag. However, for those that want a shampoo system that seeks to detoxify, cleanse, and add volume, this option is worth every penny. Ideal for those with heavy oil and product buildup in their hair, this peppermint-scented shampoo clears the hair in a minute of washing. You’ll want to pair it with a conditioner or even invest in the full Nioxin hair care system, but as far as stand-alone shampoos go, this one is the deluxe choice.

Pros:

• The professional formula is ideal for washing out excessive product buildup
• Safe for use with chemically-treated hair and those with thinning
• Light and lovely peppermint scent
• The big bottle lasts a long time

Cons:

• Pretty expensive

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo

Small Price, Big Results

The Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo comes with an effective formula and an accessible price tag.

Best on a Budget

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For a great budget buy, look no further than Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. This highly accessible shampoo is great at providing a gentle, thorough cleanse and rinse. And even though the price is low, it’s still great at removing any dirt and buildup. Plus, it can even help to boost volume. Best of all, it’s suitable for all hair types, as well as color-treated hair.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• The gentle, non-irritating formula effectively washes away dirt and grime
• May help boost volume
• Designed for all hair types

Cons:

• If your hair is especially dry, this might not be the best pick since it’s pretty drying

Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo

Works Wonders, Smells Wonderful

The Avalon Organics Clarifying Shampoo is another budget-friendly gem that has an irresistible aroma.

Freshest Scent

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Giving your hair a good wash can be incredibly enjoyable, especially if your shampoo smells amazing. Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo is just as effective as many higher-priced products and sports an intoxicating lemon scent. Actually, the scent is naturally-derived from a balanced blend of lemon essential oil, aloe, vitamin E, and quinoa protein (no parabens or harsh preservatives here), so you can rest assured that your hair is getting top-notch treatment.

Pros:

• Leaves hair feeling fresh, clean, and nourished
• Budget-friendly
• Crafted using a certified organic formula that’s comprised of plant-derived botanicals and oils
• Cruelty-free and made with non-GMO ingredients

Cons:

• You may want something a bit stronger for hair with extreme product build-up

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a clarifying shampoo is right for me?

If you use a lot of product in your hair or you style your hair with heating tools fairly regularly, then a clarifying shampoo can help to remove the grime and residue that builds up over time from products like leave-in conditioners, color treatments, and others.

How do I use a clarifying shampoo?

You use a clarifying shampoo just as you would a regular shampoo, except not as frequently.

How often can I (or should I) use a clarifying shampoo?

Once every two weeks is a good rule of thumb, depending on how often you’re using styling products. Once a day is probably too much since you could run the risk of stripping your hair of its natural oils.