10 Best Clarifying Shampoos to Get Rid of Oil and Residue for Good
Dull hair will be a thing of the past!
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Good hair days can be hard to come by when you're dealing with a greasy scalp or product buildup at your roots and on the shafts of your hair. That's why clarifying shampoos are such a game changer—like the best shampoos for oily hair, the best clarifying shampoos have the ability to fight oil and get rid of residue, and they usually feature high-powered cleansing ingredients like sulfates or apple cider vinegar.
While everyone could use a little clarifying shampoo in their life, the product is especially helpful for people who shower in hard water, use dry shampoo and other styling products on a regular basis, or go long periods of time without washing their hair. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week or every other week is enough to banish the gunk that can build up over time, which weighs hair down and makes it appear dull and less healthy.
But we get it—diving into the world of clarifying shampoos might still seem daunting at first, especially if you have a dry scalp. After all, clarifying shampoos often carry the reputation of being super drying and harsh. The ones we've rounded up, however, are designed to get the job done while also preserving the health and hydration of your strands. Click through and try one out for yourself!
Our Top Picks
This clarifying shampoo is strong enough to leave you feeling squeaky clean, but it's gentle enough that it won't parch or strip the scalp. Plus, it's formulated for all hair types to reduce oil production over time!
No need to break the bank while looking for a great clarifying shampoo! This hypoallergenic and gentle formula deep cleans hair, leaving locks clean and soft.
Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo
Infused with pink grapefruit, this clarifying shampoo is a good option for all hair types and textures, including color-treated tresses. One Amazon reviewer claimed that it also helped with her itchy scalp!
If you're looking for a spa-like experience, this non-stripping shampoo might be the one for you—it brings the relaxing, refreshing scents of rosemary and peppermint right to your shower.
Olaplex Nº4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
This nourishing newcomer promises to eradicate impurities while making sure the hair stays soft, shiny and voluminous. Buildup begone!
Christophe Robin Brightening Shampoo with Camomile and Cornflower
This products works double duty: it gives your mane a thorough cleanse while it brightens both natural and colored hair. What more can you ask for?
This clarifying shampoo is a pro at ridding the hair of oil and product buildup and at nourishing strands thanks to elastin protein and marine minerals.
Moroccanoil is known for its ultra-nourishing haircare products, and this one is no different—the formula is chock-full of ingredients your hair will love, from keratin to jojoba plant extracts.
A coin-sized amount of this shampoo is all you need to get buildup-free, fuller-looking hair. It's like you're getting a clean slate!
This top-rated shampoo's not-so-secret ingredient? Apple cider vinegar, which is famous for its mineral-dissolving and hair-strengthening abilities.
Carol Lee is the Associate E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty and personal care. Before joining the team, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine and ran the beauty section at The Pioneer Woman. Carol received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University and was one of the first customers to visit Glossier’s flagship store in New York’s Soho neighborhood. Over the years, she’s tested countless makeup, hair, and skin care products, and written hundreds of articles covering the beauty space, from pieces about the trendiest launches to roundups of the best products on the market. As a Korean-American, she grew up in a sea of Korean makeup and skin care products and is a bona fide expert on the ever-expanding world of K-beauty, helping lead our coverage. Additionally, she’s also always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.
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