We've Tested The Best Clarifying Shampoos To Keep Your Scalp Squeaky Clean

This one is strong but never dries out my hair. I wouldn’t say it’s the least-drying option on the list but it’s definitely gentler than many other popular products out there. If you have dry hair already, I’d use a hair mask after using this shampoo just to be cautious.

This one lathers up nicely, especially if you pop your head under the water once it’s applied for some extra moisture. 

The formula does have a fragrance, but it’s very neutral. Unless you have a sensitivity to fragrance, I doubt it will be a problem.

This one makes the best overall for a reason—it does work! I’ve gone through multiple bottles and never been disappointed. This cuts through loads of gel, styling paste, and oil in one single cleanse.

This product is color-safe but does contain sulfates. In essence, this means you should skip it if your color is temporary (like a gloss, for example) but it will not likely strip permanent color.

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“As far as formulas go, this is non-stripping,” Engler says. She recommends using it every other week at most but notes that, because it’s one of the more hydrating options, she’s never afraid to use it on her hair for fear of drying out her strands (which she can’t say for all clarifying shampoos out there).

The lather is less than that of a classic foamy shampoo, but it isn’t lacking lather potential—you’ll just have to put in a bit more work with your hands to get the full foaming effect.

The fragrance is similar to the other Olaplex scents, which are fairly neutral.

Engler says this one leaves her hair clean and shiny (and I agree, after testing for myself). It’s a great product to reset your strands after time away from shampoo or product overload.

This one is color-safe, and Engler even says it helped her hair color pop when using it. “It helps to give hair a nice clean slate, so your color can really shine,” she says.

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This product is the most hydrating on the list, so keep that in mind if you need a detox without dehydration. The plentiful array of botanical oils and extracts helps keep the scalp and hair nourished through and through.

This one doesn’t lather up much, but that’s quite understandable given the hydrating formula. Plus, those with curls, coils, or dry hair may actually benefit from a product with less lather as they’re generally more nourishing.

The fragrance smells clean with notes of jasmine, sandalwood, and bergamot. It’s not overpowering.

I tested this product on my wavy hair and found it to be more cleansing than my normal shampoo but less than many of the other products on this list. Given how hydrating it is, I was pleasantly surprised by the cleaning power.

Yes, it’s color-safe. The natural oils also help to preserve and enrich color.

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I was shocked to feel how soft my hair was after using this product for the first time. The formula isn’t stripping but still delivers on efficacy.

I found it easy to work this formula into my hair, so I didn’t have to use as much product at the start. The dark color foams up into a gray hue and always rinses clean.

The fragrance smells faintly of citrus but isn’t too strong.

I tested this product after oiling my hair and putting it in a slicked-back ponytail with gel… safe to say my stands were desperate for a deep clean. With only one cleanse, and a pretty quick cleanse at that, my hair was back to its cleanest state and my scalp looked clean and fresh too.

The formula is color-safe and always rinses clean, so don’t be intimidated by the dark hue of the charcoal powder

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Both myself and mindbodygreen’s senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider tested this shampoo and agree: It’s not as drying as many other options, but our hair still feels dryer than normal right after cleansing.

“Very impressive lather! It doesn’t take much work at all for it to bubble into a foam,” Schneider says.

The light fragrance includes notes of cardamom, iris, violet, and sandalwood. I love this scent, but it may not be for everyone.

I knew this product was designed to be gentle, so I went in not expecting much cleansing power but I was proven wrong. My hair feels impressively clean after using this every time no matter how much oil and gel there was to cut through.

This one is sulfate-free and filled with botanical antioxidants which are great for keeping hair vibrant. “However, the brand’s consumer study included 198 women with all hair types, save for color-treated hair—so we can’t say this shampoo is 100% color-safe,” Schneider says. If your hair color is easily stripped, pick another option from the list.

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It’s not drying and acts more like a normal shampoo with a slightly higher horsepower. After using it my strands were left smooth and shiny, a nod to just how much it preserves moisture.

This one lathers well and spreads easily.

Like many of the Davines products this one has a natural and floral fragrance. It’s not too strong but may not be for everyone.

This one won’t cut through heaps of gel, oil, and hairspray at the same caliber as the other options on this list, but for many people the gentle extra cleanse is enough to notice a difference in texture and buildup from hard water and environmental pollution. It’s also a great fit for those who prefer to use a clarifying shampoo more often.

This shampoo does contain sulfates which can be stripping for temporary hair dye—think glosses and glazes. I’ve used it on my color-treated hair before and never noticed a problem, but consider another option if you are dealing with sensitive color.

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