<p>If you don’t want to wash your hair every day, but you suffer from scalp problems or excess oil, a clarifying shampoo is your best solution. Most of these shampoos are intended to be used a couple of times a week (or even just once) and cleanse deeper than your typical daily shampoo to help remove buildup from dirt, oil and styling products from your scalp and hair. Think of them as taking your car to the carwash versus doing it yourself.<strong> Clarifying shampoos help to reset your hair to help it look shinier and healthier.</strong> We prefer to use them on Sundays to get our scalp and hair ready for a busy week of styling and stress ahead. The thing is, though, not all clarifying shampoos are created equal. Choose one that’s designed for your hair type and lifestyle to avoid over cleansing your hair which can lead to dryness, frizziness and <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/grooming/a40120933/itchy-scalp-causes-remedies/” target=”_blank”>itchy scalp problems</a>. Not sure which to use? Start with this list of the best clarifying shampoos (seriously, we’ve tried hundreds) and get ready for the cleanest hair of your life.</p><p><strong><a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/grooming/g19547857/best-shampoo-for-hair-type/” target=”_blank”>Best Shampoos for Men</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/grooming/g41176121/best-hair-growth-shampoos/” target=”_blank”>Best Hair Growth Shampoos</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/grooming/g42628555/best-scalp-treatments-for-men/” target=”_blank”>Best Scalp Treatments</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/grooming/g27019011/best-scalp-scrub-men/” target=”_blank”>Best Scalp Scrubs</a></strong></p>” />
Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site.
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair
Maui Moisture Clarify + Soothe Black Soap Shampoo
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Curly Hair
Maui Moisture Clarify + Soothe Black Soap Shampoo
Pros
- Great for curly hair
- Very moisturizing
- Great scent
Cons
- May be too thick for fine hair
The enemy of curly hair is dryness, which can cause curls to become crispy, frizzy and unmanageable. The problem is, the ingredients in many clarifying shampoos can leave your hair dry because they are so focused on removing oil. This version, which is packed with hydrating ingredients including black soap, aloe and shea butter, cleanses the scalp and hair effectively without sucking the moisture out of your curly hair.
| Size | 13 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Curly, dry |
| Ingredients | Aloe leaf juice, coconut water, black soap, ginger extract |
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Removing Product Buildup
American Crew Power Cleanser Style Remover
Best Clarifying Shampoo for Removing Product Buildup
American Crew Power Cleanser Style Remover
Now 33% Off
Pros
- Great at removing product buildup
- Also removes oil and dirt
- Nice cooling feeling from menthol
Cons
- Contains sulfates
No matter how oily your scalp is, if you use a lot of product (or really, any product at all) to style your hair, this clarifying shampoo is specifically designed to remove excess product buildup to keep your scalp clear and hair fresh.
| Size | 15.2 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, but especially oily |
| Ingredients | Menthol, rosemary extract, thyme extract |
Best Clarifying Scrub
NatureLab. Tokyo NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Shine Clarifying Scalp Scrub
Best Clarifying Scrub
NatureLab. Tokyo NatureLab. Tokyo Perfect Shine Clarifying Scalp Scrub
Many scalp scrubs need to be followed up with a shampoo because they’re designed to exfoliate but not cleanse. This scrub and shampoo combo changes that. Not only does it use sugar crystals to gently exfoliate buildup on the scalp, but it cleanses hair at the same time while also hydrating it with hyaluronic acid.
| Size | 8.1 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All |
| Ingredients | Sake, sugar, hyaluronic acid |
Best Clarifying Hair Rinse
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
Best Clarifying Hair Rinse
dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
The surfactants used in shampoo to create lather can also sometimes strip hair of natural oils leaving it dry, frizzy or dull. It’s especially true of clarifying shampoos which are designed to deep clean. This innovative hair rinse uses natural ingredients to remove impurities from the hair and scalp without stripping it, offering the same deep clean without harsh lather.
| Size | 8.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | All, but especially dry or oily |
| Ingredients | Apple cider vinegar, lavender extract, aloe vera |
You know how every so often you need to pull in the professionals to deep clean your house (or is that just us)? Consider this shampoo your cleaning crew. Use it once or twice a week, depending on how oily or dirty your hair is. The immediate result is a sparkling clean scalp and hair that’s brought back to life.
| Size | 16 oz |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Oily |
| Ingredients | Apple cider vinegar, menthol, ginseng root extract |
Why Trust Us?
Men’s Health‘s Grooming Editor Garrett Munce is a hair care expert, who has been testing shampoos for well over a decade. He has personally tried over 100 clarifying shampoos in the past five years, and looked for formulas that helped remove excess sebum, fix dandruff, and deep-cleaned hair follicles, without overly drying them.
Garrett Munce writes about men’s style and grooming. He’s written for Esquire, New York Magazine, Spotlyte, and Very Good Light and held staff positions at GQ and W. Follow his skincare obsession on Instagram at @garrettmunce.
Deputy Editor, Commerce
As Men’s Health’s Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian’s work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
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