10 Best Clarifying Shampoos to Give Your Hair a Boost, According to Dermatologists

If you use anything on your hair regularly—heat protectants, hair sprays, conditioner—you may notice that your strands start to feel like they're coated in some kind of mysterious film. Yup, that's called build-up.

Removing leftover deposits from styling products, shampoos and conditioners, or hard water (depending on where you live) is one main reason for using a clarifying shampoo. These products deep clean in a way typical shampoos can't, because they contain ingredients that buff away the gunk.

"A healthy scalp means healthier hair, and removing these deposits restores your hair's luster and manageability," says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist and the author of Skin Rules.

But if you're simply looking for more a bit more bounce, choose a volumizing shampoo and use that on a regular basis versus a clarifying shampoo, says Fran Cook-Bolden, M.D., a dermatologist affiliated with Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York.

Otherwise, grab a clarifying shampoo as soon as your hair starts to feel "tacky" or "sticky," she advises.

Check for sulfates: Sulfates are cleansing ingredients in shampoos that bind water to oil and dirt so that they rinse out of your hair. Many people avoid them because they can be drying and harsh. But when you're looking for a clarifying shampoo, you want to look for sulfates to effectively strip out oil and residue, says Shilpi Khetarpal, M.D., a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic.

That said, many highly-rated clarifying shampoos are sulfate-free, so there are still options if you wish to avoid them. Apple cider vinegar and activated charcoal are great alternative ingredients to look for on the label.

Look for label lingo: Along with "clarifying," another option is to find a shampoo advertised as "purifying," says Dr. Khetarpal. "Balancing" or "normalizing" are other common buzzwords to consider when buying, adds Dr. Cook-Bolden.

Go gentle: If you find that your clarifying shampoo is causing scalp irritation, it may be that you're washing with it too often. (Plus, it many contain common irritating ingredients, like dyes or fragrances.) If you experience irritation, look for a bare-bones clarifying shampoo that contains the fewest ingredients you can find, says Dr. Khetarpal. Simpler is better here.

Finally, stick to no more than once weekly use, suggests Dr. Jaliman. Some people like to use these immediately before a color appointment to give hair a clean slate before treatment. Ready to buff away the build-up? Below, the best clarifying shampoos for every hair type:

Found: The Best Shampoos for Expensive-Looking Hair This Season

Everyone has different needs and goals when it comes to their hair. Some of us (ahem, me) need volume and damage repair thanks to a fine texture or perpetual color treatments,  while others want anti-aging benefits or major curl TLC. Regardless, we feel confident saying that everyone wants th eir strands to reach their full, healthy, and yes, expensive AF-looking potential. We have some really great news on that front: You don't actually have to pay a fortune to get hair that looks like a million bucks. Many of our favorite shampoo and conditioners are actually hiding away in the sparkling aisles of your nearest drugstore, and we're here to guide you toward all of our favorites.

Whether you're seeking the best drugstore shampoo and conditioner to achieve beach-inspired mermaid waves (yeah, we're pretending it's not winter, too!) or need an affordable, cult-classic purple elixir to bust your brass, we have your strands covered just ahead. Keep scrolling for the nine best drugstore shampoo and conditioners that are budget-saving dupes of our more expensive favorites. 

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Tigi Bed Head Urban Antidotes Recovery Conditioner ($16)

Just like Moroccanoil's cult-loved favorite, Tigi's more affordable formula features a strategic blend of both moisturizing and strengthening components—a dream power couple for those with damaged, dry, color-treated, or break-age prone strands. Hair is left feeling soft, shiny, and more vibrant in color thanks to the formula's conditioning and moisture-balancing perks. 

If you need color protection and love…

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Kérastase Reflection Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair ($30)

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Kérastase Reflection Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair ($34)

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Matrix Biolage Colorlast Shampoo ($18)

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Matrix Biolage Colorlast Conditioner ($16)

You probably should pay a lot for your color, (you often get what you pay for in that industry), but let us be the ones to tell you that you don't necessarily have to pay a lot for your color-protecting products. If you're looking to save some money but still want the hy drating and shin-inducing benefits of a more expensive formula like Kérastase, we recommend opting for Matrix's pH-balancing and color-safe formula instead. Not only does this duo keep your hair soft and tangle-free, but your strands will also retain their post-salon vibrancy up to nine weeks after your dye job. 

If you need to detoxify and love…

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Earth's Nectar Mint Leaves & Tea Tree Shampoo ($22)

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Earth's Nectar Mint Leaves & Tea Tree Conditioner ($22)

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Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo ($14)

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Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner ($15)

Just like Earth Nectar's essential oil– and botanical-based blend, Paul Mitchell's deep-cleansing shampoo and conditioner is fortified with nature's best: natural tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and lavender to draw essential circulation to the scalp, remove buildup, and gift strands with all the shine you'd expect from a way pricier option. 

If you need a purple shampoo and love…

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dpHUE Cool Blonde Shampoo ($26)

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dpHUE Cool Blonde Conditioner ($26)

Try…

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Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo for Blonde & Silver Hair ($10)

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Shimmer Lights Purple Conditioner for Blonde & Silver Hair ($13)

FYI: Shimmer Lights was one of the OG purple shampoos on the market, and it's remained a brass-busting obsession ever since. Since a purple shampoo should be an enhancement (aka you're not using a purple shampoo every single time you wash), it's really not worth spending an arm, leg, and entire paycheck on your formula. Plus, they all do the same thing—truly. 

If you need volume and love…

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Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo ($24)

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Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Conditioner ($24)

Try…

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Hempz Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon Herbal Volumizing Shampoo ($15)

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Hempz Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon Herbal Volumizing Conditioner & Hydrating Hair Mask ($10)

Like Briogeo, Hempz uses the loveliest ingredients from Mother Earth to elevate the look, feel, and overall health of your strands. While Briogeo's beloved formula features ginseng, biotin, ginger, and maltodextrin, Hempz's more affordable dupe has equally luscious MVPs like sweet pineapple, honey melon, and its signature hemp seed oil, which work harmoniously to volumize and plump a limp hair situation. 

If you need curl-enhancement and love…

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DevaCurl No-Poo Original Zero Lather Conditioning Cleanser ($24)

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DevaCurl One Condition Original Daily Cream Conditioner ($24)

Try…

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Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Combination Pack ($25)

For the ultimate creamy, cleansing wash experience, we recommend Shea Moisture's epic combo pack—just like DevaCurl's luxe formulas, which are intended to keep your natural oils and curls intact, so too does the trio from Shea Moisture. With, of course, a helping hand from strand-loving ingredients like hibiscus, coconut, and crucial silk proteins for extra softness and strength. 

If you need an anti-aging formula and love…

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Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Shampoo ($27)

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Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Conditioner ($27)

Try…

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Kenra Snail Anti-Aging Shampoo ($9)

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Kenra Snail Anti-Aging Conditioner ($9)

Our hair is an extension of our skin, and just like we see noticeable shifts in our complexions as we age, the health and condition of our hair will also change. That's why, investing in an anti-aging formula that boosts density, moisture, and resilience is a great alternative if you're looking to stave off brittle, weak, or thinning strand prognosis. We love Alterna's cult-loved Caviar line, but if you need something that's a tad less taxing on the bank account, Kenra's shampoo and conditioning duo is seriously brilliant. Enriched with snail essence, it makes for a potent blend of proteins proven to combat dulling, thinning, breakage, frizz, dryness, elasticity, porosity, scalp irritation, unmanageability, and changes in texture.

If you need texture and love…

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Amika Sexture Beach Look Shampoo ($25)

Try…

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Pacifica Salty Waves Texturizing Shampoo ($5)

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Pacifica Salty Waves Texturizing Conditioner ($10)

Even though you don't even need conditioner with Amika's cheekily named texture shampoo, you'll still save yourself $10 dollars with Pacifica's beachy wave-inducing pairing. All-natural, the formula boosts hair with moisture and control while key tropical additions like sea algae, banana, and chamomile deliver on your surfy mermaid hair dreams. 

If you crave velvety smoothness and love…

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Ouai Smooth Shampoo ($28)

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Ouai Smooth Conditioner ($26)

Try…

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Tresemmmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo ($6)

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Tresemmmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner ($6)

If a smooth, ultra-sleek finish is what you're after Tresemmé's iconic keratin-spiked shampoo and conditioner is practically legend. (Even among the brand's non-drugstore competitors.) Dripping with luxe ingredients like marula oil and silky texture-inducing keratin, it's a steal at just $6 per formula.

Up next: The Top-Rated Shampoos and Conditioners That Make Me Forget I Have Fine Hair

This article originally appeared on Who What Wear

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