My Hair and Scalp Feel Reborn Whenever I Use This Unappreciated Type of Shampoo


Your hair probably goes through a lot. From styling to products to salon appointments, it can get dried out, exposed to heat damage, and get some split ends or breakage. Buildup is another thing you might experience, too, especially if you use a lot of products, have an oily scalp, or even work out a lot. Basically, if your hair looks and feels limp, dull, or heavy, it might be due to excess buildup of leftover hair products or dirt. You might also notice some residue on your scalp when you're dealing with buildup.
So what can you do to get your hair back on track and start with a fresh slate, so to speak? Use a clarifying shampoo. These hard-working shampoos work to deeply cleanse the hair and scalp, making both feel super fresh and "brand new," pretty much.
The Best Clarifying Shampoos, Listed
- Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
- Pattern Curl Cleansing Shampoo
- Act + Acre Clarifying Hard Water Shampoo
- Ouai Detox Shampoo
- Mizani Moisture Fusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
Customer Review: "I’m absolutely in love with this shampoo! It hydrates and moisturizes my hair so effectively, leaving it soft and silky without me having to put in much effort. The scent is amazing—it’s fresh and long-lasting, making my hair smell incredible all day. What I love even more is that you don’t need to use a lot, so it lasts for a while, making it really cost-effective. If you have dry hair like I do, I highly recommend this shampoo! It has made such a difference in the overall health and texture of my hair."
Customer Review: "If you are looking for a clarifying shampoo this is what you should get. It is the perfect mix of cleansing without stripping the hair. I love that it is in a solid so I can get the product directly where I need it. I use this about twice a month and my scalp always feels amazing! I have dry hair and when using other clarifying shampoos my scalp would feel better but my hair would be pretty dry and dull, this is the only clarifying shampoo I have tried that doesn’t do that!"
Customer Review: "For reference I have 2B low-porosity hair. This was different than what I expected, but I loved it! I thought it would be stripping but my hair came out pretty soft and my scalp seemed happy. I don’t have the 'primer' you are supposed to use before this but I did oil my hair the night before. The scrub aspect is pretty minimal, not too scratchy but it does feel satisfying. I used the Curlsmith calming conditioner on my roots afterwards (and a mask on my ends) and it felt amazing."
Customer Review: "This shampoo left my hair feeling incredibly fresh, clean, and light—like it could finally breathe again! After just one use, I noticed that all the product build-up from my hard water was completely gone. My scalp felt detoxed, and my strands looked noticeably shinier and more voluminous. It’s made my hair feel stronger overall, and I love that it doesn’t weigh it down. Definitely a new staple in my routine!"
Customer Review: "I have thin, fine hair and an oily scalp. This is by far the best shampoo I’ve ever used! I used to have to wash my hair every other day, but I can go 3-4 days between washes with this shampoo. It also my hair incredibly soft and improves my split ends."
Customer Preview: "I have 3C hair and have found other products to be too heavy or stripping. This detox shampoo has been a game changer! I’ve used it once a week for 2 weeks now and have seen great results. Reduced dry/flaky scalp and buildup without drying my hair out. Left a nice, clean feeling. Would repurchase!"
Customer Review: "This clarifying shampoo is unique, it uses charcoal to cleanse the hair and scalp. When washing it did not feel like my hair was being stripped, the moisture was still there but felt very cleansed. The scent is very fresh smelling, not overwhelming for sensitive noses. I like that my hair was soft and shiny afterwards, I noticed the difference and it did make may hair more lively. I was overall satisfied with this shampoo and will purchase in the future."
Customer Preview: "This clarifying shampoo is unique, it uses charcoal to cleanse the hair and scalp. When washing it did not feel like my hair was being stripped, the moisture was still there but felt very cleansed. The scent is very fresh smelling, not overwhelming for sensitive noses. I like that my hair was soft and shiny afterwards, I noticed the difference and it did make may hair more lively. I was overall satisfied with this shampoo and will purchase in the future."
Customer Review: "I have been using this product for the past two years as a monthly clarifier for my hair. Its a great product! It gets my scalp feeling very clean and free from buildup as I have 3b/3c curly hair. I was introduced to this product from my hairstylist and I still continue to purchase! Definitely recommend for curly heads."
Customer Review: "The unique mousse-to-foam texture of this shampoo is such a joy to use and achieves a really satisfying lather. The smell is also absolutely DIVINE. I use this when I feel I need to detox my roots and it really helps to banish impurities, making my scalp feels ultra fresh and my hair colour look more vibrant. Highly recommend!"
Customer Review: "I like Huile de Germe de Blé in combination with Concentre Energetique (mixed together 1:1) applied on a dry unwashed scalp. While doing this wonderful deep-cleansing treatment for my hair roots, I use another favorite from Leonor Greyl—Masque Quintessence on the length. Leaving all concoction for an hour or so and washing it, and I have beautiful results. Very clean scalp and strong, yet soft and manageable hair. I truly enjoy this ritual and even more the results of it."
Customer Review: "This is my favorite clarifying shampoo. I use it once a week, and it lasts 8+ months at that frequency. It leaves my hair soft without drying it out too much. It makes a noticeable difference in hair texture, shine and volume without compromising my color. Bonus: the foam texture is fun to use."
Customer Review: "After using the Shu Uemura Gentle Radiance Cleanser for a while now, I have noticed a shift in my hair's texture and volume. My hair is starting to feel softer while maintaining shape. My scalp also feels healthier, and not itchy. I also really like how it smells, I look forward to continuing using this shampoo and will explore other products from this brand."
Customer Review: "This is a great product which I use as a pre-shampoo before applying the color shampoo or smoothing shampoo. Works really well. Hair feels squeaky clean. You don't have to use it as a pre shampoo but I prefer to. This is a definite buy for future use."
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Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.

Maya Thomas is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
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