Top Clarifying Shampoo Brands to Refresh Your Locks

Clarifying shampoos play a crucial role in maintaining healthy and vibrant hair by effectively removing built-up product residue and environmental pollutants. With the increasing awareness of hair care, numerous brands have developed high-quality clarifying shampoos that cater to various hair types and needs. This article compiles a curated list of the most reputable and effective clarifying shampoo brands available in the market today. Discover which brands have made their mark in the world of hair care by reading the detailed insights provided below.

Illustration of clarifying shampoo

Best brands of clarifying shampoo in 2025

Neutrogena

Neutrogena is renowned as one of the top producers of clarifying shampoos, particularly with its Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo with Pink Grapefruit, which is designed to gently exfoliate residue and build-up, promoting a healthy scalp and hair. This shampoo is free from phthalates, parabens, SLS, SLES, and sulfated surfactants, making it a preferred choice for those seeking gentle, non-medicated hair care. With a high brand awareness of 88% among face care users in the United States and a loyalty rate of 27% indicating likely repeat use, Neutrogena's products are highly regarded.

Paul Mitchell

Paul Mitchell is renowned as one of the best producers of clarifying shampoos, offering products like the Clarifying Shampoo Three, which deeply cleanses hair by removing dulling build-up, chlorine, iron, and minerals, making it ideal for swimmers and pre-conditioning treatments. This shampoo strengthens hair strands and minimizes future build-up, and it is suitable for daily use except on color-treated hair. The brand's commitment to quality is evident in its best-selling products, such as the Awapuhi Shampoo, which is color-safe, vegan, and paraben-free, and has been a top seller based on 2023 sales data. Paul Mitchell's professional hair care products are sold globally, with the brand being the #1 professional hair styling brand worldwide, selling one styler every 4 seconds as of 2023. Their products cater to all hair types, ensuring comprehensive care and maintenance.

Bumble and bumble

Bumble and bumble is renowned for its high-quality hair care products, particularly the Sunday Clarifying Shampoo, which is a weekly deep cleanser designed to lift away product residue, excess oil, and built-up pollutants, ideal for all hair types except color-treated hair. This shampoo features key ingredients like Panax Ginseng Root, Rosemary Leaf Extract, and Sage Leaf Extract, which cleanse the scalp, stimulate it, and act as natural clarifying agents. It is formulated for various hair patterns and diameters, including coily, curly, wavy, and straight, as well as fine, medium, and thick hair. The product is cruelty-free and comes in an 8.5 fl oz size. It is highly rated, with over 114 reviews on Ulta Beauty.

Redken

Redken is a prominent brand in the hair care industry, particularly noted for its clarifying shampoos. With a brand awareness of 55% among U.S. hair care users, Redken is well-recognized, and 12% of these users express a liking for the brand. Redken's clarifying shampoos, such as the Clean Maniac Clean-Touch Micellar Shampoo, are popular choices, reflecting the growing trend of clarifying shampoos which saw a 14% sales increase in 2017 compared to 2016. Redken's products are favored for their effectiveness in detoxing hair, aligning with the increasing consumer focus on overall health and well-being. The brand's loyalty is also significant, with 75% of its users indicating they are likely to use Redken again. Learn more about the popularity of clarifying shampoos in salons and retail.

Kenra

Kenra Professional is renowned for its high-quality clarifying shampoos, designed to remove damaging impurities and dulling deposits without drying the hair. Their Clarify Shampoo, enriched with Willow Bark Extract, is color-safe and recommended for weekly use to restore natural radiance. It effectively eliminates hard water, metal ions, minerals, pollutants, and product build-up, making it a staple in many hair care routines. Kenra's products are laboratory tested, ensuring their effectiveness even against pollution particles. With a long history of stylist approval and a commitment to using good-for-the-hair ingredients, Kenra continues to innovate in the hair care industry.

Suave

Suave is a prominent brand in the hair care industry, particularly noted for its clarifying shampoos. With a brand awareness of 89% among U.S. hair care users, Suave's Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo has gained significant traction, ranking #128 among the top 150 daily rinse shampoos as of April 2018, according to Kline's Amalgam data. This shampoo is part of a segment that saw a 14% sales increase in 2017 compared to 2016, reflecting the growing consumer interest in hair detox products. Suave's loyal customer base, with around 24% of users likely to use the brand again, further underscores its popularity. The brand's wide usage share, with 30% of U.S. hair care users opting for Suave, highlights its strong market presence. You can learn more about how clarifying shampoos gain popularity in salons and retail.

OUAI

OUAI is renowned for its exceptional clarifying shampoos, particularly the Detox Shampoo, which deeply cleanses hair by removing dirt, oil, and product buildup using apple cider vinegar and keratin. This shampoo is safe for all hair types, including color-treated, keratin-treated, and Brazilian blowouts, and is free of SLS, SLES, phthalates, and parabens. Recommended for use 1-2 times a week, it leaves hair feeling refreshed and super clean. The formula also includes chelating agents to remove hard water deposits and impurities, ensuring a thorough cleanse. With its Melrose Place fragrance, this shampoo combines effectiveness with a pleasant scent.

R+Co

R+Co is renowned for producing high-quality clarifying shampoos, such as the Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo, which effectively removes product buildup, mineral deposits, and chlorine from hair. This shampoo is enriched with coconut oil and rosemary leaf extract to purify the hair and scalp, and it is fragranced with Sicilian lemon, green tea, and crisp amber. The brand is also known for its vegan, gluten-free, and Leaping Bunny-Certified products, ensuring a cruelty-free and environmentally conscious choice. Additionally, R+Co's TELEVISION Perfect Hair Shampoo offers a balanced blend of body, shine, strengthening, softening, and smoothing, making it a favorite among users. The brand's commitment to using 55% post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in their packaging further highlights their dedication to sustainability.

Avalon Organics

Avalon Organics is renowned for producing high-quality, organic hair care products, with their Clarifying Lemon Shampoo standing out as a top choice for effectively removing product buildup and oil without drying the hair. This shampoo is NSF/ANSI 305 certified, free from GMOs, parabens, phthalates, and harsh sulfates, making it ideal for sensitive scalps and various hair types. It scores a low 3/10 on the EWG Skin Deep toxicity scale, ensuring minimal irritation. The shampoo is also vegan, biodegradable, and cruelty-free, with a refreshing lemon scent that leaves hair feeling clean and rejuvenated. It is available in an 11-fluid-ounce bottle, making it a convenient and long-lasting option.

Pureology

Pureology is renowned as one of the best producers of clarifying shampoos, particularly with its Hydrate(r) Shampoo, which deeply hydrates normal to thick, dry, and color-treated hair. This 100% vegan formula is free from sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, animal products, and animal testing, making it a favorite among those seeking gentle yet effective hair care. As the #1 Professional Color Care Brand in the US, based on dollar sales reported in Kline's Kline PRO: Salon Retail Products and Services Database for the year ending December 31, 2019, Pureology's products are trusted for their color protection and customized care. The Hydrate Shampoo features key ingredients like Jojoba, Green Tea, and Sage, along with a signature aromatherapy blend. This formulation ensures superior moisture, touchable softness, and extraordinary color protection.