Its bouncy, jelly-like texture transforms into a gentle lather that feels cooling and refreshing on the scalp while whisking away product residue and excess oil. Infused with soothing botanicals (like aloe vera and lotus flower extract), it leaves your roots feeling weightless, your scalp feeling balanced, and your hair soft and shiny.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“My dry, sometimes itchy scalp loves this harmonic blend of acids and moisturizing ingredients—it has a satisfying lather that encourages me to actually take my time working it in, as someone who, ahem, doesn’t wash their hair as often as they probably should. I will admit it’s a tad easier to use a separate scalp massager if you really want to get into your roots—at least when the tube is full-ish, but other than that, I think the applicator is a standout.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: glycolic acid, vitamin E, lotus extract
- Who it’s for: people with oily hair or heavy buildup
- Frequency of use: once or twice per week
- Size: 8.4 fluid ounces
- Fragrance: peppermint, rose
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best Hydrating: Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Dae
Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Why it’s worth it: When your strands feel desert-dry, Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo—yet another 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner—is the hydration they need (and deserve). A blend of powerful yet balanced surfactants works hard to break down product buildup, oil, and hard-water residue. At the same time, it quenches your hair’s thirst thanks to nourishing botanicals like prickly pear and cactus flower extracts that replenish hydration, while moringa leaf oil locks in moisture and protects strands from breakage. Glycerin also draws water into the hair shaft to keep it soft and touchable, and bright orange and lemon peel oils leave behind a fresh, sunny citrus scent.
“I take clarifying shampoos more seriously than I should. With a dry scalp, keeping flakes at bay and my roots moisturizer and clean, is a top priority in my shower routine. I’ve been a fan of the Dae Hair Desert Clarifying Shampoo since I had a tiny lab sample. Twice a week I use a generous dollop, about the size of two quarters, and massage it into my roots. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes while shaving my legs then rinse throughly. If I’ve been using a lot of product in my hair, I’ll do a second application and let it sit for 5 more minutes. After, my hair feels soft and squeaky clean. Not to mention, all of those products I use, start working like they should again without the build up.” —Kassidy Silva, social director
- Key ingredients: prickly pear, glycerin, moringa leaf extract, orange and lemon oils
- Who it’s for: people with dry hair or dry scalp
- Frequency of use: once a week
- Size:10 fluid ounces
- Fragrance: citrus
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Oily Hair: Bumble and Bumble Sunday Clarifying Shampoo
Bumble and Bumble
Sunday Clarifying Shampoo
Why it’s worth it: Sundays are for meal prep, laundry, and catching up on your shows—and, with this once-a-week clarifying shampoo, giving your hair a fresh start (though, of course, you can reach for it any day you need a reset). Bumble and Bumble Sunday Clarifying Shampoo is the ultimate reset button for your strands, sweeps away a week’s worth of product buildup, excess oil, and hard water minerals. Panax ginseng root extract helps cleanse and encourage a healthy scalp, while rosemary stimulates and sage naturally clarifies, supporting both scalp and hair shaft. Glycerin keeps your hair from feeling squeaky or dry, so it emerges light, shiny, and bouncy. “This is a classic clarifier I’ve trusted for years, especially for clients who use a lot of styling products or those living in a city and exposed to a lot of environmental pollution,” says Marcos Diaz, a stylist based in New York City.
- Key ingredients: ginseng, rosemary leaf extract, sage leaf extract
- Who it’s for: people with heavy product buildup, an oily scalp, or oily hair
- Frequency of use: once per week
- Sizes: 2 fluid ounces, 8.5 fluid ounces, and 33.8 fluid ounces
- Fragrance: cassis, cyclamen, mint leaf
- Sulfate-free: no
Best for Sensitive Scalps: R+Co Lost Treasure Apple Cider Vinegar Cleansing Rinse
R+Co
Lost Treasure Apple Cider Vinegar Cleansing Rinse
Why it’s worth it: If you’ll humor us, R+Co Lost Treasure Apple Cider Vinegar Cleansing Rinse is truly a hair-care gem. Apple cider vinegar and white willow bark sweep away product buildup, excess oil, and hard water residue, while aloe vera and tamanu oil soothe irritated scalps. “I use this at least once a week, and I love the way it smells and really cleanses my scalp. It leaves my hair feeling hydrated and cuts down on any dry or itchy scalp,” says Ellsworth. Use it in place of shampoo when your strands need a reset (don’t expect a big lather) or as a co-wash.
- Key ingredients: apple fruit extract, aloe vera, tamanu seed oil
- Who it’s for: people with buildup or hard water
- Frequency of use: leave on up to three minutes as often as needed
- Size: 6 fluid ounces
- Fragrance: a blend of lemon, tangerine, eucalyptus, moss
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Mature Hair: Unite Weekender Shampoo
Why it’s worth it: Known for salon-level formulas, Unite’s Weekender Shampoo is the clarifying reset pros reach for. “When you lather, rinse, and repeat—then leave it on for five minutes—it clears away any buildup, including excess oil caused by hormonal changes, such as those associated with menopause. It leaves hair absolutely clean without stripping color or drying strands,” says Ellsworth, who’s used it for almost 15 years. Panthenol (pro-vitamin B) boosts weightless volume and shine, glyceryl cocoate (derived from coconut oil) smooths and softens, and a blend of sugar cane, apple, orange, and lemon extracts moisturizes and tames frizz, all while making healthy hair smell great.
- Key ingredients: panthenol, glyceryl cocoate, sugar cane, sunflower seed extract, apple extract
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially if you have oily or mature hair
- Frequency of use:
- Size: 10 fluid ounces
- Fragrance: orange-lemon
- Sulfate-free: no
Best for Thick Hair: Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
Moroccanoil
Clarifying Shampoo
Why it’s worth it: Famous for pioneering argan oil–infused hair care, Moroccanoil delivers a powerful refresh with its Clarifying Shampoo, which, of course, features argan as its star hydrator. “It’s deep-cleansing, removes everyday buildup, and restores your hair and scalp to a healthy balance,” says New York City-based stylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew. Avocado oil, keratin, and botanical extracts like lavender, chamomile, and jojoba strengthen, soothe, and boost shine, while panthenol adds lightweight moisture, preventing it from weighing down thicker strands.
- Key ingredients: argan oil, panthenol, keratin, lavender, rosemary, chamomile, jojoba
- Who it’s for: people with thick, dry, or coarse hair
- Frequency of use: up to twice per week
- Sizes: 8.5 fluid ounces or 33.8 fluid ounces
- Fragrance: amber, magnolia, wood
- Sulfate-free: yes
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Kenra Clarifying Shampoo
Why it’s worth it: If you’re worried about your freshly dyed (and expensive) color treatment washing down the drain, stylist Lacy Redway says Kenra’s Clarifying Shampoo effectively washes away excess oil and product without dimming your hair color. “It’s also great for removing buildup or if you’re in an area with hard water and you don’t have a filter in your shower,” she adds.
