12 Best Clarifying Shampoos of 2023

The journey to healthy, luscious hair is not one without struggle. We soak our hair in masks to restore moisture and balance, use dry shampoos to prolong wash days, and apply anti-frizz hair oils to keep our flyaways and ends intact. All of these are well and good, but I’m here to let you in on a slightly upsetting secret: without a clarifying shampoo in the mix, none of that stuff will help. Why? Packing a bunch of product into your hair without properly cleansing it every now and then creates excessive build-up and weighs down your hair. Clarifying shampoos is the unsung hero your hair routine desperately needs.

What is a clarifying shampoo?

If you’re looking at your collection of hydrating shampoos in confusion, you’re not alone. We’ve all been taught that moisture is the foundation of healthy hair, but a good cleanse can actually work wonders, too. “Clarifying rids your hair of suffocating build-up while nourishing the scalp,” says colorist Lucille Javier. “It helps stimulate hair follicles, allowing for hair growth, and clears the scalp of dandruff, acne, and scabbing.” You’ve probably used one without knowing it—salons often use them to prep your hair for services like a keratin treatment or relaxer to make your hair totally fresh and ready to take on new products.

Who should use a clarifying shampoo?

Treating your hair to a deep cleanse about once a week–or every other week, depending on your hair type–can make all the difference. “It’s quite simple,” says Javier. “If you have an itchy, oily, or inflamed scalp, dry follicles, hair loss, or any scalp pain, it’s time to detox.” You might notice that the hair products you used to love are not cutting it anymore. That might not be because your products stopped working, but because they cannot penetrate the build-up that’s slowly accumulated on your scalp.

So if you’re tired of feeling like your hair looks lackluster, itchy, or you just want your hair to finally grow, it might be time to invest in a clarifying shampoo. Here are 11 of the best detox shampoos for the cleanest, shiniest, healthiest hair of your life.