15 Best Clarifying Shampoos For Dry Hair (2024): Expert Picks
Cleanse your scalp and hair with ingredients that don't strip your natural oils.
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and loves to make her clients feel amazing and welcomed.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
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Experience: 11 yearsRamona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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We often douse our hair with chemicals or styling products, and only the best clarifying shampoo for dry hair can get rid of the rough, hay-like mess it becomes. Using hair products in excess, coloring your hair often, or even using heat to straighten or curl them can strip your mane off of its vigor and sheen. Clarifying shampoos clean your scalp by collecting all the residue from the hair styling products and eliminating the accumulated grease and dirt. However, several clarifying shampoos can dry your hair, so you should go for those specifically formulated to cleanse your hair without making it rough and brittle.
These shampoos work gently to ward off the oil and muck and provide moisturization to your hair, thus keeping it lustrous and healthy. Several brands have clarifying shampoos, particularly for dry hair, and choosing the right one may be tricky. To make your quest more effortless, we have listed a few of our top picks. Check them out and add them to your hair care routine!
In This Article
15 Best Clarifying Shampoos For Deep Cleaning – 2024
1. Best Volumizing Formula: Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo contains apple cider vinegar that cleans your scalp while providing volume and shine to your hair. It is enriched with oats to soothe your scalp and strengthen each strand of your hair. This shampoo is free from harmful chemicals and can be used on colored, chemical-treated, dull, or oily hair. It is clinically proven to clarify the scalp, add shine to the hair, and reduce itchiness. The excellent balance of wholesome nourishing ingredients makes this shampoo special, providing your hair the moisture, protection, and care it deserves. It also prevents inflammation, soreness, flaking, and dandruff. Additionally, the product is not tested on animals. If you are an absolute beginner, this video review detailing a tester’s experience of using this product, might be useful.
Key Ingredients: Oats and Apple cider vinegar
Pros
- Soothing
- Detangling
- Smells great
- Anti-dandruff
- Suitable for colored hair
- pH balancing
- Paraben-free
- Dye-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Takes a couple of uses to start reacting
Quick TipFollow up this shampoo with the Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner to get glossier and more manageable hair.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 1,121 great reviews on Amazon.
2. Best For Oily Scalp: Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo
Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo has an excellent purifying formula that works well on oily scalps. This shampoo is infused with natural ingredients like peach kernel, lemon, rosemary oil, jojoba oil, and Cypress basil that offer a solution to most of your hair problems. Its organic ingredients prevent your hair from falling and also reduce flaking from dandruff and itchiness. It is devoid of harmful chemicals and leaves your hair healthy, soft, and grease-free. This deep cleansing shampoo cleans your scalp, nourishes your hair from root to tip, and gives you a refreshed feel. It has not undergone testing on animals, making for an ethical choice.
Key Ingredients: Peach kernel oil, Lemon oil, Rosemary oil, Jojoba oil, and Cypress basil
Pros
- Color-safe
- Frizz-control
- Mild scent
- Little goes a long way
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Expensive
Pro TipFollow t his shampoo with the Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Conditioner to get silker and smoother tresses.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 9,193 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
3. Best Plant-Derived Ingredients: Avalon Organics Natural Shampoo
Avalon Organics Natural Shampoo is infused with plant-derived ingredients and essential oils that cleanse and rejuvenate your hair. It helps you eliminate the excess oil from greasy hair, transforming dull hair into luscious mane. It is enriched with aloe, vitamin E, lemon essential oil, and quinoa protein to nourish and soothe the hair cuticle, bringing back the luster and vigor in your hair. Plus, the product has also not undergone testing on animals. Check out this review detailing a reviewer’s experience of using this product for a detailed understanding.
Key Ingredients: Aloe, Vitamin E, Lemon essential oil, and Quinoa protein
Pros
- Gentle
- Soothing
- Pleasant smell
- Sebum regulation
- Deep cleansing
- Lathers well
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Non-GMOs
- Paraben-free
- Preservative-free
- Synthetic color-free
- Phthalate-free
- Anti-hair loss
Cons
- None
Quick TipWet your palms and emulsify the shampoo by rubbing it. Then, apply it to your scalp. It will help spread the product easily and also reduce its consumption.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 2,699 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo Best Volumizing Formula | Maple Holistics Degrease Shampoo Best For Oily Scalp | Avalon Organics Natural Shampoo Best Plant-Derived Ingredients | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | All | Oily, Color Treated, Dry, Normal | Dry |
| Dimensions | 1.69 x 3.39 x 7.17 inches | 1.85 x 1.85 x 6.75 inches | 2.5 x 1.7 x 7.2 inches |
| Weight | 13.4 Ounces | 8 Ounces | 11 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,121 | 9,193 | 2,699 |
| Price | $6.52 | $11.95 | $8.34 |
4. Best For Hard Water: Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo
Use this shampoo to flaunt soft and shiny tresses. Malibu C Hard Water Wellness Shampoo has a detoxifying cleansing formula that removes hard water residue and impurities from your hair that could ruin your hair without taking away its moisture. This vegan shampoo is mild and helps bring back the shine and vibrance even on colored hair, allowing you to manage your hair better.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C
Pros
- Smells good
- Color-safe
- Residue removal
- Improves hair porosity
- Non-sticky
- Hard water protection
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Expensive
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 3,206 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
5. Best For Color-Treated Hair: Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo
Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo has a perfect blend of proteins, vitamins, and nutrients that strengthens your hair and adds volume. It can be used on dry hair as its balanced formula protects over-styled, color-treated, and damaged hair without losing color and luster. This shampoo improves the hydration level in your hair and maintains the pH level. It is infused with botanical extracts like aloe vera and rosemary to moisturize your hair. This mild shampoo makes your hair soft, shiny, and supple. This video review of a tester’s experience of using this product will help you understand more about it.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, Rosemary, Sunflower seed oil, Lavender, Thyme, and Soybean
Pros
- Non-drying
- Anti-dandruff
- Soothing
- Affordable
- Ideal for everyday use
- Gentle
- Lathers well
- Hydrating
- Vegan
- Color-safe
- Cruelty-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Unpleasant scent
6. Best Nourishing Formula: Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo has a potent cleansing formula that eliminates residue from products and impurities that could damage your hair. It also nourishes and hydrates your hair while reviving its lost shine and vigor. This shampoo is fortified with keratin and also contains chamomile, lavender, and jojoba extracts. These extracts have amazing fragrances that may act as aromatherapy. The nourishing ingredients like avocado oil and argan oil help rejuvenate your hair, making it healthy and glowing. It has argan oil that contains vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids. This deep cleanser has a pleasant fragrance of musk, amber, and flowers.
Key Ingredients: Keratin, Avocado oil, and Argan oil
Pros
- Non-greasy
- Smells great
- Improves scalp health
- Color-safe
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicon-free
Cons
- Expensive
- Makes hair dry
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 2,066 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
7. Best For Curls: As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo
As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo is infused with amla, tangerine, and coconut and helps get rid of residue from products used to style your hair while fighting dehydration. This shampoo specifically suits curly and wavy hair. It gives back the shine and life to your curls without making them dry. It leaves your hair soft and manageable.
Key Ingredients: Amla, Coconut, and Tangerine
Pros
- Smells great
- Improves hydration
- Lathers well
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Dries out hair
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has received 1,383 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.
8. Best Hydrating Formula: Maple Holistics Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Maple Holistics Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo has an intensely hydrating formula infused with castor oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil. It eliminates flakes and makes your hair voluminous and shiny. In addition, it is fortified with nourishing ingredients like keratin, rosemary oil, mint oil, and sunflower oil that moisturize and help in deep cleansing your hair and scalp. This shampoo works on all hair types, including frizzy hair, curly hair. It rejuvenates your hair, making it healthy. This organic shampoo also reduces hair fall and helps with dry scalp.
Key Ingredients: Castor oil, Jojoba oil, Argan oil, Keratin, Rosemary oil, Mint oil, and Sunflower oil
Pros
- Pleasant scent
- Anti-dandruff
- Enhances hair elasticity
- Color-safe
- Paraben-free
- Lathers well
Cons
- Makes hair dry
9.Best Fragrance: Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying Shampoo
Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying Shampoo gently cleanses your hair and removes dullness. It brings back the lost shine and vigor to your tresses. Follow it with a moisturizer for giving twice the amount of moisture to your hair, making it vibrant and glossy. It has a subtle scent that stays even after washing your hair, making you feel refreshed.
Key Ingredients: Citric acid and Vitamin E
Pros
- Lightweight
- Professional use
- Improves hair shine
- Gentle
- Lathers well
- Smells great
Cons
- Dries hair
10. Best For Deep Cleansing: Davines Solu Shampoo
Davines Solu Shampoo has a clarifying formula for intense cleansing of over-styled, overworked hair. It helps in removing the buildup and impurities from your hair without drying your hair. To use, wet your hair, then massage the shampoo into your scalp, and rinse again. Its gentle formula lathers well and frees you from the grease and muck collected on your hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and voluminous.
Key Ingredients: Citric acid and Buckwheat extract
Pros
- Smells good
- Anti-dandruff
- Ideal for all hair types
Cons
- Expensive
11. Best Vegan: Act+Acre Cold Processed Hair Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo
Act+Acre Cold Processed Hair Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo eliminates product residue and impurities. It nourishes, repairs, and replenishes your hair, keeping them healthy and shiny. The product is manufactured in a clinically tested cold-processed method, ensuring to retain the original potency of all its ingredients. This mild shampoo hydrates your hair, maintains pH balance, and moisturizes your scalp. In addition, it moisturizes the roots and ends of your hair while preventing hair fall, breakage, and split ends. This vegan shampoo provides a natural soft texture, flexibility, and volume to your hair. This cold-pressed and plant-based shampoo is infused with moringa oil that moisturizes your hair. It also contains rosemary extract, which increases blood circulation in your scalp for nourishing the follicles, and lavender oil to reduce irritation or flaking.
Key Ingredients: Moringa oil, Rosemary extract, and Lavender oil
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Phthalate-free
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Protects from environmental pollutants
Cons
- Expensive
- Not for color-treated hair
12. Best For All Hair Types: Mizani Moisture Fusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
The mild Mizani Moisture Fusion Gentle Clarifying Shampoo removes buildup and impurities without drying up your hair. To use, wet your hair and massage the shampoo onto your scalp and then rinse. If the buildup is too much, repeat the process. It works on all types of hair, including textured hair. It provides super moisturization to the roots and the tips, making your hair soft, smooth, and silky. This gentle shampoo is enriched with charcoal and the goodness of coconut. It works specifically on curly hair, leaving them strong, healthy, and lustrous.
Key Ingredients: Coconut and Charcoal
Pros
- Gentle
- Salon quality
- Non-drying
- For all hair types
Cons
- None
13. Best For Flaky Scalp: Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo has a potent formula that eliminates buildup and impurities, revitalizing dull hair and flaky scalp. It is infused with neola essential oil derived from the bitter orange tree to keep your hair moisturized. In addition, it has other soothing oils that pacify and soothe an itchy scalp. This balancing shampoo, enriched with deep-sea volcanic extracts, keeps your hair soft, clean, healthy, and radiant. Lastly, it has a sweet fragrance of orange blossom to invigorate your senses.
Key Ingredients: Neola oil and Deep-sea volcanic extracts
Pros
- Gentle
- Pleasant scent
- Color-safe
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Expensive
14. Best For Brittle Hair: Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight
The Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight is curated with liquid micellar technology which works like a magnet to attract and eliminate away debris, resulting in a completely clean scalp and hair. The shampoo leaves the hair and color looking refreshed. The specially formulated liquid allows unobstructed access to the scalp as it rapidly spreads through the hair, then turns into a mild foam lather without causing severe friction. It works without effort throughout, reducing the number of tangles, and rinses clean in a flash, so no additional weight is gained from the residue left behind. It contains aloe vera that provides hydration, softness, and gloss. After only one wash, the scalp and hair feel fresh, supple, and moisturized.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Artificial color-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- None
The above-mentioned clarifying products should solve your dry hair issues. Now, let’s move on to the next section to learn how to use the clarifying shampoo for dry hair to get the best results. Keep scrolling to learn step-by-step directions on using a clarifying shampoo.
How To Use A Clarifying Shampoo For Dry Hair?
- Rinse your hair.
- Then, pump a small amount of the clarifying shampoo into your hand.
- Apply it to wet hair and scalp.
- Massage till it lathers well.
- Leave it on for about 30 seconds.
- Rinse again and follow with a good deep conditioner or leave-in conditioner.
This should sort out your hair problems, but are you aware of all the benefits of using this shampoo?
What Are The Benefits Of Using Clarifying Shampoo For Dry Hair?
- Removes buildup and impurities
- Eliminates product residue, chlorine, and hard water deposit
- Helps with itchy, irritating scalp
- Reduces hair loss
- Maintains the pH level
- Revitalizes hair and brings back the shine
- Moisturizes hair
We hope you are convinced of the benefits provided by this shampoo. However, before shopping for the perfect shampoo, scroll down to read some tips on choosing the best clarifying shampoo for dry hair. Here are a few factors that will help you decide on your perfect shampoo.
How To Choose The Best Clarifying Shampoo For Dry Hair?
Here are a few factors that will help you decide on your perfect shampoo.
- Cleansing Effect: Since you’re in for cleansing, it is taken for granted these shampoos do a good job of taking away the buildup, residue, hard water deposits, chlorine, sweat, dirt, and grease, leaving your hair clean.
- Moisturization: Clarifying shampoos normally leave the hair a little dry and brittle. Make sure your shampoo does not rip off the moisture and shine from your hair. If possible, get a product that adds moisture to it.
- Reduces Scalp Itchiness: The shampoo should help with dandruff and flaking, which will reduce your scalp’s itchiness.
- Organic: It is best to go for plant-based ingredients and avoid harmful substances like sulfates and parabens.
- Color-Safe: Go for a clarifying shampoo suitable for color-treated hair and does not wash away the color.
- Scent: A non-scented or mildly scented shampoo works for everyone. Make sure the smell is not strong and annoying.
- Reduces Hair Fall: While this is not a given, some of these clarifying shampoos help in reducing hair fall. For example, NISIM New Hair Biofactors Shampoo stops hair fall.
- Reviews: User feedback and honest reviewers’ experiences will clarify whether it is worth the price.
Infographic: Infographic: Clarifying Shampoo: Ingredients To Avoid And A User Guide
Finding the right clarifying shampoo for your needs can be challenging. You have to consider your hair type, scalp condition, and other factors to ensure the shampoo doesn’t overdry your hair or cause damage.
The infographic below lists the ingredients you should avoid when choosing the right shampoo and has a detailed guide on how to use them properly. Check it out! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
We hope our curated list of the best clarifying shampoos for dry hair helps you make the right choice. You can try the Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo to soothe your scalp and reinforce shine, the Maple Holistics Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo to treat dandruff, and the Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo for increases hair vitality.
Go through the instructions well before using the product, especially regarding the frequency of usage. Clarifying shampoos are usually not recommended for daily or frequent use, especially those containing a lot of chemicals. If you have an itchy, flaky scalp and are in the habit of coloring and styling your hair often, get yourself an expert-recommended clarifying shampoo for dry hair and put an end to this menace and flaunt your healthy, vibrant, and shiny hair! However, conduct a patch test to detect allergic reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if you need a clarifying shampoo?
Everybody needs a clarifying shampoo to remove the dirt, sweat, and oil that accumulates in your hair and scalp.
Is purifying shampoo the same as clarifying?
Yes, purifying, clarifying, deep-cleansing and detox shampoos are all the same.
Should I use regular shampoo after clarifying shampoo?
No. Clarifying shampoo is a standalone product. You could follow it with any regular conditioner, though.
Is clarifying shampoo good for dry hair?
Yes, clarifying shampoo is good for dry hair since it removes debris and impurities while moisturizing your hair and keeping it shiny and healthy.
How often should I use a clarifying shampoo?
Use a clarifying shampoo twice weekly for dry hair.
Should you deep condition after clarifying?
Yes, deep conditioning the hair is important after using a clarifying shampoo.
Can I use clarifying shampoo daily on dry hair?
No, using clarifying shampoo daily can leave your hair feeling dull and dry.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti, the author, penned this article to help you find the best clarifying shampoo to resolve your dry hair woes. As a hair expert, she understands that not all clarifying shampoos are good, and the wrong ones can leave your hair dry and brittle. She handpicked the products on this list after researching each product, and reading up all the reviews available on every forum. She recommends these products based on their cleansing properties, ingredients, and additional hair care benefits like moisturization, hair fall reduction and more.
Read full bio of Lindsay Loo
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
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