1. A reparative Nexxus shampoo made with a blend of elastin protein and marine minerals that help condition and nourish dull and dry hair. This detoxifying shampoo contains no silicones, dyes, or parabens.
Promising review: “The smell is great, and my itchy scalp is cured. It lathers nicely without needing a lot of product. It actually brings my natural curl out in my hair.” —Jill A. Larrew
Get it from Amazon for $27.99.
2. An antioxidant-rich My Black Is Beautiful shampoo if you’re looking for a gentle cleanse that’ll also hydrate your hair and promote a healthy scalp. Give your locs the refresh they need and deserves.
Promising review: “This is the best shampoo I have used in my hair. My partner and I both have locs, and it has been a little difficult finding a shampoo that cleans out the buildup without stripping all the moisture from our scalps. This felt nourishing and left my hair feeling soft and fluffy, and it made it so easy to re-twist our locs. It smelled fresh, and I loved the tea tree tingle. Will definitely buy again.” —Dionna Hillman
Get it from Amazon for $11.97.
3. A shine-restoring Malibu C shampoo because it’ll not only remove product buildup and resins but it’s also designed to protect hair against UV and thermal damage. This formula won’t dehydrate your locks but will, instead, lock in moisture. Plus, no sulfates here!
Promising reviews: “This shampoo is amazing at removing that extra buildup that you can’t get out with a regular shampoo. This has literally removed the built-up glue from tape and extensions. Highly highly recommend it!!” —Melissa
“My hair is bouncy and shiny and awesome after I use this. I am Black and have curly/coily natural hair.” —d-pll
Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in two sizes).
4. A nourishing K-beauty Gache shampoo whose natural ingredients (like acorus calamus root extract and camellia japonica seed oil) help to improve texture. This shampoo strengthens, hydrates, and repairs so you can whip your hair back and forth with the best of them.
Amazon
Promising review: “This shampoo feels great. Whenever my hair feels dry and frizzy, this shampoo seems to revive my dead hair. My scalp and hair feel cleansed and refreshed afterward. This also seems to be helping with my thinning hair after a few weeks, but I will keep monitoring it.” —Hydee
Get it from Amazon for $29.97.
5. A mineral- and antioxidant-rich, vegan Attitude shampoo that’ll Command-Z any oil from your hair and scalp. Formulated with 97.9% naturally sourced ingredients, this hypoallergenic shampoo was made to revive your dying strands.
Amazon
Promising review: “After having my daughter, my hair is terrible! My healthy hair never came back. I was giving up hope when I heard about this brand. I’ve been using it for about three months now, and my hair is almost completely back to pre-pregnancy health. Shiny, soft, clean, and my natural highlights are even coming back. This saved my hair! I love and would definitely recommend!” —ellie owens
Get it from Amazon for $7.35+ (available in two sizes).
6. A refreshing Davines shampoo designed with heavily-styled hair in mind, so you can say buh-bye to any product buildup.
Promising review: “I tried this shampoo for oily hair, and it’s amazing! It leaves my hair feeling super clean and fresh without drying it out. It controls the oil really well, so I don’t have to wash my hair as often. Plus, it smells great. Highly recommend if you struggle with oily hair!” —Viktoriya Stavytska
Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in two sizes).
7. Or a color-safe Paul Mitchell shampoo if you have a daily styling routine that involves using a lot of product, which, of course, leads to buildup. Reviewers with thick hair swear by this stuff!
Promising review: “Clarifying shampoos usually dry my hair out, especially my ends. However, this shampoo makes my hair SO soft and feels SO clean!! Highly recommend!” —Stephanie Hughes
Get it from Amazon for $14.
8. A salon-quality Redken shampoo because in addition to a deep cleanse, it’ll also work to strengthen your hair cuticles. It’s pH-balanced with AHA fruit acids and can remove dry shampoo and product buildup, hard water minerals, excess oil, and pollution residue.
Promising review: “I could write a novel about how much I love this shampoo. It’s been a game-changer for my hair care routine. This shampoo is incredibly effective at removing buildup from styling products and hard water minerals. After just one wash, my hair felt noticeably lighter, cleaner, and more voluminous. The formula is gentle yet powerful, making it suitable for all hair types. It doesn’t strip the hair of its natural oils, which is a common issue with other clarifying shampoos. Plus, the refreshing scent is a nice bonus, leaving my hair smelling great all day. I use it every other day and it has significantly improved the overall health and appearance of my hair. If you’re looking for a deep-cleaning shampoo that truly delivers, this is definitely worth trying.” —Grace R
Get it from Amazon for $26+ (available in two sizes).
9. A detoxifying Ouai shampoo formulated with apple cider vinegar and keratin to help exfoliate, restore shine, and reduce frizz. It also contains chelating agents that work to get rid of heavy metals, chlorine, and minerals that are typically found in hard water, which can damage hair and cause color to fade.
Promising review: “I have been living with well water for years. I never once thought I needed to wash the minerals out of my hair from hard water. Our water is not too hard, but after seeing the buildup of minerals around my sink drains, water stains from hard water, and having to rinse out faucet aerators to remove buildup, I realized all that gunk must be in my hair, as well! After losing most of my hair from an illness, it grew back curly, so with all the hair products, along with hard water, I decided to get a detox shampoo. I purchased this shampoo, and I’m not disappointed! It lathers very nicely! It does leave my hair squeaky clean, so I always use a heavier conditioner after washing and leave it in for a few minutes before I rinse it out. It really helps my curls pop back! This is not a cheap shampoo, but it was definitely money well spent! I love the golden color, and the smell is nice.” —Natalie Dean
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in three sizes).
10. An oat protein and henna Design Essentials shampoo gentle enough for daily use. This voluminizing formula works on natural and relaxed hair as well as on locs.
11. An eco-friendly Ethique shampoo bar if you’re as dedicated to trying to save the planet as you are to have healthy, oil-free hair. It’s formulated with oil-dissolving castor oil, moisturizing glycerine, and lime and orange essential oils. And maybe it goes without saying, but this shampoo bar is made with vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, paraben-free, and renewable ingredients.
Promising review: “I’ve tried literally 20+ shampoos to try and tame my hair. I have particularly difficult hair (very thick combo curly/wavy, oily/frizzy medium porosity) and have been on a quest for a shampoo that actually makes my hair manageable. This shampoo bar completely cleanses my hair of oil and product/mineral buildup and still manages not to strip my hair completely of moisture, which in turn makes my hair less likely to tangle and reduces frizz. I wouldn’t recommend this for everyday use, but I only wash my hair once a week, ideally to prevent hair damage. Within two weeks (two washes) I have noticed my hair is a lot more manageable and generally less oily. Even after a few days, my hair is still not overly greasy.” —Lucy K.
Get it from Amazon for $15.
12. An advanced, bond maintenance Olaplex shampoo that’s pH-balanced to maintain hydration, and will work to remove impurities from your environment as well as from any hair products you’ve used. Get your vibrant color and softness back with this tried-and-true shampoo!
Promising review: “WOW! I had a weird waxy build-up on my hair that wouldn’t wash out no matter what I tried (including repeated washings, other clarifying shampoos, dishwashing liquid, baking soda, vinegar, and other bizarre home remedies). One wash with this and my poor, damaged hair, which is still struggling to recover from over-processing and massive loss, is shiny, bouncy, and silky! I did not expect such great results after ONE wash. Worth EVERY penny!!!” —Gail Hirt
Get it from Amazon for $30.
13. A manuka honey-infused Matrix shampoo designed with curly and coily hair in mind. This cleansing formula removes buildup while keeping your curl pattern intact. Plus, it’s free of parabens and silicones! So if you’ve noticed a lack of bounce, give this shampoo a try.
14. A pH-balanced Neutrogena shampoo so you can rid your oily hair of residue while also bestowing upon it a lovely pink grapefruit scent. This non-drying formula is safe for color-treated hair
Promising review: “As someone who struggles with a naturally oily scalp, it was hard for me to find the right clarifying shampoo. I researched this shampoo before purchasing it, and ever since I started using it, my hair has been at its best, natural, and healthy look and feel. It offers a clean so exfoliating that my hair has a balanced and texture look after blow drying. It also has a subtle grapefruit fragrance, which makes my hair smell good and refreshed without stripping it. It also helps bring the light shine back without looking greasy. This product works well on maintaining a healthy scalp and oily-free hair. A MUST-HAVE!!!!!” —ISABEL BECKERMAN
Get it from Amazon for $9.97.
15. An unscented and non-irritating Nothing But shampoo made with clean ingredients to get your hair back to its healthy, shiny self. Great for use on curly and coily hair!
Nothing But is a small business making clean, haircare products for all hair types.
Promising review: “Love the way my hair felt after using this shampoo. My hair and scalp were super clean without that stripped, squeaky, drying feeling clarifying shampoos can give. It was soft, moisturized and manageable. My hair is 4a, and clarifying shampoos usually tangle my hair, and I have to follow up with another moisturizing shampoo. Not with this one; I feel I can use it regularly. It’s a keeper.” —In all honesty
Get it from Nothing But on Amazon for $9.98.
16. An aloe vera-infused TPH shampoo (from Taraji P. Henson) because it won’t strip your hair of its natural oils, but it will remove mineral and hard water buildup. It’s also got honey and willowbark extract to help boost moisture and leave your hair and scalp feeling hydrated and fresh.
Target
Promising review: “This is the best shampoo I’ve ever used!!!! This shampoo washes and clarifies my hair and scalp so well, especially after weeks of buildup on my scalp. I have 3C texture, and my sister has 4B texture, and it works beautifully for both of us! Also, it smells absolutely amazing and has such a great lather! I will never stop purchasing this shampoo!” —Morgan T.
Get it from Target for $12.49.
17. A gentle, vegan Odele clarifying shampoo — this naturally fragranced shampoo (oak moss, ylang ylang, and cucumber, BTW) removes chlorine, buildup, and hard water deposits without ruining your hair’s color. Made with clean ingredients, this sulfate-, formaldehyde-, phthalate-, and paraben-free formula will help shepherd your hair back to its glory days.
Odele is a woman-owned and operated small haircare biz.
Promising review: “Love how this made my hair feel after just one wash. My other shampoo was coating my hair too much, and this restored its health immediately. Soft and clean feel. Love it!” —Sidecar mama
18. A jelly-like Aavrani shampoo designed to help flaky, dry scalps find relief. It has a built-in massaging nozzle to help the product do its thang! Infused with antioxidants, vitamin E capsules, and glycolic acid, this shampoo can get rid of any excess oil and buildup while also hydrating and softening hair. Oh, and it’s vegan and cruelty-free!
Promising reviews: “It comes with an incorporated brush as part of the packaging that allows me to give my scalp a good massage while providing a deep cleansing. It makes my hair feel very soft, clean, and refreshed.” —irisrubi
“I use this about once a week, and it has decreased the dryness of my scalp. It smells really refreshing, almost like a little spa session!” —therealkarenp
Get it from Sephora for $34.
19. An affordable and vegan Acure shampoo whose lemongrass scent might just leave you breathless (in a good way)! This also contains argan oil, which is a hydrating antioxidant, so your hair will feel replenished.
Promising reviews: “I have tried a number of ‘clean’ shampoos and have not been satisfied with any until I tried this one. It lathers well, rinses clean, smells great, and after using it for six months, my hairdresser said my hair looks and feels healthy.” —Amazon Customer
“It thoroughly removes product build-up and provides a satisfying lather. As someone with low-porosity hair, I incorporate this shampoo once a week to eliminate any residue left behind by my regular moisture shampoo. It effectively cleanses my hair without causing dryness.” —Horse Whisperer
Get it from Amazon for $6.59.
20. A heavy-duty K18 peptide shampoo formulated with activated charcoal and salicylic acid because they can help remove buildup, sebum, and copper while nourishing damaged hair and soothing scalps.
Amazon
Promising review: “My colored hair can be dry and frizzy, and I’ve been using K18 repair mask with my normal shampoo. After only one shampoo with K18 detox shampoo, the color is brighter and more vibrant, and the texture’s noticeably smoother and more manageable. :)” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $38.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
