9 Best Clarifying Shampoos For Dandruff – 2023 Update
Gently formulated products keep dandruff away from your delicate tresses and scalp.
Lindsay LooCosmetologist
Expertise: Coloring
Experience: 10 years
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 love... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 4 years
Shiboli 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 edito... more
Aditi NaskarDiploma In Health & Wellness
Expertise: Health & Wellness
Experience: 5 years
Aditi 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 i... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Dandruff is a common problem that is aggravated in winter. Good news, you can overcome the problem with the best clarifying shampoos for dandruff. Pollution, styling products, and skin type can all cause dandruff. You must consult a doctor if your condition is severe, otherwise, clarifying shampoos can do the work quite easily.
A good quality deep cleaning shampoo cleanses your scalp and clears out all residues and accumulation of all kinds. A clean scalp plays the main role in healthy hair. Here, we have listed some of the best clarifying shampoos available on the market right now. Keep scrolling to find out more!
In This Article
9 Best Clarifying Shampoos For Dandruff In 2023
1. Best pH-balanced: Tru Moroccan Clarifying Shampoo
Image: Tru Moroccan The Tru Moroccan Clarifying shampoo is loaded with a blend of essential oils and herbs that cleanse and exfoliate your scalp and hair follicles. It is infused with rosemary extract that stimulates blood circulation while promoting hair growth. Tea tree unclogs the hair follicles and eliminates product residue and excess oil while nourishing your hair from the roots. It also treats dandruff. Jojoba extracts minimize hair fall and volumize and strengthen your strands. Further, apricot kernel and horsetail extracts add strength, make your hair softer, and restore scalp pH balance. Witch hazel eliminates itch and stabilizes an oily scalp without stripping its moisture. The purifying shampoo keeps the hair perfectly hydrated and moisturized for long hours, preventing it from turning brittle. It is a holistic formula for soft, smooth, detangled, and dandruff-free hair. Additionally, the product is not tested on animals, which makes it ideal for people seeking ethically conscious hair care solutions.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, rosemary, jojoba oil, apricot kernel, horsetail extract, and witch hazel
Pros
- Improves scalp circulation
- pH-balanced
- Vegan
- Organic ingredients
- Suitable for color-treated hair
- Refreshing fragrance
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Runny consistency
- Less lather
Quick Tip2. Best For Dry Hair: OLAPLEX No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
Image: Olaplex The OLAPLEX No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo is a unique detox shampoo that removes the buildup of hazardous pollutants and hair products. It assists in enhancing hair volume, smoothness, sheen, and color vibrancy. This sulfate-free shampoo uses a cutting-edge broad-spectrum clarifying process, called the Bond Building Technique, which does not peel the scalp or dry it out to remove impurities like oil, sweat, pollution, and product buildup. This scalp treatment shampoo even maintains the pH balance and moisture of the hair while offering restorative care to dull strands.
Key Ingredients: Bis-Aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate and Citric acid
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Lightweight
- Gentle cleanser
- Silicone-free
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 1,616 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
3. Best Hydrating: Maple Holistics Hydrate Shampoo
Image: Maple Holistics The Maple Holistics Hydrate Shampoo has an ultra-hydrating formula that drains out flakes and nourishes your hair deeply from root to tip. The moisturizing shampoo is made with almonds which promote hair growth and offer sufficient nutrients to the follicles to strengthen hair roots and strands and prevent hair fall. The nourishing hair care is also enriched with jojoba, carrot, and lavender oils, which treat dandruff, volumize your hair, and make them look lustrous. This shampoo can be used by both men and women to restore scalp health and achieve healthy and conditioned hair.
Key Ingredients: Almond oil, Lavender oil, and Jojoba oil
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- GMO-free
- BPA-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Synthetic color-free
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Thick consistency
Caution| Tru Moroccan Clarifying Shampoo Best pH-balanced | OLAPLEX No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo Best For Dry Hair | Maple Holistics Hydrate Shampoo Best Hydrating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Curly,Oily,Wavy,Dry,Color Treated,Thin,Fine | - | Straight,Wavy,Curly,Coily |
| Dimensions | - | - | 2.5 x 2.5 x 5.5 inches |
| Weight | - | - | 12.64 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 288 | - | 287 |
| Price | $20.0 | $30 | $11.95 |
4. Best Nourishing: Botanic Hearth Tea Tree Shampoo
Image: Botanic Hearth The Botanic Hearth Tea Tree Shampoo is made with 100% pure tea tree oil, which clarifies the scalp and nourishes your hair. It has an invigorating scent that calms your mind. The color-protecting shampoo suits every hair and is an excellent choice for everyday use. It is formulated with peppermint, lavender, and rosemary oil that fights dandruff & dry scalp while retaining the lost moisture. The vitamin C in the formula reduces hair loss and promotes the growth of healthy hair. Reviewers have praised this non-drying shampoo for enhancing hair manageability and keeping your strands hydrated until the next wash.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree, Vitamin C, Peppermint, Lavender, and Rosemary oil
Pros
- 100% pure and natural
- Suitable for color-treated hair
- Hydrating
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Almost 2,282 happy users have mentioned the value and quality of this product.
5. Best For Frizzy Hair: Aquableu Apple Cider Vinegar Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Image: Aquableu The Aquableu Apple Cider Vinegar Deep Cleansing Shampoo is a holy grail of essential oils rich in vitamins and minerals. The apple cider vinegar infused in the formula provides relief from several scalp conditions, including flaking, dandruff, and psoriasis. It also maintains the pH balance of the scalp. The shampoo is crafted with botanical and nourishing ingredients like papaya and green coconut, which treat dry and flaky scalp. The ingredient list also consists of essential oils extracted from argan, almond, coconut, and avocado to repair damaged hair follicles and fortify scalp health. Each of these components has been incorporated to clean and disinfect your scalp perfectly. The vitamin B, E, and green papaya in the formula are enriched with necessary keratin that hydrates, softens, and reinforces the hair strands. Reviewers on online forums have praised the shampoo for being ideal on damaged, dandruff, color-treated, & chemically-treated frizzy hair.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, Jojoba oil, Coconut oil, Avocado oil, and Almond oil
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Suitable for color-treated hair
- Suitable for sensitive scalp
- Ideal for psoriasis
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Silicone-free cleanser
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive
Pro Tip6. Best Anti-Bacterial: Kitsch Clarifying Shampoo Bar
Unlike regular shampoo the 2-in-1 formulation of this shampoo bar is innovatively crafted for cleansing and shaving your scalp. It removes chemical accumulation, excess oil, and deeply cleanses without stripping off hair’s natural moisture. It is loaded with tea tree and mint essential oil, which are rich in antioxidants, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. They are effective in eliminating dandruff and preventing scalp itching. The bar lasts up to 100 washes. It is made without a cold-pressed and saponification process.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree and Mint essential oil
Pros
- Mild fragrance
- Zero wastage
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
7. Best Sulfate-Free: Laurel Essential Organic African Black Soap Hair Cleanser
Image: Laurel Essential The gentle and effective formula of the Laurel Essential Organic African Black Soap Hair Cleanser is a medical solution that washes and moisturizes the scalp and your natural tresses. It is infused with essential oils which stimulate hair growth and reduce and prevent hair breakage. Its active ingredient is rich in antifungal and antibacterial properties, which cleanses the chemical buildup and excess oil. Other essential oils, such as jojoba, haitian black castor oil, and glycerine retain the lost moisture and seal in the necessary nutrients to give smoothened and soft hair after each wash. In addition, the shampoo eliminates dandruff and soothes dry, itchy, and flaky scalp.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, Haitian black castor oil, Glycerin, and African black soap
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Rebalances the moisture content
- Vegan
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Salt-free
- Petrochemical-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Makes your hair greasy
8. Best Color-Safe: OUAI Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Image: Kiehl's The OUAI Detox Clarifying Shampoo is very effective in thoroughly cleaning the scalp and hair without affecting color-treated hair. In fact, it leaves the hair and color appearing more vibrant while also helping to reinforce the cuticle of the hair. The product makes use of chelating agents, which contribute to the elimination of hard water deposits and other pollutants. The apple cider vinegar works to exfoliate the scalp, removing flakes, debris, and buildup so that the hair may remain healthy and lustrous. The incorporated hydrolyzed keratin imparts and restores natural hair shine while also helping to smooth frizz and soften the hair texture. However, conduct a patch test on your hair and scalp before committing to this detox shampoo for consistent use.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar and Hydrolyzed keratin
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Phthalate-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Color-safe
Cons
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 1,616 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
9. Best For All Hair Types: Botanic Hearth Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Image: Botanic Hearth The Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo from Botanic Hearth nourishes your hair with its great damage repair properties. It is enriched with the refreshing and nourishing properties of coconut oil & argan oil, which hydrates each hair cuticle, volumizes them, and adds elasticity to the strands. The apple cider vinegar is rich in vitamins minerals that detoxify the scalp and eliminate dandruff and buildup. In addition, it improves hair strength and adds essential nutrients to ensure that your hair feels soft, silky, and healthy. This one is surely a people’s favorite with multiple positive reviews reflecting its overall efficacy in transforming hair health.
Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, Coconut oil, and Argan oil
Pros
- Pleasant smell
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Suitable for all hair types
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
Infographic: Key Ingredients In Clarifying Shampoos For Dandruff
Clarifying shampoos for dandruff help maintain a clean, healthy scalp without itchiness and irritation. They contain potent ingredients that keep your tresses lively and voluminous and remove product buildup to let your scalp breathe. Check out the below infographic to know which ingredients to look out for while selecting a clarifying shampoo.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic 
The Bottom Line
The secret behind dandruff-free, soft, and healthy hair is a nourished scalp. That’s why it is always a wise choice to include a clarifying shampoo in your hair care regimen. Lindsay Loo, a cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, says, “Clarifying shampoos are intended to deep clean the hair and scalp. Read the usage instructions on the label of the shampoo and follow them. Overuse of the shampoo can lead to dry, brittle, and lifeless hair.” You can choose the OLAPLEX No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo to offer superior bond maintenance and promoting hair health and strength, and the OUAI Detox Clarifying Shampoo to revitalize your hair and restore its natural shine. Check out a few product reviews and use one of the shampoos from our list once a week for smooth and shiny hair and see the difference for yourself! Additionally, consider investing in professional-grade formulas to maintain optimal hair health.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a hair care enthusiast who loves to review hair care products. She carefully listed the best clarifying shampoos for dandruff based on user reviews and feedback available on multiple forums and brand websites. These products help cleanse your scalp and clear residues, dirt, excess oil, and impurities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do after using a clarifying shampoo?
Apply your regular conditioner to the lower locks after using a clarifying shampoo, and after a few minutes wash your hair. This will help nourish your tresses and reduce scalp dryness.
What ingredients make a good clarifying shampoo?
Clarifying shampoos are made of strong cleansing agents and sulfates, apple vinegar cider, aloe vera, essential oils, and sea salt. They help rejuvenate the scalp, eliminate dandruff, and promote shiny and healthy hair.
Is clarifying shampoo good for itchy scalp?
Yes, a clarifying shampoo soothes dry, itchy scalp, removing oil and dandruff from your scalp. This shampoo can also help soothe scalp redness and prevent scalp infections.
How long does it take for shampoo to work?
It can take five washes for clarifying shampoo to work.
Recommended Articles
- Best Dandruff Control Shampoos For Curly Hair – Reviews And Buying Guide
- Best Clarifying Shampoos For Oily Hair That You Can Try
- Best Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoos
- Best Clarifying Shampoos For Fine Hair
