11 Best Affordable Clarifying Shampoos Of 2023
Affordable shampoos that are gentle on your scalp but tough on dirt and buildup.
Alexandro VasquezHairdresser
Expertise: Hairdressing & Hair Color
Experience: 24 years
Alexandro Vasquez has been a hairdresser since 1997 and has worked in various countries, including Brazil, Spain, Ireland, Indonesia, Singapore, and UAE. His experience spans salon brands such as Toni&Guy, Aveda, and Leekaja. He special... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 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 three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
If your hair feels weighed down and greasy even after regular shampoos, then what you might just need is the best drugstore clarifying shampoo. This shampoo will deeply cleanse your hair and scalp, leaving it free from residue, product build-up, and dirt. It can be used for all hair types to leave them super-clean and fresh.
Given below are the 11 best drugstore clarifying shampoos for you to try.
In This Article
11 Best Affordable Clarifying Shampoos Of 2023
1. TIGI Bed Head Down N’ Dirty Clarifying Detox Shampoo
The TIGI Bed Head Down N’ Dirty Clarifying Detox Shampoo comes with a cleansing and clarifying formula that improves your overall hair and scalp health. The formula consists of glycerin that keeps your tresses hydrated and healthy. It also includes lotus flower extract that intensely repairs and softens your hair. This detox shampoo removes dirt, grime, and product buildup without stripping your hair of its natural oils. It is suitable for every hair type and color-treated locks.
Pros
- Color-safe formula
- Removes product buildup
- Suitable for every hair type
- Mild citrus fragrance
Cons
- Contains sulfates
Caution2. Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo
The Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo is a mild and gentle formula suitable for all hair types. It also is safe for color-treated hair. This shampoo is believed to remove over 90 percent of the build-up and residue. It also makes your hair voluminous. However, excess use of the shampoo may lead to hair dryness. Using a hair conditioner after shampooing could reduce the possibility. The product contains no colorants or artificial dyes.
Pros
- Suits all hair types
- Color-safe
- No colorants
- No artificial dyes
- Non-irritating
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
Did You Know?3. Alberto Vo5 Herbal Escapes Clarifying Shampoo
The Alberto Vo5 Herbal Escapes Clarifying shampoo combines the fresh fragrance of sweet kiwis and tangy limes with rosemary and lemongrass extracts. The shampoo is suitable for all hair types, including damaged hair. It revitalizes dry, oily, and damaged hair and leaves it feeling silky, soft, and fluffy.
Pros
- Silicone-free
- Suits all hair types
Cons
- Contains sulfates
Caution4. Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two
The Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two deeply cleanses your tresses and removes unwanted product buildup. The color-safe product is suitable for every hair type and ideal for oily tresses. The formula, comprising jojoba seed oil, aloe extract, white ginger root extract, and wheat oil, tames unruly tresses and keeps your hair grease-free for days. The ingredients leave your strands feeling fresh, rejuvenated, and shiny. The product reduces oil and sebum production in your hair and scalp. It also offers a volumizing effect and improves the overall appearance of your hair. Check out this review on YouTube to understand the product better.
Pros
- Removes buildup
- Reduces sebum production
- Offers volume
- Ideal for oily hair
- Color-safe formula
- Vegan formula
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Contains sulfates/SLS
5. Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo
The Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo restores the natural hair shine and luster. The composition is a beautiful blend of modern science and natural plant-based botanicals and essential oils. This shampoo consists of a fine blend of lemon essential oil, aloe, quinoa protein, and vitamin E that condition and seal the hair cuticles.
This deep-cleanse shampoo revitalizes hair by removing the excess oils and build-up. The shampoo is EWG-verified. It is non-GMO and is free of preservatives, parabens, artificial colors/fragrances, phthalates, and sulfates. This shampoo is specifically suitable for dry hair. It also is vegan and cruelty-free.
For excellent results, apply this shampoo to wet hair, massage till you get a rich lather, and rinse thoroughly. You can additionally combine this shampoo with Avalon Clarifying Lemon Conditioner to multiply the results. You may check this video for a better understanding of this product.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Specifically suits dry hair
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Non-GMO
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Preservative-free
- No artificial colors
- No artificial fragrances
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- Watery consistency
6. Fairy Tales Sun & Swim Lifeguard Clarifying Shampoo
The Fairy Tales Sun & Swim Lifeguard Clarifying Shampoo is made of natural fruit extracts that boost hair health. They gently remove accumulated chlorine, sea salts, minerals, and daily build-up. This gluten-free shampoo is made with lemon, pineapple, and orange extracts. This product softens and detangles hair. It is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, soy, dairy, and nuts.
For best results, massage this shampoo into hair and scalp and rinse thoroughly. You can follow this routine with a Lemon-Aid Conditioner for quick hair detangling and shine.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- Soy-free
- Nut-free
- Dairy-free
- No synthetic colors
- No synthetic fragrances
Cons
None
7. Keratin Research Clarifying Shampoo
The Keratin Research Clarifying Shampoo is formulated to deep clean the hair cuticles and remove all impurities and residue from the hair shaft. This shampoo opens the cuticles for optimum receptivity of the Keratin Treatment. It leaves the hair clean, soft, and residue-free. This shampoo keeps hair silky and naturally straight and improves hair quality. It also reduces hair breakage and strengthens hair cuticles by boosting hair volume.
Pros
- Reduces hair breakage
Cons
- Contains formaldehyde
8. Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo
The Acure Curiously Clarifying Shampoo is formulated to gently wash out all build-up without stripping the natural hair oils. It comes with a double dose of highly beneficial oils infused with lemongrass. The freshness of lemongrass revitalizes hair, boosts hair shine, and replenishes hair moisture.
The shampoo is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. It also is free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, and formaldehyde.
Pros
- Mineral oil-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- 100% vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
9. Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo
The Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo gently deep cleans the hair and scalp. It removes deep-seated contaminants, excess oils, build-up, and residue from the hair and hair follicles. The clarifying shampoo restores hair shine and makes hair more manageable. It suits all hair types, including color-treated, curly, African American, and biracial hair.
It can be easily used once to twice a month or whenever you feel the need. Swimmers can also use this shampoo to safely remove chlorine build-up. This shampoo is free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, phthalates, and colorants. For best results, you can use the shampoo with moisturizing Cleansing Conditioner and an Intense Healing Mask.
Pros
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Suitable for all hair types
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Colorant-free
- Phthalate-free
- Non-irritating formula
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- May dry hair out in some
10. GIOVANNI Eco Chic 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo
The GIOVANNI Eco Chic 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo is curated with a blend of vitamins, proteins, and nutrients that nourish and strengthen each strand. This color-safe shampoo is suitable for daily use and particularly ideal for people with dry hair. It revitalizes over-processed and overworked hair by hydrating and moisturizing the tresses. The product also controls the pH balance in your hair and leaves the tresses shinier than ever. It is enriched with aloe vera, rosemary, and sunflower seed oil that gently cleanse and add moisture to your hair. Rosemary extract offers a luxurious appearance to your hair and smooths frizz. Aloe vera strengthens your strands and controls extra grease. The sunflower seed oil prevents breakage and improves hair growth.
Pros
- Suitable for dry hair
- Imparts shine
- Color-safe formula
- Moisturizing formula
- Vegan-friendly formula
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
None
11. Kenra Clarifying Shampoo
Image: Era Organics The Kenra Clarifying Shampoo is a perfect solution for those with dry, dull, and unmanageable hair. The product also works well on hair exposed to hard or well water or mica. Its unique formula is made of extracts of grapefruit and witch hazel combined with amino acid chelates. This shampoo works perfectly to remove build-up and clears 99% of the dulling deposits. It is color-safe. It brightens highlighted, bleached, and gray hair. The product is free of parabens.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Suits all hair types
- Pleasant fragrance
- Color-safe
- Softens hair
Cons
- Contains sulfates
Infographic: A Buying Guide On Drugstore Clarifying Shampoos
If you want to remove the unnecessary product buildup in your tresses without going too high on budget, you should opt for drugstore clarifying shampoos. They rejuvenate your tresses while getting rid of extra buildup and residue. However, choosing one might be challenging if you are not aware of what to look for. The below infographic explains how to choose the right drugstore clarifying shampoo. Take a look!
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Bad hair days can be easily avoided with the best drugstore clarifying shampoos. They clean the grease off your scalp and strands and make your hair look gorgeous. Alexandro Vasquez, a hairdresser, says, “Clarifying shampoos is something I recommend only for customers with oily scalp or to clear products residues like that crazy peekaboo balayage that you want change the shade, but is better to be careful when your hair got a new shade because Clarifying Shampoos could wash off your new colors and remove that new keratin treatment too. So ask for professional advice in case you have doubts ok.” Most of the products mentioned in our list are hypoallergenic and chemical-free. Some of them are color-safe and reduce hair breakage. The best part? These products are affordable, and therefore, you do not have to break your bank to keep your hair healthy. Stay away from products that may dry out the strands.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach and a hair care enthusiast. She strongly advocates using drugstore clarifying shampoos to deeply cleanse the hair and scalp. This list of the best clarifying shampoos is based on hours of research of various products and user feedback collected from trusted online forums. These products are suitable for all hair types and work best to leave your hair super fresh and clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hair clarifying mean?
Hair clarifying is the process of removing product build-up on the scalp or in the hair through the use of home remedies or clarifying shampoos.
Is a clarifying shampoo bad for your hair?
No. Using clarifying shampoos the right way has benefits. But excess usage can leave your hair dry and brittle.
How often should I use a clarifying shampoo on natural hair?
You can use a clarifying shampoo once a week or twice every two to four weeks. The usage, largely, depends on your needs.
Do clarifying shampoos strip hair color?
Clarifying shampoos are usually color-safe. But using them too often may fade your hair color.
How do clarifying shampoos work on curly hair?
Clarifying shampoos cleanse hair better than regular shampoos. They also restore the natural bounce and shine of curls when used on curly hair.
What’s the difference between shampoo and clarifying shampoo?
Regular shampoos use harsh substances like sulfates to clean the scalp and hair, removing natural oils from the scalp’s surface. On the other hand, clarifying shampoos have a unique formula that attracts dirt and product buildup, dissolves them, and flushes them out from the scalp.
Does baby shampoo work as a clarifying shampoo?
Yes, baby shampoos are a gentler option. They provide deep cleansing without striping the essential oils from the scalp. Also, if you have colored hair, you can look for color-safe clarifying shampoos that preserve your dye.
How do you know if you need a clarifying shampoo?
Here are a few signs that indicate your hair needs clarifying shampoos.
• Your hair is frequently oily and greasy, and dirt is not off the scalp.
• When your highlights look dull
• Your hair cannot hold styling anymore
• Frequently using dry shampoo
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