21 best clarifying shampoos to wash away build-up

Clarifying shampoo is a game-changer for healthy, full-bodied looking hair that's not weighed down by gunk. We may think our haircare is doing what it's supposed to, but if you find your strands are starting to look a little limp and dull, they're likely suffering from a build-up of styling products and too many days of dry shampoo.

Employed once a month, or once a week, depending on what your hair needs, a clarifying shampoo acts like a cleanser that removes every trace of product buildup and excess oil. It gets deep into roots and work itself all the way along the hair shaft, lifting away each and every speck of dirt, grime and product residue as it goes. And given its mightier cleansing power, it has the ability to take on even the most stubborn, adhesive styling products that build up over time, that our everyday shampoos struggle to shift.

Best clarifying shampoo at a glance – our top picks:

1. Best clarifying shampoo overall: OUAI Detox Shampoo, £28, LookFantastic
2. Best clarifying shampoo for damaged hair: Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, £28, LookFantastic
3. Best clarifying shampoo for oily scalps: Redken Retail Amino-Mint Scalp Shampoo, WAS £22.50 NOW £20.25, LookFantastic
4. Best affordable clarifying shampoo: Aveeno Haircare Clarify and Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, WAS £7.99 NOW £5.99, Boots

OUAI Detox Shampoo

£28 at LookFantastic

Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

£19.99 at Amazon

£28 at LookFantastic

Redken Retail Amino-Mint Scalp Shampoo

£18.35 at Amazon

£22.50 £20.25 at LookFantastic

Aveeno Haircare Clarify and Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

£7.99 £5.99 at Boots

£7.99 at Amazon

Don't get us wrong, we're still very much on board with regular shampoo. For day-to-day cleansing, finding one suited to your hair type and texture can make a huge difference to the health and appearance of your hair and scalp. Especially given the options now are more specific and targeted – you can pick up solutions catered solely toward textured or fine strands, and there are even ones to soothe an itchy scalp.

But, even if you tend to skip heavier hair styling products, it's still a good idea to incorporate a deep clean into your routine every so often to boost hair health and even the vibrancy of your colour as pollution and general grime can build up in our roots. While it can take a while to start seeing the benefits, you should start to notice brighter colour, less breakage and your scalp doesn't get as oily as quickly as it used to.

That being said, it's not exactly the best idea to deep-clean your hair with a clarifying shampoo every time you wash it (since clarifying shampoos have harsher ingredients, which, if used too regularly can dry hair and scalps out), a once-over every so often deep-cleanse could just be the answer to peak hair health.

Below, we've put together a comprehensive guide on the best clarifying shampoos on the market, from budget-friendly options to premium buys that hairdressers swear by. We've also included new launches and our personal favourites, so there's definitely one that will fit your preference and hair concerns. The best part? A whole bunch of the said products are now on sale too, so hurry while the deals are still active…

Looking for more hair products? Head this way for the best shampoos for all hair types and over here for conditioners to pair with them. We’ve also got hair masks, purple shampoo, soothing shampoo for sensitive scalps, the best shampoo for curly hair and the best shampoo for greasy hair.

For more makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from our Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.

Behold, our edit of the best clarifying and deep cleansing shampoos…