The Best Clarifying Shampoos To Keep Your Hair Feeling Fresh

Clarifying and detox shampoos may not be the first things that come to mind when thinking about hair necessities – but for many of us they’re the unsung heroes of a haircare routine. Made for removing product buildup, they’re the perfect reset button for those who rely on multiple haircare products (sprays, dry shampoos, oils… you name it). However, given that they also battle oiliness, pollution and other external elements, they really deserve to have a spot in everyone’s shower routine.
Whether you’re looking to refresh your locks, or want to focus on improving your scalp health if it leans towards itchiness and flakiness, clarifying shampoos now come in all shapes and sizes. You’ll find gentle formulas that don’t seem any different from your daily shampoo, or textures with a fine grit that gently exfoliate without stripping tresses. So if you’re looking for the next best detox shampoo, or if this is still foreign territory for you, you’re in luck. We’ve handpicked some of the best shampoos to remove buildup, as well as exfoliating treatments that cleanse tresses and give the scalp the ultimate refresh. Let the hair detox commence…
THE BEST DETOX SHAMPOOS FOR 2024
Living Proof
Clarifying Detox Shampoo, £ 31,00Gentle yet efficacious – that’s one way to sum up the latest offering from Living Proof. Powered by a surfactant blend, a naturally derived chelating agent and activated charcoal, this clarifying formula removes product and pollution buildup, excess oil and heavy metals without irritating locks. Use it once a week and follow with a mask or conditioner to unlock shiny, soft and beautifully clean hair for longer.
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Ouai
Detox Shampoo, £ 12,00One hair wash is all it takes to understand why this detox shampoo is one of Ouai’s bestsellers. It’s made with apple cider vinegar, tamarind seed extract and hair-strengthening keratin, and showcases the brand’s velvety, rose-rich scent Melrose Place. In short – washing your mane with this formula feels like a treat. It’s suitable for all hair types – and is especially good for oiliness and flaky or dry scalps.
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Olaplex
No. 4C Clarifying Shampoo, £ 28,00We’ve never met an Olaplex formula that we didn’t like – and this clarifying cleanser is no exception. Non-stripping, non-drying, sulphate-free and pH balanced, it features the brand’s patented bond building technology and protects hair by removing all types of impurities and product buildup. Expect volume, bounce, hydration and a happy scalp!
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K18 HAIR
PEPTIDE PREP™ detox shampoo, £ 39,00If peptides are already a given in your skincare, you might want them in your hair routine too – especially when it comes to K18’s patented K18PEPTIDE™. This star ingredient, which helps to ensure overall hair health and even hair repair, is also found in this colour-safe clarifying shampoo. It’ll not only create the perfect canvas for treatments, but also work wonders with the bestselling K18 HAIR Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask, £ 30,00.
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Briogeo
Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Shampoo, £ 15,00Exfoliating our scalps might not come as naturally as exfoliating our bodies, but believe us when we say there’s no going back after trying this award-winning treatment. Its cocktail of natural ingredients – coconut oil, charcoal, microcrystalline cellulose and tea tree, peppermint and spearmint oils – results in a mousse-like, minty treatment that maximises scalp health by delivering hydration and detoxifying congested hair follicles.
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Aveda
Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo, £ 22,00Boasting Aveda’s signature rosemary, peppermint and spearmint aroma, this clarifier proves that a hair reset can truly feel like a treat. Additionally, its ingredient list is 96% naturally derived – this includes micelles and white vinegar, which gently purify and remove product and impurity buildup without disrupting the natural balance of the scalp and hair.
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Ceremonia
Papaya Scalp Scrub, £ 33,00If finding the best scalp cleansing shampoo is one of your main haircare goals, the search may be over with this multi award winner. It’s packed full of natural and Latin American ingredients including papaya enzymes and pink Bolivian salt, which deliver gentle chemical and physical exfoliation, and guava leaf and prickly pear cactus extracts, which help infuse the scalp with moisture. We also love its whipped texture!
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READ MORE
• The Best Hair Masks• The Best Living Proof Products • How to Look After your Scalp
• The Best Shampoos for Every Hair Type