Best Clarifying
Bumble and Bumble Sunday Weekly Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Formulated for weekly clarifying with strong cleansers to remove product residue, oil, and other buildup
- Kept oily hair clean for much longer than traditional shampoos
- Nourishing plant extracts like ginseng root, rosemary, and sage leaf
- Cleansed without drying out hair
- Free of parabens and phthalates
Cons
- Not suitable for color-treated hair
- Only meant to be used weekly
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Sodium laureth sulfate, ginseng extract, sage extract, rosemary oil, tetrasodium EDTA
- Contains sulfates or parabens? Contains sulfates
- Shampoo type: Weekly
“So far, this is the best shampoo to make my hair not look so oily,” says writer Raki Swanson. “By nature, my hair gets greasy very fast, usually within six hours of washing my hair. With this product, I didn’t look this way. Within 24 hours after washing my hair, I could honestly [continue to] go without washing my hair. This is my first time ever experiencing this situation.”
This shampoo lathered and rinsed out well, and made Swanson’s hair feel smooth and clean without drying it out. It felt so moisturized, she didn’t feel the need to use conditioner. By reducing the tangles and knots, Swanson says the shampoo made her hair much easier to brush. Its formula is free of parabens and phthalates, as well as vegan and cruelty-free. It’s suitable for all hair types except color-treated hair. We loved it so much, we only wish it were formulated for more frequent use.
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Best Daily
Raw Sugar The Scalp Restore
Pros
- Can be used daily
- Gentle enough for color-treated hair, yet deep cleaning
- Free of sulfates, phthalates, silicones, and parabens
- Contains oats, jojoba oil, aloe, glycerin, and niacinamide to improve skin and reduce hair breakage
Cons
- Scent doesn’t last
- Associated conditioner proved unremarkable
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Oats, jojoba oil, aloe, glycerin, and niacinamide
- Contains sulfates or parabens: No
- Shampoo type: Daily
Our tester had a fantastic experience with this product. “My hair is color-treated, so I look for shampoos that will preserve the color without weighing it down. This formula is surprisingly gentle. It clarifies your hair and scalp without stripping it of moisture,” says editor Katie Tuttle. “My hair felt manageable and lighter. It left me with good volume, and I did not notice dryness or frizz. This is a nice way to gently remove buildup from your hair without damaging it.”
This shampoo creates a good lather and smells lightly of tea tree oil and lemon verbena, but the scent is delicate and doesn’t last very long. We loved that the slim bottles easily fit in our shower and that the formula is vegan and not tested on animals. There’s also an associated conditioner available, but Tuttle didn’t find it much different than any other conditioners she’s tried.
Best Budget
Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo
Pros
- Lowest price on our list at under $10 a bottle
- Very effective at removing oil from scalp without drying out hair
- Includes citrus oils to clarify scalp
- Free of phthalates, parabens, and synthetic colors and fragrances
- Vegan and not tested on animals
Cons
- Contains sulfates and alcohol
- Runny texture
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Orange, grapefruit, and lemon peel oil; lime, cedarwood, and litsea cubeba oil, calendula, and chamomile
- Contains sulfates or parabens: Contains sulfates
- Shampoo type: Daily
At less than $1 an ounce, we found that Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo to be a great value. It smells nice, is affordable, and is very effective. Writer Sarah Glinski, RD, was very impressed with how light and clean her hair felt after using it. She says it did a wonderful job removing oil from the roots and scalp. Glinski also found that it controlled the oil for about two days, which is much longer than other shampoos in her experience. Plus, her hair was noticeably less oily between washes.
“I work out four to five times a week, and my hair gets very sweaty and oily. Usually, my hair is so oily that I need to wash it twice, but this product cleaned my hair properly on the first wash,” Glinski says. “I was impressed with how much oil and residue it was able to remove. My scalp felt fresh and not oily at all. My hair felt squeaky clean without feeling stripped. I plan to continue using this shampoo.”
This shampoo is free of phthalates, parabens, and synthetic colors and fragrances. It’s also vegan, not tested on animals, and an NSF-Certified personal care product, so it meets strict standards for public health. It contains alcohol and sulfates, which remove oil, but may bother sensitive skin. Overall, it's a great shampoo that we recommend to anyone looking for a budget-friendly shampoo to help control oiliness.
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Odele Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested and free of sulfates, formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances
- Uses nonirritating chelating agent to remove mineral buildup and scalp oil
- Amaranth seed oil nourishes and protects skin and hair, and relieves skin irritation
Cons
- Only meant to be used once or twice a week
- Contains natural fragrance, which may be irritating to some skin types
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Fragrance (natural), amaranth seed extract, hydrolyzed rice protein, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, citric acid
- Contains sulfates or parabens: No
- Shampoo type: Weekly or semiweekly
Our tester has an oily scalp, color-treated hair, sensitive skin and scalp, dry hair ends, and dandruff — a combination that can make it tricky to find a shampoo that meets all her needs. Odele was a game-changer. “My hair looked cleaner, softer, lighter, shinier, and glossier than it's looked in a long time,” says writer Amy Sowder. “My scalp isn't irritated or bumpy, no dandruff, less oil, but my hair is still soft and shiny. I absolutely loved this product. It feels like a much more expensive, high-end spa salon product. This is my new favorite shampoo to remove buildup.”
The natural fragrance evokes notes of cucumber, oakmoss, and ylang-ylang, creating an earthy, spa-like scent, though it won’t be the best choice for those whose skin is particularly sensitive to fragrance. It’s vegan, color-safe, and not tested on animals. The shampoo is meant to be used once or twice a week, so it won’t be your everyday go to, but you’ll see the difference when it’s time to cleanse any buildup.
Best for Men
Baxter of California Deep Clean Shampoo
Pros
- Made our scalp and hair feel clean, but not dried out
- Uses tetrasodium EDTA to strip buildup from hard water and chlorine
- Apple cider vinegar helps remove buildup, restore shine, add volume, and relieve dandruff
- Free of sulfates and parabens
Cons
- May be too deep a clean for daily use
- Not everyone will enjoy the tingling menthol and vinegar sensation
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, menthol, ginseng root extract, sage leaf extract, fragrance, tetrasodium EDTA
- Contains sulfates or parabens: No
- Shampoo type: Daily or semiweekly
“The main claim is its ability to provide a deep, purifying cleanse, and I 100 percent agree that this is accomplished. My hair felt great. I would absolutely recommend it,” says Michael Striker, Group VP of Audience Development and Channel Marketing at Everyday Health, who tested this shampoo for us. He particularly enjoyed the unique menthol tingle and scent. “This was the best feeling for my scalp, thanks to the menthol and apple cider vinegar. The scalp sensation with each wash and the overall clean feeling that accompanied it were great.”
Best for Women
Ouai Detox Shampoo
Pros
- Feminine rose, fruit, and white musk scent
- Effective deep cleaning of the scalp and hair without overdrying
- Left hair soft and shiny
- Free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates
- Can be used as often as needed
Cons
- Scent doesn’t linger very long
- Very thick consistency
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Fragrance, hydrolyzed keratin, vinegar, tetrasodium and disodium EDTA, isopropyl alcohol
- Contains sulfates or parabens: No
- Shampoo type: As often as needed
For those looking for a deep-cleaning shampoo that smells like a fresh flower arrangement mixed with hints of fruit and a touch of musk, this Ouai Detox Shampoo is delicious. The scent is very natural smelling, and we only wished that it lingered in our hair a bit longer — perhaps the dry shampoo and deodorant in the same “Melrose Place” scent would help prolong the odor. It’s described as a rich, velvety rose scent infused with bergamot, lychee, white musk, and champagne.
The shampoo was a big hit with Swanson, who described her hair as very oily. She said her hair looked and felt clean for about 32 hours. “For me, this is a priceless product. The smell alone is worth it. It works for my hair, the smell is amazing and lasts,” says Swanson. “My hair looked amazing. It was very, very soft and smooth, and looked and felt healthy and clean. It was moisturized and shiny.”
The consistency is very thick, so you only need to use a small amount of product, and it builds up a nice lather with lots of water. It’s suggested to use as often as you feel is necessary, whether that means once or twice a week, or every wash for oilier hair. We love that it’s available in travel size so you can see if it works for you before purchasing a larger bottle, and you’ll never have to be without it when you travel. We highly recommend this effective, affordable, and phenomenal-smelling detox shampoo.
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Best Exfoliating
Cécred Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub
Pros
- Contains microcrystalline cellulose granules for physical exfoliation
- Fermented purple willow bark extract exfoliates and promotes a healthy scalp microbiome
- Tea tree, olive, peppermint, lemon, and rosemary oils are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal
- Excellent at removing scalp buildup
- Free of sulfates and parabens
Cons
- Thin, gritty texture doesn’t lather well
- Not meant for daily use
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Tea tree, olive, peppermint, lemon peel, and rosemary oils, microcrystalline cellulose, purple willow bark ferment extract, niacinamide, tetrasodium EDTA
- Contains sulfates or parabens: No
- Shampoo type: Weekly
“It did a great job of removing buildup, and the gritty texture felt great on my scalp,” says Tuttle. “Using this shampoo extended my time between washes by an extra day. My hair felt lighter and very clean, but not stripped of moisture.” Her thick hair also felt more manageable, and her color just as vibrant.
This shampoo has a thin, gritty texture; it doesn’t lather much, but it’s easy to apply and distribute through your hair. The instructions encourage users to massage it in for two minutes and to be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove the exfoliating grit. It’s created for weekly use. We recommend it to anyone looking for an exfoliating treatment for their scalp.
Best Smelling
Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Fabulous, complex scent
- Powerful cleaning agents
- Botanical oils to hydrate and prevent frizz
- Vegan and free of parabens and phthalates
Cons
- Contains sulfates
- Only meant to be used once a week
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium sulfate, disodium and citric acid tetrasodium EDTA, avocado oil, castor oil, sunflower seed oil, mango seed butter
- Contains sulfates or parabens: Contains sulfates
- Shampoo type: Weekly
Our tester raved about how her hair looked after using it. “After using this shampoo, my hair looked and felt good. I noticed extra shine and volume,” says editor Nicole Bonaccorso. “My hair feels squeaky clean after use, but not dry or stripped. This shampoo definitely achieves its purpose. I like Kristen Ess products a lot, and this is another winner from the brand. It feels high-end, while still being available at drug stores.”
A little goes a long way: this shampoo lathers and rinses out well. It's advised to use this shampoo once a week, given its intense cleansers. It’s vegan and free of parabens and phthalates.
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Best for Curly Hair
dpHue Apple Cider Vinegar Soothing Shampoo
Pros
- Made our tester’s curly hair shiny and volumized
- No parabens or sulfates
- Apple cider vinegar to balance scalp pH
- Left no residue and didn’t overdry hair
Cons
- Runny texture
- May need to use a bit more than usual to fully clean hair and scalp
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, ginseng root extract, lavender extract, aloe leaf juice, ginger root extract
- Contains sulfates or parabens: No
- Shampoo Type: Daily or weekly
If your oily scalp lies beneath a mop of curls, we highly recommend dpHue ACV Soothing Shampoo. “I was impressed with how this shampoo worked with my hair,” says Bonaccorso, who has 2c and 3a curls, frizz, and postpartum hair loss and regrowth. “My hair looked better after using this shampoo than it had in weeks. It curled nicely, and there was no residue left behind. Maybe a little apple cider vinegar was exactly what I needed.”
Best Clay Shampoo
Shaz & Kiks Balancing Clay Hair Cleanser
Pros
- 2 types of clay to absorb excess oils without stripping moisture
- Increased length of time between washes
- Left our hair smelling amazing and incredibly shiny
- Gentle enough for daily use and colored hair
- Free of sulfates, silicones, phthalates, mineral oil, and synthetic dyes and fragrances
Cons
- Thick clay texture may take some getting used to
- Contains alcohol
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Kaolin clay, coconut acid, jamun-blueberry seed, cetearyl alcohol, coconut oil, Indian fuller's earth, moringa oil, jojoba oil
- Contains sulfates or parabens: No
- Shampoo type: Daily
This hard clay shampoo worked miracles on our tester’s thick, persistently greasy hair and oily scalp. “It says it will help balance scalp oil production, and boy, did it ever. I was able to go two whole days without my hair looking oily and greasy,” says Swanson. “If you have oily hair like me, this is your shampoo. My hair is beyond soft and smooth and ever so shiny.”
The shampoo is thick, but rubbing it between your palms with water makes it melt and form a lather. A little goes a very long way. The gritty texture exfoliates the scalp. The phenomenal scent, with notes of clary sage, vetiver, and sandalwood, lasted in Swanson’s hair until she washed it again. And the shampoo was so moisturizing, she says she didn’t even need to use conditioner. “It is a dream. It’s like you’re in a spa getting your head massaged,” Swanson adds. “Once my hair dried, it had added shine like nothing I’ve ever seen. This shampoo truly takes away the nastiness and adds moisture.”
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Best Chelating
Redken Hair Cleansing Cream
Pros
- Contains chelating agents disodium EDTA and citric acid to remove hard water mineral buildup
- Effectively cleansed our hair without overdrying
- Fruit-derived AHAs strengthen hair follicles and add shine
- Silicone-free
Cons
- Contains sulfates
- Left our ends a bit dry
Key Specs
- Notable ingredients: Sodium laureth sulfate, cetyl alcohol, citric acid, fragrance, disodium EDTA, salicylic acid, lemon peel extract, apple extract, tea leaf extract
- Contains sulfates or parabens: Contains sulfates
- Shampoo type: Weekly
This Redken Hair Cleansing Cream is a clarifying shampoo that contains chelating agents disodium EDTA and citric acid to remove hard water mineral buildup. We loved how gentle it is while still being effective at relieving our oily roots and itchy scalp by clearing away buildup.
“I feel like clarifying shampoos are a reset, and all of the gunk that builds up is gone, so my hair behaves better all around. It gets the job done without leaving my hair feeling overly dry,” says editor Ashley Ziegler. “After using this shampoo, once my hair was dry, it felt super clean, light, and soft. It also felt really clean and maintained its shine. I think it's a good product and [it] was gentle on my hair, which is difficult to do as a clarifying shampoo.”
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Why Trust Everyday Health
Olivia Campbell
Author
Olivia Campbell is the New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine and Sisters in Science: How Four Women Physicists Escaped Nazi Germany and Made Scientific History. She is a freelance editor at Dotdash Meredith and a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, National Geographic, New York Magazine, Health, Parents, History, and The Guardian, among other outlets.
Campbell received a journalism degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's in science writing from Johns Hopkins University, where she now acts as a thesis advisor. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
Campbell lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, three children, and two cats.
Susan Bard, MD
Medical Reviewer
Susan Bard, MD, is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City. Her professional interests include Mohs micrographic surgery, cosmetic and laser procedures, and immunodermatology.
She is a procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery.
Dr. Bard has written numerous book chapters and articles for many prominent peer-reviewed journals, and authored the textbook The Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions.
Orlando de Guzman
Fact-Checker
Orlando de Guzman is a writer and editor with expertise in health and environmental news. He has a background in investigative and science journalism and has worked on documentary films about war and trauma, health, sanitation, and the changing climate around the world. His interest in health and medicine started after an early career as a medical and legal translator.
De Guzman is a longtime health and fitness enthusiast who is interested in nutrition, diet, and mental health. He participates in endurance sports and cross-trains in several traditions of martial arts from Southeast Asia. De Guzman is interested in how the progressively complex movements of martial arts training can improve cognition and mental well-being, especially for those with PTSD and for those approaching middle age and beyond.
De Guzman has a dual B.A. in communications and international studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. He is committed to factual storytelling and evidence-based reporting on critical choices that affect our planet.
Nicole Bonaccorso
Editor
Nicole Bonaccorso is a writer and editor with more than 12 years of journalism experience. She has been writing for Everyday Health since 2025, and has also been published on NBCNews.com, Treehugger, Verywell, Mashable, and Upworthy, among other publications.
Nicole was also a senior editor at Weather.com for more than 11 years, covering everything from weather and climate change to health, science, and travel.
In addition to writing, Nicole has also found a passion in helping new parents reach their breastfeeding goals and is working towards becoming a certified breastfeeding specialist.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with her two young sons, husband, and dog.
Raki Swanson
Tester
Raki Swanson is a Minnesota-based freelance health writer and married mother to two adult children. She has experience covering mental health, fitness, food, and lifestyle topics, as well as significant experience reviewing and testing products for the Marketplace team, including online therapy, fitness gear, and food.
She received a bachelor's degree in applied psychology from St. Cloud University in Minnesota. She has also worked as a business development manager at a Fortune 500 company in Minnesota, and spent several years living in the south of France while growing up, which inspired her love of travel and food.
When she's not writing, you can find her reading, blogging, and enjoying being an empty nester with her husband, two dogs, and tabby cat named Kevin.
Ashley Ziegler
Tester
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time writer with extensive experience covering women’s health, babies' and kids' health, mental health, and wellness. Her work has appeared on websites including The Bump, Health, Pregnancy & Newborn, People, Parents, Romper, Scary Mommy, and more.
Before transitioning into her full-time writing career, Ashley worked in the departments of pediatric cardiology and general medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and later at the North Carolina Medical Board. During undergrad, she majored in communications at Purdue University and then earned her master’s degree with a concentration in healthcare management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Ashley lives with her husband and two young daughters in North Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, taking barre classes, and catching up on her favorite podcasts.
Nicole Bonaccorso
Tester
Nicole Bonaccorso is a writer and editor with more than 12 years of journalism experience. She has been writing for Everyday Health since 2025, and has also been published on NBCNews.com, Treehugger, Verywell, Mashable, and Upworthy, among other publications.
Nicole was also a senior editor at Weather.com for more than 11 years, covering everything from weather and climate change to health, science, and travel.
In addition to writing, Nicole has also found a passion in helping new parents reach their breastfeeding goals and is working towards becoming a certified breastfeeding specialist.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with her two young sons, husband, and dog.
Katie Tuttle
Tester
Katie Tuttle is an editor and writer specializing in food, nutrition, and product testing. Her work has appeared in EatingWell, Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, and Real Simple. She has written about meal kits, kitchen tools, fitness, and wellness, and has tested and reviewed a wide range of products, with a particular focus on meal delivery services and their impact on nutrition and convenience.
Beyond food, Katie has covered fitness and wellness topics, drawing from her own experience as a powerlifter and an occasional runner. She’s always interested in how products and services can make healthy living more accessible and practical.
When she’s not researching or writing, Katie is usually surrounded by houseplants or spending time with a foster dog. She firmly believes there’s no such thing as too many books or too much coffee.
Sarah Glinski, RD
Tester
Sarah is a registered dietitian and accomplished health and nutrition writer known for her expertise in crafting engaging content. She received dual bachelor’s degrees in nutrition and biology with distinction from the University of Alberta. She started her career in 2018 as a clinical dietitian and has experience in several clinical areas, including weight management, diabetes, kidney disease, oncology, gut health, and intuitive eating.
In 2022, Sarah took her wealth of clinical experience and transitioned to freelance writing. She has contributed to outlets like Forbes Health, Well+Good, Livestrong, Yahoo!, and PS, and has written about topics ranging from mental health to gut health to diabetes care. Her goal as a writer is to convey complex health information in an easy-to-understand and engaging way.
Sarah is dedicated to simplifying complex health information so people can make informed decisions regarding their health. She currently lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she enjoys reading or crocheting in the company of her husband and two cats.
Amy Sowder
Tester
For more than two decades, Amy Sowder has dedicated her journalism career to covering food, fitness, health, and lifestyle topics. Her work has been published in Bon Appétit, Women's Health, Men's Health, USA Today and its regional newspapers, Farm Journal, The Packer, Greatist, Chowhound, Verywell Fit, Eat This, Not That, and Brooklyn Magazine.
Prior to this, she worked as managing editor at Westchester Magazine in the greater New York metropolitan area, covered the national fresh produce industry as a magazine and newspaper editor, worked as an associate editor at Chowhound, a food trends consultant with Food Network, and as an editorial assistant at the award-winning blog and two-time bestselling cookbook Smitten Kitchen.
In addition, she's completed courses at the International Culinary Center in New York City and worked in numerous restaurants. She's run two New York City marathons and countless half-marathons, 10Ks, 5-milers, and 5Ks, as well as mud and obstacle course runs.
Michael Striker
Tester
Olivia Campbell
Tester
Olivia Campbell is the New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine and Sisters in Science: How Four Women Physicists Escaped Nazi Germany and Made Scientific History. She is a freelance editor at Dotdash Meredith and a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, National Geographic, New York Magazine, Health, Parents, History, and The Guardian, among other outlets.
Campbell received a journalism degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's in science writing from Johns Hopkins University, where she now acts as a thesis advisor. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
Campbell lives outside Philadelphia with her husband, three children, and two cats.
Mary Sauer
Tester
Mary Sauer is a freelance health and parenting writer whose work often covers mental health (especially maternal mental health), grief, and caregiving. Her work has been published by the Washington Post, Verywell Mind, Parents, Vice's Tonic, and ARC Poetry Magazine. She's also the managing editor of the upcoming Salt Tooth Press and an MFA student at University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Sauer is a mom of four and lives in Kansas City, Missouri. She enjoys hiking, trying new coffee shops, and shopping at used bookstores. At home, she spends her precious free time reading, rewatching Fleabag, and gardening.