The best clarifying shampoos for super soft and silky hair
Post last updated: 14/03/2023
If you want big, bouncy and healthy locks, a clarifying shampoo is a must-have in your haircare routine.
Our hair strands cling onto anything and everything; pollution particles, chlorine, shampoo, conditioner and hair masks can all build-up and leave locks limp, oily and looking less than healthy.
Clarifying shampoos are designed to deep-clean the hair and scalp, and leave locks revitalised and refreshed. They often contain purifying ingredients like tea tree and witch hazel, which remove excess sebum, oil and impurities.
How often should you use a clarifying shampoo?
How often you use a clarifying shampoo really does depend on your hair type and condition.
Finer hair types might find they need to use it once a week to remove product build-up, while coarser, thicker hair types might get away with using one once per month.
Additionally, your environment can have a big impact on how often you use a clarifying shampoo. Swimmers for example might need to use them twice per week to remove chlorine, and anyone living in a built-up city will need to use them once per week to remove pollution particles.
What is the difference between a clarifying shampoo and a dry shampoo?
People often confuse clarifying shampoo with dry shampoo, as they associate them both with removing excess oil.
While they do, clarifying shampoos are designed to be used on wet hair and provide longer-term benefits to hair health, while dry shampoos instantly absorb excess oil for a short period of time and are perfect for travelling and heading to festivals.
How Does Dry Shampoo Work? Everything you need to know about dry shampoo
Ever wondered how exactly dry shampoo works? Discover everything you need to know about dry shampoo, as well as our favourite dry shampoos available.
Our Picks of the Best Clarifying Shampoos for all Hair Types
- Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
- Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo
- Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
- VICHY Dercos Anti-Dandruff Purifying Scalp Shampoo for Normal to Oily Hair
- System Professional Purify Shampeeling
- Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
- Joico K-Pak Clarifying Shampoo
- AMELIORATE Clarifying Shampoo
- ESPA Purifying Shampoo
- OUAI Detox Shampoo
1. Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo 250ml
141
£28.00
- Best for: All hair types
- What do LF Customers say: "My kids swim 3x a week. Using this ensures that we get all the chlorine out." Read all reviews here
2. Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo with Thermal Mud 250ml
26
RRP: £31.00Current price: £21.70
- Best for: Oily to normal hair
- What do LF Customers say: "Roots are fresh for two days."
3. Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo 250ml
62
£26.00
- Best for: Non-coloured hair
- What do LF Customers say: "This shampoo is not drying out my curls. Always feels nice and clean after use." Read all reviews here
4. Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Normal to Oily Hair 200ml
304
£13.99
- Best for: Flaky and irritated scalps
- What do LF Customers say: "This is by far the best fast acting shampoo I’ve used, worth every penny." Read all reviews here
5. System Professional Purify Shampeeling 150ml
RRP: £29.75Current price: £14.88
- Best for: Persistent dandruff and oily scalps
6. Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo 1000ml (Worth £50.00)
71
£50.25
- Best for: Build-up and itchy scalps
- What do LF Customers say: "Itchy scalp no more within a couple of washes." Read all reviews here
7. Joico K-Pak Clarifying Shampoo 300ml
44
£22.70
- Best for: Swimmers and hard-water areas
- What do LF Customers say: "This is great for when I have used a lot of products in my hair for styling or it feels a little dull and needs a refresh." Read all reviews here
8. AMELIORATE Clarifying Shampoo 250ml
52
RRP: £16.00Current price: £11.20
- Best for: Itchy, flaky scalps
- What do LF Customers say: "After using for a week, the difference in scalp condition is very noticeable!"
9. ESPA Purifying Shampoo 295ml
48
RRP: £23.00Current price: £13.80
- Best for: Sensitive scalps and colour-treated hair
- What do LF Customers say: "It leaves my hair clean, frizz free and very soft." Read all reviews here
10. OUAI Detox Shampoo 300ml
263
£28.00
- Best for: All hair types
- What do LF Customers say: "I’m on my three bottles and it the best shampoo ever." Read all reviews here
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