10 Best Clarifying Shampoo Brands

We’re all on the same journey to achieve the healthiest hair of our lives, but I’m here to let you in on a slightly upsetting secret: While soaking our hair in masks, using dry shampoos on no-wash days, and applying anti-frizz hair oils to our ends is all well and good, without a clarifying shampoo in the mix, none of that stuff is going to help. In fact, over time, it might actually be counting against you.

What is a clarifying shampoo?

If you’re looking at your collection of hydrating shampoos in confusion, you’re not alone. We’ve all been taught that moisture is the foundation of healthy hair, but a good cleanse can actually work wonders, too. “Clarifying rids your hair of suffocating build-up while nourishing the scalp,” says colorist Lucille Javier. “It helps stimulate hair follicles, allowing for hair growth, and clears the scalp of dandruff, acne, and scabbing.” You’ve probably used one without knowing it—salons often use them to prep your hair for services like a keratin treatment or relaxer to make your hair totally fresh and ready to take on new products.

Who should use a clarifying shampoo?

About once a week–or every other week, depending on your hair type–treating your hair to a deep cleanse can make all the difference. “It’s quite simple,” says Javier. “If you have an itchy, oily, or inflamed scalp, dry follicles, hair loss, or any scalp pain, it’s time to detox.” You might notice that the hair products you used to love are not cutting it anymore. That might not be because your products stopped working, but because they cannot penetrate the build-up that’s slowly accumulated on your scalp.

So if you’re tired of feeling like your hair looks lackluster, itchy, or you just want your hair to finally grow, it might be time to invest in a clarifying shampoo. Here are 10 of the best detox shampoos for the cleanest, shiniest, healthiest hair of your life.