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8 clarifying shampoos that'll help you hit refresh on your hair

Give your lacklustre locks a new lease on life

By Team BEAUTYcrew

October 25 2023

Ever get the feeling that your shampoo just isn't working? While your first instinct is to blame the shampoo itself, it's actually the rest of your haircare kit that may be the dullness-causing culprit.

You see, your regular shampoo does a great job of cleaning away everyday products, dirt and oils, but sometimes it needs to call upon a friend that has a little more oomph. So while the issue is not your current shampoo's fault exactly, swapping in another option every few washes is still the answer.

Not just any option, though; this is a problem that specifically calls for a clarifying shampoo. Think of your clarifying shampoo as the exfoliant to your cleanser, or the mask to your moisturiser. They work harder and deeper than your normal shampoo (removing stubborn excess build-up as well as other hair-dulling elements like pollution, hard water and daily grime) but they can be too much for everyday use.

Overuse one and you might strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving your tresses dry and unbalanced. Use it on occasion, however, and you'll be blessed with that just-stepped-out-of-a-salon, refreshed hair feeling on the regular. We’ll take the latter, thanks.

Keen to join the clarifying club? Here are the deep-cleansing shampoos we rate...

JSHealth Purifying Vitamin Shampoo Cleanse + Revive

This deeply cleansing shampoo helps to simultaneously purify strands and revitalise hair. The formula utilises a restorative JSH Miracle Hair Complex™ to address scalp and hair health, protect from heat damage, and repair hair. The result? Soft, shiny, strong, hydrated, frizz and tangle-free hair.

$34.99 at JSHealth

Kérastase Specifique Balancing Shampoo

Give your scalp a solid clean with this hard-working balancing shampoo. Gentle on hair but serious on the scalp, it skips the stripping, harsh cleansing agents used in conventional clarifying shampoos in favour of balancing botanicals that help to regulate the production of sebum in the scalp.

$54 at Adore Beauty

Noughty Detox Dynamo Clarifying Shampoo

This sulphate-free clarifying shampoo has no nasties in its 97 per cent natural formula, and contains heroes peppermint and sorrel leaf extract to gently detox hair while also leaving it smelling as fresh as it feels. Oh and did we mention it's packed with plant oils? Shine levels are set to soar.

$14.95 at Amazon

ELEVEN Australia Deep Clean Shampoo

If you want to hit 'restore factory settings' on your hair, reach for this baby. This vegan-friendly pick goes the extra mile when cleansing, removing even the most stubborn of product build-up. Yet it’s surprisingly gentle and safe, even for use on coloured hair. It removes excess oil, sweat and even leftover styling products.

$27.95 at Adore Beauty

R+Co Oblivion Clarifying Shampoo

A luxurious-feeling coconut and witch hazel formula that's actually mild enough for daily use if you so desire (yes, there are a few exceptions; just read your ingredients list carefully), it'll rescue hair from the land of the lacklustre in just one lather.

$41 at Oz Hair & Beauty

Kevin Murphy Maxi Wash Detox Shampoo

Rebalance hair and ditch residue while also lifting iffy tones from your blonde with this grapefruit extract and tea tree oil combo. Don't stress about irritating your scalp by 'over-cleaning', either; this guy's specifically designed to soothe it.

$46.95 at Adore Beauty

IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Clarifying Shampoo

There's a reason congestion lives in fear of charcoal; it sends it packing real fast. This detoxifying buy is designed specifically to aid oily hair types and scalps, balancing grease and banishing build-up in a single soothing, refreshing hit.

$39 at Adore Beauty

Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo

With certified organic rosemary, peppermint, and spearmint, this shampoo smells so good, you’ll never want to use anything else. Plus, with clarifying micelles and white vinegar, your hair and scalp will love it too. The 98 per cent naturally derived formula is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, and contains no silicones, phthalates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, or mineral oil.

$30 at Adore Beauty

Main image credit: @eduardoponcehair

Need a dry shampoo instead? Here are the freshening formulas we love...