If your hair continues to feel dry after consistently applying moisturizers, oils, and styling products, it is a sign
that your curls need to be cleansed. I know it sounds backwards, but when your curls don’t seem to absorb any of the
products you are applying, clarifying shampoos are necessary to remove the severe build-up of product, dirt, and oil
in order for your strands to absorb moisture. Sometimes moisturizing shampoos or cleansing conditioners do not cleanse
effectively enough.
Clarifying shampoos should be used sparingly in a curly hair regimen, as they can dry out your hair and strip it of the necessary oils, but if you are using heavy products or notice your hair has become limp or lifeless, it may be time for a thorough cleaning. Don’t get me wrong; some curlies have eliminated shampoos because they no longer use a lot of heavy products that contain ingredients like silicones and even mineral oil. If your freshly washed hair feels sticky or coated, you should try a clarifying shampoo.
What is a clarifying shampoo?
The main ingredients in many clarifying shampoos are surfactants. Surfactants are used to remove dirt and oil from the hair. Many clarifying shampoos contain tea tree oil, peppermint oil, or eucalyptus oil for their cleansing and anti-bacterial properties that help to aid scalp conditions. Here’s our top 20 clarifying shampoos.
20 Gentle Clarifying Shampoos
Kinky-Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo
NaturallyCurly’s 2014 Editor’s Choice is a sulfate-free powerhouse shampoo. It gets its superior ability to cleanse from the blend of mandarin orange extract while the sea kelp provides moisture.
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Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo
This dual-purpose shampoo removes the dirt, product, and oil necessary to clarify the hair, which allows your curls to transform from limp and flat to full of body. White willow bark extract along with other purifying agents help to remove all the residue that make your curls looks dull and weighed down.
Carol’s Daughter Rosemary Mint Clarifying Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Carol’s Daughter Rosemary Mint Clarifying sulfate-free shampoo works well at cleansing your hair while leaving a tingling sensation afterwards from the peppermint oil. If you hair is naturally dry this may not be the product for you.
Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo
Another scalp tingling favorite, this shampoo is salon-quality at your fingertips. It’s got a blend of certified organic botanicals (tea tree oil and peppermint”> that clarify while moisturizing your hair and scalp.
Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
This shampoo contains fruit acids that gently remove salt-water residue, chlorine, and hard water minerals. There is a special blend of lemon, grapefruit, and orange flower extracts that remove all the pollutants while staying gentle to your tresses. This is a great option for color-treated curls.
Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo
This triple threat shampoo will have your scalp tingling, rejuvenated, and refreshed as it strengthens the hair with a three-organic-oil-blend to clarify and condition the hair while stimulating the scalp.
Suave Naturals Daily Clarifying Shampoo
With a pH balance gentle enough for daily use, this clarifying shampoo will remove all the product and dirt build-up you pile up from your daily layering of products. This shampoo is formulated for normal and oily curls.
CURLS Pure Clean Curls Clarifying Shampoo
Remove the heavy build-up and debris with the powerful pineapple and grapefruit extracts in this shampoo. They also add sheen to your curls!
As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo
This sulfate-free cleanser adds shine and removes debris without stripping your hair. It is safe for color-treated hair and allows easy absorption of other styling products.
Bobeam Honey Hemp and Green Tea Shampoo Bar
Armed with honey, hemp oil, and green tea extract, this shampoo bar both clarifies and moisturizes your hair. Made from all natural ingredients, it’s an antiseptic and humectant wrapped into a bar.
Avalon Organics Clarifying Shampoo
This gentle plant-derived shampoo is enriched with vitamin E, wheat protein, aloe, chamomile, and lemon to clarify your hair without stripping it of its essential oils and moisture.
Alberto V05 Herbal Escapes Kiwi Lime Squeeze Clarifying Shampoo
This affordable clarifier revitalizes dry hair while removing build-up. It’s perfect for all hair types and has an intoxicating fragrance.
Curlisto Systems Auqalizer
With aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sunflower seed extract, and grapefruit extract, this clarifier hydrates, protects, and cleanses all hair types. It removes buildup, pollution, chlorine, and hard water. This clarifier is highly recommended for use after swimming.
Sebastian Stark Naked Unisex Shampoo
Another milder clarifying shampoo, Sebastian Stark Naked Unisex Shampoo is extremely gentle and suitable for curlies with dry hair.
MyHoneyChild Honey Bee Sweet Scalp Exfoliater
With a deep cleansing formula that boasts of not stripping your hair’s natural moisture, this exfoliator removes dirt, excessive oil, and build-up in order to reveal the natural shine of your curls.
Rusk Sensories Clarify Rosemary and Quillaja Detoxifying Shampoo
Specially formulated with rosemary and quillaja bark, this detoxifying shampoo will shock your hair by its deep cleansing abilities.
SheaMoisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo
This product is amazing for scalp issues like dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis. It is sulfate-free and uses only natural and certified organic ingredients. This African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo removes product build-up with calm scalp irritants like tea tree oil and willow bark extract.
Living Proof Full Shampoo
You get a no-frizz finish with this definer that holds your curls and your style for days. This creates optimum wash and go styling and it’s great for any hair length.
Aubrey Organics Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo
Infused with herbal extracts to reduce drying time, this green tea clarifying shampoo gets your tresses immaculately clean with only one application. It will leave your curls shiny, bouncy, and full of life.