Best Clarifying Shampoos for Fine Hair
Clarifying shampoos are really tricky, especially if you have fine hair. They’re meant to detox your scalp and remove product buildup, but oftentimes end up drying out your hair in the process, which isn’t ideal. I’ve tried tons of clarifying shampoos over the years and while my hair is pretty healthy and resilient, some clarifying shampoos have wreaked absolute havoc and left your hair feeling like straw. I use clarifying shampoos sparingly at this point (maybe 1-2x a month), and can get away with using them so infrequently because I don’t use a ton of product or dry shampoo. You can also sometimes skip clarifying shampoos entirely if you use a good scalp scrubber with your regular shampoo, but I do like the feel of a good, deep clean that detox shampoos give you. Below I’ve rounded up my favorites that work well without drying out or damaging your hair.
the best clarifying shampoos for fine hair
Ouai Detox Shampoo - Plain and simple, this is the best clarifying shampoo when you factor in performance, price, and ease of buying. You can get it at Target, Sephora, or Ulta, and the price is worth it. The formula is effective yet gentle, and it never dries out my scalp (even in the winter or dry climates).
Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo - Another great option, this leaves your hair feeling hydrated afterwards, which is pretty uncommon for clarifying shampoos. The price is fair and the scent isn’t too overpowering, which I like.
the best clean-beauty clarifying shampoos for fine hair
K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo - This is one of my favorite clean beauty brands, but the pricing is sometimes too high for me. The detox shampoo works well and is pH balanced to be safe for color-treated hair, as well as sensitive scalps. It is slightly more drying than the Ouai formula and since it’s a little pricey, I prefer Ouai’s, but if this is a great option if you have an extra sensitive scalp; just follow it up with a hydrating mask.
Ceremonia Papaya Scalp Scrub Shampoo - When you think of clarifying shampoo, you may not think about scrubs, but they work well. This smells divine, and is easy to work into your hair. My scalp is a little sensitive so scrubs can sometimes be drying, but I love this one when I’m in a humid climate or have a little extra oil buildup that I need to get rid of.
Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo - This is a really wierd shampoo that I have a love-hate relationship with, but I want to include it in case it becomes someone’s holy grail. The formula is a gritty yet watery shampoo; it comes in a jar rather than a bottle. It’s minty and so refreshing on a hot day, or when I have a migraine, but because it’s a waterier formula, you kind of have to use a lot and it doesn’t work into your hair as easily as the other shampoo I’ve linked. I can’t stop myself from repurchasing it though; maybe it’s the minty feeling, but it also does a good job of making your scalp feel really clean and refreshed without drying out your hair.
