The best clarifying shampoos you can buy

Not all clarifying shampoos work for every hair type, but Clean Maniac Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo by Redken is an exception.

Whether you have thick and curly hair, fine and straight hair, or something in-between, you can use this clarifying shampoo. It gets to work removing various impurities and the inevitable residue from your favorite styling products.

In addition to styling product build up, the shampoo removes hard water minerals along with copper and iron that can build up over time. If you have hard water in your house, you may be familiar with that filmy residue around your bathroom sink, shower tiles, or kitchen counter.

According to the United States Geological Survey, hard water has relatively high levels of calcium and leaves a layer of film behind when it reacts with the soap. Knowing this tidbit, it's no wonder that hard water can quickly wreak havoc on your hair — especially if you also use styling products.

This clarifying shampoo has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating on Ulta with more than 550 reviews, and 97% of shoppers said they'd recommend it to a friend. Ulta shoppers also say that the cream formula doesn't lather up, but still cleans just as well — some even say they leave it in their hair for ar oud five minutes before rinsing out.

Pros: Ideal for all hair types, made for build-up from hard water, lathers well

Cons: Can dry out hair if used too frequently, not available in a smaller size, some reviewers say their hair feels a bit dry after using

The Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo features a gentle yet powerful formula that's specifically designed for curly hair.

Curly hair is a different breed.

While you can use traditional clarifying shampoos for your curls, this one cleans while keeping curls defined and intact. Some clarifying shampoos can dry out curls, causing them to fall flat. This shampoo avoids stripping away excess moisture to ultimately keep curls in place, so they're ready for styling.

The formula consists largely of lemon and grapefruit acids, orange flower extract, and vitamins. These natural ingredients get to work removing heavy build-up, hard water deposits, salt water, and even chlorine while still nourishing curls and allowing them to retain their natural shape.

Curls aren't the only hair type to benefit from this formula. The shampoo is gentle enough to use on color-treated hair, except immediately after a coloring process because of the fruit acids.

Women's Health and Refinery29 praise this clarifying shampoo for curly hair, while 88% of Ulta shoppers say they'd recommend it as well.

Pros: Specifically for curly hair, prepares hair for styling, natural fruit acids

Cons: A bit pricey, polarizing fragrance, some find it slightly drying

The Hask Purifying Charcoal Shampoo is gentle enough for frequent use, so you don't have to wait a week or longer to clarify your hair.

It's no secret that clarifying shampoo can be hard on the hair and scalp. While it's ideal for deep cleaning, clarifying shampoo has the potential to also strip hair of its natural oils, leaving dry hair in its wake.

The Hask Purifying Charcoal Shampoo is super gentle and is designed for frequent or even daily use.

That's because the formula doesn't contain drying ingredients like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or alcohol. Instead ingredients such as charcoal from coconut shells along with lemon and grapefruit oils help clean your scalp and hair while still being gentle enough for daily use — even on color-treated hair.

Because the shampoo isn't made with sulfates, it won't lather up, but rest assured that it'll get your hair super clean.

It holds an impressive 4.6-star rating on Ulta with more than 200 reviews and 93% of shoppers saying they'd recommend it to a friend.

Pros: Designed for daily use, can be used with most hair types, safe for color-treated hair

Cons: Some shoppers complained of bad charcoal smell, some find it too drying for daily use, not the most robust lather

Chlorine can damage, dry out, and even tint your hair green, but Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three is specifically designed to remove chlorine and help you avoid all that.

Chlorine-green hair might seem like a bit of a myth, but those who have experienced the unfortunate disaster will be relieved to know Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three has you covered.

According to Swim University, the main culprit is actually copper: "The copper in the water is oxidized by chlorine, which then binds to the proteins in the hair strands. The metal will produce a green tint in the hair."

You don't have to spend lots of time in a pool to see the damage chlorine can have on your hair. Whether you swim daily or just occasionally, this clarifying shampoo is specifically designed to help eliminate chlorine and other impurities while still leaving hair soft and bouncy. It's gentle enough for many hair types and daily use, but it's not meant for color-treated hair.

The shampoo comes in a standard 10-ounce bottle as well as a 3.4-ounce bottle that's just the right size for taking to the pool.

InStyle and Women's Health name this clarifying shampoo one of the best, and 94% of Ulta shoppers say they'd recommend it to a friend.

Pros: Removes chlorine from hair, vegan formula, minimizes future build-up

Cons: Can be drying, not recommended for color-treated hair, not ideal for frequent use