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7 Best Clarifying Shampoos for Color Treated Hair — Recommended by Experts

 

Having color-treated hair is no easy plight. It’s constant upkeep with touch-ups at salon visits and at-home maintenance. If you find yourself at a crossroads, needing a deep cleanse for your scalp but wanting to preserve the hue of your colored strands, you may need a clarifying shampoo in your routine.

The best clarifying shampoos for colored hair are supposed to remove product and mineral build-up without stripping your stands. However, using one on color-treated hair should be done carefully, advises George Papanikolas, a celebrity hair colorist and Matrix Brand Ambassador. “Regular use could strip the color and shorten the vibrancy, resulting in the hair turning orange or brassy,” he tells SheKnows. “Highlighted hair, especially blonde hair, can absorb minerals and chemicals like chlorine, so for them, clarifying shampoo would be beneficial since it would remove the mineral build-up.”

So, if you’re looking for a safe way to cleanse your dyed mane without completely stripping it, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find tons of tips, tricks, and recommendations from some of the top hair experts in the industry. Keep reading to discover which of the best clarifying shampoos work well for your color-treated hair.  

 

What To Look For In Clarifying Shampoos For Color-Treated Hair

“Clarifying shampoos are designed to remove impurities, oil, dirt, product build-up, and other residues from the scalp and hair shaft that tend to make your hair color appear dull and less vibrant,” Justin Anderson, celebrity hair colorist and Co-Founder of dpHUE, says. This is because most clarifying shampoos are formulated with ​​sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a commonly used sulfate that produces that deep, lathering clean we all know and love. But because sulfates can be drying, it’s best to find a clarifying shampoo with nourishing, exfoliant ingredients that don’t completely strip the oils in your hair. 

How Often To Use Clarifying Shampoo On Color-Treated Hair

Although SLS is a powerhouse for removing flakes, chlorine, mineral deposits, and excess product build-up, Anderson and Papanikolas advise using it sparingly. For someone who uses dry shampoo frequently or textured powders and experiences product build-up, Anderson and Lauren Mildice, Color Specialist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, recommends using a clarifying shampoo no more than once a week. If you’re experiencing chlorine and mineral build-up, it might be best to check in with your stylist to use as needed. 

Shop the best clarifying shampoos for colored hair below.

Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

Recommended by Mildice, the Olaplex No. 4C is a phenomenal choice for all types of color-treated hair. “It’s non-stripping and non-drying, unlike most clarifying shampoos. It removes product build-up, excess oil, hard water minerals, and heavy metals.” It also helps repair broken bonds, which is excellent for damaged strands while restoring vibrancy for color. 

BEST SOOTHING CLARIFYING SHAMPOO

dpHUE ACV Soothing Shampoo

Although it’s technically not a clarifying shampoo per se, Anderson recommends the dpHUE ACV Soothing Shampoo for those searching for a deeper cleanse. It’s formulated with apple cider vinegar, a great, natural product that can remove build-up and offer a squeaky clean feeling without stripping your hair. This shampoo also helps to soothe and moisturize a dry, itchy scalp thanks to added ginger root, lavender, and aloe — and since dpHUE makes it, you know it’s color-safe.

BEST EXFOLIATING CLARIFYING SHAMPOO

Oribe The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo

Another recommendation from Mildice, The Cleanse Clarifying Shampoo by Oribe, is a wonderful option for someone with color-treated hair looking to maintain a healthy scalp throughout the process. It’s made with volcanic ash that polishes away dirt, oil, and product build-up, along with sea kelp extract to purify the scalp and cleanse pores. It’s also made with other nourishing ingredients to keep strands healthy, like papaya fruit extract and eucalyptus.

BEST VOLUMIZING CLARIFYING SHAMPOO FOR COLOR TREATED HAIR

Matrix Total Results High Amplify Root Up Wash Clarifying Shampoo

Someone with fine hair looking for more volume should definitely opt for this Root Up Clarifying Shampoo by Matrix. It’s meant to cleanse the scalp and hair from the root without weighing down hair.

BEST CLARIFYING SHAMPOO FOR CURLY COLOR TREATED HAIR

Pattern Cleansing Shampoo

No matter what type of curls you have — from waves to coils — you shouldn’t have to pick between keeping your curls and color intact or cleansing your scalp. With Patterns Cleansing Shampoo, you can give your hair and scalp the treatment it deserves with nourishing ingredients like matcha green tea and aloe vera that keep hair strong and healthy while clearing the scalp of flakes and build-up.

BEST DRUGSTORE CLARIFYING SHAMPOO FOR COLOR TREATED HAIR

Odele Clarifying Shampoo

You don’t have to shell out a ton of money to get the best clarifying shampoo for your colored hair. This one by Odele is color-safe, reduces build-up from pollutants, hard water deposits, and chlorine, and offers a salon-grade product for less than $15 a bottle.

BEST CLARIFYING SHAMPOO ALTERNATIVE

dpHUE Brightening Powder

“If you’re looking to keep the focus on your strands, try dpHUE’s Brightening Powder to remove minerals, metals, and chlorine in addition to product build-up to get the same clarifying results,” recommends Anderson. This is an excellent option to keep in your routine if you need a refresh but don’t want to commit to a full wash day.