19 Best Clarifying Shampoos For Curly Hair: Find Your Favorite!

Looking for the best clarifying shampoos for curly hair to reset your curls?
Clarifying shampoos to see if they can solve some of your curly hair problems, like dull lymph curls or itchy scalp.
I’ve tried quite a few over the years and have found my favorites. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my top 19 picks for clarifying shampoos for curly hair.
There are a few sulfate free clarifying shampoos on the market that will gently cleanse your scalp and hair without stripping away its natural oils.
However, some curly girls do like to use sulfates from time to time, so I’ve included some clarifying shampoos that have sulfates in them.
Whether you’re following the curly girl method and need a sulfate free clarifying shampoo, or you’re looking for one that has sulfates, I’m sure you’ll find your favorite clarifying shampoo for your curly hair.
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- Curly Girl Method Approved Clarifying Shampoos
- Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
- Curl Smith wash & Scrub Detox Pro Biotic
- Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Claifying Shampoo
- Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Shampoo
- Malibu C Hard Water Wellness
- Mixed chicks gentle Clarifying Shampoo
- MopTop Detox Shampoo
- Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
- Noughty Wave Hello Curl Defining Shampoo
- Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
- Verb clarifying shampoo
- Clarifying Shampoos With Sulfates
- What is Clarifying Curly Hair?
- Benefits of Clarifying Hair
- Gentle clarifying ingredients In Shampoos
- When To Clarify Your Natural Hair
- How Often Should You Clarify Your Curly Hair?
- How To Clarify Your Hair
- Conclusion

Curly Girl Method Approved Clarifying Shampoos
Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
This cleanser contains the surfactant sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate that clarifies your hair and removes product build up.
This cleanser exfoliates your scalp and is gentle enough that it should not strip your hair of its natural oils.
Curl Smith wash & Scrub Detox Pro Biotic
This curly girl method approved and contains plant derived sodium methyl cocoyl taurate to clarify your hair and scalp.
This detox shampoo lathers well and removed product build up like silicones from hair and scalp.
Depending on the heaviness of your styling products, you can choose to use this detox cleanser about twice a month for best results.
Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Claifying Shampoo
This affordable drugstore curly girl method approved clarifying shampoo is ph balanced and contains sodium cocoyl glutamate and no harmful sulfates.
It’s a great option for overworked, processed, and dyed curly hair as it leaves hair feeling clean, reset but not dry.
Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Shampoo
This sulfate free, vegan shampoo contains the surfactant sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate to remove silicone product build up.
It’s gentle and keeps hair feeling hydrated after cleansing.
Malibu C Hard Water Wellness
This is my favorite clarifying shampoo for hard water! Great curly girl method clarifying shampoo for hard water buildup.
This clarifier contains sodium laurly sulfoacetate and sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate and cleanses your hair from minerals from hard water.
Mixed chicks gentle Clarifying Shampoo
This clarifying shampoo contains non-sulfate surfactant sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate that gentle removes product build up and leaves hair feeling clean and healthy. Curly girls love this shampoo to reset and restore their waves and curls.
MopTop Detox Shampoo
Cg method approved shampoo contains non sulfate cleansers like sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate that removes silicones, shea butter, and chlorine builup. The company recommends that you use this product every 4-6 weeks for best results.
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
This cg approved shampoo with sodium laurly sulfoacetate and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate will remove build up and bring your hair back to life.
Its formula works to reset your hair by cleansing and hydrating your curls, leaving your curls feeling and looking great.
Noughty Wave Hello Curl Defining Shampoo
This affordable drugstore gentle clarifying shampoo contains surfactant sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate and lathers pretty well.
It’s vegan friendly, silicone, paraben and sulfate free making it a great option for curly girls.
It removes silicones and other product build up and is safe to be used more frequently than a shampoo with harsh sulfates.
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
This popular curly girl approved clarifying shampoo will give you amazing results with just one use.
It’s a favorite with girls who have chemically, color treated and heat damaged curls as it removes product build-up, hydrates, and strengthens your curls.
Verb clarifying shampoo
Cg approved shampoo that gently removes product build-up and clarifies your scalp.
It’s a low lathering cleanser that doesn’t leave your hair feeling dry and instead leaves you with clean, soft, shiny curls.
Clarifying Shampoos With Sulfates
AG Renew Shampoo
This clarifying shampoo contains ammonium laureth sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate which are considered harsh surfactants and so should be used sparingly.
This shampoo is best for swimmers as it removed chlorine build up and those with severe product buildup to give your curls a boost if you’re now starting to transition.
Kenra Clarifying Shampoo
This clarifier contains sodium laureth sulfate and sodium laurel sulfate which can damage your hair if used frequently.
Use this cleanser when your hair feels heavy and looks dull and lymph to restore your natural curls and restore shine.
Ouidad Water works Clarifying Shampoo
This cleansing shampoo contains ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate but curly girls love it and say that it removes product residue and leaves hair feeling soft and looking shiny.
Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo
This shampoo contains sodium laureth sulfate and is not cg approved but curly girls love it and say that it removes residue left by products and leaves their curls looking and feeling healthy.
Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo
This is not a curly girl method approved shampoo but it’s a great, affordable drugstore option for curly girls.
Even though the name suggests that you can use it daily, it’s not recommended for curly girls.
Use when your curls need to be cleansed from product build up.
Twist Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo
I really love Twist by Ouidad products and this clarifying shampoo did not disappoint – it really gave my curls the reset they needed.
It contains ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium coco sulfate, and humectants to give you a balanced cleanse.
It doesn’t lather very much but does remove build up and clean hair very well.
After using this my hair felt clean but not stripped of moisture.
What is Clarifying Curly Hair?
Clarifying curly hair is the process of removing build up from your scalp and hair.
This can be caused by a number of things, such as using products with silicones or sulfates, not clarifying your hair often enough, or living in an area with hard water.
Build up on your scalp and hair can cause a number of problems, such as an itchy scalp, weighed down hair, or frizzy curls.
When you clarify your hair, you’re essentially giving it a reset. This will help to solve any build-up issues you may be having and leave your scalp and hair feeling refreshed.

Benefits of Clarifying Hair
Here are some reasons why You Might Need a Clarifying Shampoo:
- If you feel like your scalp is itchy or your curls are weighed down, it might be time for a clarifying shampoo.
- Another reason you might need to clarify is if you notice build up on your scalp or in your hair. This can happen if you use a lot of styling products, like gels or mousses.
- A good clarifying shampoo will gently remove the build up and give your scalp and hair a fresh start.
- Finally, if you have frizzy curls, clarifying can help with that too. If you feel like you’ve tried everything and nothing has worked, clarifying might be the answer.
Gentle clarifying ingredients In Shampoos
Sulfates in Shampoos
If you follow the curly girl method, then you know that sulfates are a big no-no. Sulfates are harsh cleansing agents that can strip your hair of its natural oils.
This can leave your hair feeling dry and brittle and can cause your scalp to become irritated.
The harshest sulfates in shampoos are sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) will remove all build up but can also strip your hair and damage your curls.
Clarifying ingredients in sulfate free shampoos
- Cocamidopropyl betaine
- olefin sulfonate
- sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
- sodium laurly sulfoacetate
- sodium lauroyl sarcosinate
- sodium cocoyl glutamate

When To Clarify Your Natural Hair
You should clarify your natural hair every four to six weeks. If you feel like you need to clarify more often, you can.
Just be sure to follow up with a deep conditioning treatment to restore moisture to your hair.
If you have color-treated hair, you’ll need to be careful not to clarify too often as this can strip away the color. Once a month should be sufficient.
Now that you know all about clarifying shampoos, let’s take a look at some of the best clarifying shampoos on the market today.
How Often Should You Clarify Your Curly Hair?
Most curly girls clarify their hair every month or two. If you feel like you need to clarify more often, you can certainly do that.
Just be sure not to over clarifying your hair, as that can strip your hair of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry and frizzy.
If you clarify your hair and find that it’s too drying, follow up with a deep conditioner or hair mask to help replenish your curls.
How To Clarify Your Hair
To clarify your curly hair:
- pre poo ends first to protect from clarifier
- Cleanse clarifying shampoo
- deep condition
- style as usual
If you clarify your hair with a clarifying shampoo, be sure to follow the directions on the bottle.
Most clarifying shampoos should be left on your scalp and hair for three to five minutes before rinsing.
Conclusion
There are a lot of great clarifying shampoos on the market that can help improve the health and appearance of your curly hair.
Be sure to clarify your hair when necessary to remove build up and keep your scalp healthy.
This will help your curls to look curlier and voluminous.
Do you have a favorite clarifying shampoo? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy clarifying!
Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair:
Product recommendations
- Affordable Curly Girl Products For 2a 2b 2c Wavy Hair
- Sulfate Free (Low Poo) Shampoos – Curl Girl Method Approved
- Curly Girl Method Approved Conditioners For Hydration & Easy Detangling
- Curly Girl Method Deep Conditioners You Need To Try
- Best Leave In Conditioners For Curly Hair & Wavy Hair
- Best Curly Girl Approved Gels
- Safe Curly Hair Products for Kids
- Ingredients To Avoid For Curly Hair
- Best Curly Girl Accessories You Must Try
- Curly Girl Gift Guide – Get Something On This List For The Curly Girl In Your Life
Product Reviews
- Hairitage Curl Creme – Curly Girl Approved Curl Cream Review
- Aussie Instant Freeze Gel – Curly Girl Approved Gel Review
- Eco Argan Oil Gel – Curly Girl Approved Protein Gel Review
- Kinky Curly Curling Custard Product Review
- Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner Review
- Curly Girl Product Review – Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
- Dippity Do Girls With Curls Gelee Review
Important Information To Care For Curls & Waves
- What Is Type 3 Hair & How To Care For It
- How To Take Care Of Curly & Wavy Hair
- Learn How To Deep Condition Curly Hair
- How To Squish To Condish Wavy & Curly Hair
- Find Out How Often Should You Use Leave In Conditioner
- Can You Put Leave In Conditioner On Dry Hair?
- Is Leave In Conditioner A Heat Protectant? Find Out What You Should Use
- Can You Leave Conditioner In Your Hair?
- Find Out What Happens If You Leave Conditioner In Your Hair
- What Is A Gel Cast & How To Scrunch Out The Crunch
- Signs of Moisture Overload & How To Fix It
- Protein Overload Signs & How To Fix It
- How To Fix Wet Frizz
- How To Start The Curly Girl Method
- This Is How To Tell If You Have Naturally Curly Hair – Take the free quiz
- Curly Hair Care Tips & Super Quick Wash Day, Refresh Day Routines For Moms
Dyeing Textured Hair At Home Without Damaging It
Wavy & Curly Hair Routines & hairstyles
- Curly Hair Styling Routine for 3A & 3B Curls
- Wavy Hair Styling Routine 2a 2b 2c Curls
- Curly Hair Winter Routine
- Easy Way To Refresh Curly & Wavy Hair
- How To Style Low Density, Fine Cury Hair
- The Best Way To Define Curls, Make Hair Curlier & Curls Tighter
- How To Grow Curly Hair Faster
- 3 Easy Ways To Sleep With Curly Hair Without Ruining Your Curls
- 5 Ways To Use Coconut Oil To Transform Curls