Avoid ingredients like formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates and sulfates, which can damage your hair, according to our experts. Formaldehyde can sometimes act as a preservative in clarifying shampoos but is a known carcinogen, says Rose. Parabens and phthalates can also cause future health problems since the body is able to absorb these preservatives, according to Rose. Depending on your hair or scalp type, sulfates can strip hair of natural oils and be irritating to the scalp since they are intense detergents, according to our experts. Hair type

Afsennah Kalanawi is a certified trichologist, and founder of her own hair care brand focused on custom hair oils. For swimmers specifically, as well as those with oily scalps or who don't wash their hair often, Alzarez recommends using a clarifying shampoo regularly, though all people should limit their use of it to "at most, once a week." Dr. Friese agrees, advising that people who merely have oily hair use it "about every third wash to help remove oily buildup on the scalp." For those who have naturally dry hair, meanwhile, Alvarez suggests only using it as needed. What to Look For in Clarifying Shampoo

OUR BEST CLARIFYING SHAMPOOS

If you love the that swishy, bouncy feeling a clarifying shampoo gives you, look out for formulas that can be used daily. We've included a couple in here from Aussie and Aveda that are safe to use on the regular. What's the best clarifying shampoo? Outdoor Home & Kitchen All Outdoor Raised Garden Boxes Garden Hoses Gas Grills Beach Towels Solar Pool Covers Grilling Accessories

Celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez agrees, noting that clarifying shampoo is especially helpful for those who use a lot of styling products. "Clarifying shampoos use a unique formula that works like a magnet to attract dirt, dissolve it, and flush it away with water," she says. "[Clarifying shampoo] is specifically formulated to clear buildup and remove any residue from styling products. It prevents bacterial buildup on the scalp, creates volume, thoroughly removes buildup, restores your hair’s PH, and prepares your hair for coloring services." How Often to Use a Clarifying ShampooSkin Care Wellness All Skin Care Moisturizers Mineral Sunscreens Sunscreens for Kids Sunscreens for Dark Skin Acne Teen Acne Rosacea SPF Lip Balms Under Eye Patches Kitchen Appliances & Tools Home & Kitchen All Kitchen Appliances & Tools Coffee Makers Cookware Air Fryers Mixers Kitchen Gadgets You can absolutely overuse a clarifying shampoo. If you use it too frequently, you are actually stripping your hair of its natural oils, which will make it feel dry and cause breakage, says Kalanawi. Dry/damaged hair: For those with dry or damaged hair (or both), a clarifying shampoo may strip away oils because of harsh cleansers like sulfates, which can weaken hair and may worsen dryness, according to certified trichologist Afsennah Kalanawi. Consider a shampoo that is sulfate-free to prevent more damage, says Rose. Also, choose a shampoo that has moisturizing ingredients like glycerin to prevent excessive dryness, says Kalanawi. Some clarifying shampoos are more powerful than others and most are only designed to be used once a week. Make sure you don't overuse them, as this could strip the scalp of moisture and stimulate even more oil production.

And what does swimming have to do with your hair? Dr. Friese explains, "People who swim often may need to clarify their hair more often to prevent the greenish tinge hair can take on from the chlorine. The same goes for ocean swimmers. A clarifying shampoo can help remove salt buildup on the hair." Electronics Tech All Electronics Tvs Wifi Routers Gaming Consoles Streaming Devices Instant Cameras Handheld Gaming Consoles 3D Printers Dr. Jessie Cheung is a board-certified dermatologist at Cheung Aesthetics and Wellness, with practices in Chicago and New York City.So, now you know what clarifying shampoo is and how often you should use it, you're wondering what the best clarifying shampoo is for you. The search can be overwhelming, and it's hard to understand what to look for if you're not a stylist or trichologist, which is why we've done the research for you. That being said, it's not exactly the best idea to deep-clean your hair with a clarifying shampoo every time you wash it (since clarifying shampoos have harsher ingredients, which, if used too regularly can dry hair and scalps out), a once-over every so often deep-cleanse could just be the answer to peak hair health. Hydrating ingredients: To counteract the drying nature of clarifying shampoos, we looked for options with hydrating ingredients like argan oil and glycerin.

When your hair feels heavy or lifeless, it may be time to try a clarifying shampoo. These shampoos remove excess buildup or residue on your hair and scalp, and they offer a deeper cleanse compared to regular shampoos. However, they’re not designed for constant use — if you use a clarifying shampoo more than once a week, it might dry out your strands or fade color. But, just as dirt, sweat and pollution can affect your skin, they can affect your scalp too. And, just like you use an oil-based cleanser to remove your makeup, sometimes you need something a little heavier to dislodge all that grime at your roots. Shab Caspara is a New York City-based hairstylist, trichologist and hair health expert. She is also the founder of Leona, a hair care brand.Office Home & Kitchen All Office Office Chairs Standing Desks Desk Organizers Seat Cushions Under Desk Ellipticals Best Overall Clarifying Shampoo for Buildup: Living Proof Perfect hair Day (PhD) Triple Detox Shampoo Clarifying shampoo is formulated to cleanse the hair and scalp of buildup and impurities," explains Gretchen Friese, a certified BosleyMD trichologist. Trichologists, by the way, are medical experts that specialize in hair and scalp health. Friese adds, that clarifying shampoos are "often used by people who are infrequent washers, swimmers, have problems with oily hair, or simply want to refresh their scalp."