Undo Hair Color Blunders with These 5 Clarifying Shampoos

Are you going through a hair color disaster? We feel you, sister. Struggling with hair color mishaps and undoing your coloring blunder needs some hard work and patience on your part, especially if you cannot visit your hairstylist. But don’t worry, we have a solution to soothe your trouble time – a clarifying shampoo. These shampoos gently remove residues from hard water, styling products, excess oil, and color pigments that settle on hair shafts, leaving them soft and bouncy. In this article, we have curated a list of the 5 best clarifying shampoos you can use to remove color from your hair.

P.S. Clarifying shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate that can dry your hair. After clarifying your hair with these shampoos, always follow up with a conditioning hair mask or conditioner to maintain hydration in the scalp.

  • 5 Best Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Color
  • How To Use A Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Hair Color
  • How To Choose The Best Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Color

5 Best Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Color

1. Best Anti-Residue: Neutrogena The Anti-Residue Formula

The non-irritating Neutrogena The Anti-Residue Shampoo is designed as a weekly treatment to clean away grease, oil buildup, and residue from the scalp and hair shaft. The Sodium Laureth Sulfate in the formula washes off the color from your hair while glycerin, a humectant, prevents moisture loss and keeps your hair soft and hydrated. It also boosts hair volume and add bounce to dull hair.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, SLS

Pros

  • Non-irritating
  • Artificial colorant-free
  • Artificial dye-free
  • Gentle formula
  • Suitable for all hair types

Cons

  • Unpleasant smell
  • Can cause hairfall
2. Best Refreshing: Matrix Biolage Normalizing CleanReset Shampoo

The refreshing Matrix Biolage Normalizing CleanReset Shampoo is formulated with lemongrass extract that strips off the color and chemical buildups from the hair. Cleansing agents Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate gently lighten the hair color, while sage extracts add shine to the tresses. This intense cleansing treatment has antibacterial and antiseptic properties to help control oil production and scalp acne. It promotes healthy hair growth.

Key Ingredients: Lemongrass and Sage

Pros

  • Antibacterial
  • Lathers well
  • Paraben-free
  • Refreshing fragrance
  • Suitable for all hair types

Cons

3. Best Nourishing: Nexxus Clean & Pure Nourishing Detox Shampoo

The lightweight Nexxus Clean & Pure Nourishing Detox Shampoo lightens the hair color while the exclusive ProteinFusion blend of elastin protein and marine minerals rebonds the hair shaft. This shampoo nourishes the hair and makes it smooth and silky. It is packed with ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed keratin, and coconut oil that replenish essential nutrients to the hair. Plus, it seals in moisture to restore shine and bounce to dry, damaged hair.

Key Ingredients: Elastin protein, Marine mineral, Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Coconut oil, and Hydrolyzed keratin

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Silicone-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Dye-free

Cons

4. Best Detox: OUAI Detox Shampoo

The concentrated formula of OUAI Detox Shampoo uses apple cider vinegar and chelating agents to wash away the stubborn color pigments as well as oil, dirt, flakes, hard water deposits, and product buildup from your hair. It is fortified with keratin to strengthen the hair strands and keep hair soft, shiny, and frizz-free. It is infused with hints of bergamot, cedarwood, lychee, and white musk that leaves you with a long-lasting refreshing experience. This quick- foaming shampoo nourishes and conditions the hair.

Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, Hydrolyzed keratin, Tamarind seed extracts, and Chelating agents

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Sulfate-free
  • SLS/SLES-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Formaldehyde-free
  • Phthalate- free
  • Mineral oil-free
  • Triclosan-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Gluten-free

Cons

5. Best Organic: Manic Panic Prepare To Dye Clarifying Shampoo

The special blend of surfactants and bonding ingredients in the Manic Panic Prepare To Dye Clarifying Shampoo helps to remove styling product buildup, excess oils, and hard water residues from the hair. It is crafted using organic ginseng root, sage extract, and rosemary extract to promote healthy flake-free scalp. The high pH level of this shampoo opens up the hair cuticles to prepare it for the next color. Its mild grapefruit fragrance uplifts your mood.

Key Ingredients: Organic ginseng root extract, Rosemary extract, and Sage extract

Pros

  • Organic ingredients
  • UV protectant
  • Pleasant fragrance
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Ammonia- free
  • Paraben-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Resorcinol-free
  • Phthalate-free

How To Use A Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Hair Color

Using a clarifying shampoo to remove hair color is as simple as using a regular shampoo. But the following tips can enhance the effectiveness of the shampoo in removing the color.

  • Take some shampoo in your palms and rub it well until it lathers. Now, massage it on your wet scalp and along the lengths of your hair.
  • Leave it in for at least two to five minutes so that the cleansing agents can dissolve the color pigments attached to the cuticles. Pay special attention to the inner and bottom layers of your hair, as those tresses tend to hold more color than the top layers.
  • Use warm water to rinse the shampoo.
  • Remember to use a deep conditioner or a leave-in conditioner to prevent your hair from drying out.

To get the best benefits from a clarifying shampoo, you also have to ensure you have the right formula. Read below some factors you should consider before buying a clarifying shampoo.

How To Choose The Best Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Color

Clarifying shampoos are one of the safest and gentlest tools for lightening or removing hair color. Always remember to support your hair with a good conditioner to preserve the health and shine of your tresses. For quick results, we recommend the Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. Its anti-residue formula gently fades the color while adding volume to your hair, making it the best clarifying shampoos to remove color.

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