Contents
Plus, it contains strengthening peptides.
Perhaps the most frustrating hair conundrum? A greasy scalp and thirsty ends. It’s an issue I’d experienced earlier this summer: Sweltering conditions lead to a sweaty scalp, which translated to greasiness at my crown, and increased sun exposure sapped moisture from my ends.
In an effort to combat oiliness—courtesy of product buildup mixed with sweat—I turned to clarifying shampoos, which, categorically, have “stronger, more concentrated formulas” than typical hair washes, Adria Marshall, CEO of sustainable hair brand Ecoslay, tells InStyle. While they’re “highly effective at deep cleaning the scalp and hair,” she says, “using them too often can strip the hair of moisture.” Case in point: My strands turned to hay and my scalp became tight, dry, and itchy.
Just as I was about clarifying formulas entirely, I stumbled upon the Density Boost Clarifying Shampoo from Dove, which proved equal parts gentle and satisfyingly buildup-busting. Furthermore, I’m washing my hair about half as much as I had been thanks to the product’s unrivaled balancing power. Conveniently, the formula is available at Amazon, where it’s a mere $10 ahead of Amazon Prime Day.
Dove Density Boost Clarifying Shampoo
$10 at Amazon
The Dove Density Boost Clarifying Shampoo is a gentle yet effective hair wash that deeply cleans the scalp and hair without overdrying, as many clarifying shampoos tend to. Gentle on all hair types and textures, it’s safe for color and keratin-treated hair. As an added bonus, the product contains strand-strengthening peptides, and scalp-soothing zinc, making it somewhat of a haircare-skincare hybrid that delivers benefits instantly and over time.
The magic behind Dove’s surprisingly gentle formula, per Marshall, is a combination of “moisturizing agents and milder surfactants,” which “ensure hair's natural oils aren't entirely stripped away.” Ultimately, this combination maintains hydration and leaves hair “clean but not dry or brittle.”
I’d be remiss to skip over the experiential bliss this product provides. It lathers into a gentle foam and wafts Dove’s signature scent—which, if you’ve tried any of the brand’s products, you’ll know is distinctly soft, clean, and fresh.
For bouncy hair and a balanced scalp, shop the only clarifying shampoo I’ll use from now on, Dove’s Density Boost Clarifying Shampoo. Shop more grime-busting options at Amazon, below.
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Orig. $11 $8 at Amazon
Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo
$36 at Amazon
Kristin Ess Hair Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
Orig. $13 $12 at Amazon