Do you know, you can simply use a good clarifying shampoo to remove color?

With most of us experimenting with different hair colors and styles as a part of our new year hair resolutions where we end up trying new hair color ideas sometimes, mishaps happen and we are left with hair color that we aren’t completely happy with. So in that case, here is a simple hack of using color fading shampoos.

The clarifying shampoos that normally are used to remove build-up from your hair shafts also help to fade your hair color. These color fading shampoos dissolve the hair color pigments while you wash your hair which in turn helps to remove your hair color without using a hair dye remover which is a lot harsh on your hair. 

If you too are looking for a good clarifying shampoo to remove hair color, then we’ve got you covered. 

Best Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Hair Color

We have compiled a list of best clarifying shampoos for color removal that actually worked well for us and here are our best picks:

Manic Panic Prepare To Dye Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Color

If you are in a rush to choose, this is the one that we recommend the most.

This organic shampoo does a fine job in removing product build-up, sebum, residues from hard water deposits as well as your unwanted hair color. Its active ingredients help in maintaining a healthy itch-free scalp while making your hair smell good at the same time.

You will need to use a good hydrating hair conditioner or deep conditioning hair mask after you use this clarifying shampoo to remove hair as it has a bit of drying effect on your hair.

Also read: How Long Does Manic Panic Last On Your Hair?

Key Ingredients: Organic ginseng root extract, rosemary extract, and sage extract.

Pros

• Vegan and Organic
• UV protectant
• Removes build-up
• Helps in fading hair color
• Gentle on hair
• Maintains scalp health

Cons

• Need to follow up with your hair conditioner to keep your hair hydrated

Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Matrix Biolage Cleanreset Normalizing Shampoo

This clarifying shampoo strips hair color gently and removes build-up from hair and scalp. Its active ingredients lemongrass and sage do a fine job at removing your hair color and its lesser SLS content is ideal to prevent itchy scalp and ideal to use for multiple washes until you get the desired results.

Is Biolage Good For Your Hair?

Key Ingredients: Lemongrass and Sage

Pros

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

Cons

• Takes a few washes with this shampoo to remove the color completely

Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo

Neutrogena has a wonderful high-quality haircare range like t-sal and t-gel that delivers good results. If you are looking for a good color fading shampoo, then Neutrogena anti-residue shampoo is one such shampoo that you definitely should consider.

It slowly and gently strips off hair color from your shafts and leaves you with your desired faded hair color. It also contains glycerin and hydrogenated castor oil which means despite using it frequently you won’t have to worry about dry damaged hair.

You can read the full review of Neutrogena Anti Residue Shampoo and why it was discontinued here.

Active Ingredients: Glycerin and hydrogenated castor oil.

Pros

• Gentle on hair
• Suits all hair types
• Won’t dry out hair
• Strips off hair color and build-up

Cons

• Takes multiple washes to fade away the color completely

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Head and Shoulders Anti Dandruff Itchy Scalp Care Shampoo

If you have dandruff and itchy scalp and you need a good clarifying shampoo to remove hair color but it should soothe your scalp too then opt for this one. 

Despite being an anti-dandruff shampoo, this head and shoulders shampoo removes your hair dye like a charm. Being an anti-dandruff shampoo with menthol and eucalyptus as its active ingredients, it has a very soothing effect on your itchy or irritated scalp.

However this shampoo has a drying effect on the hair, so make sure to use a good conditioner or a deep conditioning mask afterward.

• Does Head And Shoulders Cause Hair Loss?

Pros

• Smells nice
• Soothes scalp
• Strips off hair color
• Ideal for people with dandruff or oily hair

Cons

• Has a drying effect on hair so you will need to follow up with a hydrating hair conditioner

Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Nexxus Clean and Pure Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Hair Color

This is one of the best clarifying shampoos to remove hair color on the market with hydrating and nourishing properties. We would have added it as our top favorite shampoo to remove hair color but it takes a few more washes to fade your hair color completely when compared to Manic Panic shampoo. 

This shampoo is very effective in removing build-up too without completely stripping off the natural oils from your scalp. It suits well for all hair types and it’s free of dyes, silicones, sulfates, and parabens. Infused with coconut oil, this shampoo maintains the hydration of your hair while it fades your hair color.

• Is Nexxus Shampoo Bad For Your Hair?

Active ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine

Pros

• Free of harsh chemicals like SLS, parabens, silicones, and dyes
• Smells nice
• Gentle on hair
• Suits all hair types
• Helps to fade hair color

Cons

• Takes a few washes to remove the color completely

Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

TRESemmé Cleanse & Replenish Deep Cleansing Shampoo

This is a good clarifying shampoo to remove hair color that you can go for. It’s gentle for daily use and it helps to protect your hair from pollution too. Its another added benefit, it lifts hair color beautifully and fades very gently.

• Is Tresemme Shampoo Good For Hair?

Pros

• Easily available
• Suits all hair types
• Gentle on hair
• Helps fade away the hair color
• Ideal for daily use
• Cruelty-free shampoo

Cons

• Takes a while to strip off the hair color completely

Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

SheaMoisture Residue Remover Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo

If you are looking for a good color fading shampoo for your curly hair then go with this one.

Ideal for people with curly hair or dry hair type, this deep cleansing shampoo to remove hair color is curly girl method approved. Its infused with tea tree oil, flaxseed oil, and borage seed oil to be gentle on your hair while stripping off the dirt, dust, color at the same time.

• Is Shea Moisture Good For Your Hair?

Active ingredient: Cocamidopropyl betaine

Pros

• Works best for people with curly or dry hair type
• Contains tea tree oil, flax seed oil and borage seed oil to maintain nourishment in your hair
• Works well to lighten hair color
• Smells incredible
• Cruelty-free

Cons

• Not an ideal choice for people with oily hair type

Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Does Clarifying Shampoo Do To Colored Hair?

Clarifying shampoos are meant to remove product build-up from hair shafts. The added side-effect of these clarifying shampoos is that they strip off hair color pigments and lighten your hair color with every wash.

But we will be using the side effect of these shampoos to our advantage. These will basically be used by us today as color fading shampoos. You can check out this guide on how different hair products work on your hair shafts to understand better.

How To Choose The Best Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Color

While you choose the best color fading shampoo, you need to take into account the following things:

1.  Anti-residue formulas: While picking up your shampoo especially for removing hair color, make sure you opt for the one with a higher anti-residue factor. This will ensure that the color pigments get dissolved better and cleansed deeper for that beautiful fade that you desire.
2.  Ingredients: Another thing to keep in mind while picking up your color fading shampoo is to look for higher SLS content. SLS works as a deep cleansing agent that will help the hair color to fade faster. But that does not mean that shampoo without SLS would fade your hair color. 
3.  Nourishment: Removing hair color has a drying effect on your hair. Make sure you opt for one that might be a little slower to remove the color pigmentation but will not strip off your natural hair oils. Also always use a good deep conditioning mask like afterward.

Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2025-07-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Use A Clarifying Shampoo To Remove Hair Color

You can incorporate a good clarifying shampoo in your hair care routine by simply using it as a regular shampoo. But when it comes to using it as a color fading shampoo here are some effective tips to keep in mind to maximize its effects:

1. Start by soaking your scalp and washing your hair with just water nicely. Apply a good quantity of your color fading shampoo to ensure you cover your entire hair length well. Make it lather and leave it on for at least 5 minutes. This will ensure that the cleansing agents have enough time to work on color pigments on your hair shaft.
2. Use warm water before and after you use your color-fading shampoo as it helps to fade your hair color faster.
3. Always follow it up with a good conditioner or a deep conditioning hair mask.

Using a clarifying shampoo on your hair to fade your hair dye is always a better idea than opting for bleaching or other harsh treatments. This small decision benefits your hair well in the long run just like these small hair resolutions that have a big positive effect on your hair health.

Hope you found this list of best clarifying shampoo to remove hair color insightful. These best clarifying shampoos remove hair color and help you fade your unwanted hair color with just a hair wash. If you have any other tips that helped you fade your hair color with minimal damage, do share via comments. Before you leave, don’t forget to check out:

• How To Bleach Bath Hair To Remove Color? Guide For Beginners
• Best Hard Water Shampoos With Chelating Agents To Remove Build-Up
• How To Make Bleached Hair Soft And Silky? 21 Proven Hacks
• How to Remove Banana From Hair in 5 Simple Steps

Have a lovely day.