Ouai Detox Clarifying Shampoo Review
Clarifying shampoo gets a bad reputation for being overly drying or stripping, yet when you find a good one, you really notice a difference in your overall hair health. Meant to give your hair a good reset, clarifying shampoo adds shine, removes product and hard mineral build-up, and restore scalp health. The Ouai Detox Shampoo has quickly become a cult favorite for a reason. A gentler detox shampoo that still provides a deep cleanse, it’s safe for all hair types, lightweight yet effective, and works well without drying out your hair.
I’ve loved it for years now, but because I know that clarifying shampoos can be intimidating, I wanted to share a full review with tips in order to get the most out of Ouai Detox Shampoo. For pros, cons, how often to use it, and how it compares to other clarifying shampoos, keep reading.
ouai detox shampoo review
I genuinely love the Ouai Detox Shampoo and think it’s the best clarifying shampoo on the market. It removes build-up, gives my hair and scalp a deep clean, yet doesn’t cause irritation or dryness.
What’s worth noting is that while a lot of clarifying shampoos can effectively remove build-up, they also tend to strip your hair of its natural oils, which can cause irritation, breakage, and an overproduction of oil as a result (thus negating its effectiveness).
The formula of the Ouai Detox Shampoo is balanced; it removes build-up without stripping your hair of its natural oils, so it’s an effective yet gentle clarifying shampoo.
The scent isn’t my favorite; it’s floral, yet you get a hint of the apple cider vinegar, yet is mild and doesn’t last long. Other clarifying shampoos tangle my fine hair, but Ouai Detox Shampoo doesn’t, and it makes my hair noticeably shinier.
I often joke that the Ouai Detox Shampoo is like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants of clarifying shampoos because really anyone can use it. I have fine, color-treated hair, whereas my mom has thick, coarse grey hair and we both really benefit from the Detox Shampoo. My boyfriend works out daily and does a lot of demo work at his job, and also loves how this shampoo removes build-up without drying out his hair (especially since he skips conditioner).
If you ever feel like your hair feels gross or grimy after traveling since hotel water can be dicey, you’ll also love this shampoo as part of your post-travel reset. I also highly recommend it if you swim in chlorine pools or the ocean often during the summer. Both can cause build-up, and the UV rays can be drying, so the Detox Shampoo does the best job at giving your hair a deep clean without causing breakage or dryness.
how to use ouai detox shampoo
Use weekly, or every other week.
Thoroughly wet hair, then squeeze out excess moisture.
Lather a quarter-sized amount in your hands.
Apply as close to the scalp as possible, getting a good lather going.
The official directions say to let it sit for 1-3 minutes; I never do this and still get a deep clean, but if you have a lot of build-up or extra-oily roots, you may want to.
Rinse, and squeeze out excess moisture.
Apply a deep conditioner or hair mask.
Rinse with cold water to close the hair cuticle and add shine.
pros
Sulfate-free, but also lathers well
For all hair types
Safe for color-treated hair
Gives your hair and scalp a deep clean without stripping your hair
Makes your hair feel clean and fresh
Priced fairly; $34
Adds shine
Effectively removes product build-up
Lightweight formula
A little goes a long way
cons
Not my favorite scent (floral with hints of apple cider vinegar, but not overpowering)
Can cause tangles if you don’t follow-up with a hydrating conditioner
Not for daily use (use once a week or every other week)
Can feel stripping if overused
key ingredients
Ouai totally nailed the formula when it comes to this clarifying shampoo. It’s sulfate free, so it won’t strip your hair, but also gives your hair a deep, invigorating clean. Key ingredients that set the Ouai Detox Shampoo apart from other formulas are:
Chelating Agents - helps remove hard water deposits and impurities.
Apple Cider Vinegar - exfoliate and remove flakes, residue, and buildup, keeping hair healthy and shiny.
Hydrolyzed Keratin - soften, smooth, frizz and add shine.
is ouai detox shampoo worth it?
Yes, the Ouai Detox Shampoo is 100% worth it and is the best clarifying shampoo that I’ve ever used. It works extremely well, yet is gentle enough for all hair types. It cleanses the hair and effectively removes all product build-up without stripping your scalp or drying out your hair, and it lathers especially well for a sulfate-free formula.
It’s $34 for a 10oz bottle, and while that may seem expensive, it really is fairly priced and a good deal. A little goes a long way, and you only use clarifying shampoo every week (or so), so one bottle will last you a long time.
If you deal with build-up, oily roots, or dull hair, you will notice a difference with this clarifying shampoo. The Ouai Detox Shampoo is a true weekly staple in my haircare routine, and my hair always feels healthier and balanced whenever I use it.
who it’s best for
This is probably the most universal clarifying shampoo that I’ve used. It doesn’t irritate my sensitive scalp or cause breakage, and everyone I’ve had use it also loves it. You should definitely give the Detox Shampoo a try if you:
Have an oily scalp or greasy roots
Use lots of hair products (especially dry shampoo, hairspray, or styling creams)
Deal with hard water build-up, or swim in chlorine/ the ocean frequently
Have fine hair that gets weighed down easily
Need a “hair reset” once a week (or every other week) or after traveling
Swim in the pool/ ocean a lot during the summer
who should avoid it
Truthfully, the Ouai Detox Shampoo is safe for all hair types. That said, you may want to avoid it if:
You have very brittle, dry, or over-processed hair
You have an extremely sensitive scalp when it comes to fragrance
Tip: do a patch test; I have a sensitive scalp as well and this shampoo doesn’t cause irritation
You wash your hair daily and want an everyday shampoo, as this is meant to be used weekly
how often to use it
Clarifying shampoos are not meant to be used daily; consider them treatments that you use weekly or every other week. Most people can use the Ouai Detox Shampoo once a week. That said, you may want to space it out to every other week if your hair is dry, color-treated, or you don’t use a lot of product.
If you have very oily hair or heavy build-up, you might find you get better results from using it twice a week, but I would not exceed that! If anything, incorporate a scalp scrubber and get a deeper lather, rather than increasing frequency.
Ouai Detox Shampoo doesn’t strip your hair or leave it feeling like straw the way other clarifying shampoos do, but I recommend following-up with a hydrating conditioner or hair mask for best results and overall hair health. This hair mask is under $20 and one of my favorites for all hair types.
ouai detox shampoo vs other detox shampoos
As I’ve mentioned, the Ouai Detox Shampoo is second to none when it comes to clarifying shampoos. That said, here’s a mini comparison to a few other best-sellers for you:
K18 Peptide Prep Clarifying Detox Shampoo - a cleaner formula, this is pH balanced and gentle yet effective. The shampoo itself is a darker green color, which surprised me, but works so well. Where the Ouai Detox Shampoo feels like a deep clean, K18 Peptide Prep Clarifying Detox Shampoo is a gentler refresh. If you are not one to use hair masks or more hydrating conditioners post-shampooing, you may prefer K18 Peptide Prep Clarifying Detox Shampoo. Also great if you have an extra-sensitive scalp.
Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo - while I do think the Ouai Detox Shampoo is a great value, this is the best budget-friendly option (and the only drugstore clarifying shampoo that doesn’t dry out my hair). The bottle itself feels a little flimsy, but has never leaked or spilled; I think it’s recycled plastic, so I’m not knocking it at all. You get a great lather with this shampoo, and it removes all product build-up without leaving your hair feeling stripped or drying out your scalp. Cruelty-free, vegan, sulfate-free, and safe for all hair types, this is a universal winner. I love to follow-up with the Kristin Ess Leave-In Conditioner. Also-budget friendly, it’s lightweight yet hydrating, helps prevent tangles, and really combats frizz.
