The 13 Best Hard Water Shampoos for Healthier, Shinier Hair

Using patented glicoamine technology, “this shampoo is specifically designed to combat the effects of hard water by penetrating the hair fiber and effectively removing mineral deposits that can weigh down strands and make them appear dull,” explains Kim. What’s more, hair colorist Abby Haliti calls this a “lifeline for color-treated hair,” as it helps maintain your tint without causing any brassiness. Read our full review of the Metal Detox line here.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Size: 10 oz.

Key ingredients: Glicoamine

Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars

Our expert says: “It helps restore hair’s natural radiance and shine, is sulfate free, and has an amazing refreshing scent.”—Min Kim

When choosing a good clarifying shampoo, Haliti also suggests looking for options with citric acid, like this sulfate-free version from Ion. She says it’s formulated to leave hair mineral-free and refreshed, and is gentle enough to be used daily if needed.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Size: 10.5

Key ingredients: Citric acid

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have hard water, and my hair is prone to buildup, so I got this for monthly clarifying. I’ve only used it once at the time of this review, but so far, so good! It’s a little more costly than my usual shampoo, but much less so than others of the same type, and that money goes a long way since I don’t intend it for frequent use. I love the smell and texture of this shampoo, and I noticed a difference right away. My usual hair products absorbed more easily, my hair was much softer, and it didn’t leave me feeling nearly as dry as others I’ve tried in the past. I don’t feel the need to try other, more expensive clarifying/hard water shampoos after this.”

For glossier, easier-to-manage strands, both Haiti and Moser recommend this vegan, plant-based shampoo. With ingredients like nourishing panthenol, strengthening rice protein, and vitamin C, it gently “removes mineral buildup, restores shine, and softness,” says Haiti. And if you love a dreamy scent, this one is meant to make your strands smell like an orange creamsicle.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Size: 8.96 oz.

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, panthenol, rice protein

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using this for years. We have well water with high iron content, and we do have a water softener, but this shampoo makes your hair feel clean and soft.”

Hair colorist Erin Moser says that this color-safe shampoo is perfect for fine to medium textures, although it can be used by all. The brand’s k18 peptide is meant to shield the hair shaft to reduce protein loss that can cause damage and breakage.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Size: 8.5 oz.

Key ingredients: Plant-derived surfactants, K18Peptide

K18 rating: 4.8/5 stars

A K18 reviewer says: “The peptide detox shampoo is the truth! It cleansed my hair and scalp squeaky clean. It allows my hair to accept moisture products and helps with dryness and makes my hair feel so soft. I would highly recommend this detox shampoo!”

“If you have color-treated hair, L’Oréal’s Vitamino Color Shampoo is an excellent choice,” says Kim. “It combines color protection with anti-mineral properties, ensuring your hair color remains vibrant even in hard water conditions.” According to the brand, it’s meant to prevent color fading for up to eight weeks after each application.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Size: 16.9 oz.

Key ingredients: Resveratrol

Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “Very, very good shampoo if you have long, fragile, damaged, color-treated hair. You know that feeling you get during your first post-colour hair wash (i.e., rough and hard to detangle)? I barely feel it now. My hair feels silky all the time. I’ve tried close to 50 shampoos, and this is in my top three. It’s better than most products that cost three times as much and has a nice, unobtrusive scent. The conditioner and multi-purpose spray are good too, but the shampoo is remarkable.”

This exfoliating Redken shampoo removes all the bad stuff from your mane, without stripping it of moisture or natural oils. Along with clearing away mineral deposits, Haliti says the formula removes lingering product buildup to leave hair squeaky clean, balanced, and ready for styling.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Size: 8.5 oz.

Key ingredients: AHA fruit acid, sugar cane, lemon fruit extract

Amazon rating: G/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This shampoo has been very effective at preventing any buildup of oil and product on my very porous hair and oily scalp. It makes my hair feel very clean and soft without stripping it so much that it feels weak and squeaks in my fingers. The scent is a very mild acidic/citrus one that I find very pleasant!”

Haliti also recommends this hard water shampoo for boosting vibrancy and manageability. It contains a chelating agent called EDTA (or ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid), which “helps remove mineral deposits while restoring shine,” she says. Thanks to this ingredient and sodium thiosulfate, the shampoo is also a great option for dissolving chlorine left in hair from pool days.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: No

Size: 10.1 oz.

Key ingredients: Disodium EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I live in a state that has extremely hard water. The water is so hard, I change shower curtains every month because they are so cloudy you can't see through them. Since I have Afro hair, I tend to need a good clarifying shampoo to lift my cuticle to receive the deep conditioner. This shampoo initially feels soft and smells great, but after two washes, you can feel that your hair is clean. And honestly, you don’t need two washes. One will do. It lathers well and clean gently and enough. I love shampoos like this because a little goes a long way, making it cost effective.”

Give your strands and scalp a much-needed detox with Kevin Murphy’s Maxi.Wash. Witch hazel, a natural antiseptic, helps remove unwanted chemicals and minerals while essential oils like tea tree, thyme, and rosemary help ensure your mane never looks dull or dry.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Size: 8.4 oz.

Key ingredients: AHAs, essential oils

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Love this clarifying shampoo! It gets rid of all the product in my hair. I use it every other wash. Highly recommend!”

Beach bums, this one’s for you. Kenra Professional’s clarifying shampoo uses citric acid to rid strands of minerals and salt water, plus honey extract to reverse dryness. Light-reflecting mica helps minimize dullness and boost clarity, too.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: No

Size: 10.1 oz.

Key ingredients: Citric acid, honey extract, mica

Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I have fine hair but a lot of it. So finding a moisturizing shampoo that doesn’t weigh my hair down is a challenge. This shampoo not only smells like a wonderful coconut cream dream, but it also leaves my hair feeling absolutely soft and touchable. If you are looking for a shampoo that won’t let down fine/wavy haired girlies, this is for you.”

Starring apple cider vinegar, this color-safe shampoo by celebrity hair colorist Justin Anderson works to remove mineral buildup and balance the scalp’s pH levels. Since it helps clarify and remove excess oils, it’s a solid choice for those who suffer from greasiness and dandruff as well. As an added bonus, it contains ginseng and ginger extract to help stimulate the scalp and encourage healthy hair growth.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Size: 8.5 oz.

Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, amino acids, ginseng extract

Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I had never noticed how much breakage and hair loss I was having before this shampoo. I have been using this for about a year now, and it has reduced my hair loss by 85 percent. I thought it was normal to shed that much hair, but now that I don’t, I’ve realized it’s not normal.”

This apple cider vinegar and argan oil-infused formula is Moser’s pick for coarse wavy to curly hair. Tons of reviewers rave about how soft and healthy it makes their mane feel, with one saying, “it gave my hair bounce for the first time in years and ensures it feels thicker, has dimension, and never tangles.” Since it’s technically a cleansing conditioner, the hybrid formula can replace both your regular shampoo and conditioner, but keep in mind you may need to follow up with a clarifying wash periodically to prevent buildup.

Hair type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Size: 8 oz.

Key ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, argan oil

Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have perplexing hair—a scalp that is prone to break out but hair that is bone dry. Nothing seemed to work to [make] it happy after I dried it. I used this, and my hair was soft and smooth. I just love how soft and clean my hair feels.”

Many clarifying shampoos can be overly drying for curly and coily hair types, which are prone to dehydration in the first place. Thankfully, Pattern’s cleansing shampoo is here to save them. Created specifically for textured hair, it offers a deep cleanse, then hydrates and strengthens with ingredients like nourishing panthenol, antioxidant-rich green tea, and fortifying rosemary oil. As one reviewer writes, “I’ve been trying to find a good shampoo for my 3b/c curls to cleanse without leaving my hair feeling brittle. I can now honestly say I have found it. This shampoo makes my scalp feel clean and hair soft after I rinse.”

Hair type: Curly, coily, tight textures

Sulfate-free: No

Size: 7.8 oz.

Key ingredients: Matcha, green tea, aloe, panthenol

Ulta rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “It’s clarifying and moisturizing! I don’t know how to explain it, but it works. My low-porosity hair loves whatever is in this product. Please don't change a thing! I have been searching years for a product like this. Most clarifying shampoos are drying and leave me with a tangled mess. But not this. I also struggle with scalp sensitivity, so I follow up with a medicated shampoo, and it’s sufficiently moisturized throughout.”