According to Linda de Zeeuw, stylist at Rob Peetoom Salon in NYC, the best product to reach for during swim season is a clarifying shampoo. "Most professional hair brands have created products designed specifically to protect the hair from the chlorine, sun, or salt damage," de Zeeuw says. "While the shampoo is not always the end-all fix — it's best coupled with a good leave-in conditioner or a detangling spray — it will definitely make a huge difference."
Ahead, find the pro's guide to the best chlorine-removing shampoos. Stock up now, and quickly rehab any damage done over the summer weekend.
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Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
Celebrity stylist Bryce Scarlett (Margot Robbie's red carpet go-to guy) tells us that his top pick for rehabbing summer damage is Moroccanoil's ocean-blue bottle, the Clarifying formulation. "This shampoo gently strips hair of buildup caused by salt or chlorine without drying it out," he says. "I've found that it works on all hair lengths and textures, and basically deep-cleans the scalp to rehab dull, greasy, or limp roots."
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo, $, available at Sephora
TRESemmé Ultimate Hydration Shampoo
Help can come from the drugstore, according to celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan, who loves this big bottle of TRESemmé shampoo. "I love this shampoo for all hair types — anyone looking for a quick fix after chlorine, salt, and sun dehydration," she tells Refinery29. "It is super moisturizing, but washes out clean."
TRESemmé Ultimate Hydration Shampoo, $, available at Amazon
Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Shampoo
If you were on your high-school swim team, this Malibu C label may look familiar. It was created specifically to help competitive swimmers — who are in and out of the pool every day — keep their hair healthy out of the swim cap. "It's a gentle shampoo that prevents hair damage and discoloration caused by the pool," says de Zeeuw. "So, if you're blonde, it will lift out any green and keep your color vibrant and shiny."
Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Shampoo, $, available at Malibu C
Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
This gentle clarifying shampoo — designed specifically for curly hair types — cleanses strands from root to tip, leaving hair clean, shiny, and full of bounce factor.
Bounce Curl Gentle Clarifying Shampoo, $, available at Bounce Curl
Kérastase Bain Après Soleil Shampoo
The damaging trifecta — sun, chlorine, and salt water — are practically undone by this Kérastase shampoo. "It's an anti-damage shampoo that actually fortifies your hair after sun exposure, leaving it stronger after one shower," de Zeeuw says. Try following it with the brand's Masque Après Soleil Hair Mask to get each strand extra smooth.
Kérastase Bain Après Soleil Shampoo, $, available at Kérastase
Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo with Jujube Bark Extract
The dryness or buildup you feel after squeezing pool water out of your hair is caused by offset pH levels, which is where this purifying shampoo comes into play. Marjan loves that it restores any chemical imbalance in the hair, creating healthier strands as a result. As a bonus, if you are prone to dandruff, this shampoo contains jujube bark extract, which is a natural dandruff combatant.
Christophe Robin Purifying Shampoo with Jujube Bark Extract, $, available at DermStore
Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo
You don't want to use this stuff every day, but after hopping in the pool, it will be your godsend — especially if you have thick hair that's prone to frizz. "This is an amazing detoxifying shampoo," says Marjan. "It removes mineral buildup in the hair, but it is pretty stripping, so you don't want to overdo it if your hair is fine."
Bumble and bumble Sunday Shampoo, $, available at Ulta Beauty
Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
Another good pick for natural hair is a clarifying shampoo that cleans away buildup without stripping the hair of moisture. This one from Ouidad reboots curls after weeks of co-washing or a long day of swimming.
Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo, $, available at Ouidad
Sun Bum Detox Shampoo
This sulfate-free shampoo from Sun Bum features apple cider vinegar to gently cleanse away impurities like chlorine and salt from whatever your choice body of water during swim season. Like most of these deep detox shampoos, it's recommended to avoid using this as an everyday shampoo, as the acid can be harsh on your hair and scalp if overused. However, for post-pool rinses or weekly cleanses, it's great.
Sun Bum Detox Shampoo, $, available at Sun Bum
Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance™ Clarifying Shampoo
Another option to combat chlorine, water minerals, product buildup, and more, Olaplex's clarifying shampoo is powerful enough to rid impurities, but pH-balancing enough to maintain hydration and leave your hair healthy and shiny.
Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance™ Clarifying Shampoo, $, available at Sephora
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