8 Best Chlorine-Removal Shampoos You Absolutely Need if You Swim

ProsFilled with a slew of chelating ingredientsDoesn't leave hair feeling dry ConsUsing it too frequently can leave hair thirstyWhy we love it: Say hello to my all-time favorite clarifying shampoo that works for every hair type. This is formulated with apple cider vinegar to gently remove product buildup, while also leaving hair shiny and smooth. Celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance regularly recommends this to clients—even those who don’t regularly swim—because it “provides a deep cleanse without leaving hair feeling to dry.” It’s rare for a clarifying shampoo to hydrate as it detoxes, but Ouai’s formula does, which it earned the top spot.Key features at a glanceKey ingredientsApple cider vinegar, hydrolyzed keratinSize10 oz.ProsSafe for color-treated hairCreates the most luxurious latherHair doesn't feel brittle after usingConsThe cap is prone to leakingWhy we love it: Clarifying shampoos get a bad rep for dehydrating hair. However, there are some unicorn formulas that melt away build-up while also nourishing strands—this is one of them. “This is strong enough to remove chlorine, hard water minerals, and product build-up without leaving the hair feeling overly stripped,” says Ballance. “It’s my go-to option when tackling chlorine removal in the salon.” With the pro’s approval, you know you can trust this one.Key features at a glanceKey ingredientsAHA fruit acids, salicylic acidSize8.5 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsMade specially for chlorine removalPrevents blonde hair from turning green due to chlorine exposureSmells like a freshly-squeeze grapefruitConsYou'll definitely need to follow with a deep conditioning treatment to restore hairs' moistureWhy we love it: Chlorine buildup is annoying no matter your hair color, but for blondes it can be a total nightmare because the chemical can turn your mane green (yikes!). This clarifying shampoo was designed specially to avoid that conundrum. It detoxifies and expertly removes chlorine and prevents the dreaded color change that so many blondes deal with.Key features at a glanceKey ingredientsUrea, castor oilSize10.14 oz.ProsSurprisingly moisturizing for a clarifying shampooConsCould be too heavy on oily or fine hair typesWhy we love it: If I had this shampoo back in my swim days, I’d have saved a lot of money on keratin treatments to fix my dry, damaged hair. The formula contains a powerful mix of ingredients to help remove chlorine, including clarifying surfactants and chelating EDTA. But unlike other drying clarifiers, this one helps keep my hair soft with shea butter, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, and castor oil.Features at a GlanceKey ingredientsSodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate (sulfate-free clarifier), sunflower oil, coconut oil,Size7.8 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsUses very strong cleansers to remove build-upConsWay too drying for curly and dry hair typesWhy we love it: When my hair needs a total reset, this clarifying shampoo is the first thing I grab. It’s strong and effective AF with three types of sulfates and two forms of EDTA that break up even the strongest chlorine and mineral buildup. I massage this through my hair as needed (no more than once every other week, max), and layer on a rich conditioner followed by a moisturizing leave-in to help offset the dryness.Key features at a glanceKey ingredientsSodium lauryl sulfate, citric acid, mango seed butterSize10 and 33.8 oz.ProsDoesn’t leave hair feeling strippedOne of the few detox shampoos that effectively moisturizes hairConsCan lead to protein build-up if used too oftenWhy we love it: I get it—the thought of lathering up your dry, chlorine-gunked hair with a harsh, stripping shampoo isn’t exactly appealing. That’s why I love this sulfate-free shampoo. While it contains detoxifying chelators like citric acid and EDTA, it won’t put your hair through the wringer thanks to a slew of moisturizing ingredients, including panthenol, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and moringa seed oil. Plus, it offers an extra dose of bond-building proteins to repair damaged strands every time you use it.Key features at a glanceKey ingredientsEDTA, citric acid, panthenolSize12 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsNozzle-tip = easy to apply directly to scalpIsn't as harsh as other clarifying formulasConsThe apple cider vinegar scent can be a little overwhelming Why we love it: If you’re looking for a simple rinse you can easily douse your hair in after swimming, try this one from DpHue. It has an apple cider vinegar base, which gently breaks down buildup, including chlorine. Squeeze the formula across your wet scalp (it has a water-like consistency, so go slow), massage it through your hair, then rinse. You’ll be left with softer, cleaner hair, and a v happy scalp.Key features at a glanceKey ingredientsApple cider vinegar, aloe vera, argan oilSize8.5 oz.ProsContains gentle cleansers that won’t strip hairRelieves itchingConsThe tea tree scent is pretty strongWhy we love it: If you struggle with dandruff and you're a swimmer with chlorine buildup, you need a shampoo that tackles both issues without over-drying your hair. Enter: This Dandruff Relief Charcoal Shampoo from Briogeo. This dual-action formula is filled with chelators like sodium citrate and sodium gluconate, as well as activated charcoal; they all work together to remove chlorine and wash away buildup and flakes without stripping your hair.Key ingredientsSodium citrate, salicylic acid, lactic acidSize8.4 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhat does chlorine do to your hair?Chlorine—a chemical commonly used as a pool disinfectant—raises your hair’s pH, making it “more brittle and susceptible to breakage,” says trichologist Shab Caspara.Over time, chlorine can result in crunchy, dry hair, because it strips away your hair’s natural oils, explains Ballance. Chlorine can also give lighter-colored hair (whether bleached or natural) a green or gray tint, while chlorine build-up on curly hair can leave it stretched out, brittle, and lank.How do you get chlorine out of your hair?To get chlorine out of your hair, you should immediately rinse your hair with clean water after swimming (whether that’s dumping a bottle of water over your head, rinsing it in the sink, or quickly hopping in the shower), especially if you have a protective style in.However, water alone won’t remove chlorine, which is why you should wash your hair as soon as possible with a clarifying shampoo to avoid “further oxidation, damage, and discoloration,” says Caspara.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWill clarifying shampoo remove chlorine?There are very few shampoos that are specially designed for chlorine removal. That said, clarifying shampoos can remove chlorine and so much more. Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t use a clarifying shampoo daily, even if you’re swimming often. “Stick to once a week, as overusing a clarifying shampoo can leave hair feeling dry and brittle,” says Ballance. He recommends following up with a hydrating hair mask to restore moisture after using a clarifying shampoo.What shampoo ingredients remove chlorine?To remove chlorine from hair, look for shampoos that contain ingredients that can lift build-up from chlorine, like sulfates (see: Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate) or chelating ingredients like EDTA or sodium citrate, which bind to and break down minerals like chlorine. Though sulfates and chelators are most effective at removing chlorine from hair, they’re also incredibly drying for regular use—which isn’t ideal if you’re in the pool multiple times per week.So for a gentler alternative to use on a daily basis, Caspara recommends looking for a shampoo filled with natural clarifiers, like apple cider vinegar, activated charcoal, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid), all of which can help break down chlorine build-up.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHow do you repair chlorine-damaged hair?Once you remove chlorine from your hair with one of the above shampoos, you should focus on restoring moisture with intensive treatments. “Chlorine can break down the protein bonds that keep your hair healthy and moisturized,” says Caspara, which is why she recommends using a bond-building treatment once a week to help repair brittle sections of hair.To supplement hair in between bond-building treatments, Ballance says to use a deep conditioning mask as well as leave-in conditioners to help soften hair and restore it back to virgin health.How do you prepare your hair for chlorine?Before going into a pool, you can prepare your hair for chlorine exposure and also mitigate some of the damage with a hydrating routine. “It’s important to create a barrier of moisture between your hair and the chlorine,” says celebrity hairstylist Marty Harper, which you can do by applying a rich conditioner before swimming. Caspara recommends using a silicone-based conditioner, which “can create a barrier on your hair, making it more waterproof and preventing chlorine from penetrating the cuticles.”You can also spray on a vitamin C-based leave-in (which will neutralize some of the chlorine) or smooth on a leave-in conditioner before swimming to help reduce some dryness and create that physical barrier between your hair and the chlorine. But if you’re in a pinch (or have braids or another protective style in), you can just wet your hair with clean water before swimming to limit some chlorine absorption.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHow to choose the best chlorine-removal shampoo Look for moisturizing ingredients Make sure the shampoo formula you’re using to remove chlorine has some moisturizing properties too, says Harper. Look for shampoos that contain hydrating butters—like cocoa butter and shea butter—and protective oils (ahem, jojoba, argan, and coconut oils).And if your chlorine removal shampoo still isn't moisturizing enough, try this trick: Massage and rinse conditioner through your hair first, roots to tips, then suds up with your shampoo. The conditioner will help create a tiny buffer so your hair doesn't feel quite as brittle. Just make sure to condition your ends as normal, too, after rinsing out your shampoo.Consider how often you swim The amount of time you spend in the pool should dictate what type of chlorine removal shampoo that’s best for you and how often you use it. If you’re a regular swimmer who’s in the pool daily, you’ll need a shampoo with a strong, EDTA-based cleanser once or twice a week to remove built-up chlorine. On the days you don’t suds up with a chlorine removal shampoo, you’ll still need to clean your hair with more than just water to dissolve chlorine. Look for a sulfate-free cleanser containing apple cider vinegar or vitamin C, both of which can help neutralize chlorine without feeling too stripping.If you only hop in the pool once a week (or once a month) max, don't worry about alternating between two different chelating shampoos. Just rinse with an EDTA-filled chlorine removal shampoo after each swim session to get your hair back to a clean, neutral state, then continue shampooing and conditioning as usual until your next swim.Meet the expertsShab Caspara is a trichologist and hair health expert based in New York, NY, and is an expert in hair extensions, haircare routines, and haircutting. She is also the host of Hair Like Hers, a hair health and wellness podcast.Marty Harper is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York, NY. His clients include Naomi Osaka and Halsey.Marc Ballance is a celebrity hairstylist at IGK Salon in New York City.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhy trust Cosmopolitan?Mary Honkus is a contributor for Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including a deep dive on why your hair gets so oily and making a case for coconut oil for hair. She’s an authority in all beauty categories and her hair is her prized possession. For this story, she consulted with professional stylists to curate this list of the best chlorine-removing shampoos that will get your hair back to baseline.Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from conditioners for curly hair to eczema shampoos. She’s an authority in all hair categories. She regularly tests and reviews chlorine-removal shampoos, as well as consults experts.Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.