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Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo.

About this product

A clarifying shampoo formulated with niacinamide, vitamins B3 and E, zinc, and peptides to remove product buildup and excess oil while balancing scalp and hair health.

Full ingredients

Water (Aqua), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Glycol Distearate, PPG-9, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, PEG-45M, Lactic Acid, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool

More from Dove 17 products · Guru Score 88% →

Guru Score

84%

Yay

3 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

This clarifying shampoo earns praise for removing buildup from styling products and excess oil without being too harsh for regular use. The standout ingredient is niacinamide, which helps balance scalp and hair health. Gurus appreciate that it delivers results at a budget-friendly price, making it a practical choice for anyone dealing with product or oil buildup.
Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take March 2026

What they liked

  • Removes buildup and excess oil effectively
  • Gentle enough for regular use
  • Budget-friendly price

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    Best for

    Type

    HaircareLiquid

    Key actives

    NiacinamideAHAVitamin E

    Formula notes

    Contains fragranceNo drying alcohol

    Where to buy

    Opens a store search. We may earn from these links.

    Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

    What the experts use it for.

    The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

    Excess oil and shine1 expert

    “It helps remove the buildup from styling products and excess oil.”

    Dr. Aleksandra Brown, watch at 5:33

    Irritated or reactive skin1 expert

    “It also has vitamin B3, which is niacinamide, to support your scalp barrier and kind of soothe any irritation in your scalp.”

    Tea with MD, watch at 4:34

    Skin barrier support1 expert

    “It also has vitamin B3, which is niacinamide, to support your scalp barrier and kind of soothe any irritation in your scalp.”

    Tea with MD, watch at 4:34

    Dandruff and flaky scalp1 expert

    “It contains pyrithione zinc, which is one of my favorites for controlling dandruff.”

    Tea with MD, watch at 4:34

    What the gurus are saying.

    Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

    All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
    ✓Yay
    "My first recommendation here is by far the Dove Scalp Plus Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo. I've gone through at least two or three bottles of this myself. This is a clarifying shampoo with vitamin B3, vitamin E, zinc, and then some peptides. It helps remove the buildup from styling products and excess oil. It's designed to balance scalp and hair health. The key ingredient here is the niacinamide."
    All 2 takes from Dr. Aleksandra Brown
    Drugstore Haircare That Actually Works According to a Dermatologist
    "My first recommendation here is by far the Dove Scalp Plus Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo. I've gone through at least two or three bottles of this myself. This is a clarifying shampoo with vitamin B3, vitamin E, zinc, and then some peptides. It helps remove the buildup from styling products and excess oil. It's designed to balance scalp and hair health. The key ingredient here is the niacinamide."
    Dermatologist’s 2024 Skincare Empties: Dr. Aleksandra Brown’s Favorites
    "The first one is Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo. It's really nice. It clears out your scalp, and it's hydrating to your hair as well. The key to healthy long hair is a healthy scalp, so you always want to clean your scalp with either an anti-dandruff or clarifying shampoo once a week to keep it healthy. Otherwise, you can't have healthy hair."
    ✓Yay
    "My save pick for a clarifying shampoo is the Dove Scalp and Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo. I like that this is budget friendly. It does clear your buildup while being gentle enough for regular use. The ingredients are great. It contains pyrithione zinc, which is one of my favorites for controlling dandruff. It's an antifungal. It fights the scalp flaking. It also has vitamin B3, which is niacinamide, to support your scalp barrier and kind of soothe any irritation in your scalp."
    ✓Yay
    "The smell [...] has really grown on me, it's candy sweet with some floral and citrus, and it's a powerful fragrance so if you're sensitive to fragrance you may [...] want to avoid it. I really like it and get great results with this. If you're looking for a clarifying shampoo that also has amazing scalp health ingredients, this will be for you, and there's a hydrating version for a drier scalp."
    All 2 takes from Abbey Yung
    How to Find The Best Clarifying Shampoos For YOUR Hair Type! (from a Certified Trichologist)
    "The smell [...] has really grown on me, it's candy sweet with some floral and citrus, and it's a powerful fragrance so if you're sensitive to fragrance you may [...] want to avoid it. I really like it and get great results with this. If you're looking for a clarifying shampoo that also has amazing scalp health ingredients, this will be for you, and there's a hydrating version for a drier scalp."
    Amazon Prime Day Recommendations! Amazon Prime Day Sale 2024
    "Like, use this shampoo with this conditioner. That is totally something you can do. I'm actually a big fan of mixing and matching sets. [...] If you are interested in some affordable scalp-focused products, I would check out Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy. This entire range is part of the sale, and they have two different shampoos. My personal favorite is the Clarifying Shampoo, but I do have an oilier scalp. So if you have a dry scalp, I would recommend the Hydrating Shampoo."

    What the evidence says.

    Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

    Niacinamide

    Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

    Source: DermNet

    Alpha hydroxy acids

    Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

    Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

    Vitamin E

    Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

    Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

    Frequently asked.

    What is Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo?

    A clarifying shampoo formulated with niacinamide, vitamins B3 and E, zinc, and peptides to remove product buildup and excess oil while balancing scalp and hair health.

    Is Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo worth it?

    Yes. All 3 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 84%.

    What is Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo's Guru Score?

    Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.

    Who is Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo best for?

    Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo is generally suited to oily skin.

    What is Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo good for, according to the experts?

    In their reviews, experts say Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Clarifying Shampoo is good for excess oil and shine (1 expert), irritated or reactive skin (1 expert), skin barrier support (1 expert) and dandruff and flaky scalp (1 expert).

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