Does your hair feel crunchy and smell like a swimming pool long after you’ve left the water? You love swimming, but that stubborn chlorine is wreaking havoc on your beautiful locks. Chlorine might be great for keeping pool water clean, but it’s terrible for your hair’s health, leaving it dry, brittle, and sometimes even giving it a strange green tint.
Finding the perfect shampoo to fight back against chlorine feels like a treasure hunt. You see bottles promising everything, but which ones truly deliver? Choosing the wrong product can mean wasted money and continued damage. We know you want soft, healthy hair that smells like sunshine, not chemicals.
Inside this guide, we break down exactly what you need in a chlorine-removing shampoo. We will show you the key ingredients to look for and give you our top picks for restoring your hair’s natural shine. Get ready to say goodbye to that poolside smell for good!
Top Shampoo To Get Chlorine Out Of Hair Recommendations
- Helps eliminate swimmer’s “chlorine green”
- Helps wash away impurities and dulling buildup
- Gives hair a boost of strength
- SWIM SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER SET: A complete hair care regimen for swimmers designed to support hair exposed to chlorine, saltwater, pool chemicals, and hard water no matter where you swim
- CHLORINE HAIR PROTECTION: Tired of green hair after a day at the pool? TRIHARD chlorine shampoo and conditioner for swimmers is designed to protect your hair against harsh chemicals while removing the scent of chlorine
- CLEAN AND NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Our dermatologically tested PLECOTECH technology contains red algae, dead sea minerals, essential oils, and botanical extracts to support hydration while being free from parabens, SLS, alcohol, and cruelty
- HOW TO USE: Apply TRIHARD conditioner to ends of hair before exposure to pool or saltwater for pre-swim hair protection; after your swim, cleanse with shampoo, rinse, and reapply conditioner for soft, healthy hair
- FOR ALL SWIMMERS: Whether you’re an athlete training for a triathlon or a casual swimmer stocking up on summer essentials, our swim shampoo and conditioner is non-GMO, vegan, and color safe
- Remove, Retain and Restore - While swimming in the pool may be great for your body, it's terrible for your hair! This sulfate free shampoo is the ultimate swimmers' remedy to bring your crunchy, brittle hair back to life. Say goodbye to unwanted pool elements including chlorine and copper while retaining your hair's natural oils for maximum moisture and shine.
- Antioxidant & Plant-Based Ingredients - This hair shampoo is formulated with good-for-you ingredients such as Allantoin, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Flax Protein, and works to restore your damaged texture while defending against aggressive oxidizers. A swimmers one-stop-shop for hair care.
- Gentle and Effective - Experience healthier, full-bodied tresses after using our chlorine removal shampoo. Not only does it remove green hair after swims, it also provides you with moisturized, shiny hair.
- How to Use - Apply the shampoo to wet hair and rinse thoroughly. For a full hair detox, follow with our Hard Water remedy and Swimmers Wellness conditioner.
- The Malibu C Perspective - As trailblazers of wellness solutions in the beauty industry since 1985, the mission statement of Malibu Wellness is tried and true: to solve problems for every human being using nature-inspired, patented technologies. Malibu C is a professional hair care brand, creating hair products for women and men based in science, not marketing hype.
- Joico K-PAK Clarifying Shampoo detoxifies hair from hard water, chlorine, and minerals. This clarifying shampoo also protects hair against pollutants and has been lab-tested using pollution particles, making it a must-have for individuals who want to keep their hair healthy and strong.
- KERATIN: A protective protein found naturally in hair, actively seeks out damage and helps repairs hair by replacing lost proteins. The result? Stronger, healthy-looking locks.
- GUAJAVA FRUIT EXTRACT: Packed with antioxidants and Lycopene, which are known to help protect hair against UV damage.
- EVENING PRIMROSE OIL: A rich source of Omega-6 and Gamma-Linolenic Acid, an essential fatty acid that helps nourish hair back to health.
- SMART RELEASE TECHNOLOGY: Our one-of-a-kind liposome delivery system packs a punch by continuously releasing Rosehip Oil, Arginine, and Keratin to help repair, strengthen, and protect hair from the cumulative effects of daily styling.
- After Pool Hair Care for Kids & Adults - Protect your hair better after swimming with the help of our swimmers shampoo and conditioner set made with ultra clarifying and rehydrating essential oils
- Bye Bye Build Up - Get a deeper cleanse with our chlorine removal shampoo and swim conditioner duo that thoroughly removes build up and offers gentle beach & pool hair protection with cleansing oils
- Beach & Pool Shampoo and Conditioner - Our chlorine shampoo for swimmers and beach bums is packed with nourishing tea tree oil thanks to its cleansing clarifying and hair conditioning properties
- Multipurpose Formula - There are many reasons to use chelating shampoo and conditioners which is why we developed our hard water shampoo and conditioner to help clarify many forms of mineral deposits
- Maple Holistics Quality - We are proud to be a leading name in tea tree oil shampoo and conditioners and specialized hair care products because we believe in real ingredients for real results
- Favorite pH Balanced Anti-Residue Shampoo - This detox shampoo for product build up is a Malibu C cult classic, as it's one of a kind pH balanced shampoo that effectively removes resin buildup from styling products to restore shine, softness, and hair manageability from the root
- Sulfate-Free Key Wellness Ingredients - This build up removing shampoo is infused with magnesium & limonene; both vegan antioxidant ingredients that help regulate hair follicle production while promoting the overall hair growth cycle
- Color Safe Scalp Buildup Remover - What is better for your hair than a cleansing sulfate-free shampoo? For it to be COLOR-SAFE! Yes- this product build up shampoo works perfectly on color treated & chemically processed hair types, so no need to worry about color fading
- How to Use Cleansing Shampoo Build Up Remover - Weekly and/or prior to a chemical service, apply shampoo residue remover to wet hair, then rinse. For full hair detox, follow with the appropriate Malibu C Wellness Remedy and conditioner (according to your specific hair need)
- Vegan Product Removing Shampoo & Hair Care Wellness - Make your hair glow with scalp & clarifying hair care products for dry or damaged hair, such as this life-changing hair build up remover. Malibu C is 100% vegan, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free & plant-based
- AFTER-SWIM SHAMPOO FOR CHLORINE REMOVAL: A post-swim shampoo designed to gently cleanse, hydrate, and refresh hair exposed to chlorine, saltwater, pool chemicals, and hard water
- HAIR DETOX FOR SWIMMERS: Formulated to remove chlorine buildup and impurities while restoring softness, shine, and manageability; ideal for athletes, casual swimmers, or anyone exposed to pool or ocean water
- CLEAN AND NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Our dermatologically tested formula contains red algae, dead sea minerals, essential oils, and botanical extracts to support hydration while being free from parabens, SLS, alcohol, and cruelty
- FOR ALL SWIMMERS: Whether you’re an athlete training for a triathlon or a casual swimmer stocking up on pool essentials, TRIHARD swim shampoo is non-GMO, color safe, and vegan
- HOW TO USE: Apply TRIHARD shampoo to hair after exposure to pool or saltwater for post-swim hair protection to maintain soft, healthy hair
- Remove, Retain and Restore - While swimming in the pool may be great for your body, it's terrible for your hair! This sulfate free shampoo is the ultimate swimmers' remedy to bring your crunchy, brittle hair back to life. Say goodbye to unwanted pool elements including chlorine and copper while retaining your hair's natural oils for maximum moisture and shine.
- Antioxidant & Plant-Based Ingredients - This hair shampoo is formulated with good-for-you ingredients such as Allantoin, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Flax Protein, and works to restore your damaged texture while defending against aggressive oxidizers. A swimmers one-stop-shop for hair care.
- Gentle and Effective - Experience healthier, full-bodied tresses after using our chlorine removal shampoo. Not only does it remove green hair after swims, it also provides you with moisturized, shiny hair.
- How to Use - Apply the shampoo to wet hair and rinse thoroughly. For a full hair detox, follow with our Hard Water remedy and Swimmers Wellness conditioner.
- The Malibu C Perspective - As trailblazers of wellness solutions in the beauty industry since 1985, the mission statement of Malibu Wellness is tried and true: to solve problems for every human being using nature-inspired, patented technologies. Malibu C is a professional hair care brand, creating hair products for women and men based in science, not marketing hype.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Shampoo to Banish Chlorine
Swimming is fun, but chlorine can turn your beautiful hair green or dry it out. You need a special shampoo to tackle this problem. This guide helps you pick the right one. We look at what makes a good chlorine-removing shampoo.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look for these important features. They tell you if the shampoo will work well.
1. Chelating Agents
- These ingredients grab onto the metal minerals (like copper) that cause green hair. Look for words like EDTA, Sodium Phytate, or Citric Acid on the label. They are the heavy lifters.
2. Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid
- Vitamin C actively neutralizes the chlorine. It helps reverse the damage quickly. This is a major plus for fast results.
3. Gentle Cleansing Formula
- The shampoo must clean your hair without stripping all its natural oils. Harsh shampoos dry your hair more. Look for sulfate-free options if your hair is already damaged.
4. Moisturizing Ingredients
- Chlorine sucks moisture out of hair. Good shampoos include ingredients like Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, or natural oils (like Jojoba) to put moisture back in.
Important Materials and Ingredients
The ingredients inside the bottle matter a lot. They determine how effective and safe the product is for your hair.
What You Want Inside:
- Protein Builders: Ingredients like Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein help repair the hair shaft damaged by chlorine.
- Natural Extracts: Things like Chamomile or Tea Tree Oil can soothe a dry, itchy scalp that chlorine sometimes causes.
What You Should Avoid (If Possible):
- Harsh Sulfates (SLS/SLES): These make a lot of foam but can be too drying, especially if you swim often.
- Heavy Silicones: While they make hair feel smooth right away, they can sometimes build up and block the chelating agents from working next time.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all chlorine shampoos work the same way. Quality depends on how they are made and how often you use them.
Quality Boosters:
- pH Balance: A slightly acidic shampoo (low pH) helps close the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and protecting it from future chlorine exposure.
- Professional Grade: Shampoos made by brands known for swimmer care often use stronger, more effective chelating formulas.
Quality Reducers:
- “All-in-One” Claims: If a shampoo claims to be a daily shampoo, a deep conditioner, AND a chlorine remover, it might not do any job perfectly. Specialized products usually work better.
- Weak Concentration: If you swim in heavily chlorinated pools, a very mild formula might not remove enough buildup in one wash.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about when and how you swim. This affects the best shampoo choice for you.
For the Frequent Swimmer (Daily or 4+ times a week):
You need a powerful, dedicated swimmer’s shampoo. Use it immediately after swimming to prevent the chlorine from setting in. These shampoos focus heavily on chelating agents.
For the Occasional Swimmer (Once a week or less):
A gentle, moisturizing shampoo with mild chelating properties might be enough. You can use it as your regular shampoo on swimming days.
The Feel Test:
After using the shampoo, your hair should feel clean but not brittle or straw-like. If it feels very dry, you need a formula with more conditioning ingredients.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Chlorine Removal Shampoos
Q: How quickly does this shampoo remove the green tint?
A: Most good shampoos remove light green tints in one or two washes. Stubborn, deep green stains might need three or four dedicated treatments.
Q: Can I use this shampoo every day?
A: If the formula is gentle and moisturizing, yes. If it is a strong, deep-cleaning swimmer’s formula, use it only after swimming to avoid drying your scalp.
Q: Does this shampoo work on pool smell?
A: Yes. The ingredients that remove chlorine also help neutralize the lingering chemical odor on your hair.
Q: Is a “swimmer’s shampoo” different from a regular clarifying shampoo?
A: Yes. Clarifying shampoos remove product buildup. Swimmer’s shampoos specifically target chlorine and copper minerals, often using Vitamin C or EDTA.
Q: Will this shampoo strip my hair color?
A: Some color-safe formulas exist, but any strong clarifying action carries a small risk of fading vivid colors slightly faster than normal. Look for “Color-Safe Swimmer’s Shampoo.”
Q: What if my hair still feels rough after using it?
A: The shampoo removed the minerals, but now your hair needs moisture. Follow up immediately with a deep conditioner or hair mask.
Q: Should I wet my hair before getting in the pool?
A: Absolutely! Wet hair absorbs less chlorinated water. This is the best pre-swim protection.
Q: Are these shampoos safe for kids?
A: Most are safe, but always check the label for tear-free claims or harsh ingredients if you are washing a young child’s hair.
Q: How do I store the shampoo?
A: Keep it in a cool, dry place. Heat can sometimes break down the active ingredients like Vitamin C, making the product less effective over time.
Q: Does this work on lake or ocean water damage?
A: It works best for chlorine. For heavy lake or saltwater residue, you may need a general clarifying shampoo first, followed by the chlorine remover if chlorine was also present.