Professional Stylists Rely on These 10 Hair Color Removers to Strip Unwanted Dye (2024)

Our Top Picks

Active Ingredients: Hydrosulfite | Size: 4 oz | Application Method: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The name says it all: This product is the remedy our stylist experts recommend if you've had a "color oops.” “It’s affordable and gentle, and even though your hair may feel dry after, it won’t be damaged,” says hair colorist Kristen Fleming. (Credit the addition of moisturizing soy proteins and aloe in the formula.)

The product can remove hair dye that is too dark or it can remove wrong tones from lightened hair (for instance, if you bleached your hair but it has a green shade, it will remove the green tone while still leaving your hair blonde). We love that it only takes 20 minutes to work and is effective on both semi-permanent and permanent color. You can even recolor your hair the very same day, and anyone whose color has gone array knows what a godsend that is. Yes, it does have a strong smell, but you'll be hard-pressed to find an effective color remover that doesn't.

Active Ingredients: Hydrolyzed keratin | Size: 10 oz | Application Method: Shampoo | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sometimes, using a clarifying shampoo is enough to remove a toner that has gone too ashy. Out of all the clarifying shampoos we’ve tested, this one constantly tops our list. From the delicious scent to the good-for-you ingredients like apple cider vinegar and keratin, using this product will cleanse, detox, and strengthen locks. And while the brand claims it’s great to use on all hair types, some users with fine hair have claimed it weighs down their hair.

Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, sea salt | Size: 100 wipes | Application Method: Wipes | Cruelty-Free: No

While these wipes don’t exactly fit the mold of all the other color removers here—they’re made for skin and not hair—you'll likely need to remove hair color from your skin during the dyeing process. These wipe away stains from areas where you're most likely to get dye (think around your hairline, the nape of your neck, your ears, etc.) with minimal effort.

We love a product that quickly and effectively does what it says it does. The wipes are also very gentle—they exfoliate the skin with lactic acid and sea salt and also impart hydrating aloe to keep your skin from drying out. They smell lovely, too. And while it might take a bit more wiping than desired, we think it's well worth the process.

Active Ingredients: Ammonia | Size: 11.8 oz | Application Method: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Multitasking for the win: You can use this formula to remove extra color buildup from ends, which are more porous and absorb more color, according to Lee, as well as to clean up dye stains on your skin. It even removes color from clothes, too (so no panic trips to the laundromat). FYI, this particular pick does contain ammonia, so it’s not a great to use all over your hair; save it for just small spots or to even out the ends.

Active Ingredients: Sodium oxymethylene sulfoxylate | Size: 4 bottles of 60 milliliters | Application Method: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Bold, bright colors (think blues, pinks, and purples) can be harder to remove, but this stuff can knock them out in no time, says Fleming. We love that the bleach- and ammonia-free formula removes not only color but also product buildup and pollution. It also nourishes the hair while it lifts the color, she adds, thanks to hydrating baobab oil. It works on permanent, semi-permanent, and temporary colors, not to mention it is super affordable, too. It does take a few different steps though, so it's not great if you prefer a simple one-and-done process.

Active Ingredients: Ascorbic acid | Size: 0.17 oz | Application Method: Dissolvable crystals | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Short on time? Lee and Fleming say this is the color remover for you. “This product is a staple in many colorists’ arsenals,” says Lee. It’s fast-acting, too, getting the job done in just five minutes. Plus, the single-use packs are super easy to use (we do wish the packaging was more sustainable, though). It’s especially great at removing toner that has gone too dark or mineral buildup in lightened hair, but it may not be strong enough to completely strip the color.

Active Ingredients: Bleach alternative | Size: 4 oz | Application Method: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Lee calls this a heavy-duty hair color remover; use it for hard-to-remove permanent shades (think blacks and reds). You can also mix it with water to remove less intense color or use it with a developer, purchased separately, for more complete removal (which we know isn't ideal).Despite its strength, it's also infused with avocado oil, bamboo oil, and a protective complex to moisturize and minimize damage and breakage—always a good thing when you're coloring your hair on the regular.

Active Ingredients: Ascorbic acid | Size: 0.54 oz | Application Method: Jelly-like cream | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Despite its name (and the fact that it's supposed to fade out over two dozen or so washes), semi-permanent color can be a pain to remove in a pinch. Yes, clarifying shampoos can help fade it, but when you want fast results, we recommend going with this very affordable, single-use option. It's ammonia- and bleach-free and instead uses ascorbic acid to lift color.

It’s easy to use (just mix the packet of crystals with water to create a gel), though it does have to be left on overnight or for at least eight hours. FYI, it’s only formulated to lift semi-permanent color, so if you've got permanent color, check out the other great options on our list.

Active Ingredients: Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate | Size: 9.75 oz | Application Method: Liquid | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you don’t want to completely strip the color—just fade the intensity—look no further than this product from Keracolor. Since it comes in shampoo form, it’s so much easier to use. Instead of following a long list of directions and measuring things out, you can rest easy and simply massage the product into your hair. And while it will likely take multiple washes to see results, we think this gentler method is great for those who are already dealing with hair damage.

Active Ingredients: Ascorbic acid | Size: 3 packs of 0.7 oz | Application Method: Gel-like | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our favorite color remover that has a bit of a custom aspect to it is Malibu-C’s CPR Color Pigment Remover. After following the directions, you can leave the product in anywhere from 15-45 minutes—it just depends on the color you’re going for. Additionally, this nonchemical treatment is safe enough to be repeated. “Unlike traditional color removers that rely on harsh chemicals, Malibu CPR is a mineral-based, nonchemical treatment that gently lightens and removes unwanted color,” says Marie Nino, a New York City-based hair stylist and colorist. “This makes it a safer option for those looking to correct their hair color without causing further damage.”

FAQ

• How do you remove hair color?

  In an ideal world, you'd have a professional do any kind of color removal or correction, cautions Fleming. She stresses that it’s a complicated process, even for the pros. But, if you are going to take matters into your own hands, here’s what you need to know. Start with a wash or two with a clarifying shampoo and hot water, says Fleming. For demi-/semi-permanent color or permanent color, apply a hair color remover that is effective for these types of formulas on the mid-shaft, and work toward the ends, only applying the remover closer to the scalp and roots since the hair here will lighten much more quickly. Always refer to the product for specific instructions.

• Does hair color remover damage hair?

  The short answer: Yes, it can, especially if it’s not used properly. “Color remover is just as harsh as bleach, so you have to be careful and follow the directions explicitly,” says Fleming, who also underscores the importance of always following up with a reparative mask afterward. Nino agrees, telling us, “Color removers can potentially damage hair if not used correctly or if used too frequently, as they often contain strong chemicals that can strip the hair of its natural oils and proteins.”

• Can you bleach your hair after using color remover?

  Because the removal process is harsh enough as it is, you’ll want to give your hair a little bit of a break and some extra TLC before continuing to bleach it, says Fleming. This means waiting anywhere from a few days to a few months, depending on the condition of your hair.

• How is color remover different from bleach?

  Color remover is bleach-free, and contains a color-reducing agent to remove semi-permanent and permanent color, while bleach acts to lighten hair. Just like bleach, color remover can cause breakage and damage hair, depending on its condition. Nino tells us that bleach is a bit more aggressive, while she describes color remover as “generally milder and designed to be less damaging. They often utilize ingredients like sulfites or other nonoxidizing agents. These components work to dissolve or lift color without disrupting the hair’s natural structure, making them a gentler option for color correction.”

• How do colorists remove color from hair?

  Colorists will strip your hair to remove unwanted color by using a sulfur-based hair stripper. “In a salon, professional stylists not only use stronger color removers and tools like heat lamps, but they also have the expertise to apply these products precisely, targeting only the areas that need correction without disturbing your natural hair color,” Nino tells us.