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As much as we love our hairstylists and colorists, sometimes, due to want or circumstance, we find ourselves doing our hair by ourselves. This is especially easy since at-home dyes, hair color removers, and highlighters have become readily accessible online (They’re so ubiquitous that Just for Men dye is a plot device in the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm on HBO.). The power is truly in our hands these days to switch up our lewks to match our vibe for the upcoming week or season.
But what happens when we accidentally mess up our DIY color job and hate the results? Well, we need some patience, for sure — as well as the best hair color remover we can find, which, bonus, typically cost only $20 and under.
The Best Hair Color Removers
- Best Overall: Roux Clean Touch Hair Color Stain Remover
- Best Budget: Matrix SoColor Cult Color Eraser Hair Color Remover Packette
- Best Wipes: Manic Panic Dye Away Wipes
- Best Shampoo: Keracolor Fade Effect Color Fading Shampoo
- Best Hydrating Formula: Colorfix Hair Color Remover
What is a Hair Color Remover?
If you're wondering, "What, exactly, are these miracle-working products?" you're not alone. They're not common knowledge for most of us, who usually have good experiences with dyes and highlights. So, we got intel from experts to figure this out.
“Hair color removers are designed to eliminate artificial hair color by breaking down the color molecules," says Richy Kandasamy, R+Co Vice President of Color Development and R+Color Collective member. "This process allows you to return to a lighter, cleaner surface, or your natural hair color, preparing your hair for a new color application."
Kandasamy has 21 years of professional experience, so to say he possesses a wealth of knowledge about hair color would be an understatement. I asked the NYC-based pro what makes someone the right candidate for using an at-home color remover versus seeking professional help. To no surprise, there's a lot to learn about the efficacy of at-home color removers, the importance of using ammonia- and bleach-free color removers, and how to safely lift color from your hair. Based on his expertise, I carefully researched and found five of the best color removers that promise to deliver on their respective promises.
Do Hair Color Removers Work on All Hair Colors?
Will at-home color removers actually work for your hair color, even if it’s a wild hue or similar to your natural hair hue? Whether you’re covering up gray hair, experimenting with Dua Lipa-inspired burgundy locks, or just touching up your roots in between salon sessions, the short answer is yes.
Allow Kandasamy to elaborate: “Hair color removers are generally effective at removing artificial hair color, regardless of the shade," he said. "However, the success of the removal process can vary depending on several factors, hair porosity, hair dye story, hair health, previous color treatment, and the timing [of the] last color service.”
At-Home Versus Professional Hair Color Remover
Next, Kandasamy shares a couple of situations where using an at-home hair color remover instead of going to a professional salon is OK.
When It’s Safe to Use an At-Home Color Remover
- Budget constraints: “At-home hair color removers offer a more affordable alternative to salon treatments, though the quality might not be perfect,” he says.
- You want to fix small color issues: “They’re suitable for minor color corrections or adjustments, such as fixing a dye job that didn’t turn out as expected,” adds Kandasamy.
When It’s Best for a Professional Visit
- For big changes and multiple colors: Kandasamy advises seeking professional help for anything involving complex color changes or issues involving multiple layers of color because professionals ensure more precise and targeted treatment.
- For hair health: “If there are concerns about hair health or previous damage from chemical treatments, a professional can assess the condition of the hair and provide appropriate treatments to minimize further damage,” he says.
What to Consider
OK, if you made it this far, you’re still a candidate for using the best at-home color removers. Congrats! As for what’s next, you’ll need to look out for a few key factors. “When choosing a hair color remover, look for effectiveness, gentleness, safety, ease of use, compatibility, and conditioning properties to ensure it efficiently removes dye while being gentle and safe for your hair and scalp,” says Kandasamy.
Bleach- and Ammonia-Free Formulations Are Your Friend
Another attribute to look out for, especially if you have weaker hair? Bleach- and ammonia-free formulations. Kandasamy says these gentler formulations are important because they minimize damage, reduce scalp irritation, are safer for your health, and offer a gentler formulation for a more comfortable coloring experience.
How We Chose
Like I said, Kandasamy knows a ton about achieving and maintaining healthy AF color-treated hair. Although he didn’t have any particular hair color remover recommendations, I kept his guidance in mind while researching products.
The biggest factors I prioritized finding ammonia- and bleach-free formulations (however, some of the best-working products did contain small amounts of both). I also researched products that contain hydrating ingredients to help prevent moisture loss and wanted to highlight well-established companies versus generic white-labeled Amazon brands.
After ordering the best hair color removers for your needs, remember to read after the last product slide for more general tips on using one safely, which includes conducting a strand test to assess how your hair will respond to the product.
Pros
Works on the hair and accidental dye drops on skin- Safe for hair, skin, and clothes
- Fast-acting
- Also removes costume makeup
Cons
- Only available in a squeeze bottle
No matter how careful we are, messes happen with hair dye, and it’s not anyone’s fault — yes, even your curious teenager or impatient partner who made a mess in the shared bathroom DIY-ing their hair. All they’ll need is this hair color remover.
Roux Clean Touch Hair Color Stain Remover earned the top spot on this list because it hits all of the key factors to consider when shopping. Roux is also a well-established brand that has been around for 80 years and was purchased by Revlon in the ’70s. It's the highest-rated recommendation on this list — a 4.7-star average from nearly 1,830 Amazon reviews — and most importantly, it can be used safely to remove dye on the hair, skin, and clothes.
The fast-acting remover is bleach-free but does contain a low level of ammonium hydroxide, which the New Jersey Department of Health describes as a colorless solution of ammonia in water.
If you’re OK with this, then you’ll appreciate that Clean Touch can be used on hair, along the hairline, and even on clothes. This is the kind of multi-use product that anybody in your home can use in a pinch.
If your partner dyes their hair or brows, this is an essential last step for clean-up. If your dyes or toners always seem to drop onto your sweaters, this will get the job, too. It's the kind of accident-eraser that anyone looking for the best at-home color removers will love.
More: Best Plant-Based Face Washes
Key Specs
| Amonia-Free? | No |
|---|---|
| Bleach-Free? | Yes |
| Size | 11.8 fl. oz |
Pros
- Removes semi, demi, and permanent dye
- Made with a relatively low number of ingredients
Cons
- Takes up to 60 minutes to work
Matrix is one of the most reliable haircare brands — and I was delighted to see they sell a hair color remover!
What’s most special about this budget-friendly suggestion is that you only need to add between 2-2.5 fl. oz of water to the packet mixture to remove direct dyes and light oxidative shades.
Those lifting medium and dark shades can substitute water with the Volume MATRIX Cream Developer.
The timings will vary between 5-60 minutes, depending on the type of dye and color you want to remove. Either way, it’s worth noting this hair color remover contains around 10 ingredients, which is relatively low.
Key Specs
| Amonia-Free? | No |
|---|---|
| Bleach-Free? | Yes |
| Size | 0.77 fl. oz |
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Best Wipes
Manic Panic Dye Away Wipes
Pros
- Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly
- Works on semi-permanent and permanent hair color
- Handy for travel or for beginners
Cons
- Strong smell
These travel-friendly wipes are helpful for anyone who wants a mess-free way to remove semi-permanent and permanent hair dye.
Don’t worry, these wipes are ammonia-free so they shouldn’t harm or dry out the skin. They’re about the size of small makeup wipes, meaning those with longer hair will likely use several in one session, but that’s OK: Each container holds 50 wipes.
While anyone can use these wipes, I think it would be especially excellent for anyone who is a beginner or uses a hair dye prone to running. You'll be more likely to avoid any stains or embarrassing moments with this color remover in your arsenal.
These are also great at targeting specific areas, such as the ends of strands which sometimes suck up excess color and create uneven dimension.
Key Specs
| Amonia-Free? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bleach-Free? | Not listed |
| Size | 50 wipes |
Pros
- Sulfate-free formula
- Vitamins and proteins help moisturize hair
Cons
- Only works on semi-permanent direct dye
Prefer something a little less intimidating? You’ll want to order this unique shampoo that cleanses your hair and scalp and calms intense hair dye colors. It’s one of the best at-home color correctors for beginners and experts alike.
It contains keratin, a natural protein that helps smooth hair, minimize frizz, impart a beautiful glass-like shine, and minimize the look of split ends. It also has biotin, coconut oil, and vitamin C to help support healthy hair growth, moisturize, and promote general hair health.
It is also advisable to follow up with the brand’s matching Clenditioner to restore hydration. When shopping for a unique gift that your favorite beauty guru or cosmetology student will actually use, this makes an excellent go-to.
Key Specs
| Amonia-Free? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bleach-Free? | Yes |
| Size | 9.75 fl. oz |
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Pros
- Includes argan oil
- Reviewers say the smell is relatively light
Cons
- Doesn’t include application brushes
This ammonia- and bleach-free hair color remover from Colorfix is rounding out this list. It’s a simple three-step system that removes unwanted permanent and semi-permanent hair dye.
What you’ll appreciate most is that it’s infused with argan oil, an ingredient loved by celebrity hairstylists because it can hydrate straw-like strands. In our guide to the best argan oil shampoos, the pros previously told us that argan oil is rich in fatty acids that moisturize, protect against daily damage, enhance shine, and smooth out the hair cuticle when blow-drying.
Key Specs
| Amonia-Free? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bleach-Free? | Yes |
| Size | 3 4 fl. oz packets |
How to Use a Hair Color Remover
Kandasamy notes that the best at-home hair color removers can be effective, but results may vary.
“It’s essential to follow instructions carefully and consider consulting a professional for complex color corrections or concerns about hair health,” he says.
That said, here’s a general six-step guide to how they typically work. Again, please read and follow instructions, as guidelines such as timings will vary across brands.
- Choose a hair color remover.
- Perform a strand test.
- Prepare and apply the remover.
- Wait for manufacturer processing guidelines, and then rinse thoroughly.
- Shampoo and condition your hair.
- Style as usual.
Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Best New Beauty Awards package. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventues.
Expert consulted:Richy Kandasamy
As a native of the Seychelles Islands with 20+ years of traveling the world as an expert educator and color visionary, Richy Kandasamy brings a global point of view to his color technique, trend forecasting, product development, and education implementation. His mission is to simplify the message and deliver pure, professional- grade products, education, and inspiration to the global hair care industry.
