We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Style Hair Hair Care The 14 Best Shampoos of 2024 for Every Hair Type and Concern Plus, expert shampoo advice from hairstylists. By Brittany Loggins Brittany Loggins Brittany Loggins is a freelance contributor writing about relationships, mental health, travel hacks, and more. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Grace Parsons Grace Parsons Grace Parsons is a contributing writer for Real Simple whose work has been published in The Spruce, The/Thirty, and The Quality Edit. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 01, 2024 Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel Jessica Wrubel is an accomplished writer, copy editor, and fact checker, working for over 15 years for various publications owned by Tribune Publishing, The Arena Group, and Hearst Communications in the areas of Food, Health & Wellness, Travel, Lifestyle, Education, and Home Improvement. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Real Simple / David Hattan With so many shampoos on the market, it can be hard to know which one is best for your hair concerns. Ultimately, choosing the best shampoo comes down to your specific hair and scalp needs. For example, anyone who always has greasy hair should look for a shampoo that balances the oils at their roots. And people who regularly dye their hair will need a shampoo that’s safe for color-treated strands. To come up with this list of the best shampoos, we thoroughly researched some of the top products on the market and considered factors like ingredients, scent, and hair types. For expert tips and recommendations, we tapped hairstylists Dmitris Giannetos and Sarah Lund. They gave us his professional insight on all things shampoo, including guidelines on how often you should wash your hair and the real answer to whether shampoo expires. Our Top Picks Best Overall Shampoo: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Drugstore Shampoo: L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo at Walmart ($11) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Oily Hair: R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo at Amazon ($38) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Curly Hair: Virtue Curl Shampoo at Amazon ($42) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Natural Hair: Curlsmith Core Strength Shampoo at Amazon ($22) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair: Color Wow Color Security Shampoo at Amazon ($24) Jump to Review Best for Fine Hair: Verb Ghost Shampoo at Amazon ($44) Jump to Review Best Clarifying Shampoo: Drybar On The Rocks Shampoo at Amazon ($26) Jump to Review Best Volumizing Shampoo: Virtue Full Shampoo at Amazon ($42) Jump to Review Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair: Oribe Hair Alchemy Shampoo at Amazon ($52) Jump to Review Best Overall Shampoo Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo Ulta View On Amazon $30 View On Nordstrom $15 View On Sephora $15 What Stands Out It’s ultra reparative so it’s especially suited to damaged or brittle hair. What Could Be Improved People with thin hair might find this shampoo too heavy. The Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo has grown in popularity recently, and the hype is completely warranted. The shampoo, which is recommended by Giannetos, earned the top spot on our list because it repairs damaged hair and strengthens healthy hair at the same time. This makes it great for people with split ends as well as anyone who is just looking for a nourishing everyday shampoo. The formula uses a patented technology that works to strengthen each individual strand, ultimately making your hair stronger and healthier. This formula is free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, so it can be used on all hair types (including color-treated hair). But most importantly, it leaves your hair feeling super soft and silky, and it even helps keep frizz at bay. Just keep in mind that the Olaplex shampoo is pretty thick, so people with very fine hair might think it’s a bit too heavy. Otherwise, it can be used on all hair types and textures. Size: 8.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate | Hair Types: All Best Drugstore Shampoo L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo Amazon View On Walmart $11 View On Instacart.com View On Instacart.com What Stands Out It contains high-quality ingredients but comes at a budget price. What Could Be Improved The packaging isn’t the greatest, as the lid is prone to leaking. Giannetos lists this L'Oréal Paris pick as his go-to drugstore shampoo. This hydrating shampoo is especially great for people with dry or dull hair—the formula uses rosemary as its primary moisture-restoring ingredient, which is gentle and effective (and can even help facilitate hair growth). This sulfate-free shampoo is also safe on color-treated hair, and according to the manufacturer it can even help enhance dyes and keep color looking fresh. The EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo has a lovely floral scent with notes of jasmine and juniper berry. But if you’re sensitive to fragrance, it’s worth noting that the scent is pretty strong. This pack comes with two bottles of shampoo, but you can also purchase the shampoo and matching conditioner together for a complete set. Size: 8.5, 11, 23 or 33.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Rosemary | Hair Types: All Best Shampoo for Oily Hair R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $38 View On Nordstrom $18 View On Spacenk.com What Stands Out A little goes a long way. What Could Be Improved It might be too stripping for some hair types. If you’ve been experiencing excess oil, the R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo is an easy way to give your hair a reset. This formula uses juniper berry, which helps balance the oils on your scalp so that your hair can strike a happy medium between oily and dry. The shampoo has a very thick consistency that will leave your hair feeling squeaky clean, especially after two washes. Just note that this shampoo can be stripping (especially with a second wash), so make sure you focus on your roots if you have an oily scalp with dry ends. You don’t have to worry about your hair staying too dry though, because this R+Co shampoo adds moisture back into the strands. It does this with ingredients like babassu seed oil and glycerin, the latter of which acts as a humectant to hold onto the additional moisture. Size: 8.5 or 33.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Juniper berry extract, glycerin, babassu seed oil, panthenol | Hair Types: All Best Shampoo for Curly Hair Virtue Curl Shampoo Nordstrom View On Amazon $42 View On Nordstrom $42 View On Sephora $42 What Stands Out It’s made with a proprietary protein called Alpha Keratin 60ku, which mimics the keratin found in hair. What Could Be Improved The fragrance might be too much for some people. The key to a curl-enhancing shampoo is a non-drying formula—and this one from Virtue is exactly that. Its ingredients won’t dry out the strands, which ensures that your curls can maintain their body. The shampoo uses a vegetable-derived polymer to improve curl definition and formation. To add moisture, the shampoo contains water-soluble jojoba oil to hydrate, detangle, and add a glossy shine. Finally, it will keep your hair looking sleek thanks to a protein called Alpha Keratin 60ku, which is identical to the keratin already found in your hair. Even if your hair isn’t as bouncy as it used to be, you can still use this shampoo to enhance your natural curl pattern because it’s designed for wavy, curly, and coily hair. Just take note that the Virtue Curl Shampoo is another option that has a potentially overpowering fruity scent. Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, polymer | Hair Types: Wavy, curly, coily Best Shampoo for Natural Hair Curlsmith Core Strength Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $22 View On Nordstrom $26 View On Sephora $26 What Stands Out You get a lot of product for the price. What Could Be Improved It’s not the most moisturizing option. Curlsmith is beloved for its vegan and cruelty-free formulas that tackle every concern natural hair might have—and the Core Strength Shampoo is no different. With ingredients like prickly pear, pumpkin seed oil, and wild rice protein, this curl-enhancing cleanser fortifies strands to make them stronger and more resilient to damage, all while restoring bounce and shine. The shampoo builds to a gentle lather and is free from silicones and dyes, which can weigh down textured hair and cause irritation to the scalp. And while there is a touch of fragrance, the scent is minimal and slightly fruity, which adds to the washing experience. Size: 12 or 32 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hemp seed and rice protein complex | Hair Types: All curl types Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair Color Wow Color Security Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $24 View On Walmart $19 View On Sephora $11 What Stands Out It keeps hair color looking salon-fresh for longer. What Could Be Improved It may be too drying for some people. No matter what color you dye your hair, the Color Wow Color Security Shampoo will keep it looking vibrant and salon-fresh. Its formula uses a coconut-derived ingredient that helps wash your hair without removing dye, and it still lathers into a thick (and satisfying!) foam that leaves your hair feeling super clean without any residue left behind. Since this color-safe shampoo lathers and rinses so well, it’s great for detoxifying your scalp and clearing away any dirt. The shampoo will leave your hair looking shinier and your scalp feeling soothed. It works on all hair types and textures (even extensions), but it may be too drying for people with already dry hair. And, people without color-treated hair probably don’t need this particular shampoo since its formula is designed for dyed hair. Size: 8.4 ounces | Key Ingredients: Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium cocoyl glycinate | Hair Types: All Best for Fine Hair Verb Ghost Shampoo ASOS View On Amazon $44 View On Sephora $20 View On Ulta $20 What Stands Out It's lightweight but cleanses and adds shine to fine hair. What Could Be Improved It's not designed to increase volume. It's easy for fine hair to get weighed down by hair care products, so it's best to look for a lightweight shampoo. We like the Verb Ghost Shampoo, which is made with moringa oil that smoothes hair and decreases frizz without weighing the hair down. Other ingredients include antioxidant-rich green tea extract and nourishing sunflower seed extract to protect hair and make it shine. While this shampoo is particularly suited for fine hair, anyone can use it. It's a long-time favorite of editorial director Nicole Lund, who has straight hair that gets weighed down easily. "I love how well this shampoo lathers, and it definitely gives my hair a lighter, shinier feel. The matching conditioner is fantastic too, as is the hair oil!" Size: 12 and 32 ounces | Key Ingredients: Moringa oil, green tea extract, sunflower seed extract | Hair Types: All Best Clarifying Shampoo Drybar On The Rocks Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $26 View On Nordstrom $10 View On Sephora $26 What Stands Out The formula includes charcoal, which is great at absorbing excess scalp oil. What Could Be Improved It’s not the best choice for people with dry scalps. There are a lot of charcoal beauty products on the market, but the ingredient is actually great in shampoo, too. The Drybar On the Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo uses activated charcoal to absorb excess oil, which helps clear up scalp breakouts. (Activated charcoal is also a dermatologist-recommended ingredient for treating scalp acne.) It can even help remove any chemical or dirt buildup that’s left on your scalp from other hair products. Bottom line: This shampoo will also leave your hair looking super shiny and feeling incredibly clean. It’s safe for all hair types, but people with particularly dry scalps should choose a shampoo that’s more hydrating. Size: 8.5 or 33.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal | Hair Types: All Best Volumizing Shampoo Virtue Full Shampoo Virtue View On Amazon $42 View On Nordstrom $42 View On Sephora $17 What Stands Out It makes hair feel both fuller and softer. What Could Be Improved It can make some scalps feel more oily. For hair that needs an extra lift, the Virtue Full Shampoo is the ultimate addition to your hair care routine. Packed with phospholipids for frizz and humidity protection and free from SLS and sulfates, this shampoo adds density and lift to limp and fine hair types. Part of this transformation is, in part, to the brand’s signature Alpha Keratin 60ku complex, a protein that is structurally identical to the keratin in human hair. This ingredient makes it ideal for reversing damage for stronger and thicker hair. It does include added fragrance, so it might not be an ideal choice for those with sensitivities. Size: 8 or 17 ounces | Key Ingredients: Phospholipids, Alpha Keratin 60ku | Hair Types: Fine and medium Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair Oribe Hair Alchemy Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $52 View On Nordstrom $20 View On Walmart $48 What Stands Out It thoroughly cleans the hair without weighing it down. What Could Be Improved It’s expensive, so it’s best for extremely damaged hair. If you struggle with damaged, brittle hair, you need a nourishing shampoo like the Oribe Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo. Ideal for all hair types and textures, this honeysuckle-scented shampoo quickly lathers for a luxurious shower experience. A signature complex of chia seed, bio-fermented bamboo leaf, and plant-based protein penetrates each hair strand to rebuild the cuticle structure, increasing hair's resiliency towards brushing and styling. Additional benefits include hydration from a hyaluronic acid blend and floral extracts to build strength and elasticity with each use. It’s an expensive product, but worth it to use in the short-term for very damaged hair. Size: 8.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Chia seed, bio-fermented bamboo leaf, daisy and honeysuckle extracts, hyaluronic acid | Hair Types: All Best Shampoo for Frizzy Hair Vegamour HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $38 View On Sephora $38 View On Vegamour.com $34 What Stands Out It’s ultra hydrating and promotes hair bond building. What Could Be Improved The packaging can get a bit messy. Frizzy hair is often a sign that strands lack moisture or are porous. Using a hydrating and repairing shampoo like the Vegamour HYDR-8 Shampoo can be a game changer when it comes to hair's appearance post-drying. Rich in the brand's beloved vegan silk bonder called Karmatin, the whole HYDR-8 collection works to nourish hair immediately and over time without weighing it down. Additional benefits include hydration from aloe vera and scalp soothing with magnolia bark extract. The fragrance featured in this product has notes of jasmine, geranium, and vanilla, making it more gourmand and floral than woodsy or clean; something to note if you are sensitive to added fragrance. Aside from that, the formula is vegan and cruelty-free. Size: 8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Karmatin, aloe vera, magnolia bark extract | Hair Types: All Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair Kérastase Densifique Shampoo Sephora View On Amazon $42 View On Sephora $42 View On Kerastase-usa.com What Stands Out This shampoo adds volume and boosts moisture levels. What Could Be Improved It’s expensive. If you’re dealing with thinning hair, which is when individual strands become smaller in diameter, then you should look for a thickening shampoo like Kérastase Bain Densite. This shampoo is a great choice for people with thinning hair because it restores, strengthens, and helps bring life back into your hair. Packed with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and plumping gluco-peptides, the shampoo will make the surface of your strands look more uniform and enhance the overall feeling of thickness. The formula also contains ceramides, which will strengthen your hair and help prevent breakage down the line. This ingredient will also help your hair look shiny and healthy. Like with many beauty products, remember that it can take a few weeks (or more) before you can see results—so you might want to stick to your routine for longer than you think before deciding if you’ll continue using the shampoo. But if it gets worse or if you still don’t notice a difference, it might be time to see a trichologist or dermatologist for a professional opinion. Size: 8.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, gluco-peptide | Hair Types: All Best Shampoo for Dandruff Oribe Serene Scalp Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $46 View On Sephora $52 View On Dermstore What Stands Out It contains salicylic acid to exfoliate the scalp. What Could Be Improved The high price means that it’s best for short-term use. While dandruff can be inconvenient—no one enjoys having a flaky scalp, after all—the good news is that you can treat it with over-the-counter shampoos. The Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is so much more than just a pretty bottle—its formula uses salicylic acid as an exfoliant to slough off all of those dead skin cells that contribute to flakiness. This also has the added benefit of reducing the itchy feeling on your scalp that’s common when you have dandruff. After exfoliating away the flakes, the Oribe shampoo adds the right amount of moisture back into your hair and scalp. It also protects your hair from environmental stressors with the brand's signature ingredients: watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower. To ease any irritation, the anti-dandruff shampoo also contains soothing bilberry fruit and sugar maple extracts, which protect the hair from additional damage. And unlike other dandruff shampoos that can smell medicinal, this one from Oribe has a lovely (but not overpowering) scent with notes of bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood. Just remember that dandruff is different from a dry scalp. Size: 8.5 or 33.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, bilberry fruit and sugar maple extracts | Hair Types: All Best Shampoo for Blonde Hair Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Shampoo Amazon View On Amazon $37 View On Sephora $37 View On Pureology.com What Stands Out It’s a purple shampoo that’s designed specifically for brassy hair. What Could Be Improved Keep in mind that you should wait five minutes before rinsing it out. Blondes really do have more fun, so long as they maintain the integrity of their color with purple shampoo. The intense violet hue of the Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Purple Shampoo quickly neutralizes stubborn brassy pigments that often crop up a few weeks after a color treatment when exposed to things like unfiltered shower water. Along with its luxurious color pigments, keravis (a protein) and astaxanthin (an antioxidant) work to repair damage to the hair shaft caused by excessive bleaching, heat styling, and day-to-day wear and tear. Free from SLS and sulfates, this shampoo lathers well and keeps hair salon-fresh with each use. Size: 9 or 33.8 ounces | Key Ingredients: Keravis, astaxanthin, purple orchid | Hair Types: All Final Verdict Good shampoos can add shine and moisture to any hair type, and that's exactly why we like the Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. It's our best overall pick because it heals damage and hydrates dry strands. But if you need something more affordable, the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo is a budget-friendly option that's still very hydrating and cleansing. Both of these shampoos can be worked into rich, satisfying lathers. How to Shop for Shampoo Like a Pro Hair Type Hair type is the most critical consideration when searching for a shampoo. Not only can it dictate how often you should be shampooing your hair (every few days for thin to medium hair and once a week for very thick or textured hair), it can determine the overall health of your strands. Many shampoos are safe for all hair types, but some are designed with specific concerns, textures, or types in mind. “I typically recommend determining what issues you would most like to correct; for example, is your hair flat and limp,” says Lund. “If there are no real standout concerns, your next step is to target your specific hair type and find a shampoo that suits that texture.” You'll also want to consider how you treat your hair daily and what you do in the salon. If you constantly expose your strands to heat, then reparative shampoos that can fight breakage and restore hair's moisture levels will be beneficial. Those who frequently work out should look at shampoos that target the scalp; the focus on clarification depends on the number of styling products—like dry shampoo—you utilize. Of course, if you get highlights at every salon visit, the peroxide will cause damage to the hair shaft. You'll want to opt for a shampoo that addresses this or one with pigments to counteract brassy tones caused by things like chemicals in unfiltered shower water. No matter your hair type, make sure you’re rinsing thoroughly so that you don’t leave behind any residue, and make sure that you’re locking in the good ingredients by always following up with a conditioner. Ingredients The ingredients that make up a shampoo's formula will target specific hair concerns, particularly things like dandruff, loss of density, and split ends. It's important to distinguish which ingredients can work to reverse the visible effects each has on the hair. However, keep in mind that you should consider the entire ingredient list before making a purchase. “In cosmetic formulations, one single ingredient is never doing the job alone,” says Lund. “Ingredients are formulated to work together to bring you the best results for your hair.” For example, individuals with dandruff will want to look for shampoos with ingredients that rebalance the scalp microbiome, exfoliate, or even hydrate. Salicylic acid, zinc, apple cider vinegar, and nourishing oils like jojoba are best. These ingredients are also beneficial to those with an oily scalp. If you are treating damaged hair, reparative ingredients like plant protein complexes, butters such as shea and cocoa, or humectants like glycerin will nourish your strands for more resilient and smooth tresses. You also want to pay attention to sulfates. Many people believe that sulfate-free shampoos are automatically better for hair, but that’s not always the case. Sulfates are what cleanse the hair, removing dirt and oil for a squeaky clean feeling. They have a bad reputation because they can strip the hair of too much moisture, and can dull colored hair. Therefore, it’s recommended that those with color-treated or fine hair avoid sulfates. On the other hand, those with oily or non-colored hair might have no problem using a shampoo that contains sulfates. Fragrance Many shampoos on the market include added fragrance. These fragrances can be naturally occurring thanks to essential oils or artificial ones that some brands use to create a brand identity for the consumer. No matter what the fragrance type is, if you are sensitive to scents or additives in your beauty products, it is crucial to research your shampoo before purchasing. While a brand should label added fragrances in product descriptions, you always want to double check the ingredient list, where this specification is mandatory. Lund adds that “fragrance is subjective,” and that “it is a good idea to sample and test products to see what you like best. Your hairdresser is usually willing to help diagnose your hair needs and provide you with a sample to find your best shampoo fit.” Alternatively, you can smell the shampoo you're interested in if you are shopping in person, but use testers if they are available to keep physical retail products uncontaminated for other shoppers. Questions You Might Ask Does shampoo expire? Like most beauty products, shampoo (and conditioner) can expire. An unopened bottle of shampoo should last around three years from when you purchased it. But once it's been opened, the shampoo will expire much faster. On the back of the bottle, you'll find a number (often listed as 12M or 18M) that indicates how many months the shampoo will last after it's been opened. Even though it's tempting to use up old bottles until they're empty, you should avoid using expired shampoo. According to Giannetos, expired shampoo can "create some irritation on the scalp." How often should you shampoo your hair? While many people probably grew up washing their hair every day, that's not necessarily the best recommendation for everyone. Overwashing your hair can lead to dry strands that are more susceptible to damage, which can cause more harm in the long run. On the other hand, not washing your hair often enough can result in buildup and irritation. "I suggest that people with straight or fine hair shampoo every other day," says Giannetos. A hair tip for working out is to shower, wet your hair, and use a little conditioner throughout—but no shampoo. It's a good way to train your hair to be washed less. For people with textured hair and anyone who isn't prone to a super oily scalp, Giannetos recommends washing your hair once per week. If you want your hair to look fresh even when you don't wash it, check out our tips for styling second-day hair. And, using dry shampoo when you don't or can't wash your hair with regular shampoo is not bad so long as it's done in moderation. Can you use shampoo as body wash? They might seem similar, but you shouldn't use your shampoo as a body wash. That's because shampoo is usually a bit more drying than regular body soaps, which is why we follow up with conditioner on the hair, according to Giannetos. Body washes (whether bar, gel, or cream soaps) are often gentler on your skin. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Brittany Loggins, a contributing writer for Real Simple; it was also updated by Samantha Parsons. To come up with this list, we carefully researched a variety of shampoos on the market and evaluated them based on recommended hair types, ingredients, and more. For expert advice, we interviewed professional hairstylists Dmitris Giannetos and Sarah Lund. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit