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Want soft, smooth strands but don’t want to pay salon prices? Experts say the best drugstore shampoo is just as effective as its pricier counterparts. Many salon shampoos have high-quality ingredients, which can be hard to compete with, as drugstore ingredients often use fillers. Cheaper ingredients will give the illusion of soft hair, but they don’t penetrate. For instance, sulfates are cleaning agents that create a thick, soapy lather. Although sulfates are good for cleaning and make fun bubbles in the tub, they strip the hair’s natural oils and irritate sensitive skin. Parabens are also good to avoid.
Our Top Picks
- 1
Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Shampoo
$7 at CVS$7 at CVSRead more
- 2
Best Shampoo for Thin Hair
TRESemmé Color Revitalize & Protection Shampoo
$18 at Walmart$18 at WalmartRead more
- 3
Aussie Mega Shampoo
$14 at Amazon$14 at AmazonRead more
- 4
Best Dandruff Shampoo
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Daily-Use Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
$14 at Walmart$14 at WalmartRead more
- 5
Best for Dry Hair
Sun Bum Sun Bum Revitalizing Shampoo
$11 at Ulta Beauty$11 at Ulta BeautyRead more
Show more
Although they increase shelf life, parabens can cause irritation to your scalp. So let’s focus on what we want in our products, starting with jojoba oil (pronounced ho-ho-buh). It fights frizz while nourishing and hydrating your locks into shiny goddess strands. Another key ingredient to keep an eye on is collagen—yes, that stuff found in gelatin. Collagen strengthens your hair from the root and helps prevent split ends. Plus, it repairs damage and wards off hair thinning. Whether your hair is curly, color-treated, fine, or anything in between, here are our top affordable drugstore shampoo picks.
1
Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Shampoo
1
Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Shampoo
Now 24% Off$7 at CVSCredit: Love Beauty And Planet
This drugstore shampoo is a game changer, says Fred Connors, owner of FRED. salon. The sweet-smelling shampoo is great for all hair types, but is particularly suited for color-treated hair, since it’s sulfate-free. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and made with ethically sourced ingredients. "It’s gentle on your hair, as well as the planet," says Connors.
2Best Shampoo for Thin Hair
TRESemmé Color Revitalize & Protection Shampoo
2Best Shampoo for Thin Hair
TRESemmé Color Revitalize & Protection Shampoo
$18 at WalmartCredit: TRESemmé
If you have thin hair but need to infuse dry strands with moisture, try this drugstore shampoo. "It adds moisture to the hair without weighing it down," says Angelo David, owner and creative director of the Angelo David Salon in NYC. As an added bonus, it smells great.
3
Aussie Mega Shampoo
3
Aussie Mega Shampoo
$14 at AmazonCredit: Aussie
You’ll love this drugstore shampoo if you have long, tangle-prone hair, says Wellman. The unique formula takes tangles out quickly and will leave hair smelling fresh.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below4Best Dandruff Shampoo
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Daily-Use Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
4Best Dandruff Shampoo
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Daily-Use Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
$14 at WalmartCredit: Head & Shoulders
Head and Shoulders is the classic, tried-and-true dandruff shampoo, and for good reason. "The zinc pyrithione not only helps to kill the yeast but also helps to mop up some of the excess sebum, so that roots are less greasy, hair appears thicker and fuller, and there is less of a home for yeast to grow," says Tsippora Shainhouse, a board-certified dermatologist. If your hair is damaged or dry, choose the moisturizing version, or follow up with the matching conditioner, to hydrate strands.
5Best for Dry Hair
Sun Bum Sun Bum Revitalizing Shampoo
5Best for Dry Hair
Sun Bum Sun Bum Revitalizing Shampoo
$11 at Ulta Beauty$11 at Nordstrom RackCredit: Sun Bum
This shampoo is "exceptional for dry hair," says Fae Norris, a stylist at Neighborhood Salon. It has all-natural ingredients that revitalize and protect while delivering soft, delicious-smelling hair.
6Best for Dandruff
Neutrogena Scalp Build-Up Therapeutic Shampoo
6Best for Dandruff
Neutrogena Scalp Build-Up Therapeutic Shampoo
Now 50% Off$7 at WalmartCredit: Neutrogena
If you suffer from dandruff but also have an oil-prone scalp, try a salicylic acid shampoo once a week to dry up some of the excess oil and help remove dead skin, says Shainhouse. This formula, by Neutrogena, is a favorite because it helps clear dandruff without harsh preservatives or fragrances.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Best Color Amplifier
Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo
7Best Color Amplifier
Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo
$23 at Sally BeautyCredit: Clairol Professional
Especially effective for blondes and those who embrace the gray, this one amplifies the color you want, while diminishing unwanted tones, says Norris. Use it once per week as an intensive treatment and follow it up with a high-quality hair mask. Otherwise, it can discolor and dry out hair.
8Best Collagen Shampoo
OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo
8Best Collagen Shampoo
OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo
$8 at Walmart$11 at Ulta BeautyCredit: OGX
This shampoo is a nutrient-rich formula infused with vitamin B7 biotin, collagen, and wheat protein, all of which help maintain your hair growth, leaving it thicker and healthier.
9
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo
9
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Now 15% Off$12 at Amazon$13 at Walmart$12 at Nordstrom RackCredit: Carol’s Daughter
For anyone with dehydrated, color-treated, textured, curly, or coarse hair, this is a great option, says Savannah Fincher, hairstylist and corporate educator at Blo Blow Dry Bar. "Instead of harsh sulfates, this shampoo contains a gentle surfactant to cleanse without stripping the hair or scalp." It’s also free from parabens, mineral oils, petroleum, and artificial coloring.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below10Best Shampoo with Jojoba Oil
Herbal Essences Jojoba Oil Bio Renew Shampoo
10Best Shampoo with Jojoba Oil
Herbal Essences Jojoba Oil Bio Renew Shampoo
$10 at Target$8 at WalmartCredit: Herbal Essences
Found: your natural shampoo infused with jojoba oil.
"It’s EWG-verified, making it the perfect, safest choice for your hair," says celebrity stylist Bridget Brager. It effectively cleans and protects color-treated hair.
11Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo
11Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair
L’Oréal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo
$6 at WalmartCredit: L’Oreal Paris
This shampoo is a wonder product for color-treated or damaged hair, says Patrice Vinci, owner of Patrice Vinci Salon in Boston. "It works just as well as the professional L’Oréal line Kerastase, but for a quarter of the price, plus it holds color for up to 60 days."
12Best for Curly Hair
OGX Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil Shampoo
12Best for Curly Hair
OGX Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil Shampoo
$16 at Walmart$18 at Ulta BeautyCredit: OGX
If you have curly or natural hair, try this moisturizing formula. It lathers well and gets through natural curly hair with ease, says celebrity stylist Alicia Henry. It locks in moisture, creates a beautiful shine, leaves hair soft to the touch, and smells amazing, she adds.
