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Best for Frizzy Hair
RŌZ Foundation Hydrating Shampoo
Pros
- Hydrates
- Softens
- Reduces frizz
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Instructions recommend shampooing twice
- A higher price point than many shampoos
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Coconut-based cleansers, ceramides
- Size: 10.1 fluid ounces
- Hair types: Fine, medium, thick
This shampoo hydrates hair and genuinely helps reduce frizz. “I thought my hair seemed softer, more hydrated. The shampoo didn’t leave a residue,” says writer Mary Sauer, who tested the product on her curly, thick hair. The botanical scent (with notes of bergamot, vetiver, neroli, and fig) is strong but not overwhelming.
This daily hydrating shampoo is sulfate-free and instead uses coconut-based cleansers. It lathers well, but your hair needs to be very wet for it to suds up properly. The brand recommends shampooing twice with this product to achieve a better clean, which can be more time-consuming. The price is also on the higher end, and you will likely go through the product faster if you shampoo twice each time.
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Best for Damaged Hair
Oribe Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo
Pros
- Improves the appearance of damaged hair
- Controls frizz
- Rinses out easily
- Sweet, pleasant floral scent is refreshing but not overpowering
Cons
- On the more expensive side
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Biotin, plant collagen, caffeine, niacinamide, Mediterranean cypress extract
- Size: 8.5 fluid ounces
- Hair types: All
Oribe has great shampoos. Their Luster Repair and Restore Shampoo is no exception, formulated with amino acids (the building blocks of protein) and Mediterranean cypress extract, which the company says moisturizes. “It left my hair with a soft, shiny texture,” says writer and editor Ysolt Usigan, who is currently treating breakage and frizz from dyeing her hair. “My hair did feel moisturized right after and the day after, even when my hair was dry,” she says. Other noticeable benefits included increased volume and bounce, reduced frizz, and easier brushability.
The shampoo has a Goldilocks texture (not too thick, not too thin). You also need just a quarter-sized amount to fully cleanse even long lengths of hair. The biggest downside is its higher price point. However, the larger bottle size — a whopping 33.8-ounce pump bottle — lasts for a very long time (I’ve had one for an entire year with every-other-day washes).
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Best Fragrance-Free Shampoo
Desert Essence Fragrance-Free Shampoo
Pros
- No artificial fragrance
- Caters to sensitive scalps
- Helps reduce frizz
- No artificial dyes
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Runny formula
- Takes time to work into a lather
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Jojoba oil, comfrey, green tea
- Size: 8 fluid ounces
- Hair types: Fine, medium, thick
Formulated with botanical ingredients like aloe, green tea, jojoba seed oil, maca, and more, this shampoo stands out from the rest because of what it doesn’t contain: added fragrance. “I have young children who [have] eczema, so whenever I’m able to find products that are fragrance-free, I know I can share them with my family,” says writer Laura Leigh Abby. Of course, for them to be worth sharing, they must also be effective.
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Best for Oily Hair
Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon Shampoo
Pros
- Effective in controlling oil
- Has a pleasant lemon scent
- Does not contain synthetic colors, fragrances, or phthalates
- Bottle is made with 100 percent recyclable material
Cons
- Thin, runny consistency
- May be too drying for dry or normal hair types
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Lemon essential oil, quinoa protein, aloe and vitamin E
- Size: 11 fluid ounces
- Hair types: All, especially oily and dull
With lemon essential oil to help get rid of oil and buildup, plus aloe and vitamin E to nourish the scalp, this clarifying shampoo became registered dietitian Sarah Glinski’s new favorite product after testing it. “Usually my hair is so oily that I need to wash it twice, but this product lathered up well and cleaned my hair properly on the first wash,” she says. “After using it every second day for a week, my hair was noticeably less oily between washes.”
We found the lemon scent to be pleasant, fresh, and bright. The bottle is easy to hold in the shower and squeeze. Despite its runny consistency, the shampoo itself is very effective.
Best for Men
Slick Gorilla Daily 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Pros
- Two-in-one product
- Suitable for all hair types
- Lathers and suds up well
- Easy to rinse out
- Light, clean scent
Cons
- Should not be used as a body wash (as some men’s products are formulated)
- Contains sulfates, which can be irritating
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Vitamin B5, wheat protein
- Size: 6.76 fluid ounces
- Hair types: Fine, medium, thick
The shampoo has a pleasant, clean fragrance (coming from amber, bergamot, and patchouli) that doesn’t linger on hair post-shower. But if you prefer to get that “scalp-tingling feeling” with washing, this product isn’t for you. Ultimately, though, it has a lot going for it: “This is a good daily two-in-one shampoo that is very affordable and does work for shorter hair,” says Everyday Health writer Raki Swanson, who has thick, gray hair with a dry scalp. Despite missing the scalp tingling, she says that it “did make my hair feel conditioned,” even though it’s a two-in-one, which tends to not be as conditioning as a separate conditioner.
Best Clay Shampoo
Shaz & Kiks Balancing Hair Cleanser
Pros
- Reduces oil and buildup on scalp
- Improves shine
- Pleasant floral and fruity scent
- Safe for color-treated hair
Cons
- Clay shampoo has a learning curve
- May be tough to rinse out
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Bentonite clay, Jamun Indian berry seeds, hibiscus
- Size: 7.7 fluid ounces
- Hair types: All
If you’re not familiar with clay shampoo, it’s a very concentrated shampoo that is not liquid. To use it, open the container, grab a small scoop, rub it between your hands into a lather, and then massage it into your wet hair.
The mineral clay base absorbs oil, and Jamun Indian berry seeds exfoliate to remove scalp buildup. (Some users say that these bits can get stuck in hair and take some elbow grease to fully rinse out.) But the results speak for themselves: “Your hair is [left] soft and smooth and ever so shiny. It had added shine like nothing I’ve ever seen with other shampoos,” says Swanson, who has oily, thick hair. “It remained this way for two days. This shampoo didn’t leave a residue on my hair, and it did not feel squeaky clean either, so it wasn’t stripping my hair of too much moisture,” she explains.
Best for Curly Hair
Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo
Pros
- Designed for curly hair
- Adds smoothness and shine
- Tall, thin bottle fits well in shower organizers
- Safe for color-treated hair
Cons
- At a higher price point than some other shampoos
- Some reviewers said it caused irritation
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Chamomile, corn oil, wheat amino acids
- Size: 8.5 fluid ounces
- Hair types: Dry, curly
Best for Dry Hair
Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Hydro-Nourishing Shampoo
Pros
- Super hydrating
- Can be used on all hair types
- Smoothes frizz
- Beautiful packaging
Cons
- Higher price point
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Moringa oil, Japanese red micro-algae
- Size: 10 fluid ounces
- Hair types: All
She says that it lathered well and rinsed out completely, leaving no residue behind. Swanson points out that using a conditioner with this is a must for the best moisturizing results.
Best for Textured Hair
Chéribé Hydrating Shampoo
Pros
- Designed for wavy, curly, coily, and kinky hair
- Promotes hair growth
- Nice clean, floral, woodsy scent
- Safe for color-treated hair, relaxed hair, and human hair extensions
Cons
- May need to shampoo twice to remove excess buildup
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Chébé seeds, prebiotics
- Size: 8 fluid ounces
- Hair types: Dry, damaged hair
The company claims its Chébé Complex is designed to help repair textured hair, improving softness and supporting healthy growth. The formula includes Chébé seed extract, a plant seed that’s long been used to promote hair growth.
“Sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoos are important to maintain healthy curls, so I try to use shampoos that don’t have them,” says writer and editor Nicole Bonaccorso, who has curly, fine, color-treated hair that’s prone to frizziness (thanks, postpartum!). “My hair felt soft and hydrated after using this,” she says, adding that her hair was left with a desirable “slip” (or hydrating residue), a plus when wearing hair curly.
One downside, says Bonaccorso, is that she had to use more shampoo than usual to scrub her hair thoroughly clean. Additionally, if you have buildup, you may need to shampoo twice for optimal benefits.
Best Volumizing Clarifying Shampoo
Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Removes excess oil, mineral deposits, and buildup
- Volumizing
- Enhances shine
- Pleasant, woodsy fragrance
Cons
- Contains sulfates
- Not designed to be an everyday shampoo
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, pea protein, algae extract, mango seed butter, avocado oil
- Size: 10 fluid ounces
- Hair types: Fine, medium, thick
This clarifying shampoo quickly turns into a rich lather, thanks to its sudsing, cleansing sulfates. (This could be a drawback if sulfates irritate your skin.) “My hair felt very clean but not stripped. There was no residue left over,” says Bonaccorso. “I noticed extra shine and volume.”
Since Bonaccorso’s hair can be dry and frizzy, she says she might incorporate this into her routine less than once a week. We love the scent, which is floral, fresh, and slightly woody, with notes of pink pepper, apple, gardenia, and white cedarwood.
Best Budget
Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner
Pros
- Adds moisture without weighing hair down
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Nice fruity scent
- Available at the drugstore
Cons
- Pump bottle may get stuck
- Best when used with the conditioner for detangling
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Proteins, hyaluronic serum
- Size: 28 fluid ounces
- Hair types: All
This shampoo is easy to find at a local drugstore — and it’s anything but ordinary. If you have thin hair, you may have noticed that some products weigh it down. However, not so with Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner; it provides lightweight moisture that made a noticeable difference to writer and editor Katie Tuttle, who tried this pick on her thick, color-treated hair.
Best for Fine Hair
V&Co Thicker, Please! Thickening Shampoo
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Slim bottle fits well in the shower
- Helps strengthen hair
- Lathers nicely
- Easy to rinse, does not leave behind residue
Cons
- Very strong scent
- Not designed for hair growth
Key Specs
- Key ingredients: Peptides, amino acids, biotin, coconut oil
- Size: 12 fluid ounces
- Hair types: All
This shampoo contains a blend of peptides, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and coconut oil to gently cleanse and promote strand thickening and volume. While Usigan notes that it didn’t feel as if her strands got thicker, they did feel stronger. Plus, after repeated use, “my hair felt like it had nice volume,” she says. (It is worth pointing out that when a shampoo advertises “thickening,” it can sound like it encourages hair growth, but it is not designed for that.)
It comes in a tall, slender squeeze bottle that’s easy to open and use. One thing to note: This shampoo is strongly scented. “It has a very strong floral smell, plus a hint of coconut,” says Usigan. Some people may find the scent too overpowering, especially if they’re more sensitive to fragrances.
Why Trust Everyday Health
Jessica Migala
Author
Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.
She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).
Susan Bard, MD
Medical Reviewer
Susan Bard, MD, is a clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an adjunct clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City. Her professional interests include Mohs micrographic surgery, cosmetic and laser procedures, and immunodermatology.
She is a procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery.
Dr. Bard has written numerous book chapters and articles for many prominent peer-reviewed journals, and authored the textbook The Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions.
Orlando de Guzman
Fact-Checker
Orlando de Guzman is a writer and editor with expertise in health and environmental news. He has a background in investigative and science journalism and has worked on documentary films about war and trauma, health, sanitation, and the changing climate around the world. His interest in health and medicine started after an early career as a medical and legal translator.
De Guzman is a longtime health and fitness enthusiast who is interested in nutrition, diet, and mental health. He participates in endurance sports and cross-trains in several traditions of martial arts from Southeast Asia. De Guzman is interested in how the progressively complex movements of martial arts training can improve cognition and mental well-being, especially for those with PTSD and for those approaching middle age and beyond.
De Guzman has a dual B.A. in communications and international studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. He is committed to factual storytelling and evidence-based reporting on critical choices that affect our planet.
Ally Hirschlag
Editor
Ally Hirschlag is an award-winning journalist with over 10 years of experience editing and writing health, fitness, beauty, lifestyle, and science content. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Weather.com, People, BBC Future, Audubon, Scientific American, and Smithsonian Magazine, among other publications. Hirschlag was most recently an associate editorial director for Byrdie.
She's an avid product tester with considerable experience testing skin care, hair care, fitness, fashion, and health-related products. She's also the daughter of an oral surgeon and can tell you about a long list of dental and gum-cleaning products you should be using.
Sarah Glinski, RD
Tester
Sarah is a registered dietitian and accomplished health and nutrition writer known for her expertise in crafting engaging content. She received dual bachelor’s degrees in nutrition and biology with distinction from the University of Alberta. She started her career in 2018 as a clinical dietitian and has experience in several clinical areas, including weight management, diabetes, kidney disease, oncology, gut health, and intuitive eating.
In 2022, Sarah took her wealth of clinical experience and transitioned to freelance writing. She has contributed to outlets like Forbes Health, Well+Good, Livestrong, Yahoo!, and PS, and has written about topics ranging from mental health to gut health to diabetes care. Her goal as a writer is to convey complex health information in an easy-to-understand and engaging way.
Sarah is dedicated to simplifying complex health information so people can make informed decisions regarding their health. She currently lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she enjoys reading or crocheting in the company of her husband and two cats.
Raki Swanson
Tester
Raki Swanson is a Minnesota-based freelance health writer and married mother to two adult children. She has experience covering mental health, fitness, food, and lifestyle topics, as well as significant experience reviewing and testing products for the Marketplace team, including online therapy, fitness gear, and food.
She received a bachelor's degree in applied psychology from St. Cloud University in Minnesota. She has also worked as a business development manager at a Fortune 500 company in Minnesota, and spent several years living in the south of France while growing up, which inspired her love of travel and food.
When she's not writing, you can find her reading, blogging, and enjoying being an empty nester with her husband, two dogs, and tabby cat named Kevin.
Julia Childs Heyl, MSW
Tester
Julia Childs Heyl, MSW, is a California-based clinical social worker and mental health writer. Her writing often focuses on mental health disparities and uses critical race theory as her preferred theoretical framework. She has been published by Verywell Mind, Health, Parents, Shape, Yahoo, and more.
In her clinical work, Julia specializes in treating people of color experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma through depth therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) trauma therapy. Identifying as a holistic-minded clinician, Julia views mental health as a relationship between the soul, self, and systemic structures in our lives. Her formative training includes developing mental health programming specifically for Black survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and conducting research on generational trauma within the Black community.
Ysolt Usigan
Tester
Ysolt Usigan is a veteran writer, editor, and commerce journalist with more than a decade of experience creating lifestyle, health, wellness, and shopping content for brands including BestProducts.com, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, WhatToExpect, SheKnows, and RetailMeNot.
Ysolt specializes in product testing and reviews, shopping guides, and service journalism that help readers make smart, confident choices.
Nicole Bonaccorso
Tester
Nicole Bonaccorso is a writer and editor with more than 12 years of journalism experience. She has been writing for Everyday Health since 2025, and has also been published on NBCNews.com, Treehugger, Verywell, Mashable, and Upworthy, among other publications.
Nicole was also a senior editor at Weather.com for more than 11 years, covering everything from weather and climate change to health, science, and travel.
In addition to writing, Nicole has also found a passion in helping new parents reach their breastfeeding goals and is working towards becoming a certified breastfeeding specialist.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors with her two young sons, husband, and dog.
Mary Sauer
Tester
Mary Sauer is a freelance health and parenting writer whose work often covers mental health (especially maternal mental health), grief, and caregiving. Her work has been published by the Washington Post, Verywell Mind, Parents, Vice's Tonic, and ARC Poetry Magazine. She's also the managing editor of the upcoming Salt Tooth Press and an MFA student at University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Sauer is a mom of four and lives in Kansas City, Missouri. She enjoys hiking, trying new coffee shops, and shopping at used bookstores. At home, she spends her precious free time reading, rewatching Fleabag, and gardening.
Katie Tuttle
Tester
Katie Tuttle is an editor and writer specializing in food, nutrition, and product testing. Her work has appeared in EatingWell, Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, and Real Simple. She has written about meal kits, kitchen tools, fitness, and wellness, and has tested and reviewed a wide range of products, with a particular focus on meal delivery services and their impact on nutrition and convenience.
Beyond food, Katie has covered fitness and wellness topics, drawing from her own experience as a powerlifter and an occasional runner. She’s always interested in how products and services can make healthy living more accessible and practical.
When she’s not researching or writing, Katie is usually surrounded by houseplants or spending time with a foster dog. She firmly believes there’s no such thing as too many books or too much coffee.
Laura Leigh Abby
Tester
Laura Leigh Abby is a writer, small business owner, wife, and mama. She lives in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley with her wife and two young sons, and loves exploring the region's hiking trails.
She has written reviews of healthcare companies, pediatric mental health care services, and wellness apps, and her journalistic work has appeared in The New York Times, the Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, The Cut, and other outlets. In 2022, Abby launched a successful podcast with Paradiso Media, writing, conducting interviews, and hosting the series “Seventeen: Conversations With My Teenage Self.” She has written an Amazon Kindle Single and published a wedding guide with a small press, and as the co-owner of a boutique fitness studio she has taken the lead on social media, marketing, and publicity endeavors.
She has also worked with Boehringer Ingelheim on team insights. In the past she created Logo insights pieces for Viacom, pulling from survey data to create reported articles about the impact of LGBTQ+ viewers on company brands. Abby is currently the head of content for Pink Robin, a digital marketplace and online shopping platform for queer-owned brands.