How to Pick the Best Shampoo for Your Hair Type

woman holding wet hair into a ponytail

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While a good shampoo will get your hair clean, there are so many choices on the market. It's understandable if you need help picking the best formula for your hair type and texture. 

We spoke to double board-certified dermatologists Dr. Brendan Camp and trichologist Bridgette Hill to help us choose the right shampoo for your specific hair type. From what makes a good shampoo to what ingredients to look for, keep reading for how to find the perfect shampoo for you.

Meet the Expert

Ingredients to Look for in a Shampoo

Before deciding what ingredients to look for in a shampoo, Camp says to determine your scalp and hair type. "These determinations will help guide you in deciding which ingredients to look for," he says.

The laundry list of tongue-twisting ingredients on shampoo bottles can be confusing. However, there are a few that you'll frequently spot on many bottles. The most common ingredients are sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate, which give shampoo the lather we equate with cleansing. However, these foaming agents can be irritants that strip your hair of its natural oils. Thankfully, several sulfate-free shampoos are available that cleanse your hair without leaving it super dry.

Hill recommends the René Furterer Forticea Energizing Shampoo ($38), which is safe for all hair types. "Gentle yet effective at cleansing, this shampoo contains ingredients that soothe and purify the scalp, such as guarana extract, orange essential oil, and lavender essential oil," Hill says.

Both Hill and Camp agree that there is a list of ingredients to stay away from, including petroleum, parabens, dimethicone, mineral oil, and silicones (this can be tricky as there are benefits of some naturally derived silica). You'll also want to avoid phthalates, sulfates, and formaldehyde because of their potential to irritate the scalp and damage hair. Camp recommends Vanicream Shampoo ($12), a non-medicated shampoo for sensitive scalps free of dyes, fragrances, parabens, formaldehyde, and sulfates.

How to Pick the Right Shampoo for Your Hair Type

Just as skin type matters when picking a face mask, hair type matters when picking a shampoo. Here's a breakdown:

Fine Hair

Fine, thinner hair tends to get oily fast and can look limp if not properly cleansed. Shampoo three to four times a week and avoid creamy shampoos, opting for clear formulas instead. "Look for volumizing shampoos that give the appearance of thicker strands, and consider using shampoos that offer oil control," says Camp.

"The goal is to avoid unnecessarily disrupting the microbiome of the scalp. My suggestion is to include a gentle, nourishing shampoo in your routine since it's important to retain the moisture throughout the hair and scalp," says Hill. She adds that frequent shampooers with this hair type would benefit from transitioning to a treatment shampoo such as "a clay or mineral-based shampoo that encourages the slowdown of sebum protection by treating the scalp with plant or mineral based ingredients to regulate oil production." 

Frizzy Hair

If you're dealing with frizz and flyaways, your secret to softer hair is more in the conditioner than the shampoo. "This hair type requires ultra hydration rich in fatty acids and benefits from having a shampoo ritual that includes detergent-based cleansers and cleansing conditioners," says Hill, who recommends shampooing every seven to 10 days. Because frizzy hair requires moisturizing products, Hill says it is important to incorporate "non-stripping clarifying shampoos into the shampooing ritual every 12 weeks to retain high-quality hair fibers."

Curly Hair

You may be surprised to learn that shampoos for curly hair don't make your hair curly. "They help define the shape of curls and provide bounce by minimizing the friction between curls," says Camp, who recommends Briogeo Curl Charisma Hydrating Shampoo ($28). "Shea butter, avocado oil, rice amino acids, and tomato fruit ferment are highlighted in this curl-defining shampoo."

This hair type can get away with washing twice weekly, as curly hair is prone to dryness. Or, it could require shampoo every other day, depending on the hair's porosity, where the quality and type of shampoo is the differentiator and a major factor, says Hill. "Fine, curly-haired clients should use moisturizing shampoos regularly and may also benefit from incorporating ultra-rich hydrating shampoos every eight to 10 weeks," she says.

Dry Hair

Dry hair can benefit from a moisturizing shampoo, and it's important not to skimp on conditioner. In fact, some people with this hair type ditch shampoo altogether and turn to co-washing instead. Some people with dry, coarse, curly, or frizzy hair swear by the no-poo or co-washing method. This means limiting shampoo and instead using conditioners to soften and hydrate hair. However, Camp says damaged hair can benefit from shampoos that "fortify the hair shaft by supplying nutrients and proteins." He recommends shampooing twice to thrice a week, as over-washing could strip the hair of oils that help it retain moisture.

Natural Hair

According to Camp, shampoos that "balance pH by keeping the scalp and hair slightly acidic can help maintain natural oils and minimize frizz." This hair type is varied and very delicate. "Typically, tightly curled and coiled hair textures shy away from frequent shampooing and incorporate cleansing the scalp with tonics and oils in addition to their detoxifying shampoo," says Hill, who refers to this as a scalp cleansing regimen. "The scalp remains healthy by regularly alternating between detoxifying oils, water-based tonics, and serums. The shampoo is the final step in the hair and scalp regimen done as frequently as every 10-14 days."

Hill adds that people with natural hair can alternate between co-washes and detergent-based shampoos bi-weekly to monthly depending on hair type, lifestyle, haircare regimen, styling, etc.

Color-Treated Hair

Hill says those with color-treated hair should always select shampoos designed for their particular hair type and texture and ensure the product is color safe or incorporate color shampoo into the regimen.

"Color-safe shampoos are often sulfate-free to protect the hair from detergents that could remove color particles," says Camp. The goal is to reinforce weak areas in the hair shaft that may occur due to coloring, straightening, relaxing, or perming hair. Try looking for protein-based shampoos with ingredients such as wheat and soy extracts or silk amino acids. Camp's pick is Mixed Chicks Sulfate-Free Shampoo ($10), a color-safe formula that cleanses without stripping.

Unfortunately, over-processed hair might have oily roots but dry ends, so washing it could require cleansing at the roots and moisturizing at the ends. Concentrate on cleaning the scalp, then use a strong conditioner only on the mid-shaft to the ends of the hair. Color-treated hair should be washed less often, about two to three times per week, depending on your hair type, to help it retain pigment longer.

Final Takeaway

According to our experts, picking the right shampoo requires an individualized approach. Consider your hair type and texture, and look for beneficial ingredients that won't weigh down or dry your strands. Shampooing frequency also depends on your hair type, lifestyle, and styling habits. It's best to take the time and establish a hair care routine that works for you, starting with the shampoo aisle.

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