Drugstore Shampoos That Experts Swear By

I swear by this shampoo by SheaMoisture. Its thick, creamy formula quickly and effectively hydrates parched hair, making it ideal for curls and coils alike. I also love its smell, which lingers long after wash day and is constantly earning me compliments. While it comes in a small bottle, a little goes a long way with this thick formula, so it’ll still be sure to last you for ages. It also features natural, certified organic ingredients made to minimize frizz in the short term without causing your hair long term damage.

Pros: clean; cruelty-free; contains natural ingredients like coconut oil; protein-infused

Cons: strong smell may not be ideal for all users

Customer Review: "This product was staring me in the face for a long time, although I was a little hesitant purchasing after seeing some reviews that this left hair greasy after rinsing. I tried and I really like this. Its nowhere near a straw, stripped feeling when you rinse, it actually feels moisturized, along with the matching conditioner. I diffused my hair and my curls never looked better. A little goes a long way and also the scent is Pina Colada to me lol. Excellent product and recommend it!" -Sally Beauty

Janelle Sands, expert hairstylist and Senior Director of Marketing at CURLS, says that this formula, which exclusively features clean and sustainably sourced ingredients, "preserves the moisture of the hair while strengthening and reinforcing weak areas of the hair shaft." She explains, "This cleanser has a rich botanical based lather and is so effective at preserving your hair’s hydration." Verified customers add that the formula lathers well and cleanses effectively, but never at the cost of hydration or curl pattern.

Pros: stylist-approved; heals hair damage; moisturizing; works on all curl patterns

Cons: may be too thick for thin, straight hair; strong smell

Customer Review: "This is by far my favorite shampoo ever. I've been using it for years and I just can't be without it. It is a staple in my routine because it doesn't strip my hair AT ALL. After using a clarifying shampoo, I like to go in with this and then deep condition." -Sally Beauty

"This shampoo from Pureology (and the matching conditioner) is the one I go back to whenever my hair needs a complete refresh. I have hair that gets dry and flat in the winter but it's also pretty fine in texture and gets oily around day three, so I need something that will add moisture without weighing it down, and this is it. It's so hydrating while still being lightweight, and gives my hair the most incredible shine." -Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor

Pros: editor-approved; shine-enhancing; lightweight; works on all hair types

Cons: expensive; strong smell

Customer Review: "Lathers nicely and is hydrating." -Ulta

"Herbal Essences takes the crown for best-smelling drugstore shampoos, at least in my opinion. I'm pretty sure the coconutty scent of the Hello Hydration shampoo is permanently engrained in my memory—it's just that good. Aside from the lingering lush scent, I love how this shampoo leaves your hair oh-so-soft and feeling moisturized. The fact that this $8 shampoo (for the big bottle!) is color-safe and dermatologist-tested are major wins, too." -Brooke Knappenberger, Editorial Fellow

Pros: color-safe; editor-approved; clinically tested; free of parabens and mineral oil

Cons: contains sulfates

Customer Review: "I've been looking for the right leave-in conditioner for years and I finally found it! This super thick foam instantly soaks into hair and leaves it silky soft but doesn't make it greasy or heavy. I've never used anything like it. It actually makes the hair soft, it doesn't just coat it in a layer of silicone so that it looks like soft hair, it actually moisturizes." -Herbal Essences

"This cleanser is infused with Sea Moss, the world’s all-around hair and body improving ingredient that, well… does everything!" raves Sands of this formula, which is also infused with hydrating, reparative aloe vera. "Expect to have plump, glistening, juicy curls, and stimulated hair follicles." Reviewers also note that the shampoo has a refreshing, light scent that they love—and that never clashes with their perfume or scented beauty products. For the full sea moss treatment, you can also indulge in the conditioner and hair jelly from the line. 

Pros: stylist-approved; curl-enhancing; good for scalp support; detangling; anti-fungal

Cons: small bottle

Customer Review: "Just stumbled upon this, my latest fave, only next to the Blueberry Bliss collection. I’ve never had such a game changing shampoo! It leaves my hair moisturized and looking and feels amazing every time I use it!" -Ulta

Sands recommends this formula "for providing a clarifying cleanse when we most need it." She explains that it's "formulated for textured hair that also wears braids, wigs, weaves, and other protective styles.” But why is this the case, and why does natural hair in protective styles require a little extra TLC? Sands tell us, “These methods of hair style and care can develop a build-up on the hair shaft. The remedy is a clarifying cleanse to be used before and or after a protective style install."

Pros: works on hair extensions and weaves; works on protective hairstyles; made with natural hair in mind; stylist-approved

Cons: small bottle

Customer Review: "I don't know about using this on my scalp any more than once every couple of months, as it's pretty strong, detox wise. I have a dry scalp, from genetics, so I have to use moisturizing shampoo more often than not. That being said, this detox tea cleanser smells divine. It's like a mix of menthol and peppermint. After it mixes with the steam of the shower, it has the same effect as a shower fizzy, it's so relaxing." -Sally Beauty

This is another drugstore shampoo that I always gravitate to when I'm in a pinch. It effectively cleanses my hair and scalp without drying my curls out or turning them into a frizzy mess. Plus, its gentle, powder- like scent never clashes with my other products, like leave-ins, body oils, or perfumes. It comes in a small bottle, but a little goes a long way, so this product always manages to last on my shower shelf for a surprisingly long time.

Pros: protein-infused; works on all hair types; gentle scent; editor-approved; free of parabens and sulfates

Cons: contains silicones

Customer Review: "Excellent product. I do not even have to condition after using it." -Sally Beauty

Dr. Snehal Amin, a board-certified dermatologist, Co-Founder, and the Surgical Director of MDCS Dermatology, says that shampoos with irritants "often the culprit behind dry scalp." Thus, he recommends this option, explaining that if you’re experiencing dermatitis, scalp acne, itching, or dandruff, you can "try switching to this super gentle formulation, which is free of fragrances, parabens, sulfates, and other harsh ingredients." Because it’s unscented, it’s also great for people of all genders and ages. 

Pros: free of sulfates, parabens, and gluten; dermatologist-recommended; made for sensitive skin; affordable; soothes and repairs scalp

Cons: contains pentylene glycol, which can be a mild irritant for some

Customer Review: "Love this shampoo!!!! It’s a very clean shampoo, I have MANY chemical allergies and this is literally the only shampoo I can use." -Walgreens

Dr. Antonella Tosti, a Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami and the President of the American Hair Research Society, recommends both caffeine and ginseng for hair growth. While the former invigorates hair growth through its famously stimulating effects, the latter provides antioxidants to the scalp area, which she says "are very important to prevent scalp and hair aging and to maintain healthy hair." Remember: Healthy hair requires a healthy scalp! I’ve used this formula myself, and it always lathers well and cleanses effectively.

Pros: affordable; pollution-fighting; contains caffeine

Cons: can be drying

Customer Review: "I have aging hair, so it's getting hard for my hair to grow and remain soft. I like the feel—it gives my hair and breakage has just about ended." -Walmart

I love Neutrogena for their A+ skincare (their moisturizers never fail to balance my combination skin and eradicate sudden breakouts), so it makes sense that the brand produces an effective clarifying shampoo as well. Just as a high quality facial wash cleanses oil and dirt from your face, this clarifying shampoo gently scrubs buildup from your scalp so that your hair looks and feels its best after every wash. Just be sure that you only use your go-to clarifying shampoo sparingly, as these formulas are known to be drying.

Pros: contains castor oil; editor-approved; works with all hair types and textures; clarifying; supports hair growth

Cons: contains propylene glycol

Customer Review: "THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! For months I have been switching shampoos - both drugstore and high-end - trying to get my hair to act right but I just end up smushing around a mop on my head. I finally started to research how my hair was somehow dry yet greasy at the same time. That’s when I learned about product build up. From the second I first used this shampoo, all the oil and buildup immediately broke up - like when you put dish soap into a dirty pan. My hair is actually squeaky clean (literally. It squeaks against my fingers when I rinse it out.) Even when I stepped out of the shower I could immediately see that my hair color was brighter. My hair feels lighter, softer and cleaner. This is wonderful." -Neutrogena