The 15 Top-Rated Shampoos You Can Purchase Online

Best Overall

Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo has gained significant popularity in recent times, and the buzz is fully justified. Recommended by Giannetos, it took the top spot on our list for its ability to repair damaged hair while simultaneously fortifying healthy strands. This makes it an ideal choice for those struggling with split ends, as well as anyone seeking a nourishing shampoo for daily use. The formula incorporates exclusive technology that strengthens each hair fiber, helping your hair become stronger and healthier overall. 

This formula is free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, making it suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair. Most importantly, it leaves your hair feeling incredibly soft and smooth, while also helping to control frizz. However, it’s worth noting that the Olaplex shampoo has a thick consistency, so those with very fine hair may find it a bit too heavy. Aside from that, it’s perfect for all hair types and textures.

Size: 8.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate | Hair Types: All

Best Drugstore

Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo is formulated to repair the daily damage hair endures. With its Bio-Restore Complex, it transforms dry and brittle strands into hydrated and smooth hair after just one application. Key ingredients in this rich, foamy shampoo include hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, and soy protein.

Despite containing typically rich moisturizers, Daily Moisture remains surprisingly light and doesn’t weigh down fine or textured hair. It strikes a perfect balance between providing moisture and thorough cleansing, making it a top choice at the drugstore.

Size: 12, 25, or 31 oz. | Key Ingredients: Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine | Hair Types: All

Ideal for Oily Hair

Crown Affair elevates luxury hair care with formulas that are not only effective but also kind to your hair. Perfect for all hair types, The Ritual Shampoo is particularly beneficial for those with oily scalps. Its coconut-based surfactants create a rich lather that effectively removes styling product buildup, excess oils, and dirt, leaving your scalp feeling refreshed and balanced. Tsubaki seed oil provides hydration and enhances shine.

Size: 8.1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Tsubaki seed oil, coconut surfactant system | Hair Types: All

Best for Curly Hair

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 oz. | Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, polymer | Hair Types: Wavy, curly, coily

Best for Natural Hair

Curlsmith is celebrated for its commitment to vegan and cruelty-free products, specifically designed to address the unique needs of natural hair. The Core Strength Shampoo embodies this philosophy, enriched with ingredients such as prickly pear, pumpkin seed oil, and wild rice protein. This curl-boosting cleanser helps strengthen and protect hair from damage, while also enhancing its bounce and shine.

This shampoo creates a light, gentle lather and is free from silicones and artificial dyes, which often weigh down textured hair and irritate the scalp. The fragrance, while subtle, offers a fresh, slightly fruity note, enhancing the overall washing experience.

Size: Available in 12 or 32 oz. | Key Ingredients: Hemp seed and rice protein blend | Hair Types: Suitable for all curl types

Ideal for Color-Treated Hair

Regardless of the color you've chosen for your hair, Color Wow Color Security Shampoo will ensure that it stays vibrant and fresh. The coconut-derived formula gently cleanses your hair without stripping the color, while also creating a thick foam that thoroughly cleanses, leaving no residue behind and making your hair feel thoroughly refreshed.

This shampoo not only provides a deep cleanse for your hair, but also works wonders for your scalp, clearing away dirt and leaving it feeling calm and soothed. The shampoo enhances the shine of your hair, making it look healthier. Suitable for all hair types, including extensions, it may be too drying for those with already dry hair. People without color-treated hair may find it unnecessary as it is specifically tailored for dyed hair.

Size: 8.4 oz. | Key Ingredients: Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium cocoyl glycinate | Hair Types: Suitable for all hair types

Ideal for Fine Hair

Fine hair often gets weighed down by hair products, so it’s important to choose a lightweight shampoo. The Verb Ghost Shampoo is a great option, featuring moringa oil that smooths hair and reduces frizz without adding weight. Additional ingredients include antioxidant-packed green tea extract and nourishing sunflower seed extract to protect and add shine to your hair.

Though ideal for fine hair, this shampoo is suitable for everyone. Editorial director Nicole Lund has straight hair that tends to get heavy with certain products, but she loves this one. "I love how it lathers so well, and it leaves my hair feeling lighter and shinier. The matching conditioner is wonderful, and so is the hair oil!"

Available Sizes: 12 oz. and 32 oz. | Key Ingredients: Moringa oil, green tea extract, sunflower seed extract | Hair Types: Suitable for all hair types

Best for Clarifying

K18's Peptide Prep Clarifying Detox Shampoo features activated charcoal, which absorbs excess oils and removes impurities from the scalp. Combined with salicylic acid that helps control sebum production, this formula ensures a deep cleanse while preserving moisture, unlike many other clarifying shampoos that can leave your hair feeling dry and stripped.

A key ingredient in this formula is the brand's exclusive K18PEPTIDE, which forms a protective barrier that preserves essential proteins in the hair, promoting healthier, more resilient strands. Color-treated hair can also benefit from adding this product to their regimen.

Size: 8.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, salicylic acid, K18PEPTIDE | Hair Types: Suitable for all hair types

Top Choice for Volumizing

Davines’ VOLU line is designed for people with fine or thin hair who desire fuller volume and bounce, without the burden of heavy moisturizing ingredients. This vegan formula is light and foamy, featuring caprauna turnip extract, which provides essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, and vitamins A, B, and C. After use, hair feels noticeably softer, shinier, and more lifted.

Size: 2.5 oz or 8.45 oz. | Key Ingredients: Caprauna turnip extract | Hair Types: Fine hair

Best for Restoring Damaged Hair

If you're dealing with fragile, damaged hair, the Oribe Hair Alchemy Resilience Shampoo is the perfect nourishing solution. Suitable for all hair types and textures, this luxurious shampoo has a lovely honeysuckle fragrance and creates a rich lather for an indulgent shower experience.

A distinctive blend of chia seed, bio-fermented bamboo leaf, and plant-based protein works deep into each strand, repairing the hair cuticle and improving hair's resistance to brushing and styling. Additional perks include a hydrating hyaluronic acid complex and floral extracts that enhance strength and elasticity with every use. Although it's a high-end product, it's definitely worthwhile for short-term use on severely damaged hair.

Size: 8.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Chia seed, bio-fermented bamboo leaf, daisy and honeysuckle extracts, hyaluronic acid | Hair Types: All

Best for Frizzy Hair

Frizz is often a sign of dryness or porous strands. Using a deeply hydrating and reparative shampoo like Vegamour's HYDR-8 Shampoo can make a noticeable difference in the smoothness and health of your hair after drying. Enriched with the brand’s signature vegan silk bonder, Karmatin, the entire HYDR-8 line works to nourish hair both immediately and with continued use, without weighing it down. Added benefits include moisturizing from aloe vera and a soothing effect on the scalp from magnolia bark extract.

This product has a fragrance with notes of jasmine, geranium, and vanilla, making it more sweet and floral than earthy or fresh. This is something to keep in mind if you are sensitive to fragrance. In addition to this, the formula is both vegan and cruelty-free.

Size: 8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Karmatin, aloe vera, magnolia bark extract | Hair Types: All

Best for Thinning Hair

If you’re struggling with thinning hair, where individual strands appear finer, Kérastase Bain Densité is a thickening shampoo worth considering. This formula is ideal for those experiencing thinning hair as it revitalizes, fortifies, and brings vitality back into your locks. With hydrating elements like hyaluronic acid and volumizing gluco-peptides, it works to smooth the surface of each strand, giving your hair an overall fuller appearance.

The shampoo also includes ceramides, which help fortify your hair and prevent future breakage. This ingredient contributes to healthier, shinier strands. As with most beauty products, results may take a few weeks to appear—so be patient and give the product time before deciding whether to continue. However, if you experience worsening conditions or still see no improvement, consulting a trichologist or dermatologist might be a good next step for expert guidance.

Size: 8.5 oz. | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, gluco-peptide | Hair Types: All

Best for Dandruff

While dandruff can arise from various factors, one of the most effective ways to address flakes is by restoring balance to the scalp. Moroccanoil’s Scalp Balancing Shampoo contains salicylic acid and niacinamide, which are known to help regulate oil production and calm irritation—two primary causes of dandruff.

Though focused on scalp health, this shampoo also incorporates the brand's iconic argan oil, ensuring that your hair remains nourished and hydrated. With regular use, you'll notice a reduction in flaking and an increase in shine across all hair types.

Size: 2.4, 8.5, or 33.8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Argan oil, salicylic acid, niacinamide | Hair Types: All

Best for Blonde Hair

Blondes often experience the best of both worlds, especially when they protect their color with a purple shampoo. The bold violet shade of Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Purple Shampoo effectively combats brassy undertones that can emerge weeks after a salon visit, especially when exposed to unfiltered water.

In addition to its vibrant pigments, this formula contains keravis (a strengthening protein) and astaxanthin (a powerful antioxidant) to repair damage caused by excessive bleaching, heat styling, and everyday environmental stressors. Free from SLS and sulfates, this shampoo lathers beautifully and ensures your hair stays fresh and vibrant with each wash.

Size: 9 or 33.8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Keravis, astaxanthin, purple orchid | Hair Types: All

Best for Smoothing

This R+Co shampoo ensures your hair stays hydrated, thanks to key ingredients like babassu seed oil and glycerin. Both of these act as humectants, drawing moisture into your hair, while also giving it a glossy finish. They work together to smooth the hair cuticle, leaving your hair frizz-free and nourished.

The formula may seem thicker than other shampoos, but it quickly turns into a rich lather that effectively cleanses without leaving your hair dry. The absence of sulfates makes this ideal for all hair types, especially for those who regularly bleach or dye their hair.

Size: 1.7, 8, or 33.8 oz. | Key Ingredients: Juniper berry extract, glycerin, babassu seed oil, panthenol | Hair Types: All

Final Verdict

A great shampoo can boost shine and hydrate any hair type, and that's precisely why we love the Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. It’s our top choice because it repairs damage and nourishes dry strands. For a more affordable option, the Dove Beauty Daily Moisture Shampoo provides hydration and cleanses the scalp. Both create luxurious lathers that are incredibly satisfying.

How to Shop for Shampoo Like a Pro

Hair Type

Your hair type plays a crucial role when selecting the right shampoo. It not only influences how often you should wash your hair (every few days for thin to medium hair, or once a week for thick or textured hair), but also affects the overall health of your strands. Many shampoos are designed for all hair types, but others target specific concerns, textures, or types. "I usually recommend identifying what you want to improve—like if your hair feels flat and lifeless," explains Lund. "If there are no obvious concerns, your next step is to focus on your specific hair type and choose a shampoo that complements its texture."

Consider your daily hair care routine and any salon treatments you receive. If you regularly expose your hair to heat, opt for reparative shampoos that can reduce breakage and restore moisture. Those who work out frequently should seek shampoos that focus on the scalp, with an emphasis on clarifying if you use many styling products, like dry shampoo. If you get highlights regularly, the peroxide used can damage your hair shaft. Choose a shampoo that targets this damage or one with pigments that help neutralize brassiness caused by factors like chemicals in unfiltered shower water.

No matter your hair type, be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly to remove any buildup, and follow up with a conditioner to lock in the beneficial ingredients.

Ingredients

Shampoo formulas contain specific ingredients designed to address various hair issues, such as dandruff, thinning hair, and split ends. It's essential to recognize which ingredients can effectively target and reverse the visible effects of each concern. Keep in mind, though, that it's crucial to examine the complete list of ingredients before making your purchase. As Lund points out, 'In cosmetic formulations, one single ingredient is never doing the job alone.' Ingredients are combined to work synergistically, offering the best results for your hair.

For those struggling with dandruff, shampoos that help restore balance to the scalp's microbiome, exfoliate, or provide hydration are key. Effective ingredients include salicylic acid, zinc, apple cider vinegar, and hydrating oils like jojoba. These ingredients also benefit people with oily scalps. To repair damaged hair, look for shampoos containing plant-based protein complexes, shea and cocoa butters, or humectants like glycerin to nourish and strengthen your strands for smoother, more resilient hair.

It’s also important to pay attention to sulfates. While many people think sulfate-free shampoos are automatically better, this isn't always the case. Sulfates are the cleansing agents in shampoo, removing dirt and oil to leave your hair feeling thoroughly cleaned. They have a negative reputation because they can strip hair of moisture and cause color-treated hair to look dull. Therefore, people with colored or fine hair should avoid sulfates, but those with oily or non-colored hair may not have an issue with sulfates in their shampoo.

Fragrance

A variety of shampoos include added fragrances, either naturally sourced from essential oils or created synthetically by brands to build their identity. Regardless of whether the fragrance is natural or artificial, if you're sensitive to scents or additives, it's essential to do your research before purchasing a shampoo.

Brands typically label added fragrances in their product descriptions, but it's always a good idea to check the ingredient list where fragrance specifications are required. Lund notes that 'fragrance is subjective,' and suggests that 'sampling and testing products is a smart way to determine what you like best.' Your hairdresser can also assist by diagnosing your hair needs and providing samples to help you find the perfect shampoo. If shopping in person, you can smell the shampoo directly or use available testers to avoid contaminating products for others.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Grace Parsons. She thoroughly researched a wide selection of shampoos on the market, evaluating them based on hair type recommendations, ingredients, and other factors. Professional hairstylists Dimitris Giannetos and Sarah Lund also shared their expert insights.