According to shampoo commercials, the mark of a good cleanser is its lather. The more bubbles, the better — and boy, was the marketing effective. Up until recently, I would only cherish the shampoos that mimicked one of those ads, lathering up until I turned my hair into a big, frothy, soapy creation.
However, in 2019, we’re fully aware of the fact that lather isn’t necessarily a good thing. A ton of lather is normally an indication of a product having sulfates (including lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and ammonium laureth sulphate) — surfactants that can actually dry your hair and skin out.
Now, that’s not to say that sulfates are bad. "Not everyone needs to use shampoos without them," celebrity stylist Derek Yuen tells us. "Sulfates work to dissolve oils and clean the strands. If you have very oily hair, then a regular shampoo is fine for you." But for chemically-processed hair (including those with keratin treatments, color, perms, and relaxers), sulfates can actually reverse the results of those treatments.
Whatever shampoo you choose is up to you, but if you’re looking for a gentler option, we tapped a few of Hollywood’s top pros to spill the beans on their faves, ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Best For Fine Hair
Seed Phytonutrients Daily Hair Cleanser
This gentle shampoo won’t weigh down fine hair types, and is packed with organic sunflower seed oil to keep strands feeling silky post-rinse. Bonus points for eco-friendly paper packaging.
SEED PHYTONUTRIENTS Daily Hair Cleanser, $24, available at Ulta Beauty
Best For Thick Hair
OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Shampoo
This affordable drugstore buy is packed with nourishing ingredients like coconut milk and coconut oil to quench the thirst of anyone with thick, dryness-prone strands.
OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Shampoo, $9.84, available at Walmart
Best For Color-Treated Hair
Love Beauty And Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Shampoo
Organic coconut oil and rose petals not only make for a delightful sensorial experience in the shower, but both help offer a gentle cleanse while maintaining your color.
Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Blooming Color Shampoo, $6.94, available at Walmart
Best For Natural Hair
Form Beauty Gentle shampoo
Personalized haircare is on the rise, and this new system has lots of pros excited. You may not have heard of Form, a customizable hair system that launched last year, but we love it because it creates bespoke shampoo, conditioner, and styling products specific to your needs. Just take a short survey to find your personalized regimen, which comes with an explanation on how each product works. We especially love the brand’s gentle, sulfate-free shampoo, recommended for those transitioning from relaxed to natural hair.
form beauty Cleanse. Shampoo, $22, available at Sephora
Best For Dry Hair
Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Shampoo
"Aveda does a moisturizing shampoo that’s kind to the hair and scalp," celeb hairstylist Sheridan Ward says. "The products don’t just smell great… they work, and the packaging is gorgeous."
Aveda dry remedy Moisturizing Shampoo, $32, available at Nordstrom
Best For Overworked Natural Hair
Carol’s Daughter Rhassoul Clay Sulfate-Free Shampoo
One too many wash and gos? Once a week, cleanse with this clay- and aloe juice-spiked shampoo for a deep clean that’s also gentle.
Carol’s Daughter Rhassoul Clay Sulfate-free Shampoo, $10, available at Target.com
Best For Blondes
R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Shampoo
"This brightens the hair, eliminates brassiness, and kicks up grays to silver," John Ruggiero, who works with Chrissy Teigen and Ashley Bell, says.
R+Co Sunset Blvd Blonde Shampoo, $29, available at DermStore
Best For Heat Damage
Living Proof Restore Shampo o
Living Proof’s Restore Shampoo is made with a proprietary hydrating ingredient that helps repair damaged hair cuticles and boost moisture levels to protect against breakage.
Living Proof Restore Shampoo, $29, available at Ulta Beauty
Best For Damaged Hair
Shu Uemura Color Lustre Sulfate-Free Brilliant Glaze Shampoo
"It’s gentle, but still feels rich and moisturizing enough for parched strands," Yuen says.
Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Color Lustre Sulfate-Free Brilliant Glaze Shampoo, $48, available at Violet Grey
Best For Frizzy Flyaways
Ouai Smooth Shampoo
"Sulfates not only allow shampoos to form a thick lather, but they can be drying, too," Caile Noble, who works with Sofia Carson, says. And with dryness comes breakage — and no texture wants that. This shampoo will help hair lay smooth once dry — and won’t dry out your ‘do.
Ouai Smooth Shampoo, $28, available at Sephora
Best For Dull Hair
Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Moisturizing Lather Shampoo
"It has a moisturizing lather and feels luxurious," Ward says of this shine-inducing formula. "Plus, it hydrates the hair while it cleans and a little goes a long way."
Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Moisturizing Lather Shampoo, $22, available at Ulta Beauty
Best For A Budget Buy
Aveeno Active Naturals Pure Renewal Shampoo
"This is infused with naturally-derived cleansing extracts including seaweed," Ward says. "It works best at balancing the hair’s moisture levels."
Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo with Seaweed Extract, $5.97, available at Walmart
Best For Coarse Curls
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo
Ruggiero says that this formula automatically transforms the most brittle hair, leaving it soft, silky, and smooth.
Bumble and bumble Bb.Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo, $31, available at Ulta Beauty
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Source: Refinery29 – Khalea Underwood