Your soul search is finally over! With hundreds of shampoos on the market, simply choosing the ones without sulfates or parabens is no longer enough. The secret sauce to good hair days starts with your shampoo. And as your fellow curl friend and stylist, I know that not all curls are created the same. But one thing they share is their need for a little extra love and attention, especially when it comes to moisture retention. For that reason, I’ve curated a guide, with 16 of my favs, to help you choose the best shampoo for your curly hair.
*Heads up: This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission from any products purchased directly through the links, at no additional cost to you.
Finding The Best Shampoo For Curly Hair
I’ll admit, it took a lot of trial and error for me to find curl friendly shampoos. But, the fact of the matter is, there are more curly shampoos than ever on the market today. In terms of best, that’s determined by you, the consumer. Equally important, so are your specific curl concerns.
Whether you’re looking for volume, definition, frizz control, shine or breakage, here is
So when it comes to finding the best shampoo for curly hair, here’s the main thing to consider.
Understand Your Scalp & Hair, First
Did you know that shampoo is a cleanser that was made to specifically target your scalp and the hair roots? But it’s also meant to support different hair concerns, too.
Being that you’re seeking out the perfect match, you’ll need to determine if you have an oily, combo/normal, or dry scalp. Here’s some key things to factor in:
If You Have An Oily Scalp
Put down overly moisturizing shampoos. Even if your ends are on the dry end of the spectrum (let your conditioner take care of that).
Finer hair is often associated with an oily scalp due to higher hair density, which means more sebaceous glands- which are responsible for the scalp sebum that gives that greasy look (Katie Thomas, Marie Claire).
With oily scalps, hair close to the root appears shiny, sometimes greasy, and usually requires washing every day. Some might even wash twice a day- which I don’t suggest.
Those with an oily scalp should stray away from overly moisturizing, heavy shampoos. Opt for something that offers a deeper cleanse without completely stripping your scalp’s natural oils.
Look for shampoos that are:
- Volumizing
- Strengthening
- Balancing
- Lightweight
- Gentle Clarifiers
- Good for Daily use
- Silicone-free
These are great, light options to support oily scalps. Plus you can pair with a conditioner that has lightweight moisture specifically for your curl needs.
Combo/ Normal:
You’ll know your scalp is neither oily or dry if you can get away without shampooing for about two to three days before needing to wash. Likewise, you’ll have a much wider variety of shampoos to choose from. Base your shampoo choice on your curl concerns. Are they dry, frizzy or lacking definition? A moisturizing shampoo will do just the trick.
If You Suffer From Dry Scalp
Moisture is your best curl friend! Dry scalps may have a tight feeling after washing due to lack of moisture retention, leading to itchiness and irritation. None of which are good for the curls.
And just because you may suffer from a flaky scalp, doesn’t mean you have dandruff, either. Dandruff is actually caused by excess oiliness and the overgrowth of a specific scalp yeast.
You’ll definitely want to avoid ingredients like sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and sodium chloride. Instead, choose shampoos that are ultra moisturizing, using ingredients like avocado oil, or essential oils like tea tree and lavender that are great for soothing irritated skin.
Here’s my secret tip: try hair oiling to help soothe the scalp while retaining moisture. Not sure how? Check out my hair oiling guide for beginners.
Here’s The Best Shampoo For Curly Hair
Well, sixteen of them to be exact. This list of the ‘best shampoo for curly hair’ is determined by price range, clean or natural ingredients, and company values. Most, if not all, are color-safe, sulfate and paraben-free. Us curly girls gotta have options, right?
1. Davines LOVE Curl Shampoo ($34)
What’s not to love about Davines’ LOVE Curl Shampoo? It adds light moisture to waves or curls to enhance volume, shine, and elasticity. Its gentle cleansing formula allows for your curls to breathe and bounce freely using natural active ingredients.
Did I mention it’s manufactured with 100% clean energy and uses recyclable packaging. Here’s to a shampoo that loves your curls and the environment!
2. Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo ($26)
Tell your frizz to relax and quench your hair’s thirst with Moroccanoil’s Hydrating Shampoo. It’s perfect for fine to medium hair with its moisture-balancing and gentle cleansing formula. Key ingredients like argan oil, red algae, and vitamin e help to nourish and protect from dryness. Not to mention, its signature scent will have your shower feeling like you transported to a Mediterranean resort destination.
3. SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Shampoo ($11.15)
Tropical vibes? Check. Price Point? Check, check.
SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo has been a fan favorite for years. Great for medium to thicker waves, curls and coils. This shampoo uses organic shea butter, coconut oil, along with rosemary and aloe oils to provide the mega hydration your strands need. Hibiscus extracts help with the elasticity of your curl pattern while silk protein and neem oil soften, repair, and increase shine and luster.
4. Ethique Curl Defining Shampoo Bar ($15.99)
If you’re looking to put your best curls forward without harming your wallet or the planet, Ethique’s Professor Curl has got you covered.
Made with a rich blend of shea butter, cocoa butter, and the scent of fresh lemongrass, this pH balanced shampoo bar gently cleanses and won’t dry your curls out. This is a great hydrating option for waves, curls, and coils. But if your scalp leans more on the oily side, you’ll definitely want to opt for something more lightweight.
With sustainability and ethics at its core, their mission goes beyond the root of healthy hair.
5. R+Co Cassette Curl Shampoo ($34)
Ready to put good curl days on repeat? Try R+Co’s Cassette Curl Shampoo. Made with a Superseed Oil complex, you’ll get the benefits of added moisture, strength and shine without a greasy feel. It used hydrogenated castor oil to prevent dry scalp and improve fullness of your curl pattern.
Additionally, it’s vegan, gluten free, color safe and leaping bunny certified. Your curls will be super excited to press play on this curl-defining cassette shampoo.
6. Briogeo Curl Charisma Shampoo ($12)
Your curls will be the reason for turning heads with Briogeo’s Curl Charisma Shampoo. Say good-bye to frizz and hello to curl definition. This lightweight formula uses rice amino acids to protect and seal your hair cuticle from environmental-causing frizz. Shea butter hydrates curls, while tomato fruit ferment retains moisture and definition. To top it off, avocado oil creates luminous shine. Ingredients are 95% naturally derived, vegan, and cruelty-free. Perhaps if curls could talk they might even say this is the best shampoo for fine-medium curly hair.
7. Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control ($49)
Your curls deserve luxury. And Oribe’s Shampoo for Moisture & Control has taken the spotlight.
Aside from its gorgeous, elegant emerald green packaging, this shampoo is formulated with Oribe’s signature complex (Watermelon, Lychee + Edelweiss Flower) to protect your strands from environmental stress, photoaging and keratin deterioration. It adds intense moisture for improved manageability, perfect for those with thick, curly or coily textures.
8. INNERSENSE Organic Beauty Natural Pure Harmony Hairbath Shampoo ($28)
Fueled by uplifting and harmonious ingredients, Innersense’s Pure Harmony Hairbath Shampoo is one way to bring balance into your curly hair rituals. Formulated with coconut, rice bran, pumpkin seed oil and green tea, your hair is sure to receive a gentle cleanse that promotes healing, volume and shine. For that reason, it’s recommended to be used on fine to medium hair types.
9. Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Shampoo (12.99)
Knots and tangles are no threat to Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Shampoo. Infused with a moisturizing and nourishing blend of botanicals, your curly wash days are in for a treat. If you have medium to thick waves, curls, coils, or chemically treated, dry strands, and are looking for a good price point, this is your new go-to. Say no to parabens, paraffin, sulfates, mineral oils, and petrolatum. And say yes to hydrated, soft, and shiny strands.
10. Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo ($26)
Dry hair no more. Amika’s Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo absolutely lives up to its name. Using hyaluronic acid to attract moisture, squalane and polyglutamic acid are the ingredients to retain it. This ultra hydrating shampoo is perfect for dry, coarse or low porosity curls. Proven to add 3x the moisture and reduce damage by up to 50% when paired with it’s conditioner counterpart, your curls are sure to thrive in even the driest of seasons.
11. Kerastase Curl Manifesto Hydration Shampoo ($42)
Kerastase Curl Manifesto Hydration Shampoo puts itself at centerstage when it comes to professional curl care. Manuka honey, ceramides and glycerin contribute to the curl manifesto’s triple threat of hydration, strength, and definition. There’s a reason it was awarded ‘Best Shampoo for Curly Hair’ in 2021 by Women’s Health. From waves to coils, this shampoo is awesome for curls of all textures.
12. Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo ($24)
Humidity doesn’t stand a chance against Ouidad’s Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo. That’s because of their proprietary Anti-Frizz Nano Technology designed to prevent frizz before it starts. As a huge fan of this entire line, I will say it is on the heavier side, though it gently cleanses. For that reason alone, I wouldn’t suggest it for fine curls.
Shea butter, murumuru butter and ceramides, along with a clean floral scent deliver unmatched moisture and curl definition. This shampoo also provides UV protection against heat, environmental stress, and damage. This is for sure a must-have if you’re a curly girl living in high humidity areas.
13. Aluram Moisturizing Shampoo ($20)
If you can’t get enough of clean, conscious hair care, then you’re in for a treat with Aluram’s Moisturizing Shampoo. Specifically made with a coconut water base to infuse strands and scalp with the ultimate hydration, it also ensures softer and stronger hair with each use. Great for medium to coarse curls, this shampoo contains baobab and avocado oil for essential nutrients. Meanwhile biotin and sea buckthorn oil prevent breakage and keep color vibrant and lustrous.
Curls on the finer side? That’s okay. Aluram’s Daily Shampoo uses charcoal to gently cleanse, while pomegranate seeds offer lightweight moisture and shine.
14. Virtue Curl Shampoo ($42)
Patented technology makes Virtue Curl Shampoo a great option that doesn’t dry out your hair or scalp. This shampoo uses keratin protein identical to the keratin found in our hair, skin and nails to repair and maintain your curl’s natural pattern like no other. Protect your curls against humidity, heat, and environmental stressors in exchange for manageable, smooth styles. Frizz-free, healthy curls are quite the virtue, no?
15. NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Texture Curl Shampoo ($11)
NatureLab Tokyo is known for its advanced botanical technology. And it did not disappoint with its Perfect Texture Curl Shampoo. Infused with alpine rose extract, your scalp gets the ultimate protection. Other ingredients like sea grape, lychee and blue algae extract lock in hydration, moisture and shine while softening your curls to improve their health over time. All in all, your waves , curls, or coils of any texture are sure to reap the benefits. Hence, the name.
16. Onesta Plant Based Moisturizing Shampoo ($42.99)
Onesta’s Moisturizing Shampoo uses a blend of plant based ingredients like coconut, amino acids, avocado butter and omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to soothe, moisturize and revitalize your crown. Without a doubt, this shampoo is a great option for color-treated, dry, damaged, or thick curls.
So, there you have it. Finding the best shampoo for your curls is definitely an adventure in and of itself. But, understanding your scalp condition, plus your hair needs is the best place to start. And it’s okay if those concerns change with the seasons, too.
Remember, shampoo is the foundation for great hair. And now you have sixteen of the best ones to choose from ranging in price, ingredients, and characteristics. No matter which one you decide upon, be sure to flaunt those curls for the world to see.