Looking for a great drugstore shampoo? You've come to the right place!
We know how important it is to find the perfect shampoo, and we want to help you find it. That's why we've put together this list of the five best drugstore shampoos available today for different hair types.
Each of these affordable drugstore shampoos is sure to leave your hair looking and feeling its best. Whether you're looking for a shampoo to tame curly hair, add volume to thin hair, give you smooth hair or simply cleanse your scalp, we've got you covered.
Click on any of the links below to learn more about each individual product!
We take the guesswork out of finding the best products. Each product was individually selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to try out for ourselves and some we combed through thousands of reviews to find, but all opinions in this article are our own.
P.S. LindsaysReviews may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something at no extra cost to you (that's how we stay in business and keep bringing you the best finds to save you time).
How We Pick the Best Drugstore Shampoo For You
It can be hard to find the best drug store shampoo for your hair type.
You might end up trying a lot of different shampoos before finding one that works well for you, and that can get expensive.
We've done the hard work for you and read through thousands of reviews from customers just like you to find the best drugstore shampoos for each hair type. These picks are designed to work for specific hair types. Whether you have curly hair, thick hair, fine, dry and damaged or colored hair, we have an affordable drugstore shampoo to fit your needs.
Garnier Hair Care Fructis Triple Nutrition Curl Nourish Shampoo
Garnier Hair Care Fructis Triple Nutrition Curl Nourish Shampoo
Best for Curly Hair
Why It’s Our Top Pick
Looking for a gentle, sulfate-free and silicone-free shampoo that will nourish your curly hair and improve your hair health? Look no further than Garnier Hair Care Fructis Triple Nutrition Curl Nourish Shampoo! This fortifying shampoo is an excellent shampoo for curly hair enriched with coconut oil, jojoba oil and macadamia oil to provide a gentle cleanse that doesn't strip your hair type of it's natural moisture. With this hydrating formula your curls will be left feeling soft, bouncy and full of life. So go ahead and let your wavy hair down - it's time to show off those gorgeous locks with a shampoo at an affordable price point!
All The Details
If you're looking for a hair care line that is a silicone-free and sulfate free formula, then you'll want to check out Garnier Hair Care Fructis Triple Nutrition. This unique formula contains a combination of nourishing ingredients including citrus protein, Vitamins B3 & B6, fruit & plant-derived extracts and strengthening conditioners including coconut oil. Together, these ingredients work to revitalize your curly hair, leaving it looking and feeling its best. Plus, the refreshing scent of citrus will leave your hair smelling great all day long. So if you're searching for a hair care line that's gentle on your hair and free of harsh chemicals, then give Garnier Hair Care Fructis Triple Nutrition a try.
SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo for Dry, Damaged Hair
SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo for Dry, Damaged Hair
Best for Dry and Damaged Hair
Why It’s Our Top Pick
Do you have damaged or dry hair that's in desperate need of some rich hydration? Look no further than Shea Moisture's Intensive Hydration Shampoo. This moisturizing shampoo is packed with restorative oils that will help to revitalize and soften damaged hair. And since it's sulfate free, it's gentle enough for even the most sensitive scalp. So say goodbye to dry hair and damaged natural hair with this nourishing formula and hello to soft, healthy locks!
All The Details
This sulfate free shampoo contains three key ingredients to soften hair: Manuka Honey, Mafura Oil, and Fig Extract. All three of these gentle cleansers are known for their moisturizing properties. Manuka honey is a type of honey that is produced in New Zealand. It is known for its ability to lock in moisture, making it an ideal ingredient for a moisturizing shampoo. Mafura oil is a type of oil that is extracted from the African tree of the same name. It is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, making it highly nourishing for dry hair. Fig extract is obtained from the fruit of the fig tree. It contains vitamins A and C, which are beneficial for the health of dry scalp. Together, these three ingredients work to deeply moisturize dry hair and scalp.
BIOLAGE Volume Bloom Shampoo | Lightweight Volume & Shine | For Fine Hair | Paraben Free & Silicone-Free | Vegan
BIOLAGE Volume Bloom Shampoo | Lightweight Volume & Shine | For Fine Hair | Paraben Free & Silicone-Free | Vegan
Best for Fine Hair
Why It’s Our Top Pick
Looking for a drugstore shampoo that will give your fine or thin hair some extra oomph and not weigh hair down? BIOLAGE Volume Bloom Shampoo is inspired by nature's expanding cotton flower to plump up your hair and give it long-lasting, bouncy volume with the appearance of thick hair. This gentle affordable shampoo cleanses with minimal stripping, and adds lightweight volumizing shine. So your hair looks fuller and healthier with every wash. It's the perfect shampoo for fine hair that needs a little boost!
All The Details
If you're looking for a volumizing shampoo that's gentle on your hair and kind to the environment, look no further than this silicone and paraben free shampoo. This vegan shampoo is packed with naturally based ingredients that help to plump up fine hair, giving it a long lasting bounce.
To complete your haircare routine, don't forget to follow up with the best conditioners for fine hair after you wash.
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Rebalancing Shampoo
Why It’s Our Top Pick
This unique drugstore shampoo is formulated with 3 refined clays that instantly purify oily roots and hydrate dry hair, leaving your hair with a deep clean that will have it looking and feeling its best. Whether you have oily roots and dry ends, or just need a clarifying shampoo to remove product build-up, this one is perfect for you. It's also great for those who don't like to wash their hair every day - it'll help keep your scalp feeling fresh and your hair looking clean. Plus, it has a refreshing scent that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
All The Details
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Shampoo is formulated with a unique blend of 3 pure clays: Kaolin, Montmorillonite, and Ghassoul. These clays work together to deeply cleanse hair and remove excess oil. Kaolin clay works to absorb excess oil and impurities from the scalp, while Montmorillonite clay gently exfoliates the scalp to remove build-up. Ghassoul clay helps to hydrate dry lengths and leave hair feeling silky-smooth.
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo, for Color Treated Hair, Shampoo with Linseed Elixir and Anti-Oxidants, for Anti-Fade, High Shine, and Color Protection
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo, for Color Treated Hair, Shampoo with Linseed Elixir and Anti-Oxidants, for Anti-Fade, High Shine, and Color Protection
Best for Color Treated Hair
Why It’s Our Top Pick
Looking for a drugstore shampoo to help keep your colored hair looking vibrant? Look no further than L'Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy Protecting Shampoo. This shampoo is formulated with anti-oxidants and UV filters to help restore dull hair and protect against color fade. With up to 60 days of sealed-in color vibrancy, your hair will thank you for using this shampoo.
All The Details
The L’Oreal Paris Elvive Color Vibrancy system is designed to protect your hair color and provide high-shine for up to 8 weeks. The system features Linseed Elixir and Anti-Oxidants [UV] to help keep your color looking vibrant. The shampoo and conditioner are also formulated with a floral, creamy scent that will leave your hair smelling great. In addition, the shampoo and conditioner are both gentle enough for daily use.
Best Drugstore Shampoo FAQs
Shampoo can be confusing. There are so many types, and it's hard to know which one is right for your specific hair type and hair concerns.
Even if you've been using the same shampoo for years, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. Shampooing and conditioning your hair properly is essential to keeping it healthy and looking great.
We've put together this list of the most frequently asked questions about shampoo so that you can make sure you're using the right product for your hair type.
Does shampoo really make a difference?
Yes, shampoo can definitely make a difference. It's not just about cleaning your hair – although that's certainly one of its functions – but about choosing the right type of shampoo for your hair type. If you have oily hair, you'll want to choose a good shampoo that is designed to remove excess oil; if you have dry hair, you'll want to choose a shampoo that will add moisture. In general, it's a good idea to switch up your shampoo every few months or so, to ensure that you're getting the most out of it.
What is the difference between salon and drugstore shampoo?
Drugstore shampoo is typically much cheaper than salon shampoo, and it's not as concentrated. Salon shampoos also tend to be more concentrated, so you don't need to use as much. Drugstore shampoo also usually doesn't contain as many natural ingredients as salon shampoo but can still be a high quality shampoo.
How often should you wash your hair?
There is no one definitive answer to this question since everyone's hair type and daily routine is different. However, a good rule of thumb is to wash your hair every other day or 2-3 times per week at most.
Overwashing your hair can strip your scalp and lead to irritation, dry scalp, and frizz. Washing your hair too often can also cause it to become greasy and weighed down. If you have oily scalp, try using a clarifying shampoo once a week to help remove excess sebum. If you have dry hair, use a gentle shampoo and conditioner that are pH balanced for the scalp and designed for dry or damaged hair.
Are expensive shampoos better than cheaper ones?
Not necessarily. More expensive shampoos often contain more expensive ingredients, but that doesn't mean they're better for your hair.
The best shampoo is the one that's best suited to your hair type.
Are sulfate free shampoos better?
The jury is still out on this one. Some people say that sulfate free shampoos are better because they don't contain any harsh sulfates that may strip away natural oils from the scalp, while others say that sulfates are necessary to create a good lather and cleanse the hair properly.
If you find that your hair type feels oily or greasy after using a sulfate free shampoo, then you might want to switch back to a shampoo that contains sulfates. On the other hand, if you feel like your scalp is always dry and itchy after using a shampoo with sulfates, then you might want to try switching to a sulfate free shampoo.
Do you need special shampoo for colored hair?
Not necessarily. Colored hair can be shampooed with any type of shampoo, but it's important to use a shampoo that is gentle and devoid of harsh chemicals.
Many shampoos marketed specifically for color-treated hair contain ingredients that are designed to protect your hair from the damaging effects of the coloring process. However, if you don't have a specific color-treated shampoo on hand, you can always use a gentle, pH-balanced shampoo that is free of sulfates and other harsh chemicals.
Can I use soap instead of shampoo?
Yes, you can use soap instead of shampoo. However, it is important to note that soap is a harsher cleanser than shampoo and can strip away the oils from your hair and scalp, which can lead to dry hair and scalp irritation.
How do you properly wash your hair?
There are a few key things to remember when washing your hair: only use shampoo on the scalp, avoid scrubbing the scalp too hard, and be sure to rinse thoroughly.
Shampoo is meant to be used on the scalp only—not the ends of your hair. Scrubbing your scalp too hard can damage your hair and make it more prone to breakage. And finally, make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly after shampooing—leaving any residual shampoo behind can leave your hair feeling greasy and dirty.
How much shampoo should I use?
It depends on the length and thickness of your hair. A general rule is to use a quarter-sized dollop for short hair, half a dollop for shoulder-length hair, and one dollop for long hair. You may need to adjust depending on the type of shampoo you're using. For instance, if your shampoo is very thick, you may need more than one dollop.
When you're first starting out, it's a good idea to err on the side of using too little shampoo rather than too much. You can always add more if needed, but it's harder to undo excess sudsing! Be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly after washing to remove all the shampoo.
What happens if you rarely shampoo?
If you rarely shampoo, your hair will start to feel oily and greasy. The natural oils from your scalp will accumulate on the hair shafts, making your hair look dirty and greasy. In addition, the accumulation of oils can lead to scalp acne.
To keep your hair looking clean and healthy, it is important to shampoo regularly. Shampooing helps remove the oils from your scalp and hair shafts, leaving your hair looking shiny and healthy.
Best Drugstore Shampoo For You
So, what’s the best drugstore shampoo for you? The answer to that question will vary from person to person based on your specific hair type, but we’ve tried our best to provide a variety of the best options for you to choose from based on reading thousands of reviews.
We hope you found this information helpful and that it will help you get the best possible hair possible for the most affordable price.
All you have to do now is just tap the pink buttons to check the best prices on Amazon for our favorite drugstore shampoos.
If you love value at an affordable price, check out these other articles!
Lindsay Sewell
Lindsay Sewell
Lindsay Sewell
Lindsay Sewell
Member discussion