The Best Shampoos for Curly Hair, According to a Curl Expert

Prior to the natural hair movement that sparked an influx of natural hair care brands and curly hair products, people with textured hair used to use the same shampoo as straight-haired folks, resulting in dry, tangled, and hard-to-manage tresses. Now that there’s a myriad of shampoos out there promising to hydrate your curls and deliver the definition of your dreams, it can be hard to sift through the sea of products to find your best match.

Curly hair specialist Brenda Taveras says, “Curly hair can be more complex than straight hair for various reasons [think dryness, frizz, and shrinkage], so it’s important to use a curly product that caters to your individual hair type. For example, if your hair is dry, you’ll want to prioritize a hydrating shampoo, while someone with fine type 2a hair (wavy curls) won’t want to use heavy products that will weigh their curls down.”

Looking for a new shampoo to leave your curls feeling clean and soft without stripping moisture? We’ve rounded up 18 of the best shampoos for curly hair, based on your hair’s needs.

1. Best for Scalp Health:

BRIOGEO HAIR CARE Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

In the quest for perfect curls, we use plenty of leave-in conditioners, gels, and hair oils that can often cause buildup on the scalp—leading to irritation and even blocking hair follicles from growing properly. Insert this exfoliating shampoo to deeply cleanse with detoxifying Binchotan charcoal and to soothe and invigorate your scalp with a blend of peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oils. Alternate this exfoliating treatment in between your standard shampoo and your scalp will thank you!

2. Best with Protein:

SHEA MOISTURE Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo

If your curly hair has been feeling limp or if you’re experiencing excessive breakage, it might be time for a protein treatment. This shampoo is full of hydrating manuka honey, baobab oil, and protein-rich yogurt extract that works to repair damaged hair while also adding necessary moisture. Reach for this shampoo every time your hair needs a pick-me-up.

Pro Tip: While curly hair doesn’t need the frequent clarifying that straighter, oily hair might need, Brenda says, “Shampooing your hair is key to having a healthy and clean scalp. I recommend shampooing your curly hair at least once a week (twice a week at the most) to remove buildup from the products that you apply to your hair. In between, it’s best to use a co-wash to avoid drying out your hair.”

3. Best Gentle Cleanse:

BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY Hair-Wash

Keep things simple with this lightly foaming shampoo that just might be one of the most gentle formulas around. It’s made with deeply nourishing argan oil, aloe vera juice, and Lemon Tree Oil for scalp health. The results? No-fuss hair that is soft, nourished, and smells amazing.

4. Best Anti-Frizz:

KÉRASTASE Bain Oléo-Relax Shampoo

It’s no secret that frizz and volume come as part of the territory of curly hair, but a smoothing shampoo like this one can control frizz in up to 80% humidity while improving shine and overall manageability. It also works to prevent damage for bouncy, defined curls.

5. Best Curl-Defining:

AVEDA Be Curly™ Shampoo

Remember when curly hair was something to tone down? Not anymore. Embrace and define your curls and waves with this shine-boosting formula. It has wheat protein and organic aloe which expands and retracts when hair is dry for defined texture.

6. Best Non-Stripping:

LIVING PROOF Curl Shampoo

When washing your curly hair, the last thing you want to do is strip it of the moisture it needs to maintain manageability and curl definition. This gentle shampoo has a creamy, low lather that takes it easy on your hair while removing product buildup. Plus, It makes your hair 3 times stronger and adds serious slip for easy detangling.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check the ingredient list to make sure that your shampoo isn’t full of products that might deliver instant results but slowly damage your hair. Brandy Taveras recommends avoiding products with high amounts of sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, alcohol, silicone, and formaldehyde to prevent long-term damage.

7. Best Reparative:

OLAPLEX No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

People with all hair textures rave about the transformative results of this pH-balanced shampoo. It has patented technology that protects hair and repairs broken bonds to reduce damaged hair, split ends, and frizz. It’s also color-safe and pH-balanced for noticeably healthier hair.

8. Best for Color-Treated Hair:

BUMBLE & BUMBLE Curl Moisturizing Shampoo

This moisturizing shampoo is full of plenty of curl-loving ingredients, like avocado, coconut, and jojoba oils and nourishing shea and cocoa butter. It’s also sulfate-free, making it a great option for those with highlights and color treatment. Users boast curls that are more defined and incredibly shiny.

9. Best for Type 3 Curls:

KLORANE Shampoo with Organic Cupuacu Butter

If you’re looking for serious hydration but don’t want to risk weighing down your loose curls, this plant-based shampoo has you covered. The creamy formula hydrates dry, brittle hair by improving hair’s water retention. It also strengthens damaged keratin fibers and contains super-nourishing organic cupuacu butter.

10. Best for Type 4 Curls:

EDEN BODYWORKS Coconut Shea Shampoo

Coily-haired beauties—rejoice! While all hair types can benefit from this sulfate-free mild cleanser, Those with tighter textures will especially appreciate this moisturizing formula. Users say that it softens hair and delivers that clean feeling you’re striving for without stripping or drying.

11. Best Hydrating:

COCO & EVE Super Hydrating Shampoo

This hyaluronic-acid shampoo had a lot of hype to live up to with a waitlist that maxed out at 47,000 eager shoppers, but thankfully, this nourishing formula does not disappoint. It’s free of drying sulfates and de-volumizing silicones and is packed full of Balinese botanicals.

Pro Tip: It’s also worth breaking the 4th wall to note that this is a personal new favorite of mine! It made my 3c/4a hair feel so soft and hydrated, plus it smells divine.

12. Best Clarifying:

TWISTED SISTA Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo

The words “clarifying shampoo” might sound like a red flag to those with curly hair, but this unique formula clarifies without stripping or drying your hair. It removes product buildup while also infusing your hair with coconut, avocado, and almond oils to seal in moisture.

13. Best for Sensitive Scalps:

PLAYA Every Day Shampoo

Many cleansers can irritate an itchy, sensitive scalp, but this shampoo contains a naturally-derived cleanser from coconuts called capryl glucoside that delivers a light yet generous foam. Long story short, it’s a savior to sensitive scalps. The formula is also so nourishing that it can be used with or without conditioner, though it’s best to follow with the PLAYA Supernatural Conditioner for intense hydration.

14. Best for Thick Hair:

ORIBE Shampoo for Moisture & Control

Finding a shampoo that’s intense enough to cleanse and hydrate thick hair takes a bit of trial and error, but the search stops here! It instantly moisturizes and even de-volumizes for sleeker hair that is easier to manage. Looking for a co-wash in-between cleanses? Try the ORIBE Cleansing Creme for Moisture & Control.

15. Best Defining:

PACIFICA Pineapple Curls Curl Defining Shampoo

Curl definition is always high on the list of must-have attributes for curly hair, and this shampoo delivers. It’s free of parabens, mineral oil, and other damaging ingredients and helps your natural curl pattern shine with pineapple, argan oil, and quinoa.

16. Best Co-Wash:

TOGETHER BEAUTY Wash & Co

This 98% naturally-derived cleansing conditioner gently cleanses and hydrates your scalp and hair while protecting your color. In fact, it’s so gentle that it can be used as a leave-in conditioner for coily hair. As if that weren’t enough it contains quinoa to strengthen and prevent breakage and mongongo oil to boost shine and protect against sun damage.

17. Best No-Poo:

dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

This apple cider vinegar rinse clarifies your hair and offers a deep cleanse without stripping natural oils. It’s much more gentle than DIY ACV rinses that can smell unpleasant and cause your hair color to fade prematurely, plus it’s fortified with aloe vera, lavender, and olive oil to nourish and extra moisture

18. Best Strengthening:

CURL KEEPER Treatment Shampoo

Rebuild and restore your hair with this curl-conscious shampoo. It’s fortified with panthenol to strengthen hair’s elasticity and prevent breakage, so you can grow longer, healthier hair. This is a great option if your curls have been damaged by heat, highlights, or chemical treatments.

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