You likely don't think too much about your shampoo. It’s essential, yes. But exciting? Not really.
That said, if today’s best-dressed men can teach us anything, it’s that glossy, groomed lengths are a strong move – and no amount of hair pomade will get you there if you’ve failed to get the foundations right. The best shampoo for you will do more than simply wash away the grime: it’ll calm your scalp, eliminate dryness and flakes – as well as excess oil – and prevent frizz and flyaways.
Here, Kérastase expert and celebrity hairstylist Patrick Wilson reveals everything you need to know before choosing the best men’s shampoo for you.
Do you need to use a specific men’s shampoo?
There are many, many things we’d like to leave behind this year, and while macho branded men's hair products might not be at the front of the line, they're certainly in the queue. A shampoo for men – the kind that looks as though you could buy it in B&Q – will not work any differently on your hair than a regular, everyone-welcome shampoo.
“I don’t think shampoo need necessarily be gendered,” says Wilson. “When I choose a shampoo, I pick something that’s targeted to my specific needs rather than something that’s branded for a male audience. I would look into the claims and benefits and evaluate whether it’s going to help you get a better result.”
How often should you wash your hair?
Theres no clear-cut answer to this one, as the right frequency for you will depend on your hair type, how oily your scalp is, and how often you work up a sweat. “On average I would recommend washing your hair every two to three days,” says Wilson. “But generally, just cleanse your hair as and when it needs it. If your scalp is visibly oily or itchy this is normally due to dirt or product build-up.”
For a quick refresh in-between wash days, a dry shampoo (try this one) will add matte texture and body while absorbing grease.
How to shampoo correctly
Getting the best shampoo for you is the first step towards styling success, but technique plays a role too.
“Apply an amount equal to a 50 pence piece into your palm and distribute it evenly over the scalp, remembering the nape of the neck. Then, using the pads of your finger tips – not your palms – massage in circular motions working around the head. I always recommend doing two shampoos: the first will lift dirt and oil from the scalp and the second will treat and cleanse your hair.”
Is sulphate-free shampoo better?
There’s plenty of hype surrounding sulphate-free shampoos, with some billing the surfactant as a certified Terrible Thing, despite the fact it has been used in personal-care products (including your toothpaste) for decades.
“Sulphates act on the hair surface to remove dirt, sebum and other product residues, and they also have properties that enable the shampoo to lather,” explains Wilson. “This can be drying on the hair and scalp, as the sulphates may strip away too much moisture.”
However, not everyone will need to switch to sulphate-free, and plenty of the best shampoos out there contain a measured level of high-quality sulphates.
“Most people will be fine to use a sulphate shampoo but I would recommend changing if you notice any issues like dryness, a flaky scalp or fall-out,” says Wilson.
How about shampoos for textured hair?
Every different hair type will benefit from a targeted shampoo formula. In particular, it can be tricky to find a shampoo that suits curly and textured hair types, as they tend to be drier, more brittle, and prone to frizz.
“Often it’s a lot of trial and error: something that works great on one client might not work for another,” says Wilson, who recommends finding a product that will “gently cleanse your hair but also condition.”
Here, see the shampoos that deserve a spot in every man's bathroom.
The best shampoo for every man’s hair type
1
Best all-round men's shampoo
Arkive The All Day Everyday Shampoo
1
Best all-round men's shampoo
Arkive The All Day Everyday Shampoo
Affordable shampoos don't always reap rewards, but leading stylist Adam Reed has delivered a formula that belies its price tag. This crowd-pleasing cleanser contains coconut-based surfactants (the good ones) alongside baobab for moisture.
Use less than you think you'll need, and don't expect it to lather: it's designed to sweep away grime without foaming furiously. Trust us, it's better for your head.
2
Best shampoo for volumising
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Volumetry Shampoo
2
Best shampoo for volumising
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Volumetry Shampoo
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Fine hair often falls flat at the root, so a good shampoo is especially important. L'oreal’s deep-cleansing bottle contains salicylic acid (of face-serum fame) to sweep away oil embedded within your follicles. It also works hard to leave your scalp and strands feeling extra clean, in turn delivering better volume, and should buy you an extra day (or two) in-between washes.
No-one likes a rough beard, and the key to keeping yours soft is by using a specialised shampoo. Horace's invigorating blend contains black castor and argan oils to soften coarse facial hair, and is sulphate free so not to upset your delicate complexion beneath.
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The exotic plant oils in Davines' creamy smoothing shampoo work to eliminate that just-washed fluff from the first use. It's brilliant on dry, coarse and damaged strands – if you're growing your hair long, take note too.
If your hair tends to feel greasy before the end of the day, you'll likely benefit from an intensive shampoo, like Redken's invigorating option. The minty formulation not only feels rather nice on a hot and bothered scalp, but contains proteins to help strengthen each strand, too. For hair that feels extra-clean, head here.
6
Best shampoo for irritation and dryness
Act + Acre Hair Cleanse
6
Best shampoo for irritation and dryness
Act + Acre Hair Cleanse
If your issues lie more with your scalp than your strands, it's time to start treating your head extra nicely. Act + Acre considers its thoughtful formulas to be 'skincare for your scalp', with every product designed to alleviate the imbalances that lead to dryness, flaking, and irritation.
The Hair Cleanse is a swift solution for seriously upset scalps: it's sulphate and fragrance free, yet effective enough to remove build-up of oils, styling products and dry skin.
This is no ordinary shampoo, so application takes a little effort: mix the product with water in your hands before applying to your head: you wont get a major lather, but you will emerge with a remarkably clean, calm scalp.
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7
Best shampoo for sensitive scalps
Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo
7
Best shampoo for sensitive scalps
Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo
Infused with coconut oil and skin-kind surfactants, Kiehl's gentle shampoo is the formula to unite us all. It's kind on sensitive scalps, yet sweeps away oil and leaves ends feeling softened, not straggly. Use it daily, if you wish – it won't upset skin or induce frizz.
8
Best thickening shampoo
Aveda Invati Men™ Exfoliating Shampoo
8
Best thickening shampoo
Aveda Invati Men™ Exfoliating Shampoo
Nothing will miraculously turn the tide on a receding hairline, but a good hair thickening shampoo will impart more movement and volume to limp lengths.
Aveda’s acclaimed Invati shampoo uses salicylic acid to unclog follicles and stimulating plant extracts to kick them into gear. It won’t bring long-gone strands miraculously back to life – nothing will – but it will deliver quick aesthetic improvement.
9
Best shampoo for dandruff
Kérastase Symbiose Moisturizing Anti-Dandruff Cellular Shampoo
9
Best shampoo for dandruff
Kérastase Symbiose Moisturizing Anti-Dandruff Cellular Shampoo
While most anti-dandruff shampoos look like something you need to hide in the cupboard under the sink, Kérastase's major new launch combines a science-backed formula with luxury appeal.
The Symbiose shampoos contain piroctone olamine to reduce dandruff-causing bacteria, and salicylic acid to clear existing flakes and excess oil.
There are two to choose from: oily types should opt for the clarifying Bain Puréte, while dry scalps will enjoy the moisturising Bain Créme.
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The sulphate-free shampoos of old were lamented for their lack of lather – but Pureology’s gentle formulations foam up as well as any other. There’s specialist options for blonde or damaged hair, but the Hydrate iteration is a stellar all-rounder.
11
Best shampoo for weakened hair
Ruffians Original Shampoo
11
Best shampoo for weakened hair
Ruffians Original Shampoo
Ruffians' signature shampoo is a great all-rounder, but a particularly strong choice for anyone that finds their hair tends to feel brittle and snap at the ends. It's loaded with minerals and amino acids, which feed each strand, filling in the weakened sections to deliver maximum strength.
12
Best shampoo for textured hair
Dizziak Hydration Wash
12
Best shampoo for textured hair
Dizziak Hydration Wash
Curly and coily hair types should look to a shampoo that conditions while it cleanses. Dizziak's cult-hero Hydration Wash is a heavily moisturising cleanser that sweeps away oil without drying your scalp or strands, leading to defined texture that isn't screaming out for a taming slick of gel.
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13
Best hair growth shampoo
Patricks SH Plus Ultra Thickening Anti Hair Loss Shampoo
13
Best hair growth shampoo
Patricks SH Plus Ultra Thickening Anti Hair Loss Shampoo
There are plenty of hair-growth shampoos out there that promise to deliver noticeable length in a matter of weeks – but not every claim stands up to scrutiny.
However, a shampoo rich in the right nourishing ingredients will help to balance the state of your scalp, ensuring hair can grow at optimal rates.
This active formula contains four clinically tested ingredients designed to boost growth and density: the star inclusion, Redensyl, has been shown to be almost twice as effective as industry standard Minoxidil.
14
Best shampoo for coloured hair
DP Hue Color Fresh Shampoo
14
Best shampoo for coloured hair
DP Hue Color Fresh Shampoo
Whether you’ve gone for a hue-enhancing tint or succumbed to the full Jonah Hill, a bleached head needs special care.
Many shampoos contain foaming agents that gradually strip the pigment in your colour, meaning it fades more quickly than it should. DP Hue's hairdresser-formulated shampoo is entirely 'colour-safe', meaning it'll help keep blondes bright and browns rich for weeks on end.
15
Best invigorating shampoo
MALIN+GOETZ Peppermint Shampoo
15
Best invigorating shampoo
MALIN+GOETZ Peppermint Shampoo
An in-shower tonic for the morning after, Malin + Goetz mint-infused shampoo will do good things for both your hair and your head. It's properly clarifying and lathers well, but won't leave dry strands feeling like hay.