Some of the year's best shampoos and conditioners come from Pureology, Briogeo, Olaplex, Shu Uemura and Kevin Murphy.
Uncovering the best shampoo and conditioner for your specific hair needs can feel overwhelming — there are so many products available, choosing just one for all your follicular needs can feel like a shot in the dark. At least it often feels that way to me. According to stylist Willa Ashley, lead colorist at the Hairrari Salon in Los Angeles, I'm not alone in my shampoo/conditioner confusion. "Finding a quality product that works for you, unfortunately, can take some trial and error," she explains.
Over the past few months, I tried dozens of shampoos and conditioners. And I talked to renowned stylists about which products they recommend to their clients and why. Finally, because first-person reviews and word of mouth are often a trusted, reliable way to make these decisions, I consulted my shopping-expert colleagues about their tried-and-true favorites — the shampoos and conditioners they could not live without. Herewith, the best shampoos and conditioners for every hair type and hair condition we found. (No time for a full wash? Check out our picks for the best dry shampoos.)
Note: Most shampoos and conditioners work best in tandem. Unless otherwise noted, when we recommend a shampoo from a brand's line, we're fans of the conditioner too and vice versa.
Best for dry scalp and (light) dandruff
Update, July 8, 2025: We’ve confirmed current pricing and availability for all products. Our top picks remain unchanged.
Whether your hair is damaged from over-bleaching, chemical treatments or too much heat styling, the right shampoo can go a long way to bringing it back to a healthy state and reducing wear and tear like split ends. "People struggling with breakage or dry hair should focus on products with a lot of hydration," says Tylor Johnson, the ultra-popular San Francisco colorist and founder of Nous Haircare. "You need reparative ingredients — like peptides and proteins."
Key ingredients: K18Peptide | Hair type: All hair types | Sulfate-free: Yes | Scent: Clean, citrus | Size: 8.5 ounces
Celebrity-favorite brand K18 was recommended by almost every stylist I spoke with for this story and you can see why: It's one of the best, most hair- and scalp-nourishing shampoos I've ever tried. It's good for all hair types and has a proprietary blend of peptides, which can work as a protective shield to reduce the damage hair endures during washing and styling — a formulation that makes it safe enough for daily use.
Key ingredients: Amino-bond complex, a marine botanical blend and mafura butter | Hair type: Brittle, damaged hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Scent: Grapefruit, oatmeal | Size: 12 ounces
This wildly well-reviewed bonding shampoo is from up-and-coming line Verb, which is known for its affordable, high-quality hair-care products. My stylist says she uses this as an Olaplex dupe for damaged hair.
If you have fine hair like mine, I've heard great things about the Verb Ghost Shampoo, too.
Key ingredients: Argan oil | Hair type: Dry, frizzy hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Scent: Mandarin, jasmine, grapefruit, rose and freesia | Size: 8 ounces
"My favorite shampoo and conditioner set for curly and textured hair is Press Agent by Mizani," says Edmonds. "It's a great shampoo and conditioner for weekly or biweekly use because it's sulfate-free and lightweight. Plus it's infused with argon oil, agave extract and a UV filter to protect from the sun. It also blocks humidity and protects the hair from heat damage."
Key ingredients: Coconut oil | Hair type: Curly hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Scent: Coconut, Mango | Size: 8.5 ounces
For a drugstore pick, this duo has a lot going for it: It's free of the harsh salts, surfactants and sulfites found in many budget brands. It contains coconut oil, which is both ultra-hydrating for drier curls and increases shine. It's safe for color-treated and chemically processed hair and, according to reviewers, when used in tandem, the products hold curls for days. One downside: If your hair is thinning or ultra-fine, the oils may weigh your strands down.
Key ingredients: Rosehip oil, algae extract, shea butter | Hair type: Dry, damaged hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 16 ounces
My Yahoo Shopping colleague Jeanine Edwards has been relying on this cult-favorite conditioner for the past three years: "It's hydrating and nourishing for dry, curly/coily/kinky hair. It has a nice smell, but it isn't overpowering. It leaves my hair softer, with less frizz, so it's easier to manage. I also really like that it's 95% natural."
Edwards says this particular Briogeo conditioner is ideal if your curly hair is brittle, as the formula itself is thick and creamy. One caveat: "It's expensive, so I have to wait until it goes on sale to stock up," she says.
Key ingredients: Moringa seed oil, arginine, keratin | Hair type: Colored hair, normal hair | Sulfate-free: No | Size: 10.1ounces
"Since I started dying my hair, I’ve been trying to prioritize products that extend the color (or that are at least color-proof)," says Yahoo Shopping editor Kristin Granero. "Joico's Defy Damage line is formulated with moisturizing ingredients like moringa seed oil and arginine for preserving dry or damaged strands, leaving ends smooth and shiny. The brand also offers a protective spray and mask for further protecting the hair."
Key ingredients: Elastin protein, quinoa| Hair type: Colored hair, normal hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 13.5 ounces
This nourishing combo from beloved brand Nexxus promises serious color-staying power with zero fading after dozens of washes. Reviewers say the sulfate-free formula is hydrating, extra-softening and gentle. Says one: "It's been an absolute game-changer for my color-treated hair!"
Key ingredients: Lime caviar | Hair type: Colored, fine and normal hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 33.8 ounces
Colorist Willa Ashley says she's used Wella's shampoos and conditioners (here's where to buy the Wella Professionals Invigo Brilliance Conditioner) frequently on her color-treated clients' hair — with stellar results. "Wella," she says, "is a company that invests in research and produces shampoos and conditioners with high-quality ingredients that are gentle on the hair and scalp."
Key ingredients: Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate | Hair type: Color treated hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 8.5 ounces
I'm not the biggest fan of the famous, celebrity-favorite Olaplex No. 4 shampoo, but I must admit its formula for blond hair is a standout. It's rich, but won't weigh your hair down, emollient, but not over-grease-ifying. Plus, it works magic to maintain cool blond hues and keep them from developing dreaded brassiness.
Key ingredients: Sage leaf extract, green tea, multi-weight proteins | Hair type: Thick, dry or damaged hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Scent: Mint and menthol | Size: 9.8 ounces
Yahoo Shopping deputy editor Izabella Zaydenberg recommends this color-safe conditioner for when you want extra hydration without the heaviness or commitment of a mask. "It leaves my hair more manageable. I swear it helps with smoothness, too, plus my hair doesn't feel as frizzy after I use it," she says. "It's definitely a little thick but not to the point of weighing my hair down."
Key ingredients: Keratin, apple cider vinegar | Hair type: All hair types | Sulfate-free: No | Scent: Floral | Size: 10 ounces
My colleague Julia Webb brought this stellar shampoo to my attention last week: "My hair gets greasy quickly, so I tend to use dry shampoo to prolong wash days — Ouai's Detox Shampoo is how I combat product buildup. It smells great and leaves my hair feeling super clean, but not totally stripped. I use it after I do any slicked-back hairstyle — gel, pomade, and hair spray are no match for this formula."
Note: This is a powerful clarifying shampoo and is not for dry or damaged hair; it is best used once or twice per week, even on sturdier strands.
Key ingredients: Vitamin E, aloe vera, chamomile and calendula | Hair type: Dry hair | Sulfate-free: No | Scent: Lemon | Size: 11 ounces
If you're an organic girl who wants to avoid chemicals while still maintaining a grease-free coiffure, this is the product for you. It's made of plant-based ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile and calendula for combating oil, along with lemon oil and cedarwood oil to help soothe your scalp. Bonus: It's mild enough for the entire family and excellent for everyday use.
Key ingredients: Moringa oil | Hair type: Fine, all hair types| Sulfate-free: Yes | Size: 12 ounces
This truly weightless duo does it all: cleans, hydrates, detangles, smooths and softens without a speck of residue — like the name suggests, it's ghostlike, leaving behind results with a presence that's barely there. One caveat: I had zero problems with this, but a few reviewers with fine and greasy hair found the formulation to be a bit too oily.
Key ingredients: Ginger extract, Vitamin E, coconut oil | Hair type: Thin, fine, oily hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Scent: Clean, floral | Size: 12 ounces
This multiple-award-winning social media sensation hair-care line is dermatologist-tested and free from harsh chemicals like parabens and phthalates. It's packed with scalp-nourishing natural ingredients like coconut oil and vitamin E and, when used in combination, was particularly effective for both leaving the hair at the crown of my head bouncy and clean and moisturizing my dry ends. My only downside: The extremely cute 12-oz. bottles are a bit small and you have to re-up frequently.
A fragrance-free duo that's also hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, these shampoo and conditioning formulas (here's where to buy Nécessaire the Conditioner) are not only tested by dermatologists, they've also received the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association.
Key ingredients: Keratin | Hair type: Brittle hair and irritated scalp | Sulfate-free: Yes | Scent: Melon | Size: 16 ounces
Cindy Crawford's "strengthening" shampoo is not made for fine or thin hair per se, but it's ultra-lightweight and leaves one's whisper-fine strands feeling sturdier somehow — less like thin, limp threads and more bouncy, like floss. I've been using it on and off for months and found it's unexpectedly truly excellent for aging and/or thinning hair.
Key ingredients: Selenium Sulfide 1% | Hair type: Dandruff | Sulfate-free: No | Scent: Coconut | Size: 11 ounces
My colleague Jeanine Edwards says she's been using this gold-standard dandruff shampoo for longer than she can remember: "After I had a baby, my scalp got so dry and flaky and this is the only shampoo that keeps the flakes and itch at bay. I get my hair done at a salon and I'm the person who brings their own shampoo because I refuse to use anything else. It doesn't really have a strong scent and it isn't overly tingly on the scalp, but it really has worked for me to get rid of dandruff and flakes and itchiness and prevent them from coming back." Looking for other options? Check out our full list of the best anti-dandruff shampoos.
Key ingredients: Pyrithione Zinc 1% | Hair type: All types | Sulfate-free: No | Size: 12.5 ounces
"Every once in a while, I experience a hair rut where it seems like I just can’t manage to get my hair clean and this is one of the few shampoos I’ve tried that does the job effectively," says my colleague Kristin Granero. "The apple cider vinegar works to detox the hair and scalp and clear out gunk along the way. It’s formulated to help tackle dandruff — and it smells really fresh; subtly sweet!"
Key ingredients: Ketoconazole 1% | Hair type: All types | Sulfate-free: No | Scent: Fresh, clean scent | Size: 7 ounces (shampoo), 9.4 ounces (conditioner)
This dermatologist-approved shampoo is made with the antifungal agent ketoconazole — it's the only over-the-counter formula you can buy that contains this prescription-grade dandruff-fighting ingredient. Also good: You use it for a limited time (three to four times a week for a few weeks) and it's designed to be powerful enough to clear things up quickly.
Key ingredients: Biotin and collagen | Hair type: All hair types, fine or thin | Sulfate-free: No | Size: 13 ounces
This ultra-hydrating, super-gentle, sulfate-free shampoo contains vitamins and proteins to help repair damaged strands while detangling and adding loads of body and shine. High-quality, easy-to-find and budget-friendly, it's hands down the best shampoo we found at this price point.
Key ingredients: Manuka honey, ceramides | Hair type: Curly hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Scent: Floral Manifesto | Size: 8.5 ounces
For decades, Kerastase has been a trusted brand for professional stylists around the globe, especially across Europe where it's somehow much more affordable than it is here. Its ultra-creamy Curl Manifesto shampoo does all the things you want: softens strands, reduces frizz and enhances curl shape while cleansing your hair and scalp of any product buildup. The downside is it's expensive but it works so well on curly, coiled and very curly hair, and experts say you can mix and match it with a less expensive conditioner.
Key ingredients: | Hair type: Oily hair | Sulfate-free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: 28 ounces
The hero ingredients of these surprisingly high-quality drugstore finds are vitamin C and Glycine, which naturally help break down scalp residue, while leaving behind hair's original shine. The formula is silicone-free but still lathers well, and renders previously too-greasy-to-manage strands bouncy and soft.
"Women with textured hair should look for a few specific things in shampoos," says Jamal Edmonds, head stylist, owner and creative director of the popular Washington, D.C. salon Lamaj in the City. "First, if you're trying to find a 'clarifying shampoo,' make sure it is infused with natural oils and won’t strip hair color or dry the hair out. If you are looking for a moisturizer," Edmonds explains, "make sure that it’s also infused with natural oils, free from sulfates and mineral oils. Sulfates dry the hair out and mineral oils can coat the cuticle and not allow styling products to penetrate."
Whether you're laying out cash to have your hair colored professionally or DIY-ing at home, you want shampoos and conditioners that will maintain the pigment and vibrancy and extend the life of whatever hue you choose. Stylists recommend gentle products free of harsh chemicals, including — you guessed it— those with sulfates that tend to leave things extra parched, which can be dangerously damaging post-bleach or post-dye. And avoid clarifying shampoos, many of which can be too harsh for a dyed mane.
Greasy hair requires more frequent washing but not with just any shampoo. Here's why: Harsh, drying formulas may solve one problem but bring on another, leading to dull follicles, brittleness and extra-dry ends. And, while an oily scalp may be caused by genetics, skin conditions and/or overuse of products, it's often simply the result of excess sebum (the pesky skin oil that also causes face pimples). True, the best shampoos and conditioners for oily hair contain stronger cleaning agents to absorb grease, but they also need enough fortifying ingredients to remain gentle.
Though it's not something most of us like to talk about, the majority of men and women will experience hair thinning; more than half of all women over 50 have thin or thinning hair. And while none of these shampoos and conditioners will help your hair grow (you'll need hair-growth products for that), they will help solve the biggest thin-hair problems: strengthening and detangling extra-fine, knotty strands and lending volume and bounce to a limp, flat mop. And if these don’t do the trick, we have a whole list of the best products for thinning hair.
While more serious scalp conditions like psoriasis may require a prescription shampoo to heal (and a physician visit to diagnose), garden-variety dandruff is often resolved by investing in a quality over-the-counter solution. Keep in mind, our reviewers are not medical experts, but they found the following to be effective for everyday scalp itchiness and flakes.
Key ingredients: Understanding key ingredients and their utility (such as keratin, argan oil or biotin) will help you choose shampoos and conditioners tailored to specific hair needs, whether that’s strengthening, hydration or volume.
Hair type: Considering whether your hair is oily, dry, curly, straight or color-treated should be the first step in finding products with formulas designed to address your hair's unique characteristics and requirements.
Sulfate-free: Opting for sulfate-free options will minimize any stripping of your hair’s natural oils and is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive scalps or chemically treated hair that is prone to dryness or damage.
Scent: The fragrance of your shampoo and conditioner can enhance the overall experience, but could also make things worse and cause irritation for those who are sensitive to strong scents.
Size: The size of each shampoo or conditioner bottle will go a long way in helping to determine whether you can afford a particular brand for the long haul.
Truth is, in choosing hair care, no one product fits all. "When looking for a perfect shampoo and conditioner, it really depends on your hair texture and the state that it's in," says Johnson. "Knowing those two things is what's truly most important." However, Ashley adds: "There are a few things for everyone to look out for: avoid harsh sulfates, parabens and synthetic fragrances."
Most products on this list will have specific instructions for how long to leave in your hair before rinsing. Be sure to read before applying. Most recommend 1-2 minutes for shampoo and 2-3 minutes for conditioner. After you've rinsed everything out, you can add an extra round of nourishment for your hair by applying a leave-in conditioner which, as the name implies, you don't rinse out, but instead leave in your hair before styling — check out our list of the best leave-in conditioners.
This is a personal decision based on your scalp and hair health. For most people, it’s typically to wash your hair every 2-3 days. Of course those with especially oily hair might want to shampoo more often whereas those with dry hair might want to go longer between washes. Experiment to see what works best for you.
Shampoo is typically first because it works to clean the hair by removing oil, grease and product build up. Conditioner then works to treat clean hair by sealing in moisture and nutrients while working to detangle your locks.
Willa Ashley, lead colorist at the Hairrari Salon in Los Angeles
Tylor Johnson, the colorist and founder of Nous Haircare in San Francisco
