When it comes to strong, healthy, and shining hair, the key lies in both internal health and external application. We have the power to choose the right product which helps in giving a foundational bae to the haircare. One such product is choosing the right shampoo for your hair. And the common question that pops us is: “Which shampoo is best for hair?”. This generally seems to be confusing since there are a lot of options available in the market.
In this blog, you will be able to pick the right shampoo for your hair irrespective of price or flashy labels. Ensure to understand scalp type, hair type, and the needs of your hair, since that is the one which sets base for your hair.
Which Shampoo is Best for Hair?
When it comes to shampoo, their main role is to cleanse your hair and scalp. Especially when you pick a right shampoo, they help in:
-
Removing the oil, dirt, and product build-ups in the skin.
-
Gives a balanced scalp environment
-
Helps hair to create a base for treatments and conditioning effects.
-
Works on promoting scalp and hair length.
Since there are a lot of shampoos available in the market, choosing one might be really hard. Initially, you must analyze the scalp type, hair type, and then choose ones which will contribute to your overall scalp health.
How to Decide Which Shampoo Is Best for Your Hair
This is one of the common and most confusing parts which most of us get triggered. But before that, here are simple and generic questions, which you must answer.
|
Question |
Suggestible Answers |
|
What is your hair type? |
|
|
The common/main hair concerns |
|
|
Ingredients which you are allergic/sensitive to |
|
These questions might be simple, but if you know all of these, then you can pick one which is perfect for your hair type.
Shampoo Ingredients: What to Look For (and Avoid)
Once after analysing these, based on your hair concerns, you should choose and go with the right blend of ingredients for your hair type
Ingredients to Look For
Ingredient |
Benefit |
|
Aloe Vera |
Helps in hydrating and soothing the scalp. |
|
Tea Tree Oil |
Anti-microbial in nature; Perfect for people with dandruff or itch scalp |
|
Niacinamide |
Works on balancing the natural oil production in the scalp. |
|
Rice Water / Amino Acids |
Enhances the strength of the hair and also improves shine. |
|
Keratin |
Rebuilds and strengthens the weak hair strands |
|
Caffeine |
Adds natural shine to the hair and boosts scalp circulation |
|
Botanical Oils (Argan / Coconut / Jojoba) |
Adds moisture & softness to the hair |
Ingredients to Avoid On Long-Term
Ingredients |
Why? |
|
Sodium Laureth Sulphate SLS |
They are harsh on hair and reduce the natural oils. |
|
Parabens |
Causes irritation to the scalp |
|
Silicones |
Adds build-ups and heaviness on the fine hairs. |
|
Fragrances & Scents |
Will lead to scalp sensitivity. |
Which Shampoo Is Best for Hair?
Here is a simple guide to make you understand and pick the right shampoo for your hair type.
1. Oily Hair
Aim: Shed off the excess oiliness from the scalp with drying/making them flaky.
Things to Look For:
-
Get your hands on clarifying/balancing shampoo.
-
Try using neem, tea tree, or salicylic acid based shampoo
-
Go with sulphate & paraben free versions.
Ingredients to Try: Tea tree, neem extract, apple cider vinegar, mild citrus cleansers.
Tip: Do not use heavy oils/serum post shampooing, since they weigh down your hair.
2. Dry or Frizzy Hair
Aim: To hydrate, nourish the hair strands without stripping natural oils.
What to Look for:
-
Moisturizing/Nourishing shampoos
-
Oil rich formulations
-
Keratin or amino acid blends
Ingredients to Try: Aloe vera, avocado oil, pumpkin seed oil, coconut oil, argan oil, shea butter.
Tip: Ensure to use a conditioner post shampooing, as they will not lose the moisture.
3. Normal Hair
Goal: To maintain and balance the original hair with shine.
Pick ones Which are:
-
Gentle shampoo, which cleanses well
-
Has nourishing ingredients in them!
Recommended Ingredients: Rice Water Shampoo, glycerin, vitamin E.
Tip: Do not go with excessive ingredients and formulation; Just follow using a mild shampoo on!
4. Curly or Wavy Hair
Goal: Define texture of the hair without any frizz.
Things to Try with:
-
Sulphate-free formulas
-
Hydrating ones
-
Shampoo’s made for curly hair
Ingredients To Try: Pure aloe vera, shea butter, coconut/argan oil.
Tip: Try swapping your shampoos with bars, since they are a little more nourishing and moisturizing.
5. Colour-Treated Hair
Goal: Protect colour and keep hair soft.
Things to Look For:
-
Pick shampoos which do not fade your color.
-
UV protection components
-
No harsh sulphates
Recommended Ingredients: Keratin, rice water, colour-protect complexes.
Tip: Wash less frequently to preserve dye.
Top Ingredients Explained
Ingredients |
Benefits when Used on Hair |
|
Tea Tree |
Works best on hair which has dandruff / itchy scalp. |
|
Rice Water |
Helps in strengthening the roots and length of the hair without heaviness. |
|
Coconut / Argan Oil |
Deeply hydrated the hair without any dryness and frizziness. |
|
Keratin |
A natural protein which works on natural hair structure. |
|
Salicylic Acid |
Works best on itchy and flaky scalp. |
Medicated Shampoos: When & Why
When your hair concern is excessive and does not get treated on home remedies, then it is important to consult your doctor and use medically based ingredients like ketoconazole, pyrithione, salicylic acid, etc.
While using this, ensure to patch test and use them like how the dermats have recommended!
Sample “Best Shampoo” Picks by Category
|
Hair Concern |
Best Shampoo Type |
Core Ingredients |
|
Oily & Flaky |
Clarifying & Balancing Shampoo’s |
Tea tree, Neem |
|
Dry & Frizzy |
Moisturising Products |
Oil based - Coconut, Avocado, Argan, etc |
|
Normal Hair |
Everyday Gentle Products |
Rice water, Vitamin E |
|
Curly Hair |
Sulphate-free |
Fresh Aloe Gel, shea |
|
Colour-treated |
Colour-safe |
Keratin, UV protect |
|
Dandruff |
Medicated |
Pyrithione |
Shampoo - Directions to Use
-
Wet your hair well with warm/cold water.
-
Take the shampoo, dilute them, and apply on your scalp.
-
Massage well until it foams targeting every part of the scalp.
-
Then use the form and remaining shampoos and wash the ends of your hair.
-
Wash well until every shampoo residue washes off.
-
Follow up with a conditioner.
Conclusion
Hair care needs proper products and the best routine to keep healthy, strong, and shining. Even though there are a lot of shampoos available in the market, choose knees which suit your hair type, scalp concern, and which have a gentle blend of ingredients.
FAQs
Can shampoo alone improve hair health?
Shampoo cleanses the scalp, but improved hair health also needs conditioning, nourishment, and nutrition.
How often should I shampoo my hair?
Generally 2 to 3 times a week; oily scalps may wash more often.
Is sulphate-free shampoo better?
For most people, yes especially if hair is dry, colored, or sensitive.
Does expensive mean better?
Not always. Right ingredients matter more than price.
When should I switch shampoos?
Change if your hair feels dry, flaky, or heavy; Or after a change in hair goals or season.
Table of content
When it comes to strong, healthy, and shining hair, the key lies in both internal health and external application. We have the power to choose the right product which helps in giving a foundational bae to the haircare. One such product is choosing the right shampoo for your hair. And the common question that pops us is: “Which shampoo is best for hair?”. This generally seems to be confusing since there are a lot of options available in the market.
In this blog, you will be able to pick the right shampoo for your hair irrespective of price or flashy labels. Ensure to understand scalp type, hair type, and the needs of your hair, since that is the one which sets base for your hair.
Which Shampoo is Best for Hair?
When it comes to shampoo, their main role is to cleanse your hair and scalp. Especially when you pick a right shampoo, they help in:
-
Removing the oil, dirt, and product build-ups in the skin.
-
Gives a balanced scalp environment
-
Helps hair to create a base for treatments and conditioning effects.
-
Works on promoting scalp and hair length.
Since there are a lot of shampoos available in the market, choosing one might be really hard. Initially, you must analyze the scalp type, hair type, and then choose ones which will contribute to your overall scalp health.
How to Decide Which Shampoo Is Best for Your Hair
This is one of the common and most confusing parts which most of us get triggered. But before that, here are simple and generic questions, which you must answer.
|
Question |
Suggestible Answers |
|
What is your hair type? |
|
|
The common/main hair concerns |
|
|
Ingredients which you are allergic/sensitive to |
|
These questions might be simple, but if you know all of these, then you can pick one which is perfect for your hair type.
Shampoo Ingredients: What to Look For (and Avoid)
Once after analysing these, based on your hair concerns, you should choose and go with the right blend of ingredients for your hair type
Ingredients to Look For
Ingredient |
Benefit |
|
Aloe Vera |
Helps in hydrating and soothing the scalp. |
|
Tea Tree Oil |
Anti-microbial in nature; Perfect for people with dandruff or itch scalp |
|
Niacinamide |
Works on balancing the natural oil production in the scalp. |
|
Rice Water / Amino Acids |
Enhances the strength of the hair and also improves shine. |
|
Keratin |
Rebuilds and strengthens the weak hair strands |
|
Caffeine |
Adds natural shine to the hair and boosts scalp circulation |
|
Botanical Oils (Argan / Coconut / Jojoba) |
Adds moisture & softness to the hair |
Ingredients to Avoid On Long-Term
Ingredients |
Why? |
|
Sodium Laureth Sulphate SLS |
They are harsh on hair and reduce the natural oils. |
|
Parabens |
Causes irritation to the scalp |
|
Silicones |
Adds build-ups and heaviness on the fine hairs. |
|
Fragrances & Scents |
Will lead to scalp sensitivity. |
Which Shampoo Is Best for Hair?
Here is a simple guide to make you understand and pick the right shampoo for your hair type.
1. Oily Hair
Aim: Shed off the excess oiliness from the scalp with drying/making them flaky.
Things to Look For:
-
Get your hands on clarifying/balancing shampoo.
-
Try using neem, tea tree, or salicylic acid based shampoo
-
Go with sulphate & paraben free versions.
Ingredients to Try: Tea tree, neem extract, apple cider vinegar, mild citrus cleansers.
Tip: Do not use heavy oils/serum post shampooing, since they weigh down your hair.
2. Dry or Frizzy Hair
Aim: To hydrate, nourish the hair strands without stripping natural oils.
What to Look for:
-
Moisturizing/Nourishing shampoos
-
Oil rich formulations
-
Keratin or amino acid blends
Ingredients to Try: Aloe vera, avocado oil, pumpkin seed oil, coconut oil, argan oil, shea butter.
Tip: Ensure to use a conditioner post shampooing, as they will not lose the moisture.
3. Normal Hair
Goal: To maintain and balance the original hair with shine.
Pick ones Which are:
-
Gentle shampoo, which cleanses well
-
Has nourishing ingredients in them!
Recommended Ingredients: Rice Water Shampoo, glycerin, vitamin E.
Tip: Do not go with excessive ingredients and formulation; Just follow using a mild shampoo on!
4. Curly or Wavy Hair
Goal: Define texture of the hair without any frizz.
Things to Try with:
-
Sulphate-free formulas
-
Hydrating ones
-
Shampoo’s made for curly hair
Ingredients To Try: Pure aloe vera, shea butter, coconut/argan oil.
Tip: Try swapping your shampoos with bars, since they are a little more nourishing and moisturizing.
5. Colour-Treated Hair
Goal: Protect colour and keep hair soft.
Things to Look For:
-
Pick shampoos which do not fade your color.
-
UV protection components
-
No harsh sulphates
Recommended Ingredients: Keratin, rice water, colour-protect complexes.
Tip: Wash less frequently to preserve dye.
Top Ingredients Explained
Ingredients |
Benefits when Used on Hair |
|
Tea Tree |
Works best on hair which has dandruff / itchy scalp. |
|
Rice Water |
Helps in strengthening the roots and length of the hair without heaviness. |
|
Coconut / Argan Oil |
Deeply hydrated the hair without any dryness and frizziness. |
|
Keratin |
A natural protein which works on natural hair structure. |
|
Salicylic Acid |
Works best on itchy and flaky scalp. |
Medicated Shampoos: When & Why
When your hair concern is excessive and does not get treated on home remedies, then it is important to consult your doctor and use medically based ingredients like ketoconazole, pyrithione, salicylic acid, etc.
While using this, ensure to patch test and use them like how the dermats have recommended!
Sample “Best Shampoo” Picks by Category
|
Hair Concern |
Best Shampoo Type |
Core Ingredients |
|
Oily & Flaky |
Clarifying & Balancing Shampoo’s |
Tea tree, Neem |
|
Dry & Frizzy |
Moisturising Products |
Oil based - Coconut, Avocado, Argan, etc |
|
Normal Hair |
Everyday Gentle Products |
Rice water, Vitamin E |
|
Curly Hair |
Sulphate-free |
Fresh Aloe Gel, shea |
|
Colour-treated |
Colour-safe |
Keratin, UV protect |
|
Dandruff |
Medicated |
Pyrithione |
Shampoo - Directions to Use
-
Wet your hair well with warm/cold water.
-
Take the shampoo, dilute them, and apply on your scalp.
-
Massage well until it foams targeting every part of the scalp.
-
Then use the form and remaining shampoos and wash the ends of your hair.
-
Wash well until every shampoo residue washes off.
-
Follow up with a conditioner.
Conclusion
Hair care needs proper products and the best routine to keep healthy, strong, and shining. Even though there are a lot of shampoos available in the market, choose knees which suit your hair type, scalp concern, and which have a gentle blend of ingredients.
FAQs
Can shampoo alone improve hair health?
Shampoo cleanses the scalp, but improved hair health also needs conditioning, nourishment, and nutrition.
How often should I shampoo my hair?
Generally 2 to 3 times a week; oily scalps may wash more often.
Is sulphate-free shampoo better?
For most people, yes especially if hair is dry, colored, or sensitive.
Does expensive mean better?
Not always. Right ingredients matter more than price.
When should I switch shampoos?
Change if your hair feels dry, flaky, or heavy; Or after a change in hair goals or season.