The Best Shampoos For Healthy Hair
So, you’ve been blessed by the gods of beauty; you sport terrific tresses, luscious locks, a mean mane! However, if you do have healthy hair, you probably know that maintaining its vibrancy isn’t as simple as your admirers may assume. The truth is, it takes a quality shampoo to sustain stunning hair, and some products that claim to be ‘miracle’ turn out to be just ‘meh’.
If you feel overwhelmed at the prospect of finding your way to the perfect shampoo for your healthy hair through trial and error, then rest assured knowing that we’ve already done the hard work for you and compiled the results into this list of our top picks. So lather up and dive in to discover the very best shampoos for healthy hair in 2023!
1. Blu Atlas Shampoo
Don’t let the humble bottle design fool you, contained within it is the most masterfully formulated shampoo for healthy hair that we’ve come across. The clever brains at Blu Atlas are absolute maestros when it comes to selecting the finest ingredients for a task and balancing them in perfect proportions. In this case, there are three star players on the ingredients list. Jojoba oil packs in a plethora of hair-nourishing vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids. Aloe leaf serves as a powerful and natural moisturizer. And saw palmetto soothes the scalp and promotes healthy new growth. All in all, it’s a high-octane package that will leave your hair silky and supple.
Blu Atlas are so confident in their stunning shampoo that they even offer a money-back guarantee to anyone who’s dissatisfied with their product, and we think that confidence is justified. We’d be willing to wager that next to nobody has sent their bottle back; in fact, we imagine that most savvy customers will be returning to the Blu Atlas website only to check out what else this brilliant brand has to offer.
2. Blind Barber Lemongrass Tea Shampoo & Bodywash
Would you like to streamline your shower routine? Blind Barber’s Lemongrass Tea Shampoo & Bodywash is the perfect solution. Not only does it provide you with both a shampoo and body wash in one convenient product, but it also helps to declutter your shower shelf by eliminating the need for an extra bottle. Plus, using this 2-in-1 product means a faster, more efficient shower experience, ideal for the modern man or woman on the go.
Just because this is a 2-in-1 product doesn’t mean it’s any less powerful as a shampoo. Blind Barber’s masterfully crafted formulation is based around a coconut oil infusion which adds an eye-popping gleam to your hair and leaves it silky-soft in texture. On top of this, the fresh lemongrass scent is aromatic, earthy and refined, a perfect complement to anyone who wants to come across as sharp and well-groomed.
3. Aveda Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo
If you can’t get enough of delicious cherry bakewells and marzipan, you’ll love the scent of Aveda’s Cherry Almond Shampoo. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and nutty, just like your favorite treats! Ideal for healthy normal hair and slightly dry hair, Aveda’s formulation is particularly fine-tuned for longer hair lengths. If you’ve got lengthy locks then this affordable product will leave them looking full and bouncy and ensure that they’re soft and smooth, making them easier to style.
As a brand that is committed to “caring for the world we live in”, it’s no surprise that Aveda’s Cherry Almond Shampoo is produced and packaged in a responsible and sustainable way. The brand uses recyclable materials and 100% wind and solar-powered energy in the manufacturing and packaging process, ensuring that its products have a minimal impact on the environment. In line with its mission to give back to society, Aveda also supports various environmental and social causes through campaigns, partnerships, and charitable donations.
4. Leonor Greyl Shampooing Au Miel
Leonor Greyl have been creating luxury hair care products since 1968 and, judging by the quality of this volumizing shampoo, they’ve learnt plenty tricks of the trade over that time. This product in particular uses honey as a natural humectant, meaning it will help hair retain its moisture, giving it a full and vital appearance. In addition, honey has antibacterial properties, making it an ideal ingredient for cleaning the scalp and keeping it healthy.
Shampooing Au Miel is a gentle formulation that can be used every day without leading to the dryness, frizz or breakage that heavier shampoos might leave you to ontend with. Leonor Greyl has designed this product with the whole family in mind; everyone in the household can use it regardless of hair type, and the warm honey scent will be popular with everyone.
5. Fekkai Apple Cider Detox Shampoo
Apple cider vinegar is one of the miracle products of the moment. It can help you lose weight, soothe and reduce your acne, and even make a scrumptious salad dressing. But does it make a strong core ingredient for shampoo? Let’s see. It balances pH. Tick! It clarifies the hair by removing buildup and hair products. Tick! It moisturizes, reduces frizz, and stimulates new growth. Tick! Tick! Tick! Apple cider vinegar is potent stuff, and even better when balanced with other ingredients such as pomegranate seed oil and salicylic acid. Fekkai has made a wonderful shampoo here, it really leaves you feeling that your hair has had the deepest clean you’re likely to get. And if you’re worried about that pungent apple cider vinegar smell, rest assured that Fekkai have cut out the acid scent and replaced it with an energizing blend of green apple, spearmint and oak. Delicious!
6. Sachajuan Normal Hair Shampoo
Swedish brand Sachajuan is known for using minimal ingredients in their hair care formulations, and every new product proves that this restrained approach can work wonders. Sachajuan’s Normal Hair Shampoo uses ocean silk technology (which is their way of saying marine-based ingredients) to nourish and moisturize the hair, improving its strength and elasticity with every wash.
This particular shampoo has seriously impressed the online community, with customers raving that it has solved their itchy scalp problem, brought the wow factor back to their natural hair color, or feels so good on the scalp that they look forward to using it every day. Though it might be named Normal Hair Shampoo, it actually sounds like something rather more special!
One thing to note is that while this shampoo is advertised as having a fruity-floral scent, it’s extremely subtle, so much so that you may not even notice it. For many customers, this may in fact be an upside, allowing them to wear their favorite cologne or perfume without its fragrance clashing with an overpowering shampoo smell.
7. Hairstory New Wash (Original)
Hairstory is on a mission to revolutionize shampoo. You see, traditional shampoos are often packed with detergents, which, if added to the formula with too heavy a hand, can strip and overclean hair. This causes the scalp to produce more oils than it needs to, leading to that greasy look that we all dread. Hairstory provides an alternative to traditional shampoos with their detergent-free New Wash range. These products invest in the power of essential oils to condition and cleanse the hair in a way they consider more natural and healthy.
The question is, does this novel approach to hair care work? Well, Hairstory wouldn’t be included on this list of the best shampoos for healthy hair if it didn’t! New Wash cleans and enlivens the hair just as well as a top-shelf shampoo, leaving it bouncy, shiny and soft. Hairstory’s innovative formulas also eliminate the need for a supplementary conditioner, simplifying your wash and saving you a few bucks at the same time.
8. Dae Signature Shampoo
If this list of the best shampoos for healthy hair were based on bottle design alone, Dae’s Signature Shampoo would be likely to steal the top spot from Blu Atlas. This classy bottle looks fantastic in all styles of bathroom and has a pump-style nozzle, which is oh-so-convenient for those who like to be quick in the shower.
The product itself is almost as fantastic as the vessel it comes in. Dae uses a nutrient-rich formula to remove buildup from the scalp and promote healthy new hair growth. The signature ingredients here are hibiscus flower extract for moisture and elasticity, false daisy extract for hair shine and scalp health, and moringa seed oil to boost keratin production with vitamins and antioxidants. On top of all this, Dae’s Signature Shampoo has a scent to die for. Notes of orange blossom, warm citrus and vanilla blend together into a robust fragrance that soothes and allures.
9. Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Shampoo
If you have truly healthy hair, you may not think that your locks need the ‘ultimate reset’ that this shampoo from Shu Uemura promises. But consider this, a reset isn’t just for those with chronic hair care issues, we reset every time we give our hair a good wash. We reset from the sweat and dirt of the day, and from the wear and tear of damaging environmental factors. Looking after your hair is a part of life, no matter how top-notch your tresses are.
When you use Shu Uemura’s Ultimate Reset Shampoo, you’re harnessing the power of Japanese-sourced rice extract. This mineral and vitamin-rich antioxidant ingredient has been an open hair care secret in Japan for centuries; the Japanese even have a term, “nuka biji”, which means “beautified by rice”.
Thanks to its restorative kick and protective qualities, this shampoo is particularly adept at reviving heavily treated hair. If you color, bleach or heat style your hair then why not try reaching for this quality product to keep it looking its best.
10. Living Proof Full Shampoo
Full Shampoo from Living Proof is for the person with healthy hair that nonetheless tends to lack volume. The formula uses a blend of slip modifiers (agents that increase the slip and smoothness of hair) to prime your locks for maximum fullness. Limp, thin hair becomes a luscious cascade or a crowning glory atop your head. Alongside this volumizing effect, Living Proof’s Full Shampoo also gives a deep and thorough clean that will last for several days. Many reviewers note that only two washes a week were necessary to look and feel pristine 24/7. The shampoo itself is thick and gel-like, feeling substantial in the palm and refreshing when rubbed into the scalp. This is an all-around terrific product from an ever-reliable company.
11. Tree to Tub Invigorating Soapberry Shampoo with Caffeine and Biotin
Perhaps you have healthy hair but suffer from overly sensitive skin. If this is the case, then look no further than Tree to Tub’s Invigorating Soapberry Shampoo with Caffeine and Biotin. The founder of Tree to Tub was inspired by his grandmother’s use of soapberries, a nut-like fruit, to clean his sensitive skin without irritation. These soapberries are now the main ingredient in many of Tree to Tub’s skin and hair care products. According to customer reviews, these products go beyond simply being non-irritating and actually help to soothe, restore, and heal skin that is prone to conditions such as eczema, blotchiness, and hives.
As well as being a small wonder to those with sensitive skin, the Invigorating Soapberry Shampoo with Caffeine and Biotin is an excellent shampoo in its own right. Its creamy, pH-balanced lather feels heavenly on the scalp and the regular use will leave your hair looking full and shiny.
12. Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo
With over 170 years of experience in the hair care industry, Kiehl’s has established itself as a trusted brand with a range of products that are formulated using time-tested techniques. For this top-notch shampoo, they’ve enlisted the hair-enhancing strength of amino acids to ensure you will step out of the shower with lavish, lustrous locks. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and our hair is composed of about 85% protein, so it’s no surprise that amino acids will do wonders in supporting the maintenance of a healthy mane. Supplementing these miracle acids are fairly traded coconut oil, which has been used in traditional medicines for over 4000 years, and hydrolysed wheat protein, which is easily absorbed by the hair to condition it from within. Despite packing some serious punch when it comes to enlivening your hair, Kiehl’s amino acid shampoo still has a mild enough formulation to be used every day. If you’re looking for a standard shampoo for normal, healthy hair, this is one of the best.
13. Rowse Perfect Balance Shampoo Bar
Rowse is one of the newer natural shampoo brands on the market that has been gaining in popularity. Co-founders Nuria Val and Gabriela Salord advocate for a DIY approach to hair care, creating products that allow individuals to take a hands-on approach to their own self-care. In the case of their shampoos, this means solid shampoo bars which you lather up yourself. Val and Salford claim this hands-on application can be a meditative and mindful part of your day. These shampoo bars are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and ever-so-trendy. They also provide the same cleansing and oil-balancing benefits as high-end traditional shampoos.
If you want to try out a unique approach to hair care and have healthy hair, the Perfect Balance Shampoo may be a good choice for you. This shampoo bar is enriched with Amalaki, a fruit native to India that is high in antioxidants, as well as shea butter, jojoba oil, and avocado oil to nourish and strengthen the hair.
14. Davines OI Shampoo
OI Shampoo from Davines is a creamy and smooth concoction that is suitable for all types of hair. It works easily into a robust lather from just a small amount of product, leaving your locks soft and voluminous with the perfect amount of shine.
The key ingredient here is roucou oil, which comes from a native Amazonian shrub called the annatto plant. This miracle oil is packed with antioxidants and vitamins to strengthen and protect the hair. It also has natural photoprotective properties to ensure the sun doesn’t leave your hair dry and frizzy. Davines are so confident in the power of roucou oil that their entire OI line of products is based around this stellar ingredient. The results speak for themselves.
OI Shampoo has an incense-like scent with some vanilla and floral notes to round it out; think the vibes of a sunny outdoor temple in the springtime. While we love this shampoo’s distinctive fragrance, be warned that a minority of online reviewers are not so keen, finding it too overpowering and long-lasting.
15. Herbal Essences Sulfate-Free Hemp + Potent Aloe Shampoo
Herbal Essences are practically a household name at this point, and for good reason. The brand is committed to using natural ingredients, offers a wide range of high-quality products at affordable prices, and has a strong focus on sustainability. One of its standout products is the Sulfate-Free Hemp and Potent Aloe Shampoo, which is made using botanicals that have been certified by the renowned Royal Botanic Garden in Kew. This budget-friendly shampoo is packed with nourishing ingredients to benefit the hair and scalp. The hemp oil helps to moisturize dry hair, repair damage, and add shine, while the aloe vera helps to soothe the scalp, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy hair growth. Overall, this is a powerful and effective shampoo that delivers excellent results for a fraction of the price of many other shampoos on the market.
16. Rahua Classic Shampoo
If you want to maintain the health of your luscious locks, leaving them bouncy, and full of shine, then reach for a bottle of Rahua Classic Shampoo. This top-of-the-line shampoo is made with only the finest all-natural and organic ingredients, sustainably sourced from the lush Amazon rainforest and harvested by its indigenous community. The secret to its effectiveness lies in its unique blend of nutrient-rich Rahua oil, bursting with omega-9 goodness, moisture-restoring quinoa extract, and the heavenly scent of palo santo wood. And the best part? It’s completely free of harsh sulfates and silicones, making it suitable for all types of hair, even if it is hair that has been treated with color or chemical straightening. This Classic Shampoo from Rahua really shines in its ability to tame and define unruly curls, making it a must-have for those with naturally curly hair that sometimes gets a little out of control. A small squeeze goes a long way with this luxurious and gentle formula, leaving your hair feeling clean, soft, and absolutely radiant.
17. Paula’s Choice All Over Hair & Body Shampoo
Paula’s Choice is a skincare and beauty brand founded by Paula Begoun, a cosmetics industry expert and best-selling author of The Beauty Bible: The Ultimate Guide. Paula is known for her belief that peer-reviewed research is the key to identifying the most effective and high-quality ingredients for skincare products. This philosophy is reflected in the development and formulation of every product in the Paula’s Choice range, and this All Over Hair & Body Shampoo is no exception.
In this case, you’ll experience the transformative power of concentrated panthenol, a highly effective form of vitamin B5, for radiant, healthy-looking hair. This exceptional ingredient helps to add moisture and shine to the hair, reducing frizz and flyaways in the process. It is also paired with protein-rich powdered soy, which helps to strengthen and fortify the hair, making it less prone to breakage and damage.
18. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Wash
We previously highlighted the benefits of using honey as a hair care ingredient when recommending Leonor Greyl’s Shampooing Au Miel at number four on our list of the best shampoos for healthy hair. However, honey is such an effective and nourishing substance that we can’t resist adding another honey-based shampoo to the list. Its astounding natural properties make honey-based products a great choice for keeping your hair looking and feeling its best.
As we’ve previously noted, honey is a powerful humectant and also has antibacterial properties that make it fantastic for the hair and scalp. What we didn’t mention is that it also helps to smooth the surface of hair strands, reducing frizz and flyaways. What’s more, if you regularly use hot styling tools, you’ll be happy to know that honey can help protect your hair from heat damage as you style it, giving you peace of mind to use your most scorching straightener without fear of frying your tresses. Additionally, did you know that honey is a natural hair lightener? So if you want to try a few shades lighter and brighter, give Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Wash a try.
19. Ursa Major Go Easy Shampoo
Ursa Major’s Go Easy Shampoo has an ingredients list you might want to eat rather than wash through your hair! But, rest assured, all of the listed goodies have been picked for their potent hair care capability. Tropical coconut makes for a thick and creamy lather that foams up in a jiffy and washes out smoothly and easily. Macadamia and bergamot have both been selected for their abundance of fatty acids, which nourish the hair to promote softness, robust body, and a glistening shine. Finally, liquorice is included to moisturize and combat dandruff. It really is an impressive package of treats for your tresses.
20. Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt
Do you like giving yourself a clean so deep that you feel practically reborn by the time you’re finished? Then perhaps you should do away with traditional shampoos and try Christophe Robin’s Cleansing Purifying Scrub instead. This product comes as a thick paste which you massage into your scalp, exfoliating the skin with rough grains of salt as you do so. You can be sure that when you’re done, all impurities will have been swept away by the scrub and rinse, and you’ll feel utterly pristine and deeply refreshed.
The sea salt in Christophe Robin’s Cleansing Purifying Scrub adds volume and texture to hair, giving you that much-desired beachy look. And you won’t just look good, you’ll feel good too, with Bisabolol (an extract from the Brazilian candela tree) calming the scalp as you rub the product through your hair. Since Christophe Robin’s Cleansing Purifying Scrub is an exfoliant as well as a shampoo, it’s only intended to be used once per week. This means you might have to supplement the product with a regular shampoo. Yet, for that addictive scrubbing sensation alone, this is one well worth having on the shelf.
21. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
Shea Moisture are the experts of creating products that contain shea butter without weighing the hair down. This is especially important when it comes to shampoos, as too heavy a product can make the hair look greasy and lifeless. Instead, this Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo will create light, bouncy, radiant hair, all while reaping the benefits of the nutrient-rich shea butter. But shea butter is not the only star ingredient here, the addition of Jamaican black castor oil moisturizes and hydrates the hair, as well as reducing frizz and dandruff. Though the castor oil does give the product itself a thin, brown consistency that is unusual for a shampoo, don’t be put off by this. It still lathers up quite nicely and has no detectable scent after it is washed out. All in all, this is an outstanding product to close out our list of the best shampoos for healthy hair in 2023.
