It’s hard for me to tout this as a standalone product, too, considering the fact that Prose builds out entire regimens targeted to your hair and skin, all of which work together to achieve those results. I’ve always been impressed with Prose, even as my variables have evolved (more hair density due to hair growth efforts, a few zip code changes, seasonal shifts, and length variance). But if you’re wondering if Prose lives up to the hype, the answer is yes, absolutely.
The Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair: K18 Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo
Few brands have skyrocketed quite like K18, which went from 0-60 in a couple years’ time thanks to fantastic reparative formulas. (The brand’s leave-in hair mask, despite the $75 sticker shock, is worth every penny if you have long and/or damaged strands.) And naturally, this balancing shampoo is part of its recipe for success. Not only does it flood your strands with fortifying proteins as it flushes away grime, but it also balances the scalp and strand pH levels. By collectively reducing inflammation and closing off the cuticles, it fights everything from frizz to breakage to swelling, all while giving your head its happy little rinse.
If I need to look my absolute best on any given day, I’ll do a full K18 routine, starting with this shampoo. It ensures I have no frizz, style-cooperative strands, and eye-catching natural shine for the next 24 hours or more.
The Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoo: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Ketoconazole 1% Shampoo
For my job, I can call in just about every product I want to test, to use up, to restock…It’s a nice gig, I admit. But sometimes there’s a product or brand that I don’t have a “professional relationship” with, and I actually pay for the thing myself. Nizoral is one of those products I always keep stocked. I can’t have a single conversation about dandruff control with my go-to dermatologist sources without this one being recommended. Not only that, but the active ingredient here, ketoconazole, is more than a fungal foe: It’s arguably the single worthwhile ingredient you can find in a shampoo that can temper follicle-thinning DHT (dihydrotestosterone) on contact, making it potentially the only true ingredient to seek out in “hair loss shampoos.”
Though not a body wash, I spot-treat other parts of my body with this one too, since sometimes I get flakes around my nose or beard dandruff. It’s a great groin-area wash too, if you’re prone to jock itch after a sweaty buildup. It isn’t something you want to overuse, though: This one is drying, so I would only recommend using it as an active treatment to counter dandruff, or every couple weeks to keep the problem at bay. But damn, does it work quickly and effectively. And, if you have severe flaking or itching up top, you can ask your derm for a 2% upgrade of this one, which is available via prescription.
The Best Detoxifying Shampoo: Wonder Valley Sandalwood Yuzu Shampoo
The first thing you’ll notice about California-cool grooming brand Wonder Valley’s shampoo is that it smells refreshingly natural—none of that overly synthetic, “shampoo-y” scent. The second? Nearly every ingredient is recognizable and easy to pronounce. This silky formula doesn’t explode into a dramatic lather but instead forms a subtle foam that cleanses and helps detoxify your hair from daily buildup. It leans heavily on oils—cedarwood, grapefruit, frankincense, lime, yuzu, and leaf extracts—giving it an old-world simplicity. There’s a faintly ecclesiastical vibe, like a quiet chapel filled with incense, which is right up my alley. There are few extra bells and whistles—just simple cleansing via Mother Nature, and we could all use that from time to time.
The Best Nourishing Shampoo: Flamingo Estate Rosemary & Ionian Bergamot Shampoo
Oh, Flamingo Estate, I always have one of your products in rotation—whether it’s a fantastically aromatic candle or one of the herbaceous bricks of soap. Mostly everything in the line carries the brand’s unmistakable DNA: an ode to the lush foliage of their estate and, of course, olive oil. This shampoo is so packed with goodness that it feels like feeding your hair a nourishing meal after a long fast. A powerhouse blend of babassu, jojoba, avocado, meadowfoam seed, and olive oils works to cleanse while fortifying. Aloe hydrates and soothes the scalp, biotin thickens strands, vitamin B5 boosts moisture retention and shine, and various antioxidants support overall hair vitality. As expected, the Rosemary & Bergamot scent is herbal and transportive, bringing the garden into your cleansing ritual.
The Best Volumizing Shampoo: Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Shampoo
Volumizing and thickening aren’t quite the same, though with similar outcomes. Volumizing shampoo lifts hair at the roots for more body, while thickening (or densifying) shampoo strengthens and plumps strands, making hair feel fuller. This Aveda volumizing shampoo uses acacia gum—a natural ingredient from said tree—and does both. It forms a lightweight shield around each follicle while locking in moisture at the root and enhancing lift. There are no unnecessary chemicals here—just pure volumizing mojo for flat hair. Plus, acacia gum tames frizz and adds shine, so your hair won’t just have more volume; it’ll flaunt it with a luscious sheen.
The Best Scalp-Soothing Shampoo: Necessaire The Shampoo
Think of Nécessaire’s shampoo as skin care for your scalp. We’ve said it before, but healthy hair starts at the root, and this shampoo cleanses your follicles and the skin beneath, using powerhouse ingredients found in top-tier skin care. A hyaluronic acid complex delivers multi-level hydration, vitamin B3 (niacinamide) boosts circulation and regulates oil production, while vitamin B5 (panthenol) strengthens strands and locks in hydration. A proprietary plant-based infusion calms irritation, creating a fertile foundation for follicles to flourish. It all sounds scientific, but in practice, this shampoo felt gentle AF—cleansing my hair and scalp without a stripping feeling and setting the stage for stronger, healthier hair over time.
The Best Densifying Shampoo: Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo
Luxury hair care OGs Oribe have a shampoo for every need—color-treated, moisture control, you name it—but their brand-new densifying shampoo deserves a special shoutout. The Oribe team went all in, consulting a trichologist to craft a formula that adds serious heft to hair. This shampoo packs a bioactive blend of pea sprout extract to support follicle density over time, red clover extracts to help reduce shedding, and peptides to strengthen and fortify. The shampoo plays the long game but as someone with finer hair, I noticed a difference after several uses, and my strands felt denser and fuller. For thicker hair, it adds depth; for finer hair, it’s a no-brainer.
The Best Invigorating Shampoo: Malin+Goetz Peppermint Shampoo
Sometimes, you just need a wake-up call, and Malin+Goetz’s OG cult-classic Peppermint Shampoo is precisely what the old-school follicular physician ordered. This cooling, invigorating formula lathers exceptionally well (thanks to a coconut-derived surfactant) and is always a go-to for me, especially in the warmer months. The formula is packed with plant-based amino acids and vitamins to soothe and soften all hair types, and in M+G apothecary fashion, the packaging and font are on point. But the crisp, minty scent steals the show, delivering an energizing, tingling boost for both your hair and senses.
The Best Exfoliating Shampoo: R+Co Submarine Water Activated Enzyme Exfoliating Shampoo
R+Co is foremost name in luxury hair care, known for its cool packaging, clever names, and targeted formulas. While we’ve highlighted the brand’s products countless times, this Exfoliating Shampoo deserves some accolades. Exfoliating shampoo, you ask? Yeah—this isn’t your everyday cleanser; it’s a concentrated, once-a-week treatment formulated for a scalp and hair detox. Much like a facial exfoliator, it uses naturally derived enzymes and fruit alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) to gently dissolve excess skin cells and buildup. The formula is also packed with botanicals: bilberry extract, rich in tannins and anti-inflammatory properties to calm; radish root to nourish and soften; and tomato extract to stimulate the scalp and regulate sebum. Again, this isn’t a daily driver, but when your follicles need a reset—clearing away flakes, oils, and buildup—this shampoo answers the call.
More Shampoos We Love
What to Look for in a Shampoo, Based on Hair Type
The first step to finding the right shampoo is to understand your “variables.” This means your strand’s overall texture (so, it’s curl or wave pattern, or lack thereof), as well as the individual strand density, the oil levels in your scalp, any sensitivities, etc. Finding a shampoo that matches your needs—and learning the right cadence of using it—is crucial for healthy hair. “I recommend everyone tailor their routine to what works best for them and not just use products that are popular at the time,” Lee adds. “Whether you have short or long hair, your scalp health is important to focus on and make sure you give it what it needs.” Celebrity groomer Dan Perri (with A-list clients like Post Malone, Gerard Butler, and Brendan Fraser) adds that men’s hair needs and variables might even change as time goes on—aside from just natural thinning. “If you are someone who’s had the same shampoo for years it, may be time for a switch,” he says.
