1

Curly heads should gravitate toward hydrating shampoos and conditioners since the textured strands are more prone to dryness and breakage. Living Proof’s curl range keeps the ringlets extra juicy, with plenty of conditioning agents to help provide slip and softness, as well as peptides to strengthen the strands. Not to mention, the formula includes rosemary leaf extract—a natural ingredient renowned for its hair growing abilities. 

This formula is brimming with hi-tech ingredients for healthy hair growth: There’s karmatin, a vegan keratin made from fermented silk protein to create a mirror image of the amino acids that naturally occur in hair; marula, baobab, and ximenia seed oils to provide moisture and nourish the strands; and red clover, mung bean, and curcumin to fortify the hair follicles and protect against inflammation. 

Silver strands can easily appear dull or brassy thanks to pollution, topicals, heat damage, and other stressors. “Gray hair grabs what’s in the atmosphere, so it can turn yellow very quickly,” says color and hair expert Christin Brown. That’s why many opt for a purple or blue shampoo to correct these subtle changes. dpHUE’s blond- and gray-enhancing shampoo not only contains purple pigments to neutralize brassy tones, but it also comes loaded with vegan silk proteins, amino acids, and hibiscus flower extract to repair and protect strands from environmental aggressors. Your hair will appear brighter, fuller, and most importantly, feel stronger over time. 

Your hair is made up of protein, but those amino acid chains can weaken over time, which can lead to breakage. That’s where bond-building ingredients like biotin come in: “We can’t recreate the exact protein that is in our hair [with topicals], but synthetic and naturally sourced proteins can repair and stand in place like a Band-Aid,” explains hairstylist Matt Newman about protein treatments for hair. That’s precisely why Briogeo includes biotin in their volumizing shampoo, as well as ginseng root extract to combat free radicals and maltodextrin—a starch-like substance that creates a film-like coating on the hair, which thickens the strands and gives the appearance of a fuller mane.

Finding a wash that provides a deep clean without stripping the pigment off your strands can be difficult if you have color-treated hair. A color-safe shampoo is key, like this Pureology number: The lightweight jojoba-oil-infused lather won’t disrupt your gorgeous color, and it includes antioxidant-rich green tea extract to protect your strands and scalp, as well as sage to stimulate those hair follicles. 

No product can truly “repair” split ends, but JVN’s strengthening range comes pretty close: Ceramides mask the appearance of dry, brittle ends; aloe juice drenches the strands in hydration; and jojoba oil simultaneously conditions with every wash. The formula also swaps squalane and hemi-squalane for silicones—they provide a similar amount of slip and softness to the strands, but unlike silicones (which don’t really benefit the hair aside from aesthetics), they simultaneously deliver moisture and improve hair health over time. 

At the end of the day, hair thinning is personal: Shedding can happen for a number of reasons, which is why Prose offers a questionnaire to understand your specific hair type, texture, and length goals. From there, you’ll receive a curated selection of high-quality hair care products, including a sulfate-free fortifying shampoo. While ingredients may vary depending on your results, some common players include biotin to strengthen, silk proteins for repair, apple cider vinegar for shine, green tea water to protect, and peppermint extract to stimulate the scalp. 

Best natural: Love Beauty And Planet Sulfate-Free Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo

Love Beauty And Planet Sulfate-Free Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Shampoo

VIEW ON Amazon | $7VIEW ON Walmart | $8

Cons

• Contains essential oils

Considerations: Vegan, Cruelty-free, Sulfate-free

Active ingredients: Coconut water, Coconut oil, Mimosa flower

This 93% naturally derived formula is a coconut lover’s dream: It uses gentle coconut-based surfactants from coconut to gently lift and dissolve buildup, coconut water to hydrate the strands without weighing them down, and coconut oil to create a glossy sheen. Plus, mimosa flower provides a light, invigorating scent—this shampoo will elevate your senses and will leave your strands looking bouncy and rejuvenated. 

Flakes and buildup can suffocate the hair follicles and eventually lead to shedding. If you’re dealing with dandruff, you might want to opt for a clarifying shampoo with apple cider vinegar. The antimicrobial, anti-yeast, and antifungal ingredient is a popular addition to many natural dandruff shampoos. When dandruff-causing bacteria don’t like the acidic environment, they tend to stop multiplying. “When used for short contact, such as in a shampoo, it is generally safe and well tolerated,” board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D., previously shared with mbg. To keep it moisturizing, the formula also loops in Jamaican Black castor oil and shea butter, so your scalp won’t feel too tight or squeaky.  

Best for buildup: Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

VIEW ON Sephora | $30

Pros

• Less drying than other clarifying shampoos

Cons

• Not for everyday or frequent use

Considerations: Vegan, Cruelty-free, Sulfate-free

Active ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate (Olaplex patented bond-building ingredient), Panthenol

If you’re in need of a deep clean, you can’t go wrong with this Olaplex number. The clarifying formula removes product buildup, excess oil, and even hard water minerals (mineral buildup can lead to duller hair color). It also includes the Olaplex signature bond-building technology to repair broken hair bonds for stronger, healthier hair. Translation? This clarifying shampoo simultaneously cleans and strengthens the strands.

Best volumizing: Rossano Ferretti Parma Grandioso Extra Volume Shampoo

Rossano Ferretti Parma Grandioso Extra Volume Shampoo

VIEW ON Sephora | $35

Pros

• Contains 92% natural ingredients

Cons

• Pricey for a small bottle

Considerations: Vegan, Cruelty-free, Sulfate-free

Active ingredients: Creatine, Ginseng root extract, Avocado oil, Macadamia oil, Hydrolyzed sweet almond protein

Thinning hair often appears flat at the root, so opt for a volumizing shampoo to lift your strands and create the illusion of fullness. Not only does this stylist-approved formula instantly give your mane more body (thanks to creatine), but it also includes ginseng root extract for antioxidants, avocado and macadamia oils for moisture, and hydrolyzed sweet almond protein to help repair broken hair bonds. Your hair will look and feel thicker, for sure. 

With hydrolyzed rice protein, hydrolyzed quinoa, aloe, amaranth oil, and glycerin, this shampoo is equally strengthening and moisturizing—with a $12 price tag, to boot. Plus, the scent is simply divine (luxurious, even!): Odele combines cucumber, oakmoss, ylang-ylang, and other florals for a 100% natural fragrance blend that smells nothing short of spa-grade.