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12 Best Shampoos for Beautiful Gray, Silver or White Hair

These formulas are made to enhance your natural hue.

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best shampoos for gray hair
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We updated this article in August 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on expert reviews and extensive research. Our original top-rated picks remain the same, with the addition of Olaplex, Rene Furterer, R+Co, Hair Biology and Schwarzkopf.


Just like blondes, brunettes and redheads can benefit from using color-specific shampoos, those with gray and silver hair are no exception. Gray hair, since it lacks pigment and can be coarser, needs a little extra TLC to keep it shiny and healthy. "Gray hair typically has a yellow hue to it, so adding a cool color (like purple) can make it look whiter and brighter," explains Michael Dueñas, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Veluer Creative.

He advises using a shampoo with a violet or purple tint to keep gray hair color vibrant and fresh. "It doesn't need to be a daily wash, but using it once a week will cut brassiness and give you spectacular shine." Avoid using any shampoos that add warmth to gray hair, as cool-toned shampoos will help hair better reflect light. Since gray hair tends to be drier and prone to frizz, Dueñas also recommends avoiding harsh shampoos, as "it's important to leave as much moisture in the hair as possible."

Our top picks:

Now that you've got the scoop on caring for silver strands, take your pick from the best shampoos for gray hair below. The products are a mix of Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab expert picks and professional colorist and stylist-recommended formulas.

1
Best Overall Shampoo for Gray Hair

Oribe Silverati Shampoo

Silverati Shampoo
$28 at Macy's
Credit: Oribe
Pros
  • Illuminates gray
  • Softens hair
  • High-end ingredients
Cons
  • Pricey

This shampoo from Oribe is an all-time favorite of Sienree Du, a celebrity hairstylist for Mane Addicts in Los Angeles. It "brightens grays and leaves hair super soft, shiny and lush," she says. The formula contains keratin and antioxidants to strengthen and protect strands from damage. Plus, "it smells absolutely stunning," Du raves.

2
Best Value Shampoo for Gray Hair

Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo Blonde & Silver

Shimmer Lights Shampoo Blonde & Silver
Credit: Clairol
Pros
  • Immediate brightening effects
  • Good value
  • Adds shine
Cons
  • Could be drying

This classic purple shampoo formula from Clairol was created specifically to boost silver strands. "Not only is this shampoo super affordable and easy to find, it instantly brightens and tones, as in right before your eyes," Du says. She loves that it leaves hair shiny without any residue. "I even like using this on blondes when they need a quick icy tone." Du recommends using it in rotation with a moisturizing shampoo or "when you feel like you need to enhance your color" to prevent drying out hair.

3
Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Gray Hair

Olaplex Nº.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo

Nº.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
Now 20% Off
Credit: Olaplex
Pros
  • Instant results
  • Softens hair
  • Sulfate-free
Cons

    This shampoo from Olaplex, a brand known for its transformative hair treatments, "boosts my gray hair's brightness even after just one wash," says Good Housekeeping Institute senior chemist Sabina Wizemann.

    Free of sulfates, it's gentle on gray hair as it removes yellow and brassy tones. "While the deep purple color is intimidating, it rinses out well and doesn’t stain the tub," she adds. "My hair was soft to the touch after blow-drying, which is a nice change considering that my hair tends to get coarse if I don't condition it enough."

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    4
    Best Color Depositing Shampoo for Gray Hair

    Celeb Luxury Gem Lites Colorwash

    Gem Lites Colorwash
    Credit: Celeb Luxury
    Pros
    • Helps blend grays
    • Comes in multiple shades
    Cons

      Looking for a formula that helps cover your grays? This Celeb Luxury shampoo comes in a variety of color options to match your desired hue. Du loves the gray shade, which allows you to "blend in those sparkly gray strands a bit without having to go full hair dye." While it doesn't provide full coverage, it can turn your grays into more of a highlighted look, she says.

      5
      Best Violet Shampoo for Gray Hair

      Rene Furterer Okara Silver Toning Shampoo

      Okara Silver Toning Shampoo
      Credit: Rene Furterer
      Pros
      • Lightly neutralizes brassiness
      • Softens and strengthens hair
      Cons

        This violet-tinted shampoo from Rene Furterer provides a softer alternative to bright purple formulas. "With a perfect shade of violet pigment, this shampoo neutralizes color instantly without leaving too cool of a look on the hair," Dueñas says. "It provides the perfect tone to gray hair." Plus, vitamins B5 and E help strengthen damaged strands.

        6
        Best Hydrating Shampoo for Gray Hair

        Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo

        Blonde Perfecting Purple Shampoo
        Credit: Moroccanoil
        Pros
        • Cancels brassy tones
        • Softens strands
        Cons

          With almost 3,000 reviews, Moroccanoil's shampoo is top-rated for its ability to remove brassy color in gray, light brown and blonde hair. Reviewers called it a "game changer," "the best purple shampoo" and "amazing for silver hair." Plus, it's made with strong softening ingredients like argan and castor oils to leave hair silky.

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          7
          Best Purple Daily Shampoo for Gray Hair

          R+Co SUNSET BLVD Daily Blonde Shampoo

          SUNSET BLVD Daily Blonde Shampoo
          Credit: R+Co
          Pros
          • Can be used daily without residue
          • Hydrating formula
          • Leaves hair shiny
          Cons
          • Expensive

          While many purple shampoos are meant to be used once or twice weekly, "this unique product from R+Co can be used daily and will not make the hair have a violet hue," Dueñas explains. "The pigment in this shampoo is light, allowing for daily application if need be." It has a top-notch ingredient blend, too: glycerin, sunflower extract and pearl extract nourish hair and add shine.

          8
          Best Purple Shampoo for Gray Hair

          Unite Hair Blonda Shampoo

          Blonda Shampoo
          Credit: Unite
          Pros
          • Cancels yellow tones in silver hair
          • Immediate effects
          Cons
          • Fruity scent may be polarizing
          • Pricey

          Du appreciates that Unite's super powerful violet-tinted shampoo delivers instant results on gray strands. It "boosts blondes and grays quickly and neutralizes unwanted yellow tones." Use this once a week instead of your regular shampoo to cleanse, purify and tone hair.

          9
          Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Gray Hair

          Hair Biology Silver Shampoo and Conditioner Set

          Silver Shampoo and Conditioner Set
          Credit: Hair Biology
          Pros
          • Shampoo and conditioner work together to brighten and nourish
          • Good value
          • Contains biotin to strengthen hair
          Cons

            Keep hair healthy, soft and smooth with this biotin-infused shampoo and conditioner set from Hair Biology. It reduces brassiness and yellow tones, while simultaneously softening hair. GH Beauty Director April Franzino, who is a big fan of the line's thickening spray, loves that "the brand was created to address the needs of mature hair, including grays."

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            10
            Best Strengthening Shampoo for Gray Hair

            Natura Anti-Brass Blond and Gray Shampoo

            Anti-Brass Blond and Gray Shampoo
            Credit: Natura Brasil
            Pros
            • Fortifies fragile hair
            • Counteracts brassiness
            Cons

              Since gray and blonde hair tends to be more fragile, you want to wash with something that can strengthen strands, too. "This shampoo from Natura contains a unique technology called Pro-Teia biotechnology which helps restore the hair from the inside out, specifically focusing on the damaged areas on each strand," Du explains. The purple-tinted formula "is only meant to be used when you notice brassiness and yellowness coming through, so think of it as a great occasional treatment to alternate with your normal shampoo."

              11
              Best Softening Shampoo for Gray Hair

              Schwarzkopf BLONDME All Blondes Rich Shampoo

              BLONDME All Blondes Rich Shampoo
              Credit: Schwarzkopf
              Pros
              • Very hydrating
              • Works well on gray hair and blondes
              Cons

                Help counteract parched, wiry silver strands and enhance your color at the same time with Schwarzkopf's shampoo. "Don't let the name fool you — it will take your gray from dull to spectacular," says Dueñas. "This shampoo makes your hair so unbelievably soft while removing brassiness and restoring it to a perfect shade of gray," he adds.

                12
                Best Shampoo for Gray Hair Turning Yellow

                Redken Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo

                Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo
                Credit: Redken
                Pros
                • Neutralizes yellow tones
                • Brightens color
                • Not messy
                • Great scent
                Cons
                • Expensive

                Bring out those grays — and make them shine! — with Redken's shampoo made to enhance gray strands. The anti-yellow formula uses customized pigments and amino acids to instantly tone and strengthen hair, making it smoother and more radiant. "Weekly use of this shampoo has transformed my gray hair from sickly yellow to vivid silver," Wizemann marvels. "I like the clean and refreshing scent, that it's not messy to rinse off and leaves my hair squeaky clean."

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                How we choose the best shampoos for gray hair

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                The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests both shampoos and hair color-related products. In the Lab, instruments like the Instron machine are used to measure conditioning properties and factors like hair color enhancement and fade resistance are gauged. Products are also label-masked and distributed to testers around the country, who use them in their routines and evaluate them on factors like ease of use, scent, texture and effects on the look and feel of hair.

                What to look for when shopping for the best shampoos for gray hair

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                Start by looking for "a purple pigmented shampoo made specifically to brighten yellow blondes or grays," Du recommends. This will help counteract any brassiness (unwanted orange undertones), common from hard water or product deposits, and keep your hair color vibrant. "Going back to the color wheel, purple neutralizes yellow and orange," she explains.

                If you prefer non-tinted formulas, seek out shampoos labeled specifically for gray or silver hair, which can be made with other types of ingredients like pigments that enhance your natural hair shade and shine without depositing color.

                How do you make gray hair soft and shiny?

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                "It is all about adding moisture," Dueñas notes. You want to use a shampoo and a conditioner that imparts rich hydration to prevent hair from becoming dull and straw-like. He advises using a smoothing shampoo and conditioner, along with a deep conditioning treatment once a week to "transform your gray from frizzy and dry to shiny and bouncy."

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                Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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                Dori Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals such as hairstylists, hair colorists and trichologists. She is an expert in all hair product categories, from shampoos, conditioners, treatments, styling products and tools to hair color, professional services and more. For this story, she worked with GH Beauty Lab scientists and top hair professionals to curate top product picks and expert advice.

                Headshot of Dori Price
                Dori Price
                Contributing Beauty Editor

                Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.

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