1
Best Overall Shampoo for Gray Hair
Oribe Silverati Shampoo
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
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
Now 20% Off
Credit: OlaplexPros
Instant results
Softens hair
Sulfate-free
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
Credit: Celeb Luxury
Pros
Helps blend grays
Comes in multiple shades
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
Credit: Rene Furterer
Pros
Lightly neutralizes brassiness
Softens and strengthens hair
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
Credit: Moroccanoil
Pros
Cancels brassy tones
Softens strands
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
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
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
Credit: Hair Biology
Pros
Shampoo and conditioner work together to brighten and nourish
Good value
Contains biotin to strengthen hair
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
Credit: Natura Brasil
Pros
Fortifies fragile hair
Counteracts brassiness
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
Credit: Schwarzkopf
Pros
Very hydrating
Works well on gray hair and blondes
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
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
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
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?
"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?
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.
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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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