15 Best Shampoos for Curly Hair, According to Experts
From drugstore picks to sulfate-free formulas, there's a curly hair shampoo for every hair concern.
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Like many things, haircare isn't one-size-fits-all. The products you need to get your best curls ever won't be the same as what someone with straight hair needs. From plopping to using diffusers, there are tons of ways to maintain your curls. If you're just learning about your curly locks and figuring out how to best take care of them, shampoo is a great place to start.
When it comes to curly hair, finding a moisturizing formula is the number one step, regardless of whether you have frizz, an oily scalp or anything else. "Definitely focus on hydration as naturally curly hair is often fragile and on the drier side," advises hairstylist and owner/CEO of Deeper Than Hair Kee Taylor.
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab have tested countless shampoos across all price points, so I tapped them for their top-tested picks and expertise. I also reached out to curly hair experts for their recommendations and additional insights, including Taylor and trichologist Bridgette Hill.
Ahead, I've rounded up the best shampoo options for every type of curly hair, including sulfate-free shampoos and clarifying shampoos. Want to read more about taking care of your curls? Check out our guides to the best curl creams and best gels for curly hair, too.
Our top picks:
Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
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