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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
There are no two ways about it: Shampoo is one of those products men and women alike just need. Sure you may not use it every single day, but you won't be able to go too long without it. And for that reason, you'll want to be pretty picky about which shampoo you use. Trust us when we tell you that the best shampoos for men offer way more than just a fresh scent.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Overall, you can't beat the lathering-action of the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo, which is good for your scalp and lets you know it's working with a pleasant tingling sensation. However, our top budget choice, the Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo + Conditioner, is a worthy alternative for the busy guy who still wants to moisturize.
But, with all the shampoos for men out there, it can be a bit overwhelming to find ones that'll actually tackle common concerns like hair loss, hair thinning, and dandruff. Shampoos can contain everything from proteins for a stronger hair shaft, vitamins and minerals for a healthier scalp, and sulfate-free formulas for less dryness. That’s why we did our research and tapped Mark DeBolt, celebrity colorist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon, to bring you a curated list of top picks for every man.
Below, discover the best shampoos for men that'll meet your hair needs.
Best Overall: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo
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Benefits the hair and scalp
Lathers well
Pricier than other options
Meet Paul Mitchell's bestselling shampoo. We can't say we're surprised because it truly does check off all the boxes. It cleanses the hair well, invigorates the scalp, and leaves behind a scent that's not too overpowering. You can thank a blend of tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender for all that, which in addition to benefiting your hair and scalp is a real treat for the senses during your shower.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Mint | Size: 10.1, 16.9 or 33.8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
You will notice a cool, tingling sensation when using this shampoo, thanks to the combo of tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender.
Best Budget: Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo + Conditioner
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Moisturizing
2-in-1 formula
Can be drying
Ok so we're not always the biggest fans of a shampoo-conditioner mashup, but we make exceptions for a few, including this one which is actually quite good. If you're in a rush or just can't be bothered with a two-step routine, reach for this formula which also happens to be quite affordable given the bases it covers. Inside you'll find tingling tea tree, coconut-derived sulfates, and conditioning glycerin and shea butter. It's a great pick for fine or thinning hair too; the inclusion of soy proteins helps leave the hair feeling thicker and stronger.
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Herbal | Size: 13.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Drugstore: Dove Men+Care 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner
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Courtesy of Walgreens
Strengthens hair
Affordable
Can be drying
This two-in-one also gets our seal of approval. Let's face it—Dove has been a trusted personal care brand for 65 years for a reason: It makes good products that work well. This one is made specifically for guys to achieve thicker and fuller-looking hair. Ingredients such as caffeine to stimulate and calcium to strengthen from root to end help make this the best bargain you’ll find at the drugstore.
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Citrus | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Splurge: Leonor Greyl Shampooing au Miel Gentle Volumizing Shampoo
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Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue
Gentle formula
Volumizes hair
Pricier than other options
This shampoo has achieved a cult-like level of popularity for almost 40 years and that's not just pure luck. Protective rose hip extract and acacia honey combine with organic cleansing agents to make a mild, everyday-friendly shampoo that requires no follow-up conditioner. Plant-based proteins also add volume, making this color-safe, silicone- and cruelty-free Parisian shampoo from Leonor Greyl worth every penny you put down for it.
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Honey | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Natural: Rahua Classic Shampoo
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Courtesy of Sephora
Moisturizing
Provides UV protection
Pricier than other options
It’s hard to find any label today on which you can read every ingredient, especially in the shampoo aisle but you can with this one. Using omega-9 rich rahua oil, the list of power players here is not to be reckoned with. Coconut gently removes dirt and oil, quinoa promotes healing and moisture retention, organic aloe hydrates and nourishes, and antioxidant-rich organic green tea helps protect hair and scalp from harmful UV damage.
Hair Type: Dry, damaged | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Herbal | Size: 9.3 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Dandruff: Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care Daily Shampoo
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Courtesy of Amazon
Reduces itch and flakes
Affordable
Can be drying
Dandruff can be a real buzzkill, and we’re not here for buzzkills. That’s why we go to the trusted brand when it comes to fighting the flakes, and that's none other than Head & Shoulders. Credit the 1% pyrithione zinc for the help in reducing the appearance of dandruff with continued use, and the uncomfortable itching it's often associated with. This specific formula has also got notes of eucalyptus and mint for an invigorating wash and fresh scent you'll look forward to using.
Hair Type: Dandruff-prone | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Mint | Size: 13.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Thinning Hair: EVO Gluttony Volumising Shampoo
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Gentle formula
Volumizes hair
Pricier than other options
If you feel like your hair has been thinning out and you'd like to give it a boost with your shampoo, try this. Using gentle sulfate-free cleansers, this shampoo gets strands seriously swole in however long it takes you to lather, rinse, and repeat. To make the most of your thick magnificent mane, follow up with the matching conditioner. You can thank us later.
Hair Type: Thin | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: 10 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Hair Loss: Hims The Stimulator The Shampoo+ for Hair Loss
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Courtesy of For Hims
Blocks DHT
Gentle formula
Full ingredient list is not posted
Thickening shampoos use proteins and panthenol to fatten up hair strands but are fleeting as they are washed down the drain the next time you lather. It's been said that shampoo that can actually prevent hair loss needs to perform a key function, and that’s blocking DHT—or dihydrotestosterone—the sex hormone in men that is a byproduct of testosterone. How it all works is a long story, but in a nutshell, you'll want to reach for a shampoo that can help block DHT like this one to help reduce hair loss.
Hair Type: Thin | Scent: Herbal | Size: 6.4 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Thick Hair: WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
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Blocks DHT
Moisturizing
May weigh down finer hair
Apple cider vinegar has so many uses from all-purpose cleaning and deodorizing to making a winning volcano for science class. When it comes to your hair, and maybe, more importantly, your scalp, it has some pretty practical benefits when used correctly. This DHT-blocking WOW shampoo uses ACV to gently clarify buildup such as dirt, oils, and styling products while coconut and avocado oils rejuvenate damaged hair and dry scalp. WOW, indeed.
Hair Type: Dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Apple | Size: 16.9 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Long Hair: Hairstory New Wash
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Courtesy of Hairstory
Doesn't strip skin barrier
Gentle formula
Pricier than other options
If you are a serial shampooer, then you may need to take a step back and ditch the traditional sudsy shampoo. That rings even more true for those of you with long locks that are subject to repeated heat styling and less-than-frequent trims. Using a sulfate-free shampoo alternative like any of the three from Hairstory New Wash allows you to keep washing every day while still reaping the rewards of those “every-other-day” washers.
The trick? Loaded with natural, certified organic ingredients, New Wash Deep doesn’t strip away your protective barrier. It only removes excess oil, dirt, and styling products.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8, 20, or 32 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Curly Hair: Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
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Courtesy of Briogeo
Moisturizing
Defines curls
May weigh down finer hair
Perfect for most curls out there—2A to 3C to be exact—this is a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo that helps define curls, coils, and wavy textures without stripping scalp or strands crucial natural oils. Enriched with amino acids, ultra-hydrating shea butter, and avocado oil, this shampoo is designed just for those looking to embrace their natural curls.
Hair Type: Curly, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8 or 33.8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Textured Hair: Bevel Sulfate-Free Shampoo
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Courtesy of Sally Beauty
Moisturizing
Affordable
May weigh down finer hair
Designed for the specific requirements of coarse, textured hair, Bevel formulated its new shampoo without sulfates and silicones that can easily strip natural oils resulting in dry hair more prone to breakage. Instead, uber moisturizing shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin keep even the tightest coils hydrated and softest waves intact.
Hair Type: Curly, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Scent: Oribe Signature Shampoo
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Courtesy of Nordstrom
Lightweight
Detangles
Pricier than other options
There are nice smelling shampoos...and then there’s Oribe. Conceived as a rival to fragrance house creations, the “Signature Scent” from the brand is so popular it has its own loyal following. Notes familiar to the olfactory aficionados among us include Italian bergamot, Aomori apples, cassis, muguet, leafy greens, cedarwood, white amber, musk, and, la mariposa blanca—the national flower of Cuba, the birthplace of the late founder, Oribe Canales.
Hair Type: Color-treated | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Original | Size: 2.5, 8.5, or 33.8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Fragrance Free: SEEN Skin-Caring Fragrance-Free Shampoo
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Ulta
Non-comedogenic
Gentle formula
Can be drying
If full-fragranced shampoos aren’t your jam, but you still want loads of benefits, Seen has a fragrance-free edition of its dermatologist-developed, hair cleansing vegan shampoo that works wonders from head-to-toe. But fragrance isn’t all this shampoo is free of. Forget sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, dyes, pore-clogging oils, formaldehyde, and of course, animal testing.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: None | Size: 8.6 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Final Verdict
When it comes to the best shampoos for men, our top choice would have to be the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo. A bestseller from the brand, it addresses the needs of both the hair and the scalp thanks to tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender. Plus, it leaves behind a subtle yet invigorating scent. While a bit of a splurge, we can’t fail to mention the Leonor Greyl Shampooing au Miel Gentle Volumizing Shampoo, which has garnered a cult following for the past 40 years. It protects the hair with rosehip extract and acacia honey while gently cleansing (read: it isn't so harsh that it requires conditioner). Plus, it’s chock full of plant-based proteins to strengthen and add volume. And finally, when it comes to two-in-one formulas, the Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo + Conditioner is a must. Not only does it cut down shower time, but it gently cleanses and conditions while strengthening the hair with soy proteins.
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Meet the Expert
Mark DeBolt is a celebrity colorist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon. A protégé of celebrity colorist Marie Robinson, his areas of expertise include his signature blend of foil highlighting, balayage, and specialty color placement techniques. Currently, he’s an ambassador, educator, and hair color expert for Wella Professionals.
What to Look for in Shampoos for Men
A Formula That Targets a Specific Concern
Shampoo shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all situation, so finding a formula that targets a specific hair or scalp concern of yours will help you achieve your best hair yet. DeBolt appreciates formulas that contain “skincare for hair” formulas in order to promote healthy hair growth. If you’re suffering from dandruff or scalp irritation, choose a formula that specifically improves scalp health. If your hair is on the oilier side or you use a lot of styling products, opt for a clarifying formula that’ll help dissolve buildup and balance oil.
Thickening Formulas
According to DeBolt, shampoos with thickening benefits are often formulas that men appreciate. Hair thinning and hair loss are common hair concerns for men, and thickening shampoos can help combat this problem by giving the hair a fuller, healthier-looking appearance.
A Fresh Scent or Fragrance-Free Formula
Some shampoos can be heavily scented with sweet and floral fragrances, so some men may appreciate shampoos that have a subtler fresh scent or a fragrance-free formula—though it's really up to your personal preference. However, if you have a sensitive scalp or are suffering from dandruff and flakes, a fragrance-free formula will be your best bet against avoiding further irritation.
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Byrdie / Leigh Weingus
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Barret Wertz has many years of having hair under his belt. He’s also been writing about men’s hair and chatting with some of the most respected barbers, stylists, and groomers in the world about it for almost 10 years. He is not only passionate about his own hair but making sure anyone that will listen gets the best hair they can get as well. If he had to pick just one shampoo from this list, it would be EVO, because he has yet to find a better thickening shampoo (and conditioner).