11 Types Of Shampoo And How To Pick The Right One For Your Hair

With so many different types of shampoos available, it can be difficult to decide what you actually need. From volumizing and thickening shampoos to moisturizing and damage-repairing ones, it may not always feel easy to navigate the shampoo aisle. This can be especially true if you've been having more bad hair days than good ones and aren't sure what to do about it.

Even though there may be a lot to think about when choosing a shampoo, especially if you're considering spending a significant amount of cash on a quality product, doing a little research can help you narrow your options down. Knowing your hair type, as well as how oily or dry your scalp is, can help you find your ideal product. Beyond that, knowing things like how often to wash your hair and the most important place to use shampoo can help you tackle your hair concerns. With a little research and patience, you can more easily choose a shampoo that may let your hair truly shine.

If you're trying to find the right shampoo, one of the first things you should know is what your hair type is. Knowing your hair type can help you figure out how best to care for your hair, and what kinds of products you should be using. Hair type is often categorized by curl pattern, with numbers and letters being used for each category. For example, type 1 hair is completely straight, while type 2 is wavy, type 3 is curly, and type 4 is coiled. The letters A, B, and C are then used to define how tight or loose your waves, curls, or coils are (type 1 is excluded from this since it has no curl). This would mean that type 2A hair, for instance, would be a loose, soft wave, while type 4C would be at the other end of the spectrum as a super tight coil.

It may be difficult to tell what your hair type is right away, and you may even find that you have different hair types on different parts of your head. The good news is, though, that figuring it out will help you narrow down to the right shampoo for you. For example, a person with 3B hair (medium curls) will most likely not need a volumizing shampoo, since they already have plenty of natural volume.

This kind of hair type isn't the only thing to consider, though. Knowing whether your hair is oily or dry, or coarse or fine, and whether you have scalp health issues or your hair gets damaged easily, can help you find the right product.

If you have naturally dry hair, a moisturizing shampoo could be just what you need. The same is true for those who have dyed or bleached their hair and feel like it could use some extra moisture. While a moisturizing shampoo has cleansing properties, it is intended to cleanse gently so that hair doesn't become more dried out from the washing process. "When the hair is wet, it is at its most vulnerable," Evo creative director Tom Smith told Makeup.com. "The hair becomes more stretchy and can easily lose its moisture content and suffer from color fade. A moisturizing shampoo is all about having extra moisture content to lubricate the cleansing process to keep the hair supple and protected, and stop natural moisture from washing away."

When it comes to finding the right moisturizing shampoo, there can be a lot of solid options, many of them containing hydrating ingredients that can be beneficial such as coconut oil, rice protein, shea butter, and sea buckthorn oil. One thing to keep in mind is that the gentler the shampoo, the better it will be for dry hair. For that reason, it may be just as beneficial to become familiar with ingredients you should avoid in your haircare products, such as sulfates and short-chain alcohols, which can dry your hair out even more.

Damage-repairing shampoo can work for almost any hair type and may be what you need if you are trying to recover your hair from things like bleach damage. While a damage-repairing shampoo may help your hair's appearance, it's important to not expect too much, even from a high-quality shampoo. Speaking to Vogue, trichologist Shab Caspara revealed, "You can improve the quality of hair after slight chemical damage using bond-building products that will rebuild the amino acid bonds that make up the keratin in hair, however, you cannot restore split ends or breakage in severely damaged hair."

It's also important to keep in mind that your hair is not a living thing and that once it grows out of your head it's a dead protein, with no mechanisms for healing itself. Because of this, the best way to manage damage is simply to avoid it in the first place, by doing things like limiting your usage of heat tools, being gentle with it when it's wet, and eating a diet full of vitamins and minerals that can support healthy hair growth. When selecting a damage-repairing shampoo, make sure to look for one without any harsh sulfates, which can be hard on hair.

Volumizing shampoo may be a great option for those who feel their hair could use more lift. This is typically a concern for those with thin, fine, straight, or type 1 hair. If your hair looks or feels lifeless and like it is sitting flat on your scalp, a volumizing shampoo may help perk up your roots. Part of the reason why thin, fine, or straight hair may need some extra help with volume is that it can get weighed down by your scalp's natural oils more easily than thicker, coarser hair.

When choosing a volumizing shampoo, it's important to understand that it's different from a thickening shampoo. While the goal of a thickening shampoo is to make the hair appear thicker and plumper, a volumizing shampoo won't necessarily do that. Instead, it will help cleanse your roots and give them a boost, as well as create more distance between the strands and allow them to look more lifted. Some natural ingredients to look for in a volumizing shampoo include bamboo, hops, sage, and burdock root. 

While some might think that shampoo designed for curly hair might really define their curls, or even give hair more texture, that isn't quite the case. A shampoo designed for curly hair is intended to help with issues that impact curly hair specifically, not to change the shape or texture of the hair. So, naturally wavy hair isn't going to become curly because you used a curly hair shampoo.

A primary purpose of shampoo designed for curly hair is to help retain moisture. According to hair stylist Bridgette Hill, who spoke with The Zoe Report, "Many curl-specific shampoos are designed to work with the curl pattern as they impart moisture in order to keep it intact." She added, "The benefits of curl-specific shampoo are dependent upon the ingredients in the cleansing formulation."

One way to ensure that you're getting enough moisture for your curls is to seek out shampoos with humectants in them. A humectant is a substance that can draw in and retain moisture, which makes it a great ingredient to have in a haircare product. They can be natural or man-made, and two great natural ones to look for are aloe vera and glycerine. Omega-3 fatty acids can also be great for curls, as they help seal the hair follicle and enable it to retain moisture.

Frizzy hair can be a bummer, and it can happen to anyone. That said, it tends to be a more common problem for those with dry hair, or those with hair types 3 or 4. Other factors can impact frizziness, like scalp health, use of chemicals and dyes, and product buildup, as well, so it can be helpful to try and target the reason why your hair might be frizzy.

According to hairstylist Amy Abramite, "Frizz is a common complaint in the salon, however, the source of the frizz isn't the same for everyone. It's important to identify the root of the problem and treat it with the right products for the best results," (via the New York Post).

Whatever the reason your hair is frizzing out on you, there are some ingredients to look out for when shopping for an anti-frizz shampoo. Argan oil and coconut oil can be great natural oils for managing frizz. Other ingredients, like vitamin B3, phospholipids, ceramides, camellia, and hyaluronic acid may all help tame frizz, too.

Clarifying shampoo is another type of shampoo that can be great for anyone who is looking for ways to detox their scalp and improve hair health, but it may be the most helpful for those who use a lot of hair products regularly. "A clarifying formula can help remove product residue and/or heavy metals, minerals, and chlorine found in hard water, which can cause color fading and damage to the hair," Ouai's Diana Pratasiewicz told Today, adding, "With all that we put in our hair, it's always a good idea to have a 'spring cleaning' moment once in a while."

Using a clarifying shampoo isn't just a nice way to remove residue or give your hair a reset; it can have a lot of other benefits, as well. Once you remove all the buildup from your hair, it will likely be shinier, softer, and less frizzy. Not only that, but it may take color better. Yet another bonus: It could help with scalp health, too.

Clarifying shampoos, as well as detox shampoos, which are often similar, typically contain sulfates as one of the main ingredients. While some recommend avoiding sulfates in your shampoo, they can be beneficial for occasional use for clarifying purposes.

When it comes to hair health, scalp health is super important. In fact, taking good care of your scalp could be the key to solving a lot of common hair issues. Speaking to Renée Rouleau, New York City-based trichologist and host of the podcast "Hair Like Hers" Shab Reslan shared, "Due to the current nature of the environment and our lifestyle habits, our scalps require more attention than ever. Proper scalp care is often overlooked by many people since the focus is mainly on the aesthetic of the hair itself."

Not only may it help you have better-looking hair, but giving your scalp a little extra love could potentially impact your hair health in a more significant way, too, as Reslan went on, "Due to a rise in hair thinning and hair loss issues, the focus is now shifting to the scalp and the importance of maintaining a healthy scalp microbiome, especially for women. Since the scalp is an extension of our facial skin, it similarly has a pH level, moisture levels, and cells that benefit from exfoliation and regeneration."

The best kind of scalp-health shampoo for you can vary depending on what your issues or concerns may be. For those with dandruff, an anti-dandruff shampoo with key ingredients zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide may help the most. If you have flaking but anti-dandruff shampoos don't seem to work, you may need to visit a dermatologist to determine if you have a different scalp issue, like dermatitis, which may need prescription shampoo. For those with a dry scalp, seeking out products with humectants is key.

Whether you dye your hair to cover up grays, you like to play around with bold and bright hues for fun, or you want to keep your red hair looking fresh between colorings, chances are you want your colored hair to stay as vibrant as possible for as long as possible. While dye will fade over time, the good news is that using color-safe shampoos can help you retain your color for longer.

According to hairstylist and IGK Hair Care co-founder Chase Kusero, who spoke with Vogue, "Sulfates serve to give shampoos a bubbly lather, but they end up removing too much oil from your scalp and hair and can contribute to dryness. Color-treated hair has the tendency of already being on the dryer side, so it is key to use a nourishing shampoo that will be delicate on color-treated strands." He adds, "Sodium chloride, which is salt, can also be found in some shampoo formulas, and is known to contribute to dryness and can even impact or fade hair color."

Along with avoiding sulfates, there are plenty of beneficial ingredients to look out for in color-safe shampoos. Since hair that's been chemically treated may be more susceptible to damage, repairing shampoos may be a good option. Shampoos that offer UV protection can also be helpful in maintaining your color, as can shampoos with ingredients like coconut surfactant, amino acids, soybean oil, and green tea extract.

Anyone who wants their locks to feel fuller and more lush could benefit from a thickening shampoo, but those with thin, fine, or straight hair are the ones who may benefit the most. When considering a hair-thickening shampoo, it's important to keep in mind how thickening shampoos really work and that there are limitations to what a thickening shampoo can do.

According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Christina Han, who answered questions on a XYON Q&A, "Hair thickening shampoos and conditioners won't miraculously grow hair or make hair thicker, but what they can do, is help give the appearance of thicker and more voluminous hair due to their ability to cleanse the scalp, lift the roots of the hair and help hydrate the strands for a plumper look." Dr. Han stresses that it's impossible to alter the "anatomy of the hair and the follicle."

In some ways, hair thickening shampoo is similar to volumizing shampoo, but it gives hair the appearance of being more dense rather than more lifted. When seeking a thickening shampoo in particular, it may be helpful to look for one that also strengthens and hydrates hair. Ingredients like vitamin B, vitamin E, amino acids, and biotin can all be great for this.

The kind of haircare routine that works best for you can vary so much depending on your hair type and scalp health. For some, washing hair may only be necessary once a week, while others may need to wash their hair every day. For those who do wash every day, though, it can be a good idea to opt for products that are gentle on hair. According to director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Dermatology Dr. Joshua Zeichner, "Washing your hair too often can make the hair dry and brittle and lead to irritation of the scalp," per Today.

It's no surprise that if your scalp becomes irritated, it could lead to other issues for your hair, like dryness and frizziness. An everyday shampoo is gentle and can help cleanse without causing dryness, which means that you can keep excess hair oils at bay without having to worry that you're doing unnecessary damage to your hair. Many kinds of quality shampoos can be great for frequent use. The most important thing to do is make sure you avoid shampoos with harsh sulfates, which can strip your hair of its natural protective oils. 

If you need a way to keep your hair smelling and looking fresh without frequent washes, dry shampoo can be a great solution. Dry shampoos typically come as a spray, although they may also come in powder form. A dry shampoo works by absorbing oils and dirt, which will help your hair appear clean.

There are also tons of different kinds of dry shampoo, depending on what your hair concerns are. Some are designed to be extra absorbent for those that have particularly oily hair. Others come with color in them to help cover up roots, and other kinds can have a volumizing effect.

While dry shampoo can be a great, quick, and convenient option for those who need to freshen up their locks (especially when you work out every day), it may not be helpful to rely on it as if it were a regular shampoo. Not only can dry shampoo leave a residue on your hair and scalp that will build up over time, but some of the alcohols (which help absorb oil) could also dry your hair out, and lead to brittleness and breakage over time.