How to Choose the Right Shampoo for Your Hair Type

Shampoo has one main job: to remove oil, sweat, dead skin cells and product residue from the scalp and hair. The right shampoo does that without leaving your scalp tight or your hair rough. Choosing well comes down to knowing your scalp, your hair and how often you wash.

Match the shampoo to your scalp

Oily scalp

If your roots look greasy within a day, you may need to wash daily with a mild shampoo. A gentle formula designed for frequent use, such as Gentle Daily Shampoo, cleans without over-stripping.

Dry scalp

A scalp that feels tight after washing may do better with less frequent washing and a mild, moisturizing shampoo. Very hot water makes dryness worse.

Flaky scalp

Flakes may be dryness or dandruff. Dandruff shampoos contain active ingredients and come with specific directions, such as leaving the lather on for a few minutes. A pharmacist can help you choose one. A cosmetic clarifying shampoo is a different product, aimed at removing build-up.

Then consider your hair

• Fine hair: look for light or “volumizing” formulas. Heavy moisturizing shampoos can flatten it.
• Thick, curly or coiled hair: moisturizing formulas help counter natural dryness. Washing is usually less frequent.
• Color-treated hair: shampoos labeled for colored hair are formulated to be gentler on color.
• Chemically relaxed or permed hair: choose shampoos made for treated hair, and always condition afterward.

How to use shampoo properly

1. Wet hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.
2. Apply a small amount to the scalp.
3. Massage with your fingertips for about a minute.
4. Rinse fully; leftover shampoo can cause dullness and itching.
5. Follow with conditioner on the lengths.

What about clarifying shampoos?

Styling products, dry shampoo and hard water can leave residue that ordinary washing does not shift. A clarifying product such as Scalp Care Shampoo, used once or twice a week, can reset the scalp. Used too often, it may be drying, especially on colored hair.

Signs your shampoo is not right

• scalp feels tight, itchy or sore after washing;
• hair feels coated, limp or greasy soon after washing;
• more tangling or frizz than usual.

Give a new shampoo a few weeks unless it irritates your skin, in which case stop using it.

The bottom line

Choose for your scalp first, refine for your hair second, and let results guide you. See the shampoos in our hair care range and filter by product type.

Sources

1. American Academy of Dermatology. Tips for healthy hair.
2. American Academy of Dermatology. How to treat dandruff.
3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hair Products.