If it seems like there's been a resurgence of beloved drugstore shampoos, there has been, just ask TikTok. If you search "drugstore shampoos" on the social media platform, you'll see tons of videos (with hundreds of thousands of views) showing that these affordable brands have revived their hair with softness and shine. And that's not all, the rise in search for drugstore shampoo reached an all-time high in the past 90 days on Google Trends.
And we must say drugstore shampoos have come a long way since the ‘90s and early ‘00s. If you've been looking for ways to cut down on budget, your hair care could be a place to start. That's why we tapped the experts to explain the differences and if a good old-fashioned drugstore shampoo will deliver the same results as its much pricier counterpart. While most of the experts agree some have a difference in formulation, the real question is: Is one better than the other?
Is there a difference between drugstore and salon brand shampoos?
Experts tell us the main difference between drugstore and salon shampoo is the quality and use of active ingredients for certain hair concerns. Cosmetic chemist and BeautyStat founder Ron Robinson, says the main differential factor is that many salon brands have patented and proprietary technology. However, he notes that "drugstore brands are quickly catching up" in that area. For example, L'Oreal has launched an entire bonding system in recent years.
Going further into the ingredient quality, cosmetic chemist Esther Olu explains that while both types of shampoos "fundamentally have similar ingredients," some salon quality brands may use milder surfactants aka cleaning agents. However, she explains that doesn't mean they will clean or perform better.
"Drugstore shampoos are formulated for mass production and affordability, while luxury brands focus on branding, sensorial experience and perceived exclusivity," says Olu. "Overall, I wouldn’t say there is a huge difference between them. The effectiveness of a shampoo depends on the formula’s surfactants, conditioning agents, and compatibility with an individual’s hair type rather than the price tag."
What ingredients should you look for and avoid?
When it comes to picking out the right formula, hairstylists say the biggest thing to take into consideration is your hair type and whether if it’s color-treated or not. “If your hair is damaged and needs to be strengthened, I would suggest looking for ingredients such as keratin and amino acid,” says celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance. “For dry hair that needs moisture, check for products that include ingredients like glycerin and some oils like coconut, etc.”
Celebrity hairstylist Angela Calisti adds some more healthy and hair-friendly ingredients to look out for such as hyaluronic acid as a hydrating agent and amino acids for bond repair. She also shares ingredients you should dodge: “Avoid sulfates if you want to maintain healthy hair, prevent dryness, and preserve color or treatments such as hair botox or hair keratin,” says Cailisti. “It can strip moisture from your hair or fade color-treated hair faster and clog pores.”
However, you don’t want to swear off sulfates entirely says New York-based hairstylist Megan Robinson, she explains you’ll just want to avoid Sodium Laurel Sulfate, which is a chemical sulfate that can be irritating for dry scalps. “Don’t be scared of a sulfate — just make sure it’s plant-derived!” she explains. “Sulfates are what make shampoo foam. Look for ALS (ammonium lauryl sulfate), derived from coconuts. This will provide a luxurious clean without stripping or causing irritation.”
With that being said, Olu will always recommend patch testing first. “Ultimately, the best approach is to find what works for your specific hair needs rather than strictly avoiding ingredients based on trends and/or misinformation,” she explains.
Best drugstore shampoos, according to experts and editors
Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo
- Subtle fragrance
- Moisturizing ingredients
- Has Sodium Laurel Sulfate
Size: 12.1 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Avocado oil, jojoba oil | Best for: Dry hair
This drugstore staple (and pick from Olu), is formulated with nourishing ingredients: Avocado and jojoba oil. According to the brand, these ingredients work to target dry hair and provide moisture in just one wash.
Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Smoothing Shampoo
- Non-greasy formula
- Go through a lot of product
Size: 370 ml | Key ingredient(s): Keratin, argan oil | Best for: Frizz control
Associate editor Allie Wise has been using this affordable shampoo for over five years and says it has helped her with itchiness and dryness.
"As a beauty editor, I have sampled lots of pricier options, but I still always go back to this tried-and-true favorite. Not only is it super affordable, but it also leaves my hair feeling super soft and shiny," says Wise.
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo
- Can help with split-ends
- Contains Sodium Laurel Sulfate
Size: 28 oz. or 12.6 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Protein, ceramide | Best for: Damaged hair
Olu says the entire L'Oreal Elvive line is "excellent," especially their subcategory lines of Hyaluron and Total Repair. This L'Oreal Elvive repairing shampoo also happens to be a favorite of Ballance's, too. According to the brand, it's formulated with protein and ceramides to help repair damaged hair.
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump Hydrating Shampoo
- Provides moisture
- Leaves hair shiny, says users
- Has Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Size: 12.6 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Hyaluronic acid, Salicylic acid | Best for: Dry hair
This option from the Elvive line contains hyaluronic acid, which the brand says will provide up to 72 hours of moisture without weighing it down. Reviewers say it makes their hair feel cleansed, soft and smelling great, too.
TreSemmé Rich Moisture Hydrating Shampoo
- Good price for bottle size
- Great for dry hair, says users
- Some say could be more sudsy
Size: 39 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Biotin, glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Best for: All hair types
Another recommendation from Ballance is this hydrating shampoo from the drugstore staple brand, Tresemme. One of the main ingredients is hyaluronic acid, which the brand says can restore moisture back into your strands.
SheaMoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo
- Sulfate-free
- Great for curls and coils
- Lavender scent
Size: 13 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Castor oil, shea butter | Best for: Damaged hair, chemically processed hair
If you have coily, curly or over-processed hair, Ron Robinson recommends this Strengthen and Restore shampoo from SheaMoisture. Along with shea butter and castor oil for hydration, the brand says the shampoo is formulated with peppermint oil to promote scalp health.
Dove Shampoo Intensive Repair
- Lathers well
- Formulated to strengthen hair
- Has Sodium Laurel Sulfate
Size: 28 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Glycerin, ceramides | Best for: Damaged hair, breakage
According to the brand, this Intense Repair shampoo will strengthen strands at the "molecular level" to help repair breakage. Many reviewers say it helped their hair feel soft and healthy again, and it also happens to be approved by Olu too.
Marc Anthony Strengthening Biotin Shampoo
- Strengthening ingredients
- Lathers easily
- Good for all hair types
- Some may not like scent
Size: 8.4 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Caffeine, vitamin E | Best for: Breakage, dry hair
Production associate Audrey Ekman says she has been using this affordable shampoo for nearly a decade. "It’s packed with expert-recommended ingredients for hair growth, like biotin and caffeine, and it truly rivals dozens of the [far pricier] shampoos I’ve tried," says Ekman.
L'Oreal Paris EverPure Moisture Rosemary Oil Shampoo
- Sulfate-free
- Good for color-treated hair
- A little goes a long way
Size: 8.5 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Jasmine, rosemary | Best for: Dry, color-treated hair
When I'm [Garlin] on a budget, I'll exclusively use this L'Oreal shampoo and have been for years. My longtime hairstylist actually recommended this line to me since it’s good for color-treated hair. It contains rosemary, which dermatologists have said can help your hair with thickness and shedding, and it smells amazing.
L’Oréal Paris Bonding Shampoo
- Good for color-treated hair
- Improves/strengthens breakage
- Leave on for up to 10 minutes
Size: 6.8 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Glycerin, citric acid | Best for: Damaged, color-treated hair
Bonding shampoos have been highly recommended to help strengthen and restore weakened hair, and Calisti suggests trying shampoo from L'Oreal's EverPure bonding line. It contains glycerin for added hydration.
Kristin Ess Hair The One Signature Shampoo
- Created by a hairstylist
- Sulfate-free
- Some say heavy on finer hair
Size: 10 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Glycerin, sunflower, castor, avocado oils | Best for: Deep cleanse, all hair types
Coming recommended by both Megan Robinson and Calisti, this shampoo is developed by celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess. "[It's] a great deep-cleaning shampoo that removes buildup without over-drying, leaving your hair voluminous," says Calisti.
Echoing similar sentiments, Robinson says "I love that she’s an actual hair professional providing a lower-cost product to consumers. Thought is put into the product."
Aveeno Skin Relief Soothing Shampoo
- Relieves itchy scalp
- Mild formula
- Fragrance-free
Size: 10.3 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Colloidal oatmeal| Best for: Dry and sensitive scalps
This scalp soothing shampoo, which is a pick from [Ron] Robinson, not only can help calm scalp woes with colloidal oat, but it also contains rosemary to help add thickness to thinner hair, per the brand.
CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo
- Dermatologist-devolped
- Great for sensitive scalps
- Fragrance-free
Size: 12 oz. | Key ingredient(s): Ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Best for: Color-treated hair, all hair types
CeraVe is more than skin care, the dermatologist-developed brand has also branched out into hair care. Coming recommended from [Ron] Robinson, this shampoo contains all the skin-loving ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help protect the scalp barrier and hydrate the hair.
Meet the experts
- Esther Olu, also known as “The Melanin Chemist,” is a cosmetic chemist and licensed esthetician.
- Ron Robinson is a cosmetic chemist and founder of the skincare brand BeautyStat.
- Megan Robinson is a New York-based hairstylist and owner of the salon Pearlita NYC.
- Marc Ballance is a celebrity hairstylist at IGK in New York City.
- Angela Calisti is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Beauty Social Salon in New York City.
How we chose
We selected the best drugstore shampoos based on insights and recommendations from cosmetic chemists, hairstylists and Shop TODAY editors based on their tried-and-true picks. We also looked at verified customer reviews for top-rated products to help with hair thinning and restoring growth.
