The 8 Best Shampoos for Men in 2024, Tested by Grooming Experts

This stuff contains creatine (yes, really) to strengthen weak hair, thicken thinning strands, and deliver a potent lather while cleansing. After months of testing, one editor noted that the shampoo made his hair feel stronger and thicker. No wonder it won a Men’s Health Grooming Award.

While this shampoo is specifically formulated to thicken and plump thinner (or thinning) hair, the reason we chose it as our best overall is that you don’t need to have that issue to reap the benefits. Thanks to the creatine and ginger root in the formula, it also strengthens strands so your hair, no matter what kind you have, becomes stronger against breakage and damage. And yes, it also does what all good shampoos must: Clean your scalp and hair effectively without leaving it over-stripped.

This stuff is fairly expensive and the bottle is smaller than you’d probably want for a shampoo. However, thanks to the rich lather, a little goes a long way so the small-ish bottle still lasts you a good amount of time, even if you wash your hair every day. This shampoo is the definition of “you get what you pay for.” Sure, you can find cheaper shampoos that get the job done and are fine, but shelling out a little bit more for a truly incredible shampoo can really make a huge difference. Give it a shot and thank us later.

Read more: Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Men

This non-foaming, detergent-free hair cleanser won’t strip your curly hair of the natural oils it needs to stay healthy. It also moisturizes while it cleanses to help protect your curls and keep them from frizzing. Co-washes like this are ideal for curly hair but can also be thought of as a 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner for very dry or damaged hair since using one is basically like washing your hair with a conditioner. If you’re used to high-lather shampoos, using this can take a bit of getting used to (it really doesn’t lather and feels more like a conditioner) but once you get the hang of it, the results speak for themselves.

The reason it’s so good for curly hair is because it doesn’t lather, so even with the learning curve, it’s worth it. Traditional shampoos typically use surfactants and sulfates that cause that lather you’re used to, but they can also strip and dry out hair—particularly curly hair that is already prone to dryness in general. Not only does this shampoo use non-lathering surfactants to cleanse your hair, but it’s also sulfate-free, so it won’t dry out your hair at all. In fact, it’s so moisturizing you don’t even need to follow it with any sort of conditioner (unless your hair is extra dry). It’s the easiest way we’ve found to protect your curls and keep them looking their best.

You don’t have to have actual dandruff to reap the benefits of this shampoo. Still, the salicylic acid included helps to clarify skin and decrease oil production, which makes it ideal for scalp health and hair that tends to get oily or greasy.

Think of this shampoo as an exfoliator for your scalp. The salicylic acid, just like the kind found in some of your facial skincare products, helps to gently remove buildup on your scalp, including flakes, but also goes down into pores to help control oil production. Even doing all of that, this shampoo is anything but harsh and really does help soothe itch and irritation on your scalp. Our favorite thing about it, though, is that it smells and lathers like a fancy shampoo, not like the typical dandruff shampoos you’ll find at the drugstore.

It’s worth a reminder that you really don’t need to use this every day—even though it smells so good that you’ll want to. Because the salicylic acid is potent, overdoing it could risk additional irritation to your scalp. Another usage tip: You want to make sure the salicylic acid actually reaches your scalp, so make sure to use your fingers (or a massaging brush) to thoroughly massage it into your scalp. Once you have, let it sit for a few minutes to make sure the active ingredients penetrate the skin on your scalp enough to be effective. Do that and you’ll have a flake and itch-free scalp in no time.

Controlling dandruff when you have textured hair can be a hassle, because traditional dandruff shampoos can leave it dry and crispy. This version, however, has the requisite pyrithione zinc you want to control dandruff, but is sulfate-free and packed with nourishing ingredients to help keep your hair hydrated.

Apart from the pyrithione zinc that helps control dandruff, this specific formula also contains apple cider vinegar to gently cleanse your hair and scalp without stripping it, as well as coconut oil to smooth and hydrate hair. The large size is convenient and lasts a long time even if you use it frequently, plus the scent is pleasant without any of the medicinal quality that some other dandruff shampoos have.

Out of all the medicated shampoos we have tested, this is by far some of the best smelling. It’s actually pretty easy to forget that it’s a medicated shampoo, but it is. That means you’ll want to make sure you let it sit on your scalp for a few minutes in order to let the active ingredients go to work. Luckily that’s easy when it smells and feels like a “normal” shampoo. It also doesn’t leave your hair feeling sticky or filmy like other medicated shampoos. However, it’s important to note that since this is formulated for curly and textured hair, the addition of moisturizing ingredients may be too much for fine or thinning hair.

If you want your upgrade your daily shower from mundane to sublime, we recommend this volumizing shampoo from Sisley Paris. It gives your hair an added boost of volume and body and the invigorating scent is the perfect way to kick-start your day. One tester noted that his hair felt softer and smoother after using it for more than six months. He also noted that Sisley’s formula was gentle enough to use every day, without drying his scalp.

If you’ve never used a luxury shampoo before, it may be hard to justify spending this much money on a shampoo, but once you use it, you’ll understand immediately. A richer lather, a creamier formula, a more elevated and pleasing scent are all part of the luxury shampoo experience, but where it really shines is how it leaves your hair looking lustrous and healthy in a way that cheaper shampoos just can’t compete with.

We don’t endorse an expensive product like this unless we truly believe in it and in this case, that’s absolutely true. Not only is the experience of using it incredible, but out of all the shampoos we’ve tested—from drugstore to luxury—this is some of the best, not just in how it feels and smells to use, but how it left our hair looking. Sure, you could use it every day if you want (you’ll definitely be tempted), but you really don’t need to with this stuff. It made our hair look its best with only a few washes a week. The healthy shine and feel it delivers stuck with us longer than cheaper shampoos. That’s why it’s worth the investment.

Dealing with hair loss or thinning? Don’t fret, not only does it happen to most men eventually, but there are plenty of shampoos to help. The most effective of which, is DS Laboratories Revita Hair Density Shampoo. This best-tested option is ideal for those genetically predisposed to balding because it contains DHT (the hormone largely responsible for male pattern balding) blockers, including caffeine, biotin, antioxidants, and amino acids, to fight off impending hair loss or thinning.

After using for only a couple of weeks, we already began to see our hair looking and feeling thicker. The shampoo’s formula also contains wheat protein, which helps hair appear fuller, as well as glycerin, a humectant that attracts moisture to the hair to help it stay hydrated and healthy overall. This is not a huge surprise given the shampoo left our hair feeling incredibly soft and healthy. Important to caveat that this shampoo will not cause hair to regrow, but it will certainly help your current hair appear and feel thicker.

Read More: Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair

Do you have a dry or itchy scalp? Grab this soothing shampoo that comes highly recommended by hairstylist and scalp expert Diane Stevens. “It contains aloe vera, an anti-inflammatory ingredient to soothe the scalp and help increase softness or smoothness of hair,” she said. “It also reduces tangles and hair surface roughness.” When it comes to boots-on-the-ground testing, our editors confirm that it is certainly effective in attacking dry scalps.

The only minor caveat is that this shampoo is merely one part of a full three-step system that also includes conditioner and serum for those with very dry or inflamed scalps. Naturally, you’ll get the best results (especially for more severe cases) if you follow the entire system, however, the shampoo is still effective at reducing itch on its own.

Whenever you use a product that’s designed to be part of a system, naturally you’re going to get the full benefits if you use the whole system. This is no exception. However, we’ve tested a lot of systems in our time and we were impressed at how well this shampoo worked at soothing our itchy scalps even if we didn’t use the other two products. If you have a chronically itchy scalp, you’ll likely want to pick up all three products, but if you just want something on hand to soothe your scalp every now and then, the shampoo will do the trick just fine.

Read More: Best Shampoos for Itchy Scalps

Sachajuan Moisturizing Shampoo is perfect for severely dry, dehydrated hair. It rehydrates hair through a blend of Ocean Silk Technology and Argan oil; providing optimal moisture levels. A few of our editors say that after using it for two weeks, they found that it helped fix their dry hair. Testers with color-treated hair also found that Sachajuan’s moisturizing formula kept their locks soft and healthy-looking.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

Most experts say that washing your hair more than a few times a week is unnecessary because overwashing can strip the scalp and hair of its natural moisturizing and protective oils. A good rule of thumb is to wash it every other day and always follow shampoo with conditioner to replenish moisture.

However, there are some caveats and how often you actually wash is personal. If you have curly, textured, or dry hair you may need to wash it even less. Washing once or twice weekly may be enough. On the flip side, if you have an oily scalp, sweat or exercise a lot, or use a lot of hair products, you may need to cleanse your hair more often.

Can Shampoo Really Help With Dandruff?

Yes, provided it has the right ingredients. Clinical dandruff is actually caused by a fungus that can grow on your scalp and feed off the oils. Ingredients like zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide have been shown to kill this particular fungus, called malassezia. Other ingredients, like salicylic acid, can address other factors like dryness, itchiness and oil buildup that can look similar to dandruff, but only zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide have been approved to stop the fungus itself. Using a dandruff shampoo that contains these ingredients as directed can help curb dandruff (as long as you keep using it).

What’s the Deal With Sulfates in Shampoo?

Sulfates (most commonly sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate) are used in shampoos to create that lather we always expect when washing our hair. They’ve been used for decades because they were thought to have a cleansing effect, but in recent years, the conversation around sulfates has shifted. Many people now believe that sulfates have a stripping effect and can leave your hair dry, unprotected and needlessly crispy (that squeaky clean feeling).

Still, sulfates themselves aren’t necessarily harmful, but you may want to avoid shampoos with sulfates if you have dry, fine, color-treated or chemically-treated hair as they can increase dryness (and fade color). Additionally, avoid sulfates if you have rosacea, eczema, or highly sensitive skin, as they can cause irritation.