Forget the 2-in-1—Our Testers Agree These Are the Best Shampoo for Men (2024)

TL;DR

Overall our favorite shampoo for men is the John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Special Shampoo—it provides a thorough clean, without stripping the hair of moisture, and also leaves your hair smelling minty fresh. If you are looking for a gentle formula to use every day, we recommend the Necessaire The Shampoo.

Our Top Picks

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, peppermint, lavender | Scent: Mint | Size: 10.1, 16.9, 33.8oz

Meet Paul Mitchell's bestselling shampoo. This shampoo is for anyone who wants an invigorating cleanse that removes impurities from the scalp and hair. We can't say we're surprised because it truly does check 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 that, which also promote hair and scalp health.

Emily Algar, Byrdie writer: "The best thing about Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Special Shampoo is definitely the feeling. Like a mint for your scalp, it’s tingly, refreshing, and super invigorating. Results-wise, I found it did a great job at restoring volume and movement, all without stripping away my natural oils."

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Sodium benzoate, sodium cocoyl isethionate | Scent: Various | Size: 16.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you are looking for an affordable shampoo without compromising on the quality of the ingredients, this hair replenishing pick came especially recommended to us from celebrity stylist Valery Joseph. “This shampoo has the ability to wash away dirt and product buildup without stripping the strands of their natural moisture, which in turn helps to restore shine to the hair," says Joseph. He also loves how the gentle formula is free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens.

The ideal option for those who wash their hair every day and tend to work through products quickly, in addition to delivering much-needed hydration to the hair, it also reduces breakage. This shampoo is also available in four delicious scents, meaning you get to choose whether you want your hair to smell like honeycomb and cider, cashmere and rain, sugar cookie, or almond and shea butter.

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5 | Scent: Spicy and sweet | Size: 1.6, 6.7, 16.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

We are of the opinion here at Byrdie that investing in hair care is always worth it, especially if it makes an overall improvement to the health of your strands. Another top recommendation from Joseph, this shampoo does more than just clean your hair—it delivers it with a ton of nourishing ingredients to ensure everywhere from root to tip is taken care of. It contains natural origin alpha-bisabolol to soothe your scalp, while cotton proteins enhance the hair’s structure. Ceramides and shea oil also work to rehydrate the cuticles and leave them shinier, as hazelnut and camellia oils tackle damage and improve softness.

Clare Holden, Byrdie contributor: “My hair gets dry really quickly and sometimes a deep conditioner just isn’t enough. The ingredients in this shampoo work on my colored hair, and I see a huge difference immediately after using it—my hair combs more easily and blow-dries smoother.”

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: K18 peptide, salicylic acid | Scent: Citrus | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you find shampoos tend to leave your hair feeling dry, this peptide-infused option is the one to go for. We are huge fans of the entire K18 range and this shampoo doesn’t disappoint. It effectively cleanses the hair and scalp while also working to rebuild broken bonds and protect weakened strands. New York-based hair stylist and salon owner Paul Labrecque, recommends this shampoo for any men, praising its moisturizing abilities. The PH-optimized formula revitalizes parched hair from the inside out resulting in stronger and healthier looking hair.

Holly Rhue, editorial director: “My hair is a wavy, sweaty mess during the summertime, so I love that this formula leaves my scalp and hair feeling squeaky clean without completely stripping the moisture out. Instead, it felt like I had a clean canvas for a rich conditioner (or K18’s leave-in mask) and styling products to really penetrate. I’m definitely adding this to my regular rotation!”

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Creatine, ginger root extract | Scent: Bergamot and vetiver | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This shampoo had been specifically created for men to enhance the thickness of their hair and make it appear more voluminous. The scent is a gorgeous bergamot and vetiver, and the formula contains an innovative mix of creatine and polymers to increase texture. Joseph uses this on his male clients, citing it as the perfect option for anyone with thinner or flyaway hair. This shampoo also has the added benefit of containing ginger root extract to help to prevent damage from heat styling. One thing to note when using this product—it needs to be left to absorb for a few minutes once applied, so while it isn’t the quickest wash the results make the short wait worth it.

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Sodium Coco sulfate, green olives, Sicilian lemon oil | Scent: Citrus | Size: 1.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For those short on time in the mornings, this shampoo bar is the ideal no-fuss option to provide a thorough cleanse to your hair and scalp, while also leaving it smelling zesty fresh. This shampoo bar combines Sicilian lemon oil and green olives with scalp-soothing rosemary to promote hair growth.

Michael, product tester: “This shampoo bar is super easy to use. The size fits perfectly in my hand, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how easy it was to wash my hair with this bar.”

Hair Type: Dry, curly | Key Ingredients: Squalane, sea-buckthorn, coconut water | Scent: Vanilla, clover, citrus | Size: 9.2, 16.9, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Get the bounce back into your curls with this hydrating option from Amika. The ingredient list reads more like skincare as it is packed full of everything you could need to replenish the softness to your strands. Containing both hyaluronic and polyglutamic acid to simultaneously hydrate and retain moisture, it also delivers a dose of squalane for protection, along with bio-fermented coconut water and sea buckthorn to promote a healthier scalp.

Taylor, product tester: “It helped add so much moisture to my hair that my curls looked a lot smoother and were less frizzy, but my hair also just feels a lot better since beginning to use the shampoo. It never weighed my hair down, and I also found myself using less leave-in products after washing.”

Hair Type: Thin | Key Ingredients: Rice water, salicylic acid | Scent: Woody musk, citrus | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

The main aim of this shampoo is to repair thinning hair and ward off future breakage. It uses Japanese rice water which is rich in amino acids, protein, and vitamins to restore strands and return much-needed moisture and elasticity to your hair. The lightweight texture gently cleanses your hair without irritating the scalp or leaving any residue. Our tester who normally always double washes said that with this product only one shampoo was necessary.

Ciara, product tester: “I loved the scent. It's musky and manly and maybe even a little citrusy.”

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Biotin, castor oil | Scent: Citrus | Size: 10, 16.9, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Whether it be from over-styling or constant coloring, anyone whose hair is looking and feeling depleted can benefit from using this biotin-rich shampoo. Weak strands are infused with a potent mix of castor oil and soy protein to strengthen your hair and get it back to its former glory.

Grace, product tester: “I noticed hair growth within two weeks. My hair seemed to be growing in thicker at the root and on my front hairline.”

Hair Type: Oily | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice | Scent: Unscented | Size: 8.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For those with oily hair, shampooing every day is non-negotiable, which is why it is so important to use a product that doesn’t dry out your strands or irritate your scalp. This pick from Necessaire gives your hair a dose of TLC as it not only cleans your hair but provides it with vitamins, hydration, and scalp-soothing properties.

Our tester loved how only a small amount of this product was needed to effectively wash away any grease and how bouncy her hair felt once dry. For those with colored hair, our tester also pointed out how their dye job still looked freshly colored a month after using this shampoo daily.

Donna, product tester: “It lathers beautifully and washes out beautifully without any residue. My hair feels washed but not stripped.”

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Royal sugar kelp, green microalgae | Scent: Crisp apple, leafy green, mint leaf, pineapple and white woods blend | Size: 8.5, 33.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We know there is nothing worse than a dry and itchy scalp, which is why we have been on a serious hunt for a shampoo that can provide a thorough clean without aggravating the skin. After testing out various options, this pick from Bumble & Bumble came out on top as the soothing shampoo solution that washes away buildup while also keeping your scalp moisturized. It uses a combination of three nutrient-dense seaweeds to keep your hair and scalp nourished. Our tester saw an immediate reduction in flakiness and any previous scalp irritation was instantly soothed and alleviated after the first wash.

Lisa, product tester: “It delivers exceptional results across the board. Not only does it effectively cleanse the scalp and hair, but it also provides hydration, nourishment, and repair, leaving hair looking and feeling its absolute best.”

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Ketoconazole | Scent: Fresh | Size: 7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If you are looking to get your dandruff under control, this shampoo comes highly recommended by Joseph as the only over-the-counter option to really tackle the issue. It uses 1% ketoconazole to kill the dandruff-causing scalp fungus and get your hair back being flake-free. This shampoo is safe to use on both colored and chemically treated hair and gets to work immediately after the first shampoo. While it may not be as moisturizing as other options, it only needs to be used twice per week, so you can always follow up with a deep conditioner on the days you do use it.

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Ginger root, nettle extracts | Scent: | Size: 8.4 oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes

Kevin Murphy’s hair line is a favorite with us and this shampoo, as with all of the products in his collection, is formulated without sulfates or parabens. We especially love this one for men as it is designed to plump up finer hair and leave it looking thicker and fuller. Designed to replenish hair from root to tip, this shampoo does everything from stimulating circulation in the scalp to improving the integrity of each individual follicle, creating an overall healthier, shinier, and softer head of hair.

“When shampooing men, my preference leans towards lighter formulas like Kevin Murphy's sulfate-free line, which are particularly effective for thinning hair and preserving natural oils,” says Voss.

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, behntrimonium methosulfate, cetearyl alcohol | Scent: Mild citrus | Size: 3.3, 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Labrecque loves this shampoo for those lucky enough to have lots of hair. “Olaplex No. 4 helps close the hair bonds, and in turn makes thick hair look extra radiant," he says. This shampoo not only contains bond-building technology but is also packed full of hydrating essentials to nourish your hair. Coconut, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, banana fruit and noni fruit extract all come together to help maintain both the long-term integrity of the strands and provide instant softness and moisture to your hair. Your scalp is also taken care of through a powerful mix of acetic acid, biotin, rosemary leaf, oregano, and burdock root extract—that work to reduce flakiness and stimulate hair growth.

Loren Savini, Byrdie writer: "I love how healthy and fresh my hair feels after using the Bond Maintenance shampoo. My hair went from feeling brittle and frayed to smooth, shiny, and healthy—without having to sacrifice any volume."

Hair Type: Dry, damaged | Key Ingredients: Rahua oil, coconut, quinoa | Scent: Herbal | Size: 9.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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. And the list of power players here is not to be reckoned with. Rahua oil is rich in Omega-9, coconut gently removes dirt and oil, quinoa promotes healing and moisture retention, organic aloe hydrates and creates shine, and antioxidant-rich organic green tea helps protect the hair and scalp from harmful UV damage. We think it's ideal for colored or chemically treated hair. Some reviewers did note it didn't lather as well as they'd hoped.

Hair Type: Thin | Scent: Herbal | Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto | Size: 6.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Shampoos for thinning hair typically use proteins and panthenol to fatten up hair strands, yet their effect can be fleeting as they are washed down the drain. 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 like this one that can do just that to reduce hair loss. We do wish the full ingredients list was available online though.

Hair Type: Curly, dry | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, glycerin | Scent: Coconut | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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 that's more prone to breakage. Instead, uber moisturizing shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin keep even the tightest coils hydrated and the softest waves intact.

Hair Type: Color-treated | Key Ingredients: Ginger root extract, la mariposa blanca | Scent: Italian bergamot, Aomori apples, cassis, muguet, leafy greens, cedarwood, white amber, musk | Size: 2.5, 8.5, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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. It's ideal for all hair types, especially damaged hair, and anyone wanting to enhance their daily wash.

Jordan Julian,news and deals editor, with oily-prone, highlighted straight hair:“Thanks to this shampoo, I’m actually able to go a few days between washes, it leaves my hair feeling silky and thoroughly cleansed of buildup.”

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Hemisqualane, bisabolol | Scent: None | Size: 8.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you have sensitive skin and full-fragranced shampoos aren’t your jam, this hypoallergenic, fragrance-free shampoo is the way to go. Seen has a fragrance-free edition of its dermatologist-developed, hair-cleansing vegan shampoo that works wonders and is even safe for folks with eczema. Rather than traditional sulfates, this shampoo has hemi-squalane, a natural version of a sulfate.

FAQ

• Can men and women use the same shampoo?

  “Men and women can use the same shampoo as the formulations are generally similar, however, the main difference would be there are specific ingredients in some men's shampoos which target specific male hair concerns," says Joseph. Instead of choosing a shampoo based on genderwe recommend picking one for your hair type or issue.

• Is it bad to use 2-in-1 shampoo?

  While the experts we spoke to weren’t completely against 2-in-1 shampoos, they did highlight the limitations that come with a quick wash. “Using a 2-in-1 shampoo is not necessarily bad for you as it does allow some benefits such as time and space, especially if you are at the gym or traveling,” says Joseph. “However, using a combined 2-in-1 will not enable you to properly target issues such as dry scalp, frizziness, damage.”

• Should men use shampoos with or without sulfates?

  Sulfates in shampoo work to remove buildup, dirt, and oil from the hair and while they help provide a deep and thorough cleanse, they can also strip the hair of moisture.“Everyone should use a sulfate-free shampoo if they want an experience that's better for their hair and scalp health in both the short and long-term,” says LaBrecque.