Editor Tip: The formula is concentrated, so you can get more than 75 washes out of a single bottle.
Key Ingredients: Keravis, astaxanthin | Who It’s For: Those who want to strengthen hair sans sulfates
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of shampoo is best for gray hair?
Silver hair, natural or not, is similar to blonde in that it needs more TLC than darker hair tones to look its brightest and shiniest. Whether you naturally have icy-white hair or sat in the salon chair to get the look, the best shampoos for gray hair are essential for creating a dullness-defying hair-care routine that your cool-toned hair color will benefit from.
One of the most common concerns about going gray is keeping brassiness at bay. “The goal is to keep that hair bright and sparkly and not brassy or yellowish,” says Los Angeles-based hair colorist Clariss Rubenstein. Usually, purple shampoos are used to neutralize any yellowness in cool-toned blondes and gray hair, but Rubenstein says finding a shampoo that not only neutralizes brassy tones but also nourishes hair and replenishes moisture is key to keeping gray strands in tip-top shape.
Yes, counteracting yellow tones to minimize brassiness is one concern for those with gray hair, but New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, previously told Allure that gray hair can also change and become thinner, coarser, and drier since your oil glands produce less sebum as you get older, leading to drier hair follicles. “It is unclear why, but the biological process that affects the color of the hair likely also affects the structure of the hair being produced as well,” he said.
Tips for maintaining gray hair
To keep your grays looking bright and silver, Rubenstein recommends having a purple shampoo and a regular shampoo catered to your hair concerns. “Do you need volume? Moisture? Choose the right fit of shampoo and conditioner then choose a purple shampoo you like,” she says. There are tons of nutrient-rich purple shampoos on the market, but for a deeper treatment that checks multiple boxes off your strand care list, Rubenstein recommends mixing your usual shampoo and a purple shampoo every time you wash. “The ratio I like is three-fourths regular shampoo and one-fourth purple shampoo; then follow with conditioner,” she says. “About once a month do a full shampoo with purple just to tone.”
As we all know, shampoo’s main purpose is to cleanse. To remove build-up without sacrificing tone, New York City-based hair colorist Clara Purvis suggests using a clarifying shampoo or apple cider vinegar treatment to remove buildup. She also recommends using moisture-replenishing conditioners to offset any dryness or brittle texture. “Grey hair tends to be more on the dry side which happens generally as we age and our body starts to lose moisture, that’s why we recommend using highly moisturizing conditioners and styling products to help prevent dryness and dull, frizzy texture,” she says. “Additionally, regular oil treatments and hair masks are great ways to increase moisture.”
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. We guarantee that these factors are considered when determining whether a hair-care product is worthy of a recommendation.
