There are those who love to splurge on every step of their routine, and those who prefer to pick and choose their hair products in the name of fiscal responsibility. Take shampoo and conditioner, for example: While prices can reach sky high these days, quality formulations exist at every budget. The best drugstore shampoos are proof—they can hydrate, add shine, and repair—all for under $20.
Vogue’s Favorite Drugstore Shampoos
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Much like laundry detergent, people tend to remain loyal to the drugstore shampoos they grew up with. Many of those legacy brands are still going strong, but it’s worth noting how much innovation has happened over the years. Think more effective formulas, less-harsh ingredients, and better options for different hair types. From cult-favorite classics to recent debuts, below, Vogue’s edit of the twelve best drugstore shampoos in 2025 to add to supercharge any wash day, according to hairstylists and our editors.
In This Story
- Are drugstore shampoos as good as expensive shampoos?
- What do hairstylists think of drugstore shampoos?
- What to Look for in a Drugstore Shampoo
- What is the healthiest shampoo to use on your hair?
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Overall: Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo
- Why We Love It: If you grew up in a Pantene household, you’ll be happy to know that its heritage Pro-V shampoo is just as acclaimed in 2025 as its ’90s heyday. The packaging and scent—a clean, light fragrance that’s been around for years—remain relatively the same; drawing upon the benefits of panthenol, aka vitamin B5, which celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance says “softens and hydrates without feeling too coated.” He adds that it’s especially reliable “if you’re dealing with dryness or heat damage.”
- Key Ingredients: Panthenol, antioxidants
- Best For: Dry hair, heat damage
- Scent: Wild berries, fresh floral, creamy vanilla
- Size: 12.6 Fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Noticeable frizz reduction, color-safe formula | The fragrance can feel a bit strong |
| Creamy lather |
Best Volumizing: Monday Haircare Volume Shampoo
- Why We Love It: “Monday not only has the cutest packaging, but they’ve taken the time to cater to different hair needs,” says Gutterman. She explains that most volumizing shampoos are loaded with alcohol and sulfates, which can dry out the hair, this one, however, uses collagen, shea butter, and lightweight oils to hydrate and plump fine strands without weighing them down. She also appreciates the brand’s commitment to being cruelty-free and dermatologist-tested, all while keeping the price accessible. “I actually have this in my shower right now.”
- Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed collagen, coconut oil, shea butter, macadamia oil
- Best For: Thin hair, volumizing
- Scent: Floral, fruity
- Size: 12 Fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Recyclable packaging | May irritate very sensitive scalps |
| Leaves hair feeling squeaky clean |
Best for Dry Hair: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump Hydrating Shampoo
- Why We Love It: “If you’re going to opt for a drugstore shampoo, this would be one of my recommendations,” hair colorist Natalie Rotger says. I have to agree: I reach for this one whenever my ends feel dry, which is often, thanks to my hot tool addiction. Color-safe, sulfate-free, and lightweight without skimping on moisture, at under $10, this shampoo is basically free if you do the girl math.
- Key Ingredients: Citric acid, bond repair complex
- Best For: Dry, color-treated hair
- Scent: White rose, lemon zest, citrus
- Size: 6.8 Fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reduces frizz and does not weigh hair down | Lather is minimal |
| Has a subtle scent |
Best Clarifying: Odele Clarifying Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- Why We Love It: “A clarifying shampoo is a must in any hair routine, especially if you’re partial to dry shampoos and wax sticks,” says celebrity stylist Sophie Rose Gutterman. “This washes everything out in one rinse, leaving your hair gunk-free and ready to grow.” She explains that the formula includes ingredients that exfoliate without stripping the hair’s natural makeup. “While it removes things like hard water minerals and product buildup, it won’t strip your hair color.” The packaging also clearly lists the ingredients and specifies that it’s safe for all hair types to simplify your buy.
- Key Ingredients: Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, amaranthus caudatus seed extract
- Best For: Clarifying
- Scent: Natural mossy scent
- Size: 13 Fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Color-safe formula, suitable for every hair texture | Best used a few times a week rather than daily |
| Leaves hair feeling fresh and weightless |
Best for Damaged Hair: Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo
- Why We Love It: For something straightforward and restorative, Ballance points to Dove’s Intensive Repair Shampoo for hair that’s “gone through it.” From color damage and bleach to breakage from years of heat styling, this is suited to treat all of your concerns. (That’s thanks to its Bio-Protein Care technology infused with a glutamic amino serum that helps restore brittle strands.) At under $10, it’s a hard one to pass up.
- Key Ingredients: Glutamic amino serum, bio protein care technology
- Best For: Signs of damage, brittle strands
- Scent: N/A
- Size: 28 Fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reduces frizz and keeps hair soft | Not the best option for very oily scalps |
| Gently cleanses for daily use |
Best for Frequent Washing: Native Coconut Vanilla Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Of the newer drugstore labels, Native is a favorite, so we were thrilled when it expanded into hair care in 2021. Of its collection, we’re most partial to the Coconut and Vanilla shampoo; though Native is known to drop a fun flavor or brand collab worth stockpiling (looking at you, Dunkin’ Donuts). According to Ballance, the key ingredient here is cocamidopropyl betaine, “a coconut-derived cleanser that’s super-gentle.” He adds that it’s “sulfate-free, light, and won’t build up,” which is extra important if you wash your hair often.
- Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, cocamidopropyl betaine, citric acid
- Best For: Dry, damaged hair
- Scent: Coconut, vanilla
- Size: 16.5 Fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| The scent lingers long after the shower | Can feel a bit greasy on some hair types |
| Soothing formula is gentle on hair |
Best With Keratin: Kristin Ess The One Signature Shampoo
- Why We Love It: All of Kristin Ess’s formulas deliver salon-quality results, and the packaging makes them look way pricier than they are. They smell incredible too, thanks to a signature scent of pear, sandalwood, and magnolia. Ballance says the standout ingredient is hydrolyzed keratin, which helps smooth and strengthen without that dreaded plastic-y feel. He adds that it “cleanses gently but doesn’t feel too lightweight” and “works across hair types, which is rare at this price point.”
- Key Ingredients: Keratin, avocado oil
- Best For: Dry hair
- Scent: Pear, sandalwood, magnolia
- Size: 10 Fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Boosts shine and tames frizz | The fragrance leans strong |
| Works well on color-treated strands |
Best Hydrating: OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo
- Why We Love It: I still remember sneaking OGX products into the cart when my mom and I went grocery shopping growing up; and the coconut scent of this shampoo instantly takes me back. Even now, OGX holds up as a solid option for anyone looking for something both affordable and effective. Gutterman recommends this shampoo for clients with relatively healthy or virgin hair, since it focuses more on hydration than repair—though it does contain proteins that can help strengthen strands over time.
- Key Ingredients: Coconut milk, coconut oil, hydrolyzed milk protein
- Best For: Dry hair
- Scent: Coconut, shea butter, white peach
- Size: 13 Fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Strengthens brittle strands, leaves hair noticeably softer | Can be a bit heavy for fine hair |
Best for Curly Hair: SheaMoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Made with 100% pure Jamaican black castor oil, this sulfate-free shampoo is ideal for wavy, curly, kinky, or damaged strands. Gutterman explains that the oil “not only hydrates but will also promote hair growth.” It also contains shea butter, which helps strengthen hair that’s been chemically processed or heat-styled. While Gutterman notes that it may be slightly heavy for those with fine hair, it’s great for anyone dealing with frizz, dry ends, or oily hair types keen on removing excess buildup.
- Key Ingredients: Jamaican black castor oil, fair trade shea butter, peppermint
- Best For: Damaged hair
- Scent: Peppermint
- Size: 13 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Leaves curls hydrated without dryness | Can be a bit heavy for very fine textures |
| Has a soft, earthy fragrance |
Best Dandruff Shampoo: CeraVe Hydrating Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
- Why We Love It: If you swear by CeraVe’s face wash, it’s worth knowing that their shampoos follow the same philosophy—gentle, effective, and safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair. Take this anti-dandruff shampoo for example—the formula is unscented, allergy-tested, and ideal for anyone with a sensitive or easily irritated scalp. Celebrity hairstylist Sarai Martinez says this shampoo is especially good for scalp rejuvenation. “It helps keep the scalp healthier, less flaky, more hydrated, and less susceptible to dermatitis and other scalp disorders,” she explains. She also notes that the formula is sulfate- and paraben-free and, like many medicated shampoos, is designed to deeply cleanse and heal the scalp above all else.
- Key Ingredients: 1% pyrithione cinc, Ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Best For: All hair types
- Scent: Unscented
- Size: 355 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Removes buildup quickly | Doesn’t lather as much as other shampoos |
| Clinically tested, pH balanced |
Best for Shine: Nexxus Therappe Moisturizing Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Martinez says this shampoo is all about deep nourishment. “It uses components such as caviar and elastin to provide the ultimate moisture for the hair,” she says. She recommends it for anyone struggling with dryness, dullness. or porous curls in need of extra hydration. It’s an under-twenty-dollar way to give your shower a spa-like upgrade, and it leaves hair looking shinier and healthier without any heaviness.
- Key Ingredients: Wheat protein, caviar extract, elastin
- Best For: Dry hair
- Scent: Coconut
- Size: 13.5 Fl oz., 33.8 Fl oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lathers well, lightweight formula | Contains parfum |
Best Scents: Method Moisturizing Shampoo
- Why We Love It: “For an over-the-counter shampoo, this formula delivers all the components that promote moisture, like shea butter, coconut and rice milk,” says Martinez. She adds that for the price, it provides “nice, efficient moisture,” and is also a great pick for color-treated hair. “It is color-saving, meaning it does not contain carbons or sulfates, so it cleanses without stripping the hair of its natural oils.” And this is only one of Method’s shampoo options. The brand offers several other formulas—including repair, volumizing and smoothing—so you can shop based on your specific concern or even your scent preference, with fragrances ranging from matcha to island mist.
- Key Ingredients: Coconut, rice milk, shea butter
- Best For: Dry hair
- Scent: Rice milk
- Size: 414 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Recyclable packaging | Some users don’t like the scent |
| Shampoo lathers well |
Everything You Need to Know
Are drugstore shampoos as good as expensive shampoos?
According to our experts, drugstore shampoos can still offer quality formulas, but they don’t always perform at the same level as their more high-end counterparts. “Drugstore shampoos can have similar (or even the same) ingredients as salon-grade ones, but in smaller amounts and often diluted with less effective fillers,” says Rotger. Gutterman agrees, noting, “For the most part, I don’t recommend drugstore products, but there are definitely a few gems worth trying.” At the end of the day, the best shampoo is the one that enhances the hair’s feeling and helps you achieve your goals.
What do hairstylists think of drugstore shampoos?
“Personally, I’m not anti-drugstore shampoo, but it really comes down to your specific needs,” says Rotger. Is your hair color-treated? Do you have a sensitive scalp? Are you experiencing hair loss? If you answered yes to any of these, she says, a drugstore shampoo might not be the best fit.
It’s not that expensive automatically means better, but salon-grade shampoos are often made with higher-quality ingredients that target specific concerns and are less likely to cause irritation. Some hairstylists steer clear of drugstore options because many contain sulfates, which can dry out already fragile hair, cause buildup, or even strip and alter your color. For example, many drugstore options contain sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate—the most common surfactants utilized to remove dirt and oils from the hair. To avoid these, just be sure to pick a shampoo labeled sulfate-free, which will be powered by some other cleansing agent apt for proper lathering and washing of the hair.
Silicones are another controversial ingredient, though Rotger doesn’t think they’re as evil as people make them out to be. “They can actually be beneficial for some hair types,” she says. At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all shampoo. But if you spend a lot of money on your color, investing in a higher-end formula can help you preserve it longer.
What to Look for in a Drugstore Shampoo
When scanning the ingredient list, less is often more, says Rotger. “Too many sodium derivatives, alcohols, or fragrance ingredients listed near the top are usually a red flag,” she explains. She recommends opting for sulfate-free formulas, especially since many drugstore shampoos already include ingredients that can be harsh or stripping. This helps minimize dryness, scalp irritation, and color fade.
Gutterman agrees and adds that while not all alcohols are bad, it depends on the type of product. “Alcohol in a hairspray? Totally normal. But in a leave-in conditioner? Not so much.” She suggests paying attention to where alcohol appears on the ingredient list, since that can give you a sense of how much is included, and whether it might cause damage over time.
What is the healthiest shampoo to use on your hair?
According to Martinez, “the healthiest shampoos are sulfate-free, free of parabens and silicone, and lean toward natural, moisturizing ingredients that nourish the hair.” Sulfate-free formulas rely on gentler cleansing agents, which helps prevent the excessive dryness and irritation that harsher detergents can cause. Martinez also recommends looking for ingredients that actually add moisture and strength to the hair. That includes plant-based oils and butters such as shea butter, jojoba oil and coconut, as well as lavender oil and vitamin C to support softness and resilience.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity hairstylists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to drugstore shampoos, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, lather, packaging, scent, and the hair-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Marc Ballance is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City whose clients include Nick Jonas, Sam Claflin, and Maisie Peters.
- Sophie Rose Gutterman is a celebrity hair stylist based in Los Angeles whose clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Karlie Kloss, and Victoria Justice.
- Natalie Rotger is a hair colorist at Jenna Perry Hair Studio in New York City.
- Sarai Martinez is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Sarai by Day in Boston, MA.
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