The 15 Best Shampoos for Men in 2023

Barret Wertz

April 28, 2020 at 3:00 AM·13 min read

Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Our best overall pick is Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo

<p>Byrdie / Chloe Jeong</p> — *Byrdie / Chloe Jeong*

Shampoos for men address concerns like thinning, hair loss, and dandruff. A good shampoo is one that contains proteins for a stronger hair shaft, vitamins and minerals for a healthier scalp, and has a sulfate-free formula for less dryness.

Our best overall pick is Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo, which promotes a healthy scalp and lets you know it's working with a pleasant tingling sensation. For a more affordable option, consider Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo + Conditioner, which contains tea tree oil and coconut for scalp health and soy proteins help thicken hair.

We went to work and tried a handful of top-rated shampoos for men spanning a range of budgets, hair types, and concerns. After using them for weeks at a time, our testers rated each formula's effectiveness on targeted concerns, as well as its scent, and value. We then combined these results with the recommendations of Mark DeBolt, celebrity colorist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon, to bring you a curated list of top picks for every man.

Ahead, discover the best shampoos for men addressing hair loss, thinning, dandruff, and more.

John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Special Shampoo

Best Overall

A blend of tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender in this formula helps to cleans and invigorate the scalp.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

Meet Paul Mitchell's bestselling shampoo. We can't say we're surprised because it truly does check off 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 all that, which in addition to benefiting your hair and scalp is a real treat for the senses during your shower.

Price at time of publish: $26

You will notice a cool, tingling sensation when using this shampoo, thanks to the combo of tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender.

Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo + Conditioner

Best Budget

This wallet-friendly pick takes the stress out of using products, acting as both a shampoo and conditioner to strengthen hair.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

If you're in a rush or just can't be bothered with a two-step routine, reach for this formula which also happens to be quite affordable given the bases it covers. Inside you'll find tingling tea tree, coconut-derived sulfates, and conditioning glycerin and shea butter. It's a great pick for fine or thinning hair too; the inclusion of soy proteins helps leave the hair feeling thicker and stronger.

Price at time of publish: $12

Dove Men+Care 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner

Best Drugstore

This may not be a Just For Men product, but it really is just for men to create thicker and fuller-looking hair.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

This two-in-one also gets our seal of approval. Let's face it—Dove has been a trusted personal care brand for 65 years for a reason: It makes good products that work well. This one is made specifically for guys to achieve thicker and fuller-looking hair. Ingredients such as caffeine to stimulate and calcium to strengthen from root to end help make this the best bargain you’ll find at the drugstore.

Price at time of publish: $11

Leonor Greyl Shampooing au Miel Gentle Volumizing Shampoo

Best Splurge

This luxurious pick uses rose hip and honey to cleanse you hai of unwanted buildup.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

This shampoo has achieved a cult-like level of popularity for almost 40 years and that's not just pure luck. Protective rose hip extract and acacia honey combine with organic cleansing agents to make a mild, everyday-friendly shampoo that requires no follow-up conditioner. Plant-based proteins also add volume, making this color-safe, silicone- and cruelty-free Parisian shampoo from Leonor Greyl worth every penny you put down for it.

Price at time of publish: $35

Rahua Classic Shampoo

Best Natural

A blend of natural ingredients, including coconut and quinoa to name a few, promote both cleansing and healing of the scalp.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

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. Using omega-9 rich rahua oil, the list of power players here is not to be reckoned with. Coconut gently removes dirt and oil, quinoa promotes healing and moisture retention, organic aloe hydrates and nourishes, and antioxidant-rich organic green tea helps protect hair and scalp from harmful UV damage.

Price at time of publish: $36

Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care Daily Shampoo

Best for Dandruff

Credit the 1% pyrithione zinc for the help in reducing the appearance of dandruff with continued use.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

We go to the trusted brand when it comes to fighting the flakes, and that's none other than Head & Shoulders. Credit the 1% pyrithione zinc for the help in reducing the appearance of dandruff with continued use, and the uncomfortable itching it's often associated with. This specific formula has also got notes of eucalyptus and mint for an invigorating wash and fresh scent you'll look forward to using.

Price at time of publish: $6

EVO Gluttony Volumising Shampoo

Best for Thinning Hair

Thin hair gets a much-needed boost from this sulfate-free shampoo.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

If you feel like your hair has been thinning out and you'd like to give it a boost with your shampoo, try this. Using gentle sulfate-free cleansers, this shampoo gets strands seriously swole in however long it takes you to lather, rinse, and repeat. To make the most of your thick magnificent mane, follow up with the matching conditioner. You can thank us later.

Price at time of publish: $30

Hims The Stimulator The Shampoo+ for Hair Loss

Best for Hair Loss

This shampoo takes on the difficult task of reversing hair loss with its DHT-blocking formula.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

Thickening shampoos use proteins and panthenol to fatten up hair strands but are fleeting as they are washed down the drain the next time you lather. It's been said that 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 that can help block DHT like this one to help reduce hair loss.

Price at time of publish: $19

Hair Type: Thin | Scent: Herbal | Size: 6.4 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

Best for Thick Hair

The ACV in this formula works to gently clarify buildup such as dirt, oils, and styling products, resulting on thicker hair.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

Apple cider vinegar has so many uses from all-purpose cleaning and deodorizing to making a winning volcano for science class. When it comes to your hair, and maybe, more importantly, your scalp, it has some pretty practical benefits when used correctly. This DHT-blocking WOW shampoo uses ACV to gently clarify buildup such as dirt, oils, and styling products while coconut and avocado oils rejuvenate damaged hair and dry scalp. WOW, indeed.

Price at time of publish: $17

Hairstory New Wash

Best for Long Hair

Natural and organic ingredients allow you to shampoo everyday (worry-free!) and reap the rewards of oil-free, dirt-free hair.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

If you are a serial shampooer, then you may need to take a step back and ditch the traditional sudsy shampoo. That rings even more true for those of you with long locks that are subject to repeated heat styling and less-than-frequent trims. Using a sulfate-free shampoo alternative like any of the three from Hairstory New Wash allows you to keep washing every day while still reaping the rewards of those “every-other-day” washers.

The trick? Loaded with natural, certified organic ingredients, New Wash Deep doesn’t strip away your protective barrier. It only removes excess oil, dirt, and styling products.

Price at time of publish: $44 for 8 oz

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo

Best for Curly Hair

Curly and coily hair can benefit from this shampoo, which manages to clean hair without stripping the scalp of natural oils.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

Perfect for most curls out there—2A to 3C to be exact—this is a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo that helps define curls, coils, and wavy textures without stripping scalp or strands crucial natural oils. Enriched with amino acids, ultra-hydrating shea butter, and avocado oil, this shampoo is designed just for those looking to embrace their natural curls.

Price at time of publish: $28 for 8 oz

Bevel Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Best for Textured Hair

Sulfate- and silicone-free, this pick uses shea butter and coconut oil to clean thick hair without sacrificing texture.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

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

Price at time of publish: $11

Oribe Signature Shampoo

Best Scent

Oribe is known for their amazing-smelling products, but it's important to note that this shampoo also gently cleanses the scalp.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

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.

Price at time of publish: $49 for 8.5 oz

SEEN Skin-Caring Fragrance-Free Shampoo

Best Fragrance Free

The list of harmful additives that are NOT in this shampoo is amazing, so enter good-for-you ingredients.

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

If full-fragranced shampoos aren’t your jam, but you still want loads of benefits, Seen has a fragrance-free edition of its dermatologist-developed, hair cleansing vegan shampoo that works wonders from head-to-toe. But fragrance isn’t all this shampoo is free of. Forget sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, dyes, pore-clogging oils, formaldehyde, and of course, animal testing.

Price at time of publish: $29

Neutrogena T/Gel Daily Control 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner

Best for Flaky Scalp

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

This drugstore 2-in-1 contains zinc to help relieve itchy scalp and dandruff, and works well especially on those who have large flakes. It is recognized by the National Psoriasis Foundation to relieve thick crusted plaque buildup on the scalp. A paraben-free formula includes vitamin E leaves hair soft and manageable.

Price at time of publish: $40

Final Verdict

Mark DeBolt is a celebrity colorist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon. A protégé of celebrity colorist Marie Robinson, his areas of expertise include his signature blend of foil highlighting, balayage, and specialty color placement techniques. Currently, he’s an ambassador, educator, and hair color expert for Wella Professionals.

What to Look For

A Formula That Targets a Specific Concern

Shampoo shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all situation, so finding a formula that targets a specific hair or scalp concern of yours will help you achieve your best hair yet. DeBolt appreciates formulas that contain “skincare for hair” formulas in order to promote healthy hair growth. If you’re suffering from dandruff or scalp irritation, choose a formula that specifically improves scalp health. If your hair is on the oilier side or you use a lot of styling products, opt for a clarifying formula that’ll help dissolve buildup and balance oil.

Thickening Formulas

According to DeBolt, shampoos with thickening benefits are often formulas that men appreciate. Hair thinning and hair loss are common hair concerns for men, and thickening shampoos can help combat this problem by giving the hair a fuller, healthier-looking appearance.

A Fresh Scent or Fragrance-Free Formula

Some shampoos can be heavily scented with sweet and floral fragrances, so some men may appreciate shampoos that have a subtler fresh scent or a fragrance-free formula—though it's really up to your personal preference. However, if you have a sensitive scalp or are suffering from dandruff and flakes, a fragrance-free formula will be your best bet against avoiding further irritation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can women use men's shampoo?

<p>Yes, says DeBolt, women can absolutely use men’s shampoo. If the formula targets hair or scalp concerns that would benefit your specific needs, you can use any shampoo you want—whether it’s marketed towards a specific gender or not.</p>

How should you apply men's shampoo?

<p>Men’s shampoo can be applied like any traditional shampoo. First, saturate the hair with warm water and massage a small amount of shampoo into the roots and scalp, working up a nice lather. Work through the ends of the hair, and then rinse out completely.</p>

<p>Byrdie / Leigh Weingus</p> — *Byrdie / Leigh Weingus*

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Barret Wertz has many years of having hair under his belt. He’s also been writing about men’s hair and chatting with some of the most respected barbers, stylists, and groomers in the world about it for almost 10 years. He considered dozens of shampoos for men for this roundup, evaluating each on its active ingredients, how well the formula targeted concerns, scent, and value. He combined these insights with stylist-recommended products as well as research from our own testers.

Up Next:

News

Life

Entertainment

Finance

Sports

New on Yahoo

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

${listAHeading}

${listBHeading}

Final Verdict

What to Look For

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Byrdie