A solid grooming routine hinges on finding the right shampoo. But when faced with a drugstore shelf loaded with endless shampoo bottles, it can feel like diving into the unknown: Can a shampoo really make hair look thicker? Do those 2-in-1 combos even work? Is it worth dropping extra cash on a fancy shampoo?
Ultimately, the best shampoo for any man is one that leaves his scalp feeling fresh without turning his hair into a dry, brittle mess. But to help you navigate all the options on the market — from shampoos that claim to fight dandruff to ones that promise to hydrate dry scalps — our editors and analysts did the research to find the best men’s shampoos tailored to every hair type and concern.
1
Best Overall Shampoo for Men
American Crew Daily Deep Moisturizing Shampoo
Pros
- Creates a satisfying lather and smells great
- Hydrating formula
Cons
- May not be suitable for oily hair
Get a good scrub with a nice shampoo that properly cleanses and moisturizes on the way out. American Crew’s Daily Deep shampoo nails that combination by leaving softer and cleaner-feeling hair. Its panthenol ingredient acts as a humectant to draw moisture into the hair strand.
2
Best Value Shampoo for Men
Suave Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Beauty Lab’s “gold standard” for preparing hair swatches
- Amazing value
Cons
- Scent may be too strong for some
A must-have for men who wear styling products, clarifying shampoo can combat excessive oil and grime. The Essentials Daily Clarifying Shampoo is a potent yet lightweight cleanser, and it does such a great job at eliminating dirt that it’s what the Beauty Lab uses to prepare hair strands for product studies. Its simple yet effective formula rings in at only $2 a bottle, but it should be noted that some found its fresh, clean-smelling scent “overly strong and potent.”
3
Best Shampoo for Men With Dry Scalp
Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Shampoo
Pros
- Effectively treats flaky scalp
- Leaves hair feeling soft and nourished
Cons
- Some users feel it leaves a residue
Hair and scalp plagued by a trifecta of dryness, itchiness and flakiness? Consider Head & Shoulders the salve. It’s formulated with the dandruff-fighting ingredient pyrithione zinc. For Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek, the creamy formula kept dandruff at bay without stripping the hair and scalp.
4
Best Exfoliating Shampoo for Men
Kérastase Genesis Homme Shampoo
Pros
- Great for acneic scalps
- Lab pro-favorite brand
Cons
- Scent may be too strong
When it comes to getting down to the nitty gritty, Kérastase excels at catering its line of products to specific hair conditions, said Shelly Aguirre, a professional hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Shoppers compared its scent to men’s cologne, but it may not be best for those sensitive to scents.
5
Best Conditioning Shampoo for Men
Dove Men+Care Hydration Fuel 2-in-1 Shampoo Plus Conditioner
Pros
- Conditions hair as you shampoo
- Affordable
Cons
- May not be as conditioning as a standalone conditioner
If you’re looking to simplify your haircare routine, Dove’s 2-in-1 offers just that. This shampoo-conditioner combo simultaneously cleanses hair strands and hydrates them thanks to its conditioning agents, which have been shown to make combing easier after use. Our testers found that this shampoo lathered and rinsed well without weighing down hair, while making combing and styling afterward easier. It should be noted, however, that a 2-in-1 product may not be able to provide comparable conditioning to a standalone conditioner.
6
Best Natural Shampoo for Men
The Seaweed Bath Co. Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Pros
- Unscented
- Great for sensitive scalps
Cons
- Dispenses thin
“Seaweed Bath Co. shampoos are a great affordable option for paraben and sulfate-free shampoos,” recommends Aguirre. “They’re all natural and easy to find at [major retailers].” Combining soothing aloe with moisturizing argan oil, the scent-free shampoo and conditioner set gently clean sensitive scalps. Aguirre also likes their Smooth Shampoo for curly hair and the sea clay and apple cider vinegar Detox Shampoo for removing scalp impurities. However, a few Amazon users stipulated that the shampoo came out on the watery side.
7
Best Shampoo for Men with Dry Hair
Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Hydrate Coconut Milk Shampoo
Pros
- Lathers well
- Lab-approved conditioning
Cons
- Scent may not be masculine enough for some
Having dominated our most recent test of shampoo for dry hair, it’s a no-brainer that this pick is great for men with dry hair. When used with its matching conditioner, this shampoo conferred the highest levels of conditioning to hair strands, with testers raving about how moisturized it made their hair feel and its impressive lather. The scent, however, may not be masculine enough for all men’s preferences.
8
Best Shampoo for Men’s Dandruff
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Pros
- Pharmaceutical-grade dandruff relief
- Dermatologist recommended
Cons
- Can be drying or irritating for sensitive scalps
Nizoral’s Anti-Dandruff Shampoo contains ketoconazole, a topical antiandrogen and antifungal medicine that can combat the growth of bacteria that causes dandruff. Rajani Katta, M.D., a dermatologist and author of Glow: The Dermatologist’s Guide to a Whole Foods Younger Skin Diet, recommended this dandruff shampoo for its ability to combat the flake-causing yeast. The strength of this treatment, however, may result in irritation or dryness in some, so if you have a sensitive or dry scalp you may want to look for a less potent option.
9
Best Hair Loss Shampoo for Men
Keeps Thickening Shampoo
Pros
- Achieves thicker-looking hair without feeling dry
- Contains ingredients which may help with androgenetic alopecia
Cons
- Very low lather
Finding the right shampoo for thinning hair can be difficult — many thickening shampoos are somewhat drying because of their lesser inclusion of conditioning ingredients to achieve fuller-looking hair. Keeps strikes a balance by improving hair volume without making it feel dry and brittle. The formula contains saw palmetto, which may help with thinning hair caused by androgenetic alopecia. Testers enjoyed this shampoo’s scent and how it made their hair look after washing. It’s worth noting that the formula lathers considerably less than many other shampoos, so you may be tempted to use more than is needed.
10
Best 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner for Men
Method Men 2-in-1 Shampoo + Condtioner
Pros
- Contains conditioning ingredients
- Variety of masculine scents
Cons
- May not be suited for oily hair
Two-in-one formulas get a bad rap. Method proves the naysayers wrong. Its shampoo and conditioner contain jojoba and argan oils to condition strands as you wash. GH consumer testers praised everything, “from smell to packaging to how well it lathered and rinsed off,” one said. This shampoo scored well for its lather, rinse and how clean it left hair feeling. We did find that some consumers ranked it poorly for weighing down their hair after use, so fine or oily hair types may want to look for a more clarifying shampoo.
11
Best Luxury Shampoo for Men
Oribe Signature Shampoo
Pros
- Humectant-rich formula hydrates hair
- Indulgent scent
Cons
- Pricey
Taking your shower to a new level of indulgence? Look no further than Oribe’s Signature Shampoo. The scent alone is so decadent it merits the hefty price tag. Luckily, this shampoo’s formula justifies it too. We loved almost everything about this shampoo, from the luxurious, thick texture to the way it left our hair after washing — noticeably softer and easier to style afterward than some other shampoos we tested. While it’s undeniably pricey, we found ourselves using less than normal to clean our scalps, and given the way it made our showers more luxurious, we can rationalize the cost.
12
Best Shampoo and Body Wash for Men
Jack Black Turbo Wash Energizing Cleanser for Hair & Body
Pros
- Dual-use formula contains hydrating and conditioning ingredients
- Smaller sizes are perfect for the gym/travel
Cons
- Scent and tingling may be too strong for some consumers
Jack Black’s Turbo Wash takes dual action to new heights. The thick shampoo and body wash is filled with refreshing scents of shea butter, rosemary and juniper berry, and nourishing ingredients like panthenol and vitamin E. We love its pump packaging, which helps dispense just the right amount. It comes in sizes ranging from three to 33 ounces, the smaller of which can be thrown in a gym bag for a speedy post-workout wash. “I’d buy this just for the scent!” remarked one tester. While we agree, its tingling sensation may be too strong for the more sensitive.
