Editor Tip: The ingredients have antimicrobial benefits to deep-clean the scalp.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, oat milk, green tea extract | Who It’s For: People with natural or textured hair
Best for Damaged Hair: Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Gentle Shampoo
Those with easily irritated scalps should incorporate The Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Gentle Shampoo into their hair-care routine, stat. This fragrance-, dye-, and paraben-free shampoo is even suitable for use on keratin-treated hair. It also contains exfoliating salicylic acid, which can help with an oily scalp. Plus, with ingredients like amodimethicone and hydrolyzed elastin – which cosmetic chemist Ginger King notes are conditioning and moisture-boosting, respectively — it’s gentle enough for people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
Editor Tip: Kingsley originally formulated this for his wife while she battled breast cancer and endured chemotherapy sessions.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea extract, piroctone olamine | Who It’s For: People with damaged hair and sensitized scalps
Best for Frizz: The Honest Company Purely Sensitive Shampoo + Body Wash
The Honest Company Purely Sensitive Shampoo is gentle enough for the whole family (babies, too!). Featuring a slew of key moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, aloe, shea butter, and glycerin, this fragrance-free, hypoallergenic shampoo is specially formulated to soften hair while simultaneously taming frizz.
Editor Tip: This moisturizing shampoo is also tear-free, making it great for kids.
Key Ingredients: Aloe, chamomile extract | Who It’s For: People who need frizz control, or want something for the whole family
Best for Fine Hair: Klorane Ultra-Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk
For lightweight, shiny-looking hair, look no further than the Klorane Ultra-Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk. The formula’s hero ingredient, oat milk, is known for its skin-soothing properties. Plus, according to Dr. Gohara, “oats can reduce inflammation and also be cooling.” It’s also gentle enough to use on babies.
Editor Tip: Simply lather it on, leave for two to three minutes, and rinse.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, oat extract | Who It’s For: People with fine or thinning hair, as well as kids
Best for Oily Scalp: Bumble and Bumble Gentle Shampoo
Why It’s Worth It: This hydrating shampoo cleanses without stripping hair of essential moisture — in fact, it proactively delivers moisture with a combination of avocado oil and glycerin. Nettle extract serves as an astringent, removing excess oil from the scalp without causing irritation. However, it does contain sulfates and fragrance, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re sensitive to those ingredients.
