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Home • Beauty

6 Best Shampoos For Gray Hair

Maintain the health of your silver hue with these 6 shampoo recommendations and tips from a stylist.
6 Best Shampoos For Gray Hair
Shutterstock / Jacob Lund
By Larry Stansbury · Updated March 5, 2024

If one thing’s for sure, age is not a barrier to looking great with gray hair. You can certainly make a strong statement with different shades of gray and silver. And whether you’re beginning to embrace your grays for the first time or you’ve long been rocking them, it is still important to note that, as you age, your hair will naturally go through a transition, too. This is where shampoos for gray hair come in handy, as they rejuvenate and nourish your strands, keeping them healthy.

Clayton Hawkins, a celebrity hair stylist, spoke with ESSENCE on the subject, reminding us that, “hydrating purple shampoos are ideal for gray hair.” Additionally, he notes that, “purple pigments counteract unwanted tones and combat brassiness.” In other words, these magical shampoos are known for “turning yellowish gray hair into silver fox vibes.”

For anyone who’s looking for gray-friendly shampoos, Hawkins recommends that his clients “look for simple ingredients,” he says. That means, “try to avoid things like silicone, sulfates and parabens.” He also recommends a deeply moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for your gray hair. While looking at simple ingredients is beneficial for shampoos, he says that you should also consider looking at shampoos that contain Biotin Complex, which is known to add more moisture to your locks.

So if you’re ready to swap out your old shampoo, which was possibly stripping hair and making it dryer, or perhaps wasn’t protecting your silver strands from yellowing or becoming brassy, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find the best shampoos to keep your gray hair healthy, shiny, and properly cleansed.

01
01 PHILIP KINGSLEY Pure Blonde/Silver Brightening Daily Purple Shampoo
A derivative of glycerin, ethylhexylglycerin, gives this shampoo the moisture it needs to keep your silver hair shiny and smooth. Available at www.amazon.com
32 Shop Now
02
02 Kerastase Blond Absolu Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
This shampoo contains hyaluronic acid and color-depositing pigments that prevent yellow undertones while strengthening and neutralizing your hair, leaving it soft and firm. Available at www.amazon.com
42 Shop Now
03
03 L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo
This sulfate and paraben-free shampoo utilizes hibiscus extract to condition hair and counteract brassiness. Available at amazon
9 Shop Now
04
04 Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo
If you have product buildup, use Klorane’s gentle shampoo to remove it without drying your hair or scalp. Available at www.ulta.com
11 Shop Now
05
05 Dove Love Your Silver Gorgeous Grays Purple Shampoo
This purple, sulfate-free shampoo has a biotin complex that helps combat brassiness, counteracts unwanted tones, and adds radiance to your gray or silver hair. The lightweight formula also helps nourish and add volume to thinning hair. Available at Walmart
8 Shop Now
06
06 Virtue ColorKick Debrassing Blue – Purple Shampoo
This sulfate-free shampoo, suitable for all hair types, contains turmeric root extract that safeguards hair against UV damage and eliminates brassiness. Available at www.sephora.com
44 Shop Now
TOPICS:  gray hair Shampoo
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