Shopping for the best shampoo for Afro hair can be a bit of a minefield, right? These formulas must strike a precarious balance of being able to sufficiently clean the hair and scalp without drying or stripping hydration from your texture – but they do exist.
Because of coily strands' shape, oils from the scalp don’t tend to reach the tips of the hair; it can therefore feel drier than other hair types. It can also be weaker than other types, too, so you have to be mindful of how a shampoo can leave your hair feeling in case of tangling. On the plus side, Afro-textured hair doesn’t tend to get greasy quickly, meaning it doesn’t need shampooing as frequently as other hair types. Result. But if you’re using the best shampoo less often, your product will last you longer, hence the need to choose your formula more wisely.
As a coily-haired girl myself, I've tried hundreds of different shampoos at various points in my hair journey – from needing a protein-rich routine due to my hair being super weak to protecting my freshly-dyed red hair or clarifying it after using way too much wax for a slicked back look. So, if you want to update your choice of shampoo for Afro-textured hair, these are the one's choose for various hair concerns, from weakness to frizz and chemical damage.
Keeks Reid is an award-winning freelance beauty editor and broadcaster. As well as woman&home she has written for titles including Stylist, Women's Health and Who What Wear. She has held positions at Hairdressers Journal and Blackhair Magazine, and is currently Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan.
The best shampoo for Afro hair, reviewed by a beauty editor
RRP: £20 for 200ml | Key ingredients: Coconut-derived sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate (an SLS alternative)
There aren't many people that I don't recommend this shampoo to. It's such a crowd-pleaser thanks to its light and low lather, which is a result of the formula incorporating a coconut-derived foaming agent, not SLS. Not only that, it also contains aloe vera and babassu oil for a smooth and tangle-free wash day.
Buy if: You want an easy wash routine
Avoid if: You prefer inexpensive shampoos
RRP: £24 for 300ml | Key ingredients: Aloe, glycerin
However you wear your coils, this shampoo is the start of a softer wash day. The sulphate-free formula helps to lift away build-up, but the focus is on drenching the hair in moisture at the same time. Glycerin plays a big role here, too, so if you wear your coils and curls naturally you’ll benefit from a more defined finish when you team this shampoo with the matching conditioner.
Buy if: Softness is your main priority
Avoid if: You have fine hair; this may be too nourishing for your strands
RRP: £7.70 for 240ml | Key ingredients: Hydrolised wheat protein, non-sulphate cleansers
If you have had your hair done at a traditional Black hair salon, chances are you’ve had this used on your hair. While many, many things have had a needed upgrade from Y2K era salons, this shampoo remains a firm favourite for great reason. It cleanses hair thoroughly without leaving it feeling stripped, which makes for a good canvas for a deep treatment. Those with shorter styles will love its efficacy, especially as you only need a little to create a good lather, meaning a bottle will last a decent amount of time.
Buy if: You want a simple, classic shampoo
Avoid if: You want to treat a specific hair or scalp concern
RRP: £29 for 236ml | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, phyto-collagen complex, African oil blend
Of the two shampoos available from Beyoncé’s haircare line Cécred (the other is a clarifying option), this is the one I would recommend to readers across the board. It lathers well despite being free from harsh sulphates and gives hair a nice slip even before applying conditioner, despite not containing any silicones. With ingredients like phyto-collagen and hyaluronic acid, this is for you if you want your shampoo to be souped up with skincare ingredients.
Buy if: You have porous hair
Avoid if: You're looking for a more budget-friendly option
RRP: £8.99 for 250ml | Key ingredients: Coconut extract, glycerin
If you’re after an affordable shampoo that will cleanse your hair and scalp without leaving it dry, look no further. This one is sulphate-free and enriched with coconut extract to step coils and curls towards the natural lubrication that this texture can sometimes lack. The brand prides itself on gentle formulas that are suitable for the whole family, too.
Buy if: You want a family-friendly shampoo
Avoid if: You have bleached or chemically-treated hair
RRP: £26 for 295ml | Key ingredients: Procapil® technology, non-sulphate cleansers
Sometimes you just need to wash your hair; nothing particularly fancy, with no claims for extra add-ons, just a good wash that won't compromise the softness of your strands. That’s exactly what this shampoo from Color Wow’s curl range delivers. It’s perfect for a mid-week wash day when you may not be doing a big deep treatment but have been to the gym a few times and/or gelled your hair more than you want to admit. In other words, it’s a light reset.
Buy if: You need to wash your hair post-sweaty gym sesh
Avoid if: You like fancy-smelling shampoos; this doesn't have much of a scent
RRP: £20.65 for 300ml | Key ingredients: Glycerin, urea, hibiscus seed
The stand-out ingredients in this formula – namely glycerin, urea H and hibiscus seed extract – work together to keep coils and curls soft and moisturised while cleansing. The shampoo's creamy texture (and that of the conditioners that match) suggests that if you have finer Afro-textured hair, you might want to give this one a miss. However, thicker hair types will lap up this richness.
Buy if: You have thicker and drier strands
Avoid if: Your coils are finer
RRP: £13 for 300ml | Key ingredients: Creatine, amino acids, wheat protein
As Afro hair tends to be on the weaker side to begin with, plus prone to higher porosity (the ease with which hair lets in moisture and, therefore, frizz, but the inability to hold onto needed hydration), colouring it can be a bit of a haircare disaster. This shampoo from Bleach London was created for hair that has been stressed by the colouring process and works well for all hair types, including textured hair. It contains creatine to help build electrostatic bonds, micro proteins and amino acids for stronger hair and longer-lasting colour.
Buy if: You have bleached hair
Avoid if: You have no colour concerns; you won't benefit as much from the formula
RRP: £26.40 for 300ml | Key ingredients: Citric acid, bond care complex
If you relax your hair or straighten it in any way – for example with the best straighteners for curly hair – you need to try this Redken range. Infused with citric acid, it helps restore lost strength from any harmful processes, including bleach, chemical straightening and heat styling. With regular use alongside the conditioner and treatment, it promises up to 56% less breakage – and we can vouch for how strong our hair feels with consistent use after an in-salon Texture Release treatment.
Buy if: You get chemical hair services
Avoid if: You wear your hair completely natural
RRP: £18 for 250ml | Key ingredients: Argan oil, Aloe vera, lemon tea tree oil
A complete sensorial treat, from the tactile packaging to the subtly sweet smell to the rich, creamy consistency, this is a go-to for moisturising wash days. If you are an avid co-washer or if you are easing yourself into low-foam wash days, you’ll love this texture. After using it, your coils look and feel springy and softened.
Buy if: You prefer co-wash formulas to shampoo
Avoid if: You want something that'll give a really deep cleanse
RRP: £25
Often, Afro hair types are bracketed as thick and coarse by default. While many of us do have thick hair, it’s not always the case and if you have finer hair you might feel like a lot of textured hair products weigh your hair down. This cleansing foam from R+Co is the perfect way to kick off a weightless wash day. It’s enriched with green tea for its antioxidant benefits and argan oil for nutrients, resulting in a light and cleansed feel.
Buy if: You have fine hair
Avoid if: You have coarser hair
RRP: £32.40
Hard water is the term for tap water that contains a higher volume of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which can build up. If you have to descale your kettle, you live in a hard water area. Now just imagine what that build-up can do to our hair. Often it can leave it feeling and looking lank and exacerbate the damage of styling our hair. This formula contains citric acid to remove said build-up from strands and glycerin to replenish lost durability.
Buy if: You live in a hard water area
Avoid if: You live in a soft water area
RRP: £7
A cream shampoo sounds like a bit of an oxymoron, but there is no other way of describing this Cantu pick. There's a real creaminess to the texture but it is firmly a shampoo, so while it's "sulphate free" it does contain foaming agents. The lather is low, through, and doesn’t leave the hair feeling stripped, so it’s a good pick for a weekly wash.
Buy if: You're on a budget
Avoid if: You only co-wash
RRP: £18 for 300ml | Key ingredients: Peppermint, eucalyptus & tea tree oils, celery extract, willow bark, lavender water
When your coils need a complete scalp reset and refresh, this needs to be your shampoo of choice. For an overhauling wash day after you've removed your braids or weave, or upon returning from holiday, for example, this gives a clarifying cleanse that invigorates the scalp without leading to dryness. Peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus oils are all at play for a truly scalp-reviving wash.
Buy if: You want a shampoo for a reset wash
Avoid if: You don't like minty scents
RRP: £30 for 250ml | Key ingredients: Vitamin B5, baobab seed extract
Our scalps can go through it every week thanks to styling, the weather and the environment. While things like scalp scrubs are great to incorporate into our routines, an easy-to-use shampoo that will keep scalp health in check is a good addition. This shampoo by disruptor hair brand The Steam Bar offers a gentle formula with an expensive-smelling scent. It contains vitamin B5, baobab and prebiotic inulin to attract hydration and protect the scalp from styling damage.
Buy if: Scalp care is high on your list of haircare priorities
Avoid if: You know you're sensitive to fragrance
How to choose the best shampoo for Afro hair
There are a few things to consider when choosing a shampoo for Afro-textured hair. “Choosing the correct shampoo for curls for me depends on two things: the job I want it to do or the type of hair I'm working with,” says Louis Driver, Avlon educator and freelance hair stylist. “For example, if the hair and scalp have a heavy build-up of product on them, then I'm going to use a detox or clarifying shampoo.”
“If the hair is really dry, then we want moisturising [properties]," he continues. "If the curls or coils have been coloured, then we’re looking at something colour-safe; I'm also looking for a shampoo that's nutrient-rich and devoid of harsh sulphates or chemicals.”
As well as our actual hair, we mustn’t forget our scalps. “Scalp health is super important, so a shampoo that supports that, along with the hair’s requirements, gets extra points from me," Driver confirms. "A good shampoo should leave your hair and scalp feeling clean without being brittle or crunchy.”
How often should you wash Afro textured hair?
This answer really varies depending on the person, but a weekly wash is advisable across the board. "I think the frequency of washing curly or coily hair depends on the individual or lifestyle, but at a minimum, the hair should be washed once a week," says Driver. "The curlier the hair, the greater its need for moisture."
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