15 Best Shampoos for Curly Hair of 2023, Tested by Experts

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From drugstore picks to sulfate-free formulas, there's a curly hair shampoo for every hair concern.

Between plopping and using diffusers, there are tons of products to get your best curls ever. If you're just learning how to take care of your curly locks, a shampoo is a great place to start. So let's start here: When it comes to curly hair, finding a moisturizing formula is the number one step. "Definitely focus on hydration as naturally curly hair is often fragile and on the dryer side," advises hairstylist and owner/CEO of Deeper Than Hair Kee Taylor.

Though the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab has tested countless shampoos across all price points, our scientists have yet to test shampoos specifically for curly hair. So, we reached out to Taylor and trichologist Bridgette Hill to weigh in with some additional expertise. Ahead, we've included their recommendations, along with some Beauty Lab top-tested and editor-loved picks as well.

Keep scrolling to the end of this story to learn what to look for when shopping for a shampoo for curly hair, how often curly hair needs to be washed and more. If you want to read more about your curls, check out our guides to the best curl creams and best gels for curly hair.

Reach for this nourishing shampoo weekly (or even as frequently as daily). It's gentle on hair and packed with ingredients like argan oil and chébé, a Chadian seed that, according to the brand, helps strengthen, protect and hydrate strands. Also an effective cleanser, Taylor loves this product because it "not only hydrates your hair but also cleanses your hair without stripping of its natural oils," she says. Some online reviewers feel it has too strong of a smoky scent for their liking.

GH Health Newsroom Deputy Director Stephanie Dolgoff recommends this affordable pick. Formulated with rice, keratin amino acids and enzymes (and without sulfates), the brand claims this shampoo has multiple benefits including enhancing curl retention. Dolgoff likes that "it's widely available and smells nice," she says. After shampooing, she finishes "with a hair mask and then use a leave-in and gel and it is as good as the more expensive products," she adds. However, she doesn't use it for every wash because it's not as quite as moisturizing as other options out there.

In GH Beauty Lab testing for shampoos for dry hair, this set came out on top overall; the shampoo in particular had the most lather, was easiest to apply and rinsed out easily. Testers also agreed that it does not weigh hair down and leaves hair feeling clean, with one sharing that the shampoo "quickly lathered up and removed any build-up I had in my hair. Even though the conditioner took a long time to rinse, my hair was incredibly soft as silk." A highly moisturizing shampoo (and conditioner) is always great for curly hair.

Curly hair gets frizzy too! If your curls are turning frizzy, grab this Beauty Lab-tested shampoo. Not only is it moisturizing (which is great for curls), but it did so well that testers said they were tempted to skip conditioner. One tester even said they "could already tell a significant change in my hair texture for the better" after just one use. Take note that a shampoo rinses out quickly and may not give the longest-lasting frizz protection, so try pairing with a conditioner or leave-in for best results.

Moroccanoil's hydrating shampoo is a reliable option for curls. GH Institute Deputy Editor Jessica Teich calls this her "go-to, everyday shampoo." Thanks to its sulfate-free formula, it's color safe and "strikes the perfect balance of cleanliness and hydration," she adds. "The scent is absolutely addicting — I get compliments on how good I smell every time I use it." As with any Moroccanoil product, this is packed with smoothing argan oil. Some reviewers say it leaves their hair feeling greasy, so if you have oilier hair, this may not be the best choice for you.

Co-washes, or conditioning washes, are great for curly hair as they gently cleanse and condition hair simultaneously. This one from Maria Nila is a favorite of the boyfriend of one of our beauty editors; though it's pricey, it leaves his hair super moisturized and feeling healthy, and it adds definition and shine to his curls. It has a light, fresh scent that smells like apricot and is great for anyone to use. "It left my hair very soft and my curls actually looked hydrated after my hair dried," an online reviewer shares.

Shampoo bars are great because they are waterless, making them both eco-friendly and more potent (meaning you can actually use less product and achieve the same cleansing results). This one from Ethique is designed specifically for curls, and with 4.5 stars based on nearly 15,000 reviews, it's safe to say this one's a crowd favorite. It includes soothing ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter for happy, nourished hair. One online reviewer raves that "Ethique cleans, leaves hair soft and my hair does not fall out like it did before. Not harsh, no irritation, very cleansing and gentle." However, as a shampoo bar, there is a bit of a learning curve: Swipe the bar across wet hair a few times, then set it down and wash hair as usual.

Taylor recommends looking for coconut oil as an ingredient in shampoos for curly hair. She shares that coconut oil is hydrating, and GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann adds that coconut-derived surfactants "effectively remove impurities without being excessively powerful," meaning that they won't irritate or be too harsh. Enter: OGX's coconut oil-infused shampoo. Though this particular formula hasn't been tested in our Lab, many other OGX shampoos have done very well in testing. Reviewers love its coconut, fruity scent and that it leaves their curls soft and bouncy, but take note that some share that they felt their curls lacked volume after use.

Can you use dry shampoo on curly hair? Yes, confirms Hill. She recommends incorporating it into your shampoo routine as needed. Try this Beauty Lab test-winning Living Proof one, which faked freshly washed hair and maintained styles for up to five days. Plus, an impressive 100% of testers agreed that it left hair looking clean, with one sharing that it was "the most effective I've ever tried." As with many dry shampoo formulas, some testers did feel it left some powdery residue behind.

Filled with natural ingredients like alpine rose extract, camellia seed oil and blue algae, this well-priced Japanese shampoo gently cleanses hair. Taylor highly recommends this pick, sharing that it uses "plant extracts to help promote softer and shinier curls over time while also working to protect your scalp, which is key for growing healthy hair — no matter your curl pattern." There are very few poor reviews for this one, but one online reviewer does note that it made their hair feel dry after use.

Thanks to micellar water technology, this shampoo is great for lifting any buildup and oil off of the scalp. Plus, the unique water-to-foam formula is refreshing and light on hair. Though this shampoo has been formulated specifically with curls in mind, it can be used on even straight hair. GH Textiles Reviews Product Analyst Grace Wu tried this product while dealing with her oily hair and shares that "the nozzle is great for applying directly on your scalp, and this shampoo always left my hair feeling clean and refreshed." Some online reviewers with low porosity hair felt like it was a little too drying for their strands.

Brassiness begone, thanks to this purple shampoo from curly hair brand Ouidad. Whether you have highlights, silver hair, blonde hair or just general brassy or yellow tones you want to get rid of, this is one to reach for. One satisfied online reviewer shares that it "lathers well, so a little goes a long way. My highlights and leftover color don't look brassy anymore. My curls get nicely hydrated making them bounce and feel silky." Some other online reviewers disagree, saying it left their hair looking frizzy.

Teich shares that "curly hair tends to be drier than other hair types, which means dry scalps prone to flaking or irritation." If her scalp is feeling itchy or flaky, she trusts this Kérastase anti-dandruff formula for her curls. "I'll cycle this shampoo in for a few washes to nix any flakes, dryness or discomfort," she adds. She also loves that it feels elegant and glamorous in her shower — it's expensive, but it does the trick, thanks to the inclusion of proven dandruff-fighting ingredient pyrithione zinc.

Clarifying shampoos are great for removing buildup and deeply cleansing hair. But, with curls especially, you don't want them to aggressively strip the hair. Teich loves this pick for that deep clean, sharing that it's a "great go-to for a reset. It even has peppermint oil for a fresh feeling clean that I really love," she raves. It's a little pricey, but clarifying shampoos, including this aptly named one, only need to be used about once a week, so one bottle will last you a while.

At $16, this shampoo from celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons (who has worked with celebrities like the Kardashians) is a great steal. Taylor loves that this shampoo "uses amino acids to define your curls and hydrate them for ultimate bounce," she says. It also has jojoba oil to deeply moisturize, making this overall a great pick for dry hair seeking some hydration. Online reviewers also rave about this product, but just a few feel that it's not quite moisturizing enough for them.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested countless shampoos across all price points, from volumizing shampoos to shampoos for colored hair. However, because the Lab hasn't tested formulas on curly hair, we reached out to hairstylist and owner/CEO of Deeper Than Hair Kee Taylor and trichologist Bridgette Hill to weigh in with expertise, Beauty Lab top-tested products and editor favorites to round out the best shampoos for curly hair.

While you're picking out the perfect shampoo for your curls, keep these things in mind:

✔️ Sulfate-free: "Generally, curly hair requires hydrating, moisturizing, nourishing sulfate-free cleansers," explains Hill.

✔️ Moisturizing ingredients: The best ingredients in a shampoo for curly hair are hydrating ones. Taylor recommends "coconut oil for hydration, castor oil to increase shine and gloss throughout the locks, shea butter to lock in the moisture and argan oil to stimulate growth throughout the hair."

✔️ Made for curly hair: Sometimes, the best place to start is to simply look for shampoo bottles that are labeled for curly hair. "Curly and kinky hair needs help retaining its natural oils," says Wizemann. "This sets specific expectations and complexities that formulators must tackle, a process that extends beyond the ingredient list." She notes that a smart starting point would be to "explore products designed explicitly for curly hair."

This answer varies vastly depending on your curl pattern, but a general rule of thumb is "one to two times a week," says Taylor. "Textured hair needs natural oils to stay healthy," she adds, so don't over-shampoo. Hill notes that tightly coiled hair may only need to be washed every 10 to 14 days.

Yes. "Curly hair is more prone to breakage because of its shape and structure," says Hill. "There is a lack of strength and elasticity, making the overall hair fiber of curly hair more fragile." As a result, it's so important for curly hair shampoos to be super gentle and moisturizing. She also likes incorporating "co-washes and scalp rinses to allow curly haired clients to cleanse the scalp more frequently without disrupting the hydration and moisture level of the curl."

GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of hair products, including professional hair treatments, tools, shampoos, conditioners, styling products and more.

With a background in hair dye research and synthesis, GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann loves everything hair-related. Over her years in the Health, Beauty and Sustainability Lab, she has fashioned lab and consumer studies on at-home hair dyes, shampoos and conditioners, hair serums, hair volumizers, dry shampoos and more. She also tests hairstyling tools like hairdryers and curling irons while continuously checking for the latest innovations in hairstyling.

Kee Taylor is a hairstylist and owner/CEO of Philadelphia-based salon Deeper Than Hair and Bridgette Hill is a trichologist.

Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

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