How to choose a hair shampoo

We always have a lot of requirements for shampoo. It should suit the hair, solve specific problems, smell good. How to choose the perfect shampoo – if, of course, there is one?

What determines the choice of shampoo

Choosing a shampoo for hair is not an easy task. One lathers well but doesn’t rinse well. The other moisturizes great, but leaves a greasy feeling. The third is great hair care, but it smells too cloying … Maybe we want too much. Well, how else, if we use this tool very often, some even every day? To narrow the search, experts recommend starting from the condition of the hair and scalp. And do not forget that shampoo is first of all cleansing.

“Of course, cleansing is different. In the old days, they even washed their hair with laundry soap or washing powder – this was also a cleansing, but what was the quality of the hair after such a “care”? asks Vichy medical expert Ekaterina Turubara. – Modern brands carefully select the washing base of the shampoo and include caring additives in the formula. Of course, you cannot demand from a shampoo that it both nourishes and restores, and alone fights against hair imperfections – combined care, including masks, balms and serums, is much more effective in this sense. But it is possible and necessary to look for a remedy that, while cleaning, will take care of your curls.

What determines the choice of shampoo? From where, how and for what you will use it.

How to choose the right shampoo for hair composition

From the abundance of funds in stores dizzy. Trying to choose the right hair shampoo, we often ask for advice on the Internet or from a friend. As a result, annoying mistakes are possible. Here are the most common ones.

  • We are looking for products without surfactants. There is an opinion: it doesn’t matter what shampoo you wash your hair with, the main thing is that it does not contain surfactants! Indeed, surfactants can be quite aggressive. But they also have advantages: thanks to surfactants, shampoos effectively cleanse the hair and scalp, are well distributed through the hair, and create a dense, thick foam. There are products with mild surfactants synthesized from amino acids (raw materials for them are often coconut fatty acids). If you need a gentle cleansing, look for such products.

  • We select exclusively intensive cleansing products for oily hair. In response to the “bombardment” of drying substances, the sebaceous glands will begin to produce even more sebum. Therefore, it is better to buy soft products with herbal ingredients: chamomile, sage, nettle, calendula, citrus extract, cucumber. Intensive cleansing of oily scalp is required only from time to time, and not on an ongoing basis.

  • Choose only nourishing shampoos for dry hair. Most often, products for dry scalp contain natural oils and amino acids: they nourish the hair shaft. But what if dryness is accompanied by dandruff? In this case, it is better to look for a shampoo that also contains zinc with salicylic acid.

For conscious consumers, there is now a large selection of shampoos with natural ingredients.

How to choose a shampoo according to the type of hair and scalp

Choosing a shampoo for hair is very important. But still, the first thing we pay attention to is not the names of the ingredients, but the type of hair for which the product is intended.

For oily hair

The ideal shampoo is one that removes oil and impurities without disturbing the skin’s natural balance. As part of the product for oily hair, you can find substances that absorb excess fat, cooling and soothing components:

  • clay,

  • coal,

  • acid,

  • zinc,

  • menthol,

  • plant components – extracts of calendula, cornflower, horse chestnut and others.

Balancing shampoo Elseve “3 valuable clays” for hair oily at the roots and dry at the ends, L’Oréal Paris

The formula with three types of clay (white, blue and green) is great if the hair has become oily at the roots, but at the same time they are prone to dryness. The shampoo gently cleanses them and restores the balance of the scalp. Moisturizes without weighing it down. The effect of freshness lasts up to 72 hours.

Deep cleansing shampoo for hair that needs frequent washing, Dercos Nutrients Detox, Vichy

The active ingredients of the shampoo are charcoal, which absorbs impurities, and spirulina extract, which is responsible for the detox effect. Shampoo intensively cleanses even long hair, providing them with lightness and freshness for a long time.

For dry hair

Choosing a good shampoo for dry hair can be difficult. Search in it:

  • mild surfactants (eg, Coco Glucoside, Lauril Glucoside, TEA Cocoyl Glutamate);

  • moisturizing, soothing ingredients – panthenol, soy glycine, glycerin, aloe extract, argan oil, macadamia, shea butter, almond and others;

  • strengthening components – silk, wheat and rice protein, keratin.

Shampoo Elseve “Luxury 6 oils” nourishing, L’Oréal Paris

Light and nourishing, it is enriched with 6 oils of rare colors that give hair shine, smoothness, silkiness, make curls obedient and fill them with vitality.

Intensively nourishing shampoo Botanic Therapy “Legendary Olive”, Garnier

The main star of this tool, as the name suggests, is the olive. More specifically, olive oil, known for its antioxidant properties. In addition to it, the shampoo contains castor oil, which strengthens the hair, and safflower oil, which retains moisture in the hair and prevents its evaporation. The formula nourishes and moisturizes dry hair, restoring and smoothing it along the entire length without weighing it down.

For colored hair

Shampoos for color-treated hair contain ingredients that protect color from washing out, as well as ingredients that add shine and shine to color-treated hair. After staining, you need to use such products at least 1-2 times a week.

Elseve Color Expert Laminating Shampoo for Colored or Highlighted Hair, L’Oréal Paris

Flax oil in its composition helps to preserve the brightness and saturation of the color (according to the manufacturer’s observations, the color protection effect that the shampoo provides lasts up to 10 weeks). The product nourishes the hair and gives it shine.

Strengthening shampoo Fructis “Persistent color” for colored or highlighted hair, Garnier

Thanks to a special technology, the formula with flax oil and acai berries helps to keep pigments inside the hair, intensively nourishes the curls, makes them silky and soft, and gives shine.

For thin hair

Shampoos for volume are suitable for such curls.

Fructis Strengthening Shampoo for Fine Hair “Thick and Luxurious”, Garnier

Thanks to a specially designed fibracilan molecule, the hair becomes denser and thicker. And pomegranate extract makes them soft, silky and flowing.

Shampoo for volume with rice extract and wheat protein Rice & Wheat Volumizing Shampoo, Kiehl’s

The main characters in the shampoo are honey, wheat protein and rice extract. They moisturize and soften the hair, create basal volume and give curls vitality. Shampoo cares for hair without weighing it down.

For sensitive scalp

If peeling, discomfort are your eternal companions, look for shampoos with soothing ingredients:

  • wheat proteins;

  • panthenol;

  • glycerin;

  • extract of chamomile, mallow, calendula;

  • lavender, coconut and soybean oils, etc.

Soft physiological shampoo-gel Kerium, La Roche-Posay

Gently and gently cleanses while maintaining the physiological balance of the scalp. The shampoo contains salicylic acid and glycerin, substances that soften the scalp. The shampoo gently cleanses the skin and rinses off easily, leaving hair smooth and shiny.

To restore damaged hair

To choose a shampoo for split ends, electrifying, brittle hair, you may have to try more than one product. Need to experiment! And this should be done not only by women, but also by men! In the composition look for:

  • keratin;

  • panthenol;

  • castor, argan, wheat, jojoba, almond, olive and avocado oils;

  • herbal extracts;

  • glycerol;

  • provitamin B5.

Strengthening shampoo for damaged and weakened hair Fructis “Triple Recovery”, Garnier

A product with three oils and triglyceride helps to get rid of dryness and brittle hair, restores smoothness and softness to curls. Three types of vegetable oils (avocado, shea and olive) nourish, restore and soften damaged hair. And the fruit concentrate and vitamins B3 and B6 make them stronger and shinier.

Strengthening shampoo “SOS Recovery” Fructis, Garnier

As part of the product there is a vegetable protein karafil, which fills microcracks in damaged areas of the hair, contributing to their restoration. Improvements are noticeable after the third application, the hair breaks and splits less, looks smooth and shiny.

For curly hair

Such curls, due to the porous structure, are prone to dryness and brittleness, therefore, they need to be moisturized and nourished. In caring for them, the leading role is played not even by shampoo, but by conditioner (we wrote about it in detail here).

Shampoo for moisturizing hair Fructis Superfood Aloe. Moisturizing, Garnier

The product contains aloe vera, coconut oil, salicylic acid and vitamin E. And no parabens, silicones, synthetic dyes and ingredients of animal origin! The shampoo lathers easily, gently cleanses, nourishes and moisturizes hair without weighing it down.

Dercos Nutrients Nutri Protein Revitalizing Shampoo, Vichy

Gently cleanses and moisturizes the hair, gives a feeling of comfort. Prakaxi oil, which is part of the shampoo, intensively nourishes, and quinoa bran, rich in antioxidants and amino acids, literally revives hair.

For dandruff

Since dandruff is dry and oily depending on the type of scalp, you need to choose the right shampoo for your hair. With dry dandruff – with salicylic acid and zinc pyrithione in the composition. With oily – with selenium disulfide and tar.

Shampoo firming Fructis anti-dandruff 2-in-1, Garnier

The formula includes zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid and green tea leaf extract. Effectively fights dandruff and prevents its reappearance. Active fruit concentrate and vitamins care for hair to gain strength and shine.

Intensive anti-dandruff shampoo Kerium DS, La Roche-Posay

Eliminates visible manifestations of dandruff, soothes the scalp, provides a quick and noticeable effect, eliminating flaking. After the first applications, the feeling of discomfort disappears, and after three weeks, dandruff itself.

For coarse hair

Trichologists joke that coarse hair comes from abuse. They are overdried, do not fit well, stick out in different directions. True, they have one important advantage – they are usually thick. And you can improve their appearance with softening shampoos.

Shampoo “Papaya. Recovery» Superfood, Garnier

Gives softness and shine to the hair and helps to strengthen them. The main active ingredients of the shampoo are papaya extract, coconut oil and vitamin E. Glycerin supplements their work.

Against hair loss

Vichy Medical Expert Altana Bazyleva I am sure: it is possible to increase the density of hair at home. How much depends on genetics and lifestyle. Many hair growth stimulants aim to either improve the blood supply to the hair follicle or eliminate breakage. “The mechanisms of action of the active ingredients are different,” says Altana. “For example, a molecule like aminexil prevents collagen from hardening around the follicle, providing it with a normal blood supply. And stemoxidine creates favorable conditions for active division of stem cells and the transition of the follicle from the resting phase to the growth phase. Products with peptides are able to activate the stem cells of the hair follicles, accelerating the growth of healthy hair.”

How to choose dry shampoo

Are you late for the theatre? Have you been unexpectedly invited on a date? Did the alarm go off in the morning? Were you in the hospital? In all these cases, dry shampoo will help. The active substance-sorbent in its composition (as a rule, it is oatmeal, rice, corn flour, starch, locust bean gum or synthesized substances – cyclodextrins and polysaccharides) absorbs the smallest particles of sebum and dirt. You spray the shampoo from a distance of about 30 cm on the hair, leave for 2 minutes. And then carefully comb out the strands from roots to ends.

Dry shampoo:

  • allows you to wash your hair less often;

  • allows you to achieve additional volume at the roots of the hair;

  • helps to get rid of excess styling products – so if you applied too much hair wax, spray the “affected” area of ​​u2buXNUMXbthe head with dry shampoo and brush it out after XNUMX minutes.

Important! It is not recommended to replace rinsed-out dry shampoo. Yes, and there is no point – he will not be able to clear his head properly.

Features and selection of sulfate-free shampoos

Many people think that sulfate-free shampoos are better than those with sulfates – softer, safer, more gentle. This is not entirely true. Sulfate-free bases are good for very dry, damaged or colored hair: such curls need gentle, gentle cleansing. Sulfate-free shampoos are the way out for those who have done lamination, keratinization or bleached strands. These products are also suitable for people with sensitive scalp: the soft base has a very delicate effect on the skin.

For oily scalp, they are usually not suitable, because they are simply not able to rinse it properly. For the same reason, there are almost no men’s sulfate-free shampoos: men, as a rule, prefer well-foaming products.

Summary results

And now briefly about the main thing.

How to choose the right shampoo for hair composition?

Do not be afraid of surfactants and silicones and do not rush in search of a sulfate-free shampoo. First, find out which one is right for you, given the type of scalp, hair and their condition at the moment.

What should be considered when choosing a shampoo?

It is necessary to build on the quality of the hair. What are they? Thin or hard, greasy or coloured, brittle or prone to falling out… Each type needs its own personal care.

What are the benefits of dry shampoo?

  • Allows you to wash your hair less often.

  • Gives extra volume to the hair at the roots.

  • Helps, if necessary, to get rid of excess styling products.

  • Helps out when there is no time or opportunity to wash your hair.

Who should use sulfate-free shampoos?

  • Owners of dry, damaged or dyed hair.

  • Those who have recently done lamination, keratinization or discolored strands.

  • People with sensitive scalp.

But for owners of oily hair and men, they most likely will not work.

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