Shampoos for men address concerns like thinning, hair loss, and dandruff. A good shampoo is one that contains proteins for a stronger hair shaft, vitamins and minerals for a healthier scalp, and has a sulfate-free formula for less dryness.
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick is Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo, which promotes a healthy scalp and lets you know it's working with a pleasant tingling sensation. For a more affordable option, consider Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo + Conditioner, which contains tea tree oil and coconut for scalp health and soy proteins help thicken hair.
We went to work and tried a handful of top-rated shampoos for men spanning a range of budgets, hair types, and concerns. After using them for weeks at a time, our testers rated each formula's effectiveness on targeted concerns, as well as its scent, and value. We then combined these results with the recommendations of Mark DeBolt, celebrity colorist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon, to bring you a curated list of top picks for every man.
Ahead, discover the best shampoos for men addressing hair loss, thinning, dandruff, and more.
Best Overall
John Paul Mitchell Systems Tea Tree Special Shampoo
Benefits the hair and scalp
Lathers well
Pricier than other options
Who else recommends it? Men's Journal also picked the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo.
What do buyers say? 93% of 40,600+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Meet Paul Mitchell's bestselling shampoo. We can't say we're surprised because it truly does check off all the boxes. It cleanses the hair well, invigorates the scalp, and leaves behind a scent that's not too overpowering. You can thank a blend of tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender for all that, which in addition to benefiting your hair and scalp is a real treat for the senses during your shower.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Mint | Size: 10.1, 16.9 or 33.8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $26
You will notice a cool, tingling sensation when using this shampoo, thanks to the combo of tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender.
Best Budget
Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo + Conditioner
Moisturizing
2-in-1 formula
Can be drying
If you're in a rush or just can't be bothered with a two-step routine, reach for this formula which also happens to be quite affordable given the bases it covers. Inside you'll find tingling tea tree, coconut-derived sulfates, and conditioning glycerin and shea butter. It's a great pick for fine or thinning hair too; the inclusion of soy proteins helps leave the hair feeling thicker and stronger.
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Herbal | Size: 13.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $12
Best Drugstore
Dove Men+Care 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Strengthens hair
Affordable
Can be drying
This two-in-one also gets our seal of approval. Let's face it—Dove has been a trusted personal care brand for 65 years for a reason: It makes good products that work well. This one is made specifically for guys to achieve thicker and fuller-looking hair. Ingredients such as caffeine to stimulate and calcium to strengthen from root to end help make this the best bargain you’ll find at the drugstore.
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Citrus | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $11
Best Splurge
Leonor Greyl Shampooing au Miel Gentle Volumizing Shampoo
Gentle formula
Volumizes hair
Pricier than other options
This shampoo has achieved a cult-like level of popularity for almost 40 years and that's not just pure luck. Protective rose hip extract and acacia honey combine with organic cleansing agents to make a mild, everyday-friendly shampoo that requires no follow-up conditioner. Plant-based proteins also add volume, making this color-safe, silicone- and cruelty-free Parisian shampoo from Leonor Greyl worth every penny you put down for it.
Hair Type: Fine, thin | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Honey | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $41
Best Natural
Rahua Classic Shampoo
Moisturizing
Provides UV protection
Pricier than other options
It’s hard to find any label today on which you can read every ingredient, especially in the shampoo aisle but you can with this one. Using omega-9 rich rahua oil, the list of power players here is not to be reckoned with. Coconut gently removes dirt and oil, quinoa promotes healing and moisture retention, organic aloe hydrates and nourishes, and antioxidant-rich organic green tea helps protect hair and scalp from harmful UV damage.
Hair Type: Dry, damaged | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Herbal | Size: 9.3 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Price at time of publish: $35
Best for Dandruff
Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care Daily Shampoo
Reduces itch and flakes
Affordable
Can be drying
We go to the trusted brand when it comes to fighting the flakes, and that's none other than Head & Shoulders. Credit the 1% pyrithione zinc for the help in reducing the appearance of dandruff with continued use, and the uncomfortable itching it's often associated with. This specific formula has also got notes of eucalyptus and mint for an invigorating wash and fresh scent you'll look forward to using.
Hair Type: Dandruff-prone | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Mint | Size: 13.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $6
Best for Thinning Hair
EVO Gluttony Volumising Shampoo
Gentle formula
Volumizes hair
Pricier than other options
If you feel like your hair has been thinning out and you'd like to give it a boost with your shampoo, try this. Using gentle sulfate-free cleansers, this shampoo gets strands seriously swole in however long it takes you to lather, rinse, and repeat. To make the most of your thick magnificent mane, follow up with the matching conditioner. You can thank us later.
Hair Type: Thin | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: 10 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $30
Best for Hair Loss
Hims The Stimulator The Shampoo+ for Hair Loss
Blocks DHT
Gentle formula
Full ingredient list is not posted
Thickening shampoos use proteins and panthenol to fatten up hair strands but are fleeting as they are washed down the drain the next time you lather. It's been said that shampoo that can actually prevent hair loss needs to perform a key function, and that’s blocking DHT—or dihydrotestosterone—the sex hormone in men that is a byproduct of testosterone. How it all works is a long story, but in a nutshell, you'll want to reach for a shampoo that can help block DHT like this one to help reduce hair loss.
Hair Type: Thin | Scent: Herbal | Size: 6.4 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $19
Best for Thick Hair
WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Blocks DHT
Moisturizing
May weigh down finer hair
Apple cider vinegar has so many uses from all-purpose cleaning and deodorizing to making a winning volcano for science class. When it comes to your hair, and maybe, more importantly, your scalp, it has some pretty practical benefits when used correctly. This DHT-blocking WOW shampoo uses ACV to gently clarify buildup such as dirt, oils, and styling products while coconut and avocado oils rejuvenate damaged hair and dry scalp. WOW, indeed.
Hair Type: Dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Apple | Size: 16.9 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $17
Best for Long Hair
Hairstory New Wash
Doesn't strip skin barrier
Gentle formula
Pricier than other options
If you are a serial shampooer, then you may need to take a step back and ditch the traditional sudsy shampoo. That rings even more true for those of you with long locks that are subject to repeated heat styling and less-than-frequent trims. Using a sulfate-free shampoo alternative like any of the three from Hairstory New Wash allows you to keep washing every day while still reaping the rewards of those “every-other-day” washers.
The trick? Loaded with natural, certified organic ingredients, New Wash Deep doesn’t strip away your protective barrier. It only removes excess oil, dirt, and styling products.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8, 20, or 32 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Price at time of publish: $44
Best for Curly Hair
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Moisturizing
Defines curls
May weigh down finer hair
Perfect for most curls out there—2A to 3C to be exact—this is a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo that helps define curls, coils, and wavy textures without stripping scalp or strands crucial natural oils. Enriched with amino acids, ultra-hydrating shea butter, and avocado oil, this shampoo is designed just for those looking to embrace their natural curls.
Hair Type: Curly, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 8 or 33.8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $28
Best for Textured Hair
Bevel Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Moisturizing
Affordable
May weigh down finer hair
Designed for the specific requirements of coarse, textured hair, Bevel formulated its new shampoo without sulfates and silicones that can easily strip natural oils resulting in dry hair more prone to breakage. Instead, uber moisturizing shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin keep even the tightest coils hydrated and softest waves intact.
Hair Type: Curly, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Original | Size: 12 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $18
Best Scent
Oribe Signature Shampoo
Lightweight
Detangles
Pricier than other options
There are nice smelling shampoos...and then there’s Oribe. Conceived as a rival to fragrance house creations, the “Signature Scent” from the brand is so popular it has its own loyal following. Notes familiar to the olfactory aficionados among us include Italian bergamot, Aomori apples, cassis, muguet, leafy greens, cedarwood, white amber, musk, and, la mariposa blanca—the national flower of Cuba, the birthplace of the late founder, Oribe Canales.
Hair Type: Color-treated | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Original | Size: 2.5, 8.5, or 33.8 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $15
Best Fragrance Free
SEEN Skin-Caring Fragrance-Free Shampoo
Non-comedogenic
Gentle formula
Can be drying
If full-fragranced shampoos aren’t your jam, but you still want loads of benefits, Seen has a fragrance-free edition of its dermatologist-developed, hair cleansing vegan shampoo that works wonders from head-to-toe. But fragrance isn’t all this shampoo is free of. Forget sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, dyes, pore-clogging oils, formaldehyde, and of course, animal testing.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: None | Size: 8.6 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $29
Best for Flaky Scalp
Neutrogena T/Gel Daily Control 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner
Moisturizing
Treats dandruff, flakes, and inflamed scalp
Acts fast to relieve itchiness
Strong scent
This drugstore 2-in-1 contains zinc to help relieve itchy scalp and dandruff, and works well especially on those who have large flakes. It is recognized by the National Psoriasis Foundation to relieve thick crusted plaque buildup on the scalp. A paraben-free formula includes vitamin E leaves hair soft and manageable.
Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fresh | Size: 8.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Price at time of publish: $40
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo, which promotes a healthy scalp and lets you know it's working with a pleasant tingling sensation. For a more affordable option, consider Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo + Conditioner, which contains tea tree oil and coconut for scalp health and soy proteins help thicken hair.
Meet the Expert
Mark DeBolt is a celebrity colorist and co-founder of Mark Ryan Salon. A protégé of celebrity colorist Marie Robinson, his areas of expertise include his signature blend of foil highlighting, balayage, and specialty color placement techniques. Currently, he’s an ambassador, educator, and hair color expert for Wella Professionals.
What to Look For
A Formula That Targets a Specific Concern
Shampoo shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all situation, so finding a formula that targets a specific hair or scalp concern of yours will help you achieve your best hair yet. DeBolt appreciates formulas that contain “skincare for hair” formulas in order to promote healthy hair growth. If you’re suffering from dandruff or scalp irritation, choose a formula that specifically improves scalp health. If your hair is on the oilier side or you use a lot of styling products, opt for a clarifying formula that’ll help dissolve buildup and balance oil.
Thickening Formulas
According to DeBolt, shampoos with thickening benefits are often formulas that men appreciate. Hair thinning and hair loss are common hair concerns for men, and thickening shampoos can help combat this problem by giving the hair a fuller, healthier-looking appearance.
A Fresh Scent or Fragrance-Free Formula
Some shampoos can be heavily scented with sweet and floral fragrances, so some men may appreciate shampoos that have a subtler fresh scent or a fragrance-free formula—though it's really up to your personal preference. However, if you have a sensitive scalp or are suffering from dandruff and flakes, a fragrance-free formula will be your best bet against avoiding further irritation.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Barret Wertz has many years of having hair under his belt. He’s also been writing about men’s hair and chatting with some of the most respected barbers, stylists, and groomers in the world about it for almost 10 years. He considered dozens of shampoos for men for this roundup, evaluating each on its active ingredients, how well the formula targeted concerns, scent, and value. He combined these insights with stylist-recommended products as well as research from our own testers.