15 Best Shampoos for Curly Hair, According to Experts (2024)

Dealing with a dry scalp can be tough: Though you want to get a good clean, you also don't want your skin to get flaky or irritated. Enter: Leaf and Flower's CBD-infused curl shampoo, which GH Deputy Editor Jessica Teich says is "super hydrating yet still makes my strands and scalp feel cleansed without the harsh squeaky feeling."

It helps remove buildup without stripping, and Teich uses it when she wants her curls "to be super juicy and bouncy." It's definitely on the more expensive side, but she loves this shampoo, adding that "the scent is so amazing; it's fruity and almost candy-like but not cloying."

Co-washes, or conditioning washes, are great for curly hair as they gently cleanse and condition hair simultaneously. If your hair is feeling over-washed or dehydrated, adding moisture back in by washing with a co-wash is a great solution.

This one from Paul Mitchell is Teich's favorite. She especially loves its "therapeutic lavender scent that makes my shower feel like a spa," she shares. "It makes my hair feel so soft and silky, though it may not leave hair feeling the most clean if you use it alone." If you feel like you need a deeper clean, try using it after a traditional shampoo while conditioning your ends.

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.

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 Director Sabina Wizemann adds that coconut-derived surfactants "effectively remove impurities without being excessively powerful," meaning that they won't irritate or be too harsh.

So, OGX's coconut oil-infused shampoo is a great buy. 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 shared that their curls lacked volume after use.

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 — plus, it does the trick, thanks to the inclusion of proven dandruff-fighting ingredient pyrithione zinc. Note that some online users find it leaves their hair feeling brittle or dry after use.

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 more than 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.

Maria Nila's co-wash is a favorite of the boyfriend of one of our beauty editors; it leaves his hair super moisturized and feeling healthy, and it adds definition and shine to his curls. Note that it doesn't lather much, so don't expect a super sudsy experience with this one. 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.

RELATED: The Best Shampoos for Men

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested hundreds shampoos across all price points over the years, from volumizing shampoos to shampoos for colored hair.

For this guide, we reached out to hairstylist and owner/CEO of Deeper Than Hair Kee Taylor and trichologist Bridgette Hill to weigh in with their expertise and recommendations. Beauty Lab top-tested products and GH editor favorites round out the rest of our list.

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."

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.

Catherine worked closely with GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann to write this article. Sabina has a background in hair dye research and synthesis, and over her years in the Health, Beauty & Sustainability Lab, 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.