14 Best Shampoos for Men 2025: Stellar Hair-Saving Salves

Let's come right out and say it: The drugstore brand you've been using? Not good enough. When it comes to the best shampoo for men, we’re being sold short, gents. A one-size-fits-all approach will wreck your hair, to say nothing of the parabens and sulfates you'll find in the average hair wash. “It is important to consider your hair type when choosing a shampoo,” says celebrity groomer Sonia Lee, whose clients include Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, and Orlando Bloom. “Men should be tailoring their shampoo and upgrading to one that fits their hair type from the jump so it can grow into healthy hair.” (Think: scalp oil levels, hair texture, strand density, fullness, lifestyle habits, formula preferences, sensitivities, and hairstyling preferences.)

So, if every guy has different shampoo needs, how do we recommend the best shampoo and conditioner? I've broken down my favorite shampoo for every hair type based on personal testing, along with advice and picks from the hair stylists and dermatologists I trust most.

• The Best Shampoo Overall: Sachajuan Moisturizing Shampoo, $33
• The Best Custom Shampoo: Prose Custom Shampoo, $34
• The Best Co-Wash Shampoo: Geologie Cooling Co-Wash, $29
• The Best Detox Shampoo: Baxter of California Deep Clean Shampoo, $35
• The Best Smelling Shampoo: Corpus Cypress Shampoo, $32
• The Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoo: Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Ketoconazole 1% Shampoo, $19
• The Best Shampoo for Thick Hair: Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo, $34
• The Best Shampoo for Fine Hair: Ouai Fine Shampoo, $32
• The Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair: The Grey Stimulating Shampoo, $75

There’s no reason we can’t just crown Sachajuan the “best shampoo brand” here, given its range of washes that address all different hair types and needs—even one called “Scalp Shampoo” that keeps things perfectly balanced and simple. But the most universal option from the deliciously scented Swedish salon staple is the brand's Moisturizing Shampoo.

This comes as close to a 2-in-1 shampoo-conditioner without actually being one (Sachajuan, of course, has conditioners for the whole spectrum of hair needs, too); but this product gives any user what they need: a non-stripping and proactively nourishing rinse that helps even the most vulnerable or difficult of strands. (We’re talking those prone to breakage and frizz, as well as those with stubborn coarse hairs or even curls and brittle grays.) While my partner and I both have a respective Sachajuan line that we reach for, this is one of the few products from any brand that we both share—him with his fine, dry, and wavy strands; me with my coarse, dense, oily, and straight ones. Whenever one of us finishes showering, the other comments (from two rooms away): “Oooh, Sachajuan shower?” because that delicious smell permeates the air.

Geologie has two co-washes—this relatively universal one, plus a smoothing option for thicker hairs. Of all the conditioning washes that have passed through this household, this one always gets drained first. It has supremely purifying prowess thanks to the tea tree oil and leaves the scalp feeling refreshed after a rinse, despite not actually being a shampoo. (Read up on co-washing, if you’re uninitiated.) I’ve used it as an actual conditioner, too, after a full-on shampoo, but moreover rely on this product to get me reset on the second or third day, when I’m just not feeling a full flushing-out. My partner and I even bring it on weekend trips as the sole hair care product for those few days—it satisfies our very different hair needs while streamlining our regimen.

Baxter of California

Deep Clean Shampoo

$35

Nordstrom

$35

Amazon

$36

Baxter of California

Pros & Cons

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Pros

• Great “reset” that won’t parch strands.
• Ideal for the guys who wash every 2nd or third day.
• Also terrific for active lifestyles or heavy hair product users.
• Smells incredible.

Cons

• If you absolutely need to wash every day, this might be too purifying—some will find it suitable, but just be warned, especially if you have longer hair.
• That’s the nature of deep-cleaning shampoos.

If you are prone to oily buildup or dandruff—or even just build up a good sweat or wear product in your hair—then this is a must-have for your shower caddy. I would even argue that most guys should have a go-to detox shampoo, regardless of daily oil levels. That said, most detox washes are extremely over-drying, where I’d argue this one feels a bit more friendly for regular use. (I’d still encourage you to try for a 2-3 day gap between shampoo sessions, though, maybe with a co-wash on the day between.)

This is a wonderful reset for your hair and scalp, something oily-headed guys are going to need on the regular. Even if your hair isn't particularly oily, this shampoo will give you amazing results. And because you can use this shampoo so sparingly, a single bottle might last you an entire year. If you're trying to cut down on your shampoo use but still like feeling clean on those in-between days, this is the hair care product to try. And, like any Baxter product, it smells so freaking good.

Here's a pick from Davie, which should satisfy guys all along the curl spectrum. "This shampoo is a first-class ticket to refreshment paradise," says Davie. “Coily hair is very prone to dry scalp and dandruff. You need a shampoo like Frederick Benjamin's that can settle into the scalp and provide great texture.” It won’t strip away the much-needed moisture from your curls, and instead will flood them with the proteins necessary to stay defined.

“I encourage people to leave this particular shampoo on hair, with intent to reach the scalp, for a couple of minutes before rinsing out allowing those oils to retrieve full coverage,” Davie says. “The longer you keep it in and evenly massage into the head the better chances the scalp is stimulated for healthier growth.”

If this article were called “Adam Hurly's Favorite Shampoo of All Time,” then Davines's LOVE shampoo would be in the first spot. But my needs do not match every reader's needs, so this product will have to settle for "Best Thick Hair Shampoo" in the meantime. It is so difficult to find a product that tames my thick hair while it cleanses. The entire LOVE line is like a relaxer for my untenable and rigid-straight strands and becomes even more essential whenever I decide to grow my hair out. If you have coarse or thick hair—and especially if it's on the straighter side—then this shampoo (and LOVE assortment) is a game-changer.

This shampoo is more than just its delicious aroma, yes. However, we cannot ignore it: Corpus’ woodsy scent is on the more masculine side of the scent spectrum, should you want some aromatherapy that might pair nicely with your cologne. (Vetiver, cypress, and cedar take center stage in this one.) I would pump this scent throughout my home, and happily deploy this moisturizing, fortifying wash through my strands any day of the week. Use it as a beard wash, too, if you want to smell it even more each day.

Here is an all-time favorite of my fine-haired partner, who demands a shampoo that fights gravity and gives his hairs extra height and fullness. OUAI's formula here has the ability to deeply rinse without causing any frizzing or fraying, unlike many shampoos that give volume by virtue of parching the hairs. So with OUAI, you get volume, density, and body, plus mega moisture to top it off.

If cost were no object, this would be our best overall shampoo, too. However, I do think that a $75 bottle of shampoo is tough to promote as a universal option—but as a luxury pick, The Grey is a no-brainer. But this Dutch men’s label really packs on the active ingredients, a difference you feel in the strands after rinsing (you can peep the “key ingredients” above for that long list, which benefit far more than just thinning hair). While I never really advertise shampoos as the solution for hair loss—you need to take more clinical measures—however, a shampoo like this can be a game-changer when it comes to maximizing the potential of your precious hair. If you have a stylable length—let’s say an inch or more, then you might notice your styling regimen performing slightly better after a rinse from The Grey. It’s nourishing, it’s smoothing, it’s tingly and refreshing, and it smells brilliant.

Given that basically no single shampoo will work for every guy, the easiest way to find one for you is to go to a customizing brand like Prose. Among the brand's many made-to-order hair and skin care products, this shampoo factors in everything from your hair's density and curl pattern, as well as scalp oil levels and sensitivities, plus the environmental conditions in your area (think: water hardness, air quality, humidity, and more). So, you receive something that doesn't just suit your hair and scalp needs, but that considers all the variables that make for a good hair day.

It's hard for me to tout this as a standalone product, too, considering the fact that Prose builds out entire regimens targeted to your hair and skin, all of which work together to achieve those results. I've always been impressed with Prose, even as my variables have evolved (more hair density due to hair growth efforts, a few zip code changes, seasonal shifts, and length variance). But if you're wondering if Prose lives up to the hype, the answer is yes, absolutely.

Few brands have skyrocketed quite like K18, which went from 0-60 in a couple years’ time thanks to fantastic reparative formulas. (The brand's leave-in hair mask, despite the $75 sticker shock, is worth every penny if you have long and/or damaged strands.) And naturally, this balancing shampoo is part of its recipe for success. Not only does it flood your strands with fortifying proteins as it flushes away grime, but it also balances the scalp and strand pH levels. By collectively reducing inflammation and closing off the cuticles, it fights everything from frizz to breakage to swelling, all while giving your head its happy little rinse.

If I need to look my absolute best on any given day, I’ll do a full K18 routine, starting with this shampoo. It ensures I have no frizz, style-cooperative strands, and eye-catching natural shine for the next 24 hours or more.

This shampoo just missed out on the "best universal" winner, thanks to its cult-fave status and ability to resurrect the saddest, most frayed, and damaged hair from the brink of breakage. I'm even traveling right now for a couple of weeks as I write this, and this is the shampoo I've brought along to counter the cool air and keep my strands soft and strong.

Nizoral

Anti-Dandruff Ketoconazole 1% Shampoo

$30 $16

Amazon

$20

Target

Pros & Cons

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Pros

• Fast-acting temper for dandruff, and a surefire way to keep it at bay.
• Added benefit of fighting DHT on the scalp, too.

Cons

• Extremely drying.
• Definitely chase it with your best conditioner and don’t use it as your daily shampoo.

For my job, I can call in just about every product I want to test, to use up, to restock…It’s a nice gig, I admit. But sometimes there’s a product or brand that I don’t have a “professional relationship” with, and I actually pay for the thing myself. Nizoral is one of those products I always keep stocked. I can’t have a single conversation about dandruff control with my go-to dermatologist sources without this one being recommended. Not only that, but the active ingredient here, ketoconazole, is more than a fungal foe: It’s arguably the single worthwhile ingredient you can find in a shampoo that can temper follicle-thinning DHT (dihydrotestosterone) on contact, making it potentially the only true ingredient to seek out in “hair loss shampoos.”

Though not a body wash, I spot-treat other parts of my body with this one too, since sometimes I get flakes around my nose or beard dandruff. It’s a great groin-area wash too, if you’re prone to jock itch after a sweaty buildup. It isn’t something you want to overuse, though: This one is drying, so I would only recommend using it as an active treatment to counter dandruff, or every couple weeks to keep the problem at bay. But damn, does it work quickly and effectively. And, if you have severe flaking or itching up top, you can ask your derm for a 2% upgrade of this one, which is available via prescription.

Living Proof

Full Shampoo

$34

Sephora

$34

Ulta

$34

Nordstrom

This is one of the few shampoos that my partner and I will share—me for my extremely thick but straight hair whenever it's grown out a few inches or more, and him for his fine hair at any length. It gives me just the right amount of movement, texture, and definition so that my hair doesn't look limp or feel unstylable. I tend to cut back on the amount of conditioner I use afterwards too, since I like the style-ready results of the standalone shampoo. (That's not a green light to stop using conditioner, but rather, to change your cadence on the days you shampoo.) Living Proof is also one of the best brands for finding a product that works with any hair type, not just this "Full" line that promises volume and texture.

I find most shampoo bars feel like a solution for getting around TSA's liquid regulations while flying, as opposed to actually great shampoos. But along comes Church, one of the US's best barbershops and maker of some A+ hair stylers, with its first hair care product (as well as a conditioning bar to match it). I don't know if there's a liquid shampoo that can go toe to toe with Church's bar shampoo in terms of fortifying and conditioning ingredients. I'd go so far as to call it a co-wash for this fact, not to mention, it will also outlast any liquid shampoo that you buy, too—assuming you don't store it in a pool of water.

The first step to finding the right shampoo is to understand your “variables." This means your strand’s overall texture (so, it’s curl or wave pattern, or lack thereof), as well as the individual strand density, the oil levels in your scalp, any sensitivities, etc. Finding a shampoo that matches your needs—and learning the right cadence of using it—is crucial for healthy hair. “I recommend everyone tailor their routine to what works best for them and not just use products that are popular at the time,” Lee adds. “Whether you have short or long hair, your scalp health is important to focus on and make sure you give it what it needs." Celebrity groomer Dan Perri (with A-list clients like Post Malone, Gerard Butler, and Brendan Fraser) adds that men's hair needs and variables might even change as time goes on—aside from just natural thinning. “If you are someone who’s had the same shampoo for years it, may be time for a switch,” he says.

For further evidence of why this is important, here is insight from Lee and Perri into how different textures, lengths, and oil levels impact your shampoo needs, plus advice on what kind of product to seek with each variable. And remember, you may have to combine variables (like, if you have curly hair or straight hair, you will also need to consider if it is coarse and thick, or fine and fragile, as well as oil levels or dryness).

If our roster doesn’t lead you to a new favorite shampoo, then here’s the best way to discover one that suits your needs: Look for the salon-favorite brands that offer a wide range of shampoos and conditioners, since their entire focus is on providing customized care to different curl patterns, hair densities, and so forth. Our favorite brands that offer this variety include Davines, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree, Kevin Murphy, OUAI, Living Proof, and Kérastase. Note that these are not brands that have built their identity on targeting only men; rather, they’re largely built on a foundation of professional hair care—which is why we’d encourage you to look towards them for the solution if you aren’t otherwise satisfied with our picks above. (Half of them do appear on our roster, though.)

Many of these kinds of roundup articles are initiated by calling in a bunch of products and testing them in a short window of time (maybe a few weeks or months), and then claiming expertise. For me, I am basing my choices on a decade of experience in this field (and 8 years with GQ, at that). And while I have one head of hair with a limited number of variables, I have always outsourced expertise for other things, such as to my partner of four years, whose hair is thin, wavy/curly, and dry, compared to my thick, straight, and oily pelt. Ditto for expertise from a curly-haired stylist for products pertaining to curls and coils, as well as doctors' advice for dry, dandruffy scalps and guys fighting hair loss.

Sonia Lee is a celebrity groomer and makeup artist whose A-list clients include Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Brendan Fraser, Kelsey Grammar, and Orlando Bloom.

Dan Perri is a celebrity groomer and barber whose A-list roster includes Gerard Butler, Post Malone, Brendan Fraser, Harry Shum Jr., and Machine Gun Kelly.

Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified NYC cosmetic dermatologist.

Darius Davie is a men's hairstylist and creative director of Groom Guy, a men’s barbering and styling enterprise with various locations and pop-ups across the US.