13 Best Drugstore Shampoo and Conditioners of 2023

Examine the ingredients

You want to look for a product that includes ingredients that nourish the hair while addressing your hair concerns. A good place to start? Oils. “Oils have so many benefits to hair, and they aren’t just for moisture,” says O’Connor, adding that tea tree oil also helps “get rid of any itchiness, as well as help with flaking,” while coconut oil helps “seal moisture into your hair” and argan oil “can also help protect hair from heat damage.”

And remember, “at the end of the day, read what you’re putting in your hair,” says hairstylist Tiffany Mack. Figure out which ingredients work best for you (and which ones don’t), then use that intel to help you seek out the right formulas. “You do want to make sure the shampoo you’re using, regardless of the price, is tailored to your hair’s specific needs, so you’re not wasting your money or hurting your hair,” says hairstylist Giovanni Vaccaro.

Consider your hair porosity

Another helpful factor in determining the best drugstore shampoo for your hair type? Your hair porosity. “If you know your porosity, it can help you to find a shampoo that goes great with your hair,” says Mack. Refresher: Porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and hold moisture, which is super important when finding a formula that’s compatible with your hair.

Still a little lost and don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we gotchu. Check out our favorite porosity quiz created by Curls Bot, which will save you a lot of time and confusion, trust. Once you know what you’ve got, then you can read our hair porosity guide to learn what your unique hair type needs.

Know what to avoid

As far as what you don’t want in your formula, that kinda depends. Dindio explains that while certain common ingredients aren’t necessarily bad (despite what the internet might tell you) and can be safe and effective, you could still have sensitivities to them, so choose your formulas based on what your hair and scalp needs and what they can handle.

If you have sensitive skin, colored/bleached hair, or your hair lacks moisture, look for a sulfate-free shampoo or conditioner. If you have fragile hair, fine hair that’s easily weighed down, or you’re trying to limit sulfates as much as you can, use a silicone-free shampoo or conditioner. You get where I’m going?