Best 15 Shampoos for Gray Hair
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- Best brightening shampoo for gray hair: Joico Color Endure Violet Shampoo
- Best budget shampoo for gray hair: Redken Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo
- Best shampoo for all shades of graying hair: Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury
- Best for highlighted hair: Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo
- Best overall shampoo for gray hair: Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo
- Best luxury shampoo for gray hair: Sachajuan Silver Shampoo
- Best shampoo for reducing discoloration: Philip Kingsley Pure Silver Shampoo
- Best shampoo for daily use: Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo
- Best shampoo for sensitive scalps: L’anza Healing ColorCare Silver Brightening Shampoo
- Best hydrating shampoo for gray hair: Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo
- Best strengthening shampoo for gray hair: Oribe Silverati Shampoo
- Best for thick hair: Biolage ColorLast Purple Shampoo
- Best for coarse hair: dpHue Cool Blonde Shampoo
- Best for fine hair: Pantene Silver Expressions Purple Shampoo
- Best for damaged hair: Unite Hair Blonda Daily Shampoo
Stress, heredity, and aging are all associated with gray hair. There is more to it than that.
Just like skin, your hair gets its natural color from melanin — without it, your hair would be white. When melanin production starts to slow down, you may start seeing gray hairs.
While some people may color their hair to hide grays, research indicates that frequent permanent coloring sessions can damage your hair. Overall, there’s a current trend that embraces the natural changes in hair color without the perceived “need” to cover up grays.
Graying hair doesn’t mean your hair will fall out, but you do need to start using specialized shampoos to help protect your strands. These include purple shampoos that prevent your gray strands from turning yellowish in tone and those that keep your hair from becoming brittle.
We have options for gray hair-specific products that you can use.
They are highly rated by online reviewers and have special ingredients that keep gray hair looking great. Some products will have different results for everyone.
We looked at reviews and ingredient lists to find the best gray hair products. The recommendations are based on consumer experience. Some products will have different results for everyone.
A note on price
The range of gray hair shampoos is between 15 and $50. When shopping, make sure you consider the bottle size. Some products might be sold in small bottles, while others might be in larger bottles. The average price per ounce was the basis for the price rating.
Pricing guide
- $ = $2 or less per ounce
- $$ = $2-$3 per ounce
- $$$ = $3 or more per ounce
Best brightening shampoo for gray hair
Joico Color Endure Violet Shampoo
- Price: $
- Pro: good value
- Con: synthetic pigments
Joico’s Color Endure Violet Shampoo contains purple tones to remove brassiness from grays so that they look more vibrant. It also prevents any yellowing of hair.
This product is meant to be left on for at least 3 minutes for best results. It isn’t intended for daily use — the company recommends alternating the product with another from the Color Endure line.
Some users say that synthetic pigments can cause dry skin.
Best budget shampoo for gray hair
Redken Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo
- Price: $
- Pro: strengthening
- Con: synthetic pigments
A salon staple, Redken is known for its various shampoos that care for colored hair. So it’s no surprise that it has its own product tailored for gray hair.
Whether you’re naturally gray or you’ve recently dyed your hair silver, Redken’s Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo can help remove yellow or brassy tones so that your locks look their best. It also has amino acid proteins to help strengthen your hair.
This product must be left in for 3 to 5 minutes. Some people find that the synthetically derived gray pigments can leave their hair feeling dry. It’s suited for gray and silver strands rather than white locks.
Best shampoo for all shades of graying hair
Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury
- Price: $
- Pro: plant-based formula
- Con: Some reviewers dislike the scent.
Klorane’s Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury uses some of the same principles as more conventional gray hair shampoos to take away the brassy tones that can make those locks look dull.
Unlike traditional shampoos in this category, Klorane’s product uses centaury, a plant-based ingredient that has natural blue-violet tones, rather than synthetic pigments.
This may help avoid the drying effects of synthetic pigments, though it does contain some other synthetic ingredients, like sodium laureth sulfate.
It’s suitable for all colors of graying hair, including darker grays, silver, and white. Some online reviewers comment that they don’t care for the smell.
Best for highlighted hair
Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo
- Price: $
- Pro: good value
- Con: drying
Long considered a market staple for blonde and gray hair, Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo deposits purple tones in your hair to remove yellow and brown tones.
This product is intended for color-treated and natural hair types, and it’s said to help create a “cooler” color look overall. It can help enhance natural grays and refresh color in faded highlights.
Overuse of this shampoo can dry out your hair due to its purple pigments, so it may not be a good choice for dry or damaged hair. For best results, leave the product in your hair for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing.
Best overall shampoo for gray hair
Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo
- Price: $
- Pro: suitable for all hair types
- Con: Some reviewers dislike the scent.
Like Klorane, Aveda is known to use more natural and plant-based ingredients in its products. Their Blue Malva Shampoo uses natural blue-tinted pigments from malva flower extracts to reduce brassiness in your gray hair without possible damage from synthetic ingredients.
It has a light scent derived from eucalyptus and ylang-ylang oils. Aveda practices environmentally friendly manufacturing and uses some recycled plastic in its packaging.
Best luxury shampoo for gray hair
Sachajuan Silver Shampoo
- Price: $$$
- Pro: ultraviolet protection
- Con: pricey
Similar to those by Joico and Clairol, this shampoo from Sachajuan deposits purple pigments into your hair to help neutralize potential brassiness. As a bonus, this particular shampoo also offers ultraviolet protection.
This ultra-hydrating shampoo works particularly well for dry hair while also adding volume to your locks. It may not be the best choice for oily or curly hair, though.
While online reviews are mostly positive, some users report buildup after use.
Best shampoo for reducing discoloration
Philip Kingsley Pure Silver Shampoo
- Price: $$$
- Pro: suitable for all hair types
- Con: may weigh down finer hair
As with other brands mentioned on our list, Philip Kingsley Pure Silver Shampoo is a good option for gray hair because of its purple pigments. This shampoo removes yellow tones to reduce discoloration of your gray and silver strands. It’s suitable for all hair types.
While it’s great for adding shine, another product may be better if you’re looking to add volume.
Best shampoo for daily use
Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo
- Price: $
- Pro: can be used daily
- Con: may cause irritation
Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo is said to be one of the first purple shampooss of its kind.
It can be used for blonde hair to enhance brightness and shimmer, but it’s perhaps better for natural shades of gray, silver, and white. It can be used daily.
Some users report irritation and dryness from the sulfates and fragrances in this shampoo. If you’re sensitive to either, it may not be the best choice for you.
Best shampoo for sensitive scalps
L’anza Healing ColorCare Silver Brightening Shampoo
- Price: $$
- Pro: sulfate-free
- Con: may weigh down finer hair
“L’anza Healing ColorCare Silver Brightening Shampoo is intended for all shades of gray, silver, and white hair, as well as blonde tones.”
Instead of depositing chemical-based purple pigments though, this shampoo touts the use of natural purple tones found in lavender and viola flower extracts.
The use of plant-based ingredients makes it great for dry hair and sensitive scalps. It also contains no sulfates.
Best hydrating shampoo for gray hair
Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo
- Price: $$
- Pro: for all hair types
- Con: sticky
This product from Amika works for blonde and gray hair. Its violet pigments help remove yellow tones all without the use of harsh ingredients.
Amika products contain sea buckthorn berry, which is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E. Its thought that sea buckthorn berry in this shampoo helps protect against sun and environmental damage.
This product is safe for all hair types and doesn’t contain any sulfates, parabens, or formaldehyde. It’s also cruelty-free.
Reviews are generally positive, though some users felt that it left a residue on their hair.
Best strengthening shampoo for gray hair
Oribe Silverati Shampoo
- Price: $$$
- Pro: protects against free radical damage
- Con: pricey
If you want a luxurious hair care product, try the Oribe luxury hair care product.
The extracts of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss work together to protect hair from damage. The ingredients give you gentle cleansing without stripping your hair of its oils.
You can use it a few times a week.
Reviewers love the scent of it, it has a signature aroma.
Best for thick hair
Biolage ColorLast Purple Shampoo
- Price: $
- Pro: can be used daily
- Con: Some reviewers dislike the scent.
If you have gray hair, we recommend this purple hair wash. It protects hair from brass and warm tones by using purple and plant extracts.
The brand suggests that you can use the product 1 to 2 times a week once the tone has been changed.
The scent of this product may bother some users.
Best for coarse hair
dpHue Cool Blonde Shampoo
- Price: $$
- Pro: paraben-free and sulfate-free
- Con: drying
This blonde hair product is suitable for all hair types. It gently cleans while using violet pigments to remove brass and yellow tones.
Some people found the product drying, but reviews were mostly positive.
Best for fine hair
Pantene Silver Expressions Purple Shampoo
- Price: $
- Pro: great value
- Con: subtle violet tint
The Pantene toning cleanser can reduce dullness and eliminate brassy tones. Pro-vitamin B5 strengthens and protects hair, while purple pigment lightens it.
The bottle is large.
Some reviewers were bothered by the violet tint to it.
Best for damaged hair
Unite Hair Blonda Daily Shampoo
- Price: $$$
- Pro: can be used daily
- Con: Some reviewers dislike the scent.
If you want a gentle wash you can use this option. The creamy formula protects and strengthens hair.
This product has no benefits.
The scent of this cleanser may bother some users.
| Shampoo | Price | Pro | Con |
| Joico Color Endure Violet Shampoo | $ | good value | synthetic pigments |
| Redken Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo | $ | strengthening | synthetic pigments |
| Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury | $ | plant-based formula | Some reviewers dislike the scent. |
| Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo | $ | good value | drying |
| Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo | $ | suitable for all hair types | Some reviewers dislike the scent. |
| Sachajuan Silver Shampoo | $$$ | ultraviolet protection | pricey |
| Philip Kingsley Pure Silver Shampoo | $$$ | suitable for all hair types | may weigh down finer hair |
| Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo | $ | can be used daily | may cause irritation |
| L’anza Healing ColorCare Silver Brightening Shampoo | $$ | sulfate-free | may weigh down finer hair |
| Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo | $$ | for all hair types | sticky |
| Oribe Silverati Shampoo | $$$ | protects against free radical damage | pricey |
| Biolage ColorLast Purple Shampoo | $ | can be used daily | Some reviewers dislike the scent. |
| dpHue Cool Blonde Shampoo | $$ | paraben-free and sulfate-free | drying |
| Pantene Silver Expressions Purple Shampoo | $ | great value | subtle violet tint |
| Unite Hair Blonda Daily Shampoo | $$$ | can be used daily | Some reviewers dislike the scent. |
It can be hard to decide on a single gray hair wash. There are a couple of things to be aware of.
Tint
Blue or violet-based hair products are the best for removing warmth and brassiness. They help counteract the yellow and orange tones.
Be prepared for some trial and error. The more subtle the shade of purple, the more it will be.
Ingredients
Formulas made of more natural ingredients may be less drying. Look for hydrating ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, honey, and glycerin.
You might need to try a few before you find the right formula for your hair.
Research has indicated that certain nutritional deficiencies, including copper, can lead to premature graying.
You need to look for gentle ingredients that are appropriate for this hair type, and also treat gray hair from the inside out.
- The violet and blue-violet colors help prevent the appearance of yellow tones.
- Silver tone deposits add color to gray.
- Your hair strands are strengthened by the use of the amino acids.
- plant-based oils for nourishment, such as coconut and argan
“Since gray hair is less strong than fully-pigmented strands, it is important to look for ingredients that won’t damage your hair. You should steer clear of the following.”
- parabens, which are preservatives in many hair and skin care products
- Synthetic dyes are used for a long time. You may want to only use the Redken, Joico, and Amika brands for a few weeks at a time.
- sodium sulfates, which can over-strip moisture from already dry gray hair
What does purple shampoo do for gray hair?
A purple hair product adds vibrancy and adds to brassiness.
How can I make my gray hair soft and shiny naturally?
You should be able to add shine to gray hair by using a hydrating conditioner. Adding a weekly mask and leave-in conditioner to your routine is something you can look into.
Can you use regular shampoo on gray hair?
Your hair may look dull, brittle, or brassy without the proper care.
Maintaining your gray hair’s shine and luster requires specialized shampoos that are specific to your color — much in the same way that color-treated, damaged, and thin hair all have specific needs to maintain their shine and luster.
Give the shampoos a few weeks to work and see the results. If you are unhappy, move on to another place. Always follow up with a conditioner tailored for gray hair.
You should also see a dermatologist if you notice signs of unhealthy hair or scalp, such as excessive dandruff, rashes, or sudden hair loss.
