The 25 Best Shampoos for Curly Hair in 2023

Verb prides itself on salon-quality haircare and the Curl line is one of its bestsellers for a reason. The Verb Curl Shampoo is a curl-enhancing shampoo made with the humectant glycerin, a dry curls’ dream, to bind moisture and add softness to dry curly hair. The sunflower seed extract delivers essential fatty acids to deeply nourish your curls and improve manageability with added natural UV protection to stop color fading. It’s a gentle cleanser that removes impurities, balances scalp health, and minimizes frizz by prepping your curls for the next step in your wash day routine.

A hydrating shampoo should feel as luxuriously creamy in your hand as it softly lathers on your scalp. Pattern Beauty’s Hydration Shampoo has a beautifully blended formula of plant-based oils and butters that leave behind moisturized curls and a clean scalp. The light natural fragrance, personally picked by founder Tracee Ellis Ross, won’t overpower your shower and brings the best key notes of jasmine, bergamot, and sweet sandalwood for a clean earthy vibe. It’s a great nourishing shampoo for curly, coily, and kinky textures that you can get in TSA-approved bottles for easy-to-refill recyclable packaging.

OGX is an affordable brand that you can find in most drugstores. The Quenching + Coconut Curls line includes this curl-defining shampoo that uses a sulfate-free and paraben-free formula to cleanse your scalp and enhance your curls’ natural softness and bounce. The scent will have you imagining yourself sipping a tropical cocktail on the beach with creamy coconut milk, fresh tangerine, and warm vanilla enveloping your senses. This shampoo can also help you detangle mild knots when your spirals need some TLC from a blend of nourishing coconut oil, moisture-binding sweet honey, and clarifying citrus oils. You can also pair this with the matching OGX Coconut Curls Conditioner for an extra boost of curl-defining moisture.

Curly hair is delicate, so it needs a good protein balance to keep the strands strong and the curls elastic. Curlsmith’s Core Strength Shampoo is the ultimate solution for strengthening your curls with a gentle cleansing formula that won’t strip your hair’s natural oils and a patented active ingredient specifically targeting hair bonds that weaken over time. Their proprietary Hemp Seed and Rice Protein Complex is an entirely plant-based alternative to animal keratin that helps hair get stronger and be more elastic. The blend of nutrient-rich superfoods like prickly pear, kale, guava, shiitake mushroom, blackcurrant, and pumpkin seed delivers a healthy balance of protein and moisture to help improve damaged and porous hair.

The beautiful color and design of KRISTIN ESS HAIR packaging are eye-catching and the Moisture Rich Curl Shampoo may be the key to eye-catching curls, too! It’s formulated to deliver deep hydration, reduce frizz, and define your bouncy coils. The shampoo is gentle yet effective in removing dirt and product buildup without stripping your natural oils. Major plus: the high, creamy lather that feels like a cloud on your scalp. The signature Curl Hydration Complex protects against environmental stressors and color fading while adding shine and strength. It’s cruelty-free, vegan, and keratin safe for those with treated hair. 

Known as The Curl Experts, Ouidad created a truly revolutionary line of climate-controlled haircare products that help even the most unruly curls stay protected and moisturized 24/7. Ouidad’s Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo is designed with a blend of emollients that cleanse the scalp and provide moisture balance for frizz-free curls all day. The proprietary dedicated UV filter technology protects hair from environmental stress and pollutants and seals the hair cuticle to keep moisture in and humidity out. With ingredients like Shea Butter, Murumuru Butter, Ceramides, and Sericin – a protein derived from silk – this defrizzing shampoo protects against future damage in any climate, on any color, and with every curl type.

Did you know that the curve in your curls weakens the bonds of your hair? That’s why curly hair is often drier and more delicate than wavy and straight hair types. OLAPLEX created their now iconic patented bond-building technology called Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, which helps repair and maintain the hair bond, which works to reduce breakage and eliminate frizz and flyaways. With a pH balance of 6 to 6.5, it’s highly effective at closing the cuticle down to get smoother and shinier hair. OLAPLEX No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo was named Allure’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Award Winner for Best Shampoo.

Now you can do more than dream about healthy bouncy curls with the Matrix A Curl Can Dream Shampoo. The deep cleansing shampoo is designed to effectively remove build-up and excess oil with salicylic acid that clarifies deep in the pores of your scalp to make room for healthier hair, while Manuka honey extract adds deeper hydration and antioxidant-rich vitamins that nourish your curls. It’s free of silicones, parabens, and mineral oil to feel clean and refreshed without harsh chemicals. Whether you have wavy, curly, or coily hair, this curl-loving shampoo can help you preserve your curl pattern as you cleanse for defined and bouncy locks.

It’s no surprise that this 2021 Glamour Beauty Award Winner has made our list. Bumble and bumble haircare products are designed to elevate your curls with highly moisturizing ingredients like jojoba, avocado, and coconut oils, along with fatty acid-rich cocoa and shea butters. The proprietary Rich Moisture Mix is a blend of humectant gold that deeply hydrates, adds shine, and reduces frizz for a better foundation when you start to style. The non-stripping and color-safe formula is also vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, making it suitable for all curl types, including wavy (2A-C), curly (3A-C), and coily (4A-C). 

Rich in vitamins C and B complex, blueberries are truly a superfood, and the Blueberry Bliss Reparative Hair Wash by CURLS uses every bit of the powerhouse fruit extract to feed your curls what they need to shine and grow. They improve oxygenation and circulation in the body, especially the scalp due to the high content of proanthocyanidins, a plant chemical that gives blueberries their beautifully rich color and works with hair follicles to boost growth and slow down hair graying and loss. Aloe leaf juice moisturizes and balances pH levels while chamomile extract soothes your scalp. This hair wash is a powerful tool for rejuvenating curly hair and you can find it in most drugstores and haircare aisles from CVS to Ulta.

Mielle Organics is all about finding the best organic ingredient blends to enhance your hair and elevate your style. They know it all starts with a good foundation, which is why they created their Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo. It has that silky slippage that makes detangling simple, even with thick curly hair. It cleans without stripping away essential moisture and puts back hydration ten-fold with honey and babassu oil to nourish your hair on a different level. Reviews of all kinds of curl types have raved about the softness that’s restored and the frizz that’s reduced after using this beautifully scented shampoo, so it’s a must-have for anyone looking to take their hair care to the next level.

Thank God It’s Natural, or TGIN makes it a point to create hair care products that help natural curly hair thrive and shine. The Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo is designed to be a gentle shampoo that effectively cleanses your curls without stripping them of much-needed natural oils. The absence of harsh detergents keeps your hair’s cuticle surface smooth, resulting in soft and silky hair. The Pro-Vitamin B5 reduces breakage, whale Amla oil increases moisture retention, and the coconut oil nourishes each strand – all great natural ingredients for optimal curly hair growth. This shampoo is also free of parabens, petrolatum, lanolin, and artificial colors, so it’s safe if these irritate your skin.

Who doesn’t love a minty shampoo to refresh your hair post-workout or relax after a long day? Adwoa Beauty’s Baomint™ Moisturizing Shampoo uses the crisp coolness of wintergreen, spearmint, and peppermint oils to refresh and nourish your scalp. The aloe leaf juice acts as a moisture-rich conditioning agent to balance pH and remove dead skin cells, leaving curls smooth, soft, and shiny. The baobab oil protects your hair’s elasticity to ensure those curls bounce back in all their coily glory. This is definitely a curly hair shampoo worth trying if you prefer that wind in your hair feeling for every wash day.

If you use a lot of color on your curls, then you know how important it is to take care of the health of your hair. COLOR WOW’s Curl Wow HOOKED Shampoo locks in your locks with a proprietary ProcapilⓇ Blend that prevents shedding and breakage with a gentle cleansing formula that removes styling product buildup with easy-to-rinse off ingredients that leave your hair and scalp in optimal condition. Glycerin provides the moisture-binding properties you need to keep that healthy shine and a subtle coconut vanilla scent that’ll leave a smile on your face.

Kérastase is a luxurious brand that caters to specific hair concerns, and their Curl Manifesto Sulfate-Free Shampoo is an excellent choice for those with curly hair. It gently cleanses and removes product buildup from the scalp while replacing ceramides that help heal a dry and itchy scalp while sealing in moisture and restoring natural bounce. The Manuka honey – a rare and mineral-rich natural humectant – protects against breakage and improves manageability over time. This curl-enhancing formula intensely hydrates and enhances your natural curl pattern without weighing it down. The shampoo features top notes of frangipani flower and jasmine petal, middle notes of tuberose petal fir absolu, freesia, and tiare with base notes of white musk bouquet, honey milk, and nougat. Say goodbye to dryness and hello to shine with Kérastase Curl Manifesto Sulfate-Free Shampoo.

With beautiful heritage and cultural remedies at the heart of Ceremonia’s haircare line. With hair care recipes handed down from generation to generation, you can rest assured that your curls will get the love and care they need – like a hug from grandma. Ceremonia’s Yucca & Witch Hazel Deep Hydrating Shampoo strengthens and moisturizes curly hair with yucca extract that naturally cleanses without sulfates, witch hazel that prevents an oily scalp, and cupuaçu butter that deeply hydrates curls and boosts shine. Ceremonia’s signature essence offers a unique fragrance blend with notes of wood, lemon zest, tonka beans, violet, black tea, vetiver, and brown sugar – what a lineup! It’s also vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, along with recyclable packaging. 

Sol de Janeiro is the live-like-its-summer brand that keeps on giving! Brazilian Joia Strengthening + Smoothing Shampoo strengthens curly hair with their SOL Seal Technology™ with plant-based keratin beads that target hair damage and repair split ends. Brazil Nut Selenium and Buriti Oil give a superior boost of moisture and protection against frizz and dullness, so you can enjoy shinier, healthier hair. This color-safe shampoo is also a 2020 SHAPE Magazine Editor’s Pick and has been clinically tested with results like 2x stronger hair, a 54% reduction in breakage, and a 74% of split ends mended (best when used with the matching conditioner).

African black soap is a powerhouse natural cleanser typically made of natural ingredients like roasted plantain skin or cacao pods, palm kernel oil, and shea butter. Melanin Haircare’s African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo brings those ingredients and more to help strengthen curly hair with tea tree oil, peppermint, and black cumin seed that are proven to clarify the scalp with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties while improving blood circulation on your scalp. The charcoal powder detoxifies, rosemary extract boosts hair follicle health, turmeric root prevents inflammation, argan oil provides essential fatty acids, lavender calms the skin, and cocoa butter hydrates – and they all promote healthy hair growth. 

If you want to simplify your wash day, then Bread Beauty Supply created this Hair Wash Gentle Milky Hair Cleanser just for you. Infused with vitamin E-rich argan oil, hydrating aloe vera juice, and a soothing lemon tea tree oil blend for a healthy moisture balance on your scalp. This vegan hair wash is also cruelty-free and replaces traditional shampoos with a gentle, semi-sudsy lather that cleanses without drying. Packed with natural oils like coconut and avocado, this nourishing cleanser also smells of a delicious fruit-cereal milkshake, making wash day a pleasant and nostalgic experience.

With a promise of intense hydration right on the bottle, you can trust that Mizani delivers. Cupuaçu butter locks in moisture to keep your hydration levels up, while vitamin E-rich argan oil restores shine. Mizani’s Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo also uses honey to infuse moisture deep into your strands and prevent damage, making your curls stronger and more resilient to styling. This shampoo can work to boost moisture for every curl and hair type – from 1A to 4C – and comes in a 1-liter size bottle, so it’ll last you longer than the average shampoo bottle.

This shampoo bottle alone will make you want to add the whole line to your new shower aesthetic. Oribe creates fabulous packaging and effective hair care products that help with different hair concerns. The Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control is a must-have for those with thick, coarse, or curly hair. The Amino Acid Complex resembles the proteins in the hair cortex to fortify damaged cuticles while their Microemulsion Smoothing System bonds to the cuticle to deliver softness and manageability. Oribe’s Signature Complex defends against environmental and oxidative stress, UV photoaging, and the deterioration of your natural keratin fibers.

Briogeo has so many wonderfully nutrient-dense formulas for all kinds of hair types. The Curl Charisma™ Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo is definitely a stand-out among the line with a focus on strengthening and hydrating your curly locks. The shampoo is a clean, naturally derived, and 6-free™ formulation with Briogeo’s proprietary NOVA Complex® of rice amino acids, shea butter, and tomato fruit ferment. These ingredients work together to cleanse, hydrate and enhance curls without frizz or damage – even in humidity. With a 97 percent natural formula, this shampoo still manages to seal your curl’s raised cuticles for more consistent curl formation and a softer texture.

As a Latina-owned brand, Rizos Curls understand how to address different textures and concerns in the curly hair community. The Hydrating Shampoo is specially formulated with natural ingredients like shea butter and moringa oil to strengthen hair with essential moisture and nutrients to fight dry, flaky scalps. The shea butter locks in moisture without leaving hair greasy, while moringa oil delivers vitamins and minerals to your scalp. This sulfate-free shampoo also has Pro-Vitamin B5 to fortify hair follicles and prevent split ends without silicones, parabens, or harsh chemicals. 

Ouidad makes the list again, but it’s a part of their Twist by Ouidad line of affordable curly hair care. This On Repeat Gentle Oil Infused Shampoo quenches parched, thirsty curls that have lost their shape and definition over time. This gentle cleanser has nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and vegetable proteins, vitamin B5 (panthenol), and chamomile extract for an extra gentle wash day. You’ll get amplified shine without the silicones and a smoother touch without the frizz. You can use this lightweight shampoo to cleanse nearly every day without drying – though you don’t want to overwash your curls – and it’s safe for color-treated and chemically-treated curls. 

Pantene is a household name in the haircare world and its Gold Series has proven just as effective as its Pro-V line for salon-quality results. The Pantene Gold Series Sulfate-Free Shampoo with Argan Oil was created by Black Ph.D. scientists and perfected by Black hair stylists to bring a gold standard for affordable and accessible textured hair care. The creamy lather gently removes build-up while the argan oil hydrates rough cuticles for a smoother touch. The formula is sulfate-free, paraben-free, and dye-free for a safer and more hydrating experience every wash day.