Best shampoos for men tried and tested: From anti-dandruff to combatting thinning

Shampoo is the most underestimated element of a man’s hair care routine.

Even though it seems that hair styling products do all the work, a great barnet actually starts in the shower, and a quality formula can make all the difference.

Chances are you grabbed your current shampoo on your way home from work because it was on offer, but do you really know what’s in it or what it’s doing to your hair? With the ability to assist in solving common concerns, you should be on the lookout for formulas specifically designed for thicker hair, itchy scalps, or if you’re in need of a moisture-boost to get to the root of the problem (sorry, not sorry).

Our top tip is to pay attention to the ingredients. According to Marc Briant-Terlet, founder of men’s grooming brand Horace, you should “avoid silicone and sulphates. Silicone creates a film around the hair preventing ingredients from penetrating and sulphates strip its natural moisture”.

Maintaining the right level of moisture in your hair can be a tough balancing act. You want to wash it so it’s in great condition, but not so much that it starts to look greasy or lifeless. Briant-Terlet explains that “you should only wash your hair twice a week or three times if you sweat a lot. The more you wash it, the greasier it will get because your scalp will need to create more sebum to replace what’s stripped by the shampoo. You can rinse it every day though, and let it dry naturally if you can”.

You may think that conditioner adds an unnecessary step, but you’d be sorely mistaken. As Briant-Terlet reveals, “if you have three to four centimeters of hair, it will be useful. You should use it every time after washing your hair as it will give shininess and softness. You’ll especially need one if you’re swimming in salty waters so take one with you on holiday this summer and beyond”.

So keep scrolling to browse our selection of shampoos that will leave you with luscious locks to rival Prince Charming.

Horace Gentle Purifying Shampoo

With a fragrance of citrus and mint, Horace’s fresh sulfate-free shampoo will purify your hair without drying it out. Thanks to a formulation that is made up of 97 per cent natural ingredients, your hair will feel stronger, softer, and healthier, and unlike most natural shampoos, this one lathers up nicely.

Buy now £13.00, Horace

Harry’s 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner

Great for all hair types, Harry’s 2 in 1 Shampoo & Conditioner is a multi-tasking twofer. Sulfate, paraben and dye free, it provides a good lather and won’t strip your hair. If you love it, you can buy in bulk to save on packaging and on price - it’s a win-win.

Buy now £8.00, Harry’s

Bumble and bumble Curl Moisturising Shampoo 250ml

For the curly haired kings out there, Bumble and bumble’s curl moisturising shampoo has a rich blend of nutrients, oils, and butters to keep your hair hydrated and reduce frizz. Revitalised ringlets only.

Buy now £26.50, Bumble and bumble

Sachajuan Thickening Shampoo 250ml

If your hair is feeling limp and lifeless, Sachajuan is all you need for its resurrection. The brand’s signature Ocean Silk Technology, a unique formula of natural ingredients found in all of their products, will give you noticeably better volume, protect against heat and UV, and leave you with soft dreamy-looking hair.

Buy now £25.00, lookfantastic

Malin + Goetz Peppermint Shampoo 236ml

The most refreshing in the edit, this Malin + Goetz shampoo will leave you feeling zingy all over thanks to the natural peppermint extract included within the formula. Don’t be fooled by the lack of foaminess - the natural amino acids will gently cleanse your hair so it balances natural oils whilst making it feel soft and conditioned.

Buy now £19.00, Selfridges

Larry King Hair Care City Life Shampoo, 300ml

Calling all Londoners! From pollution on our daily commute to the famously hard water, the city is not kind to our strands. With gently cleansing vitamins, antibacterial benefits and anti-pollution qualities, Larry King’s City Life Shampoo is the answer to our problems. It’s the shampoo we never knew we needed but now can’t live without.

Buy now £40.00, Cult Beauty

Le Labo Basil Shampoo, 250ml

Well known for their fragrances, the scent of Le Labo‘s shampoo lives up to the rep. Basil is paired with verbena in this aromatic plant-based product which will repair, strengthen, and stimulate your hair. You’ll have the best smelling locks in the land.

Buy now £23.00, John Lewis

Aesop Volumising Shampoo, 500ml

Thinning hair is a universal problem for men, so Aesop’s Volumising Shampoo might be the solution for you. A lifting formulation assists the separation of hair for volume and body, while botanical oils deliver hydration.

Buy now £35.00, Aesop

Neals Yard Remedies Invigorating Seaweed Shampoo, 200ml

With a low level of lather, the offering from Neal’s Yard might not be the most foamy but will still leave your hair feeling beautifully clean and fresh. With a fragrant blend of seaweed and rosemary, you’ll be transported to the Mediterranean coast every morning.

Buy now £7.95, Neal's Yard Remedies

Kiehl's Rice & Wheat Volumizing Shampoo 250ml

Formulated with protective rice and wheat Proteins, Kiehl’s shampoo cleanses hair gently to help add body and fullness, without stripping hair of natural lipids and leaving no weighty residue.

Buy now £19.50, Kiehl's

The Body Shop Ginger Anti-dandruff Shampoo, 400ml

If you’re experiencing a dry or flaky scalp, this Ginger Shampoo from The Body Shop is the one for you. Follow with their Ginger Scalp Care Conditioner for best chances of putting a stop to those shoulder snowstorms.

Buy now £10.00, The Body Shop

Kerastase Genesis Homme Thickness Boosting Shampoo 250ml

Enriched with creatine and ginger root, Kerastase’s shampoo for men will deliver a noticeably fuller head of hair for those who are thin on the ground. With a good lather and great smell, your locks will be feeling pampered in no time.

Buy now £17.92, lookfantastic

Windle Lab Ultra Nourishing Shampoo 250ml

Great for afro and curly hair, this nourishing shampoo by Windle Lab contains three oils to offer extra moisture and strengthening properties for ultra-thirsty hair.

Buy now £24.00, Windle Lab

The Ordinary Sulphate 4% Cleanser For Body and Hair

Remove dirt from top to toe with The Ordinary’s cleanser, designed to help remove dirt and impurities from the skin and hair. Although this does contain sulfate, it has a level of sulfate that’s strong enough for skin and weak enough to cleanse your hair without stripping it too much. Two for the price of one.

Buy now £6.80, Space NK

Leonor Greyl Shampooing au Miel Gentle Volumising Shampoo 120ml

The extra-gentle nature of real acacia honey and plant extracts means you can use this thickening shampoo daily on thin hair without too much damage, so it’s great for people who play sports or sweat a lot. It will help restore flexibility, shine and volume.

Buy now £22.40, lookfantastic

Garnier Ultimate Blends Honey Treasures Strengthening Shampoo 360ml

As the cheapest shampoo in the edit, Garnier’s Honey Treasures is a great option if you’re on a budget. Whilst not packing quite the same nutritious punch as some other formulas, the honey extract will still leave your hair feeling soft and smelling amazing.

Buy now £2.00, Boots