How To Choose The Best Shampoo For Your Hair Type?

Written by

Akhilesh Singh / Published on June 8, 2021

Shampoos are the mainstream product used for cleaning hair of all types. You can find many different companies providing large varieties of shampoos which you can pick from.

But, what shampoo should i use?

As you know, there are various types of hair shampoos in the market for different hair types, so people have to carefully choose their shampoo formulation as their hair could be prone to many infections from an improper selection.

To be more clear about my chances, I read some books and research regarding shampoo for particular hair types available on the internet, which helped me find some valuable facts that will help you select suitable formulas for a particular hair type.

Before I break down the selection process, let’s know the two main aspects we need to pay attention to while figuring the right shampoo for your hair type.

The two most essential components in this entire process are the scalp and the hair follicles.

Essential Hair Components To Know

The scalp consists of sebaceous glands, which are found on most parts of the skin on your body except for the palm and soles of the feet. These glands release sebum oil (hair’s natural oil). This oil is responsible for the nourishment and moisturization of your hair and the scalp itself.

The next component is the hair follicle. The hair follicle regulates hair growth via a complex interaction between hormones, neuropeptides, and immune cells. It contains tiny scale-like structures called cuticles. If these cuticles are rough and do not align with the shaft of the follicles, the hair will look dull and fuzzy.

Here’s how these two components vary from type to type:

In Straight hair

In this hair type, the hair strands are straight from the scalp through the follicles. Straight hair allows the hair to get enough nourishment from the glands. The scalp and the cuticles get enough sebum deposit due to a straight line of the passage for the oil, which results in oily hair and a shiny look. Men with this type of hair usually wash their hair every day.

As the density increases in the straight hair type, the follicles get thicker, rough and the cuticles become a little irregular. The sebum takes more time to cover the entire volume of the hair. Therefore there is a drop in the frequency of washing the hair.

In Wavy hair

Wavy hair has a slight curvy nature with loose turns. They are not straight nor curvy, but somewhere in the middle. Due to this, the scalp gets a decent amount of sebum deposit, but not as much as straight hair.

The hair follicles change shape in wavy hair. They form a semi-oval structure. The hair follicle shape is also part of the reason wavy hair needs more moisture than straight hair. The more oval the hair follicle, the harder it is for natural oils to distribute down the hair shaft evenly, causing a decrease in hair washing frequency.

In Curly Hair

Curly hair has a high curvy nature, and the hair follicles are entirely oval-shaped. The shaft, as an effect, does not get enough oil coverage at all. The oils take a great deal of time to reach the hair strands from the scalp.

Curly hair does not receive sufficient moisturization. Hence it captures more dust and has a tendency to get frizzy and more prone to damage. To prevent this, allow the hair enough time between washes to attain a certain level of moisture. After which, one can proceed with the hair washing process.

In Coily Hair

This naturally curly hair type has a very dry and spongy texture. Sometimes called “kinky” hair, coily hair tends to be dry and brittle since the natural oils of your scalp take longer to circulate your hair. If you have coily hair, it’s a good idea to minimize how often you shampoo and blow-dry your hair.

Coily hair is divided into three categories, each with a zig-zag pattern with tight to loose turns. These tight curls are generally low on moisture, which is a good reason for you not to shampoo your hair too often. Washing your hair often could lead to seborrheic dermatitis, also known as dandruff.

Now that we have looked into the scalp and the follicles of varying hair types let’s get to know the different types of shampoos available in the market and which one suits you better.

Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoos are very much the same when compared to everyday shampoos. They are 80% – 90% water, and the rest contains cleaning agents. But despite the similarities, clarifying shampoos give a much deeper clean to the hair and the scalp. Their cleaning capability is significantly more potent than other shampoos.

Some of the typical surfactants used in these shampoos are chlorides or bromides, cetyl-fatty alcohols, or ammonium-sodium lauryl sulfate. These surfactants are pretty strong in nature which is why clarifying shampoos are considered very intense.

Keep in mind that such strong shampoos are advised to be used once or twice a week. Using it regularly can reverse its cleaning effects and cause damage to the hair and the scalp.

Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo isn’t technically a shampoo but still does a very similar job. It comes in the form of liquid, powder, or aerosol spray. It absorbs the excess oil from the scalp and makes the hair look less greasy.

All you need to do is take a small amount, apply it to your roots and give your hair a comb to let it spread equally. And Voila! Instant better-looking hair. Dry shampoos are ideal for people who are always on the go or a tight schedule. People who don’t get enough time to spend washing their hair can make the most out of this shampoo.

Sulfate-Free shampoo

As per its name, sulfate-free shampoos do not contain sulfates and are very mild. They have no soap-alkaline base. Sulfates are the key ingredients when it comes to shampoos, and they are the surfactants that cleanse away the dust and dead cells off the scalp. But while doing so, they rid the hair of the natural oil and nourishment, making the hair brittle.

Therefore people with extra sensitive scalps tend to drift away from sulfate-based shampoos. Make sure to check the composition of the product when opting for sulfate-free shampoos. It should not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, and sodium Laureth sulfate.

Sulfate-free shampoos are good at keeping your hair’s natural oils and texture intact.

Everyday Shampoo

Everyday shampoos are mild intense when it comes to their cleaning capabilities. People who feel the need to wash their hair daily can use this shampoo. Unlike regular shampoos, everyday shampoos are soap-alkaline free which makes them a viable option for everyday use.

These shampoos are very similar to baby shampoos. Both of them have very mild surfactants. It is not harsh on the scalp, leaves it glossy, and does not cause any severe damage to the hair.

People who have an oily scalp or greasy hair can use everyday shampoos due to their low impact. They may also have a small number of conditioning agents in them.

Volumizing Shampoo

Volumizing shampoos are used to add volume to thin and straight hair. Guys with hair prone to damage and hair-fall use this shampoo much often. It opens up the cuticles and promotes hair growth. Men in winters can also use volumizing shampoos as they give a particular shine to hair. And winters cause the hair to look flatter and lifeless.

These shampoos are lighter in nature, so they don’t make the hair heavy. They do not contain heavy surfactants as they may not serve the purpose of these shampoos. Also, it is not advisable to use conditioners along with volumizing shampoos.

Keratin Shampoo

Keratin is the type of protein that makes up your hair, skin, and nails. It is also found in your internal organs and various glands. It is a protective protein, less prone to scratching or tearing than other types of cells your body produces. Keratin aids in maintaining the pH balance of your hair and restoring smoothness.

Keratin works by smoothing down the cells that overlap to form your hair strands. The layers of cells, called the hair cuticle, theoretically absorb the keratin, resulting in hair that looks full and glossy.

Shampoos that contain keratin as the main ingredient are known as “Keratin Shampoo”. Many shampoos contain keratin as a side ingredient as well. On checking the ingredient list of such shampoos, you may find names like “hydrolyzed keratin” or “keratin amino acids”.

Moisturizing Shampoo

Moisturizing shampoo, also known as hydrating shampoo, is used for moisturizing dry hair and reducing any damage caused due to dryness. Men with dry scalps are usually advised to use these types of shampoos to help recover the lost moisture of the hair.

Moisturizing shampoos are used in cases where the scalp is unable to produce enough oil. This type of hair lacks nourishment which is then compensated by using these shampoos. Moisturizing shampoos also make the hair shinier. Hence it can also be used by people who wish to increase the glossiness of their hair.

Coloured Hair Shampoo

People who like coloring their hair should use shampoos explicitly designed for better treatment. If you have color in your hair, you need shampoos that work to preserve it while washing away the oil, sweat, and product residue off your hair.

Unlike regular shampoos, color-treating shampoos are not hard on the hair and contribute to long-lasting color and highlights. Good color shampoos will have kelp, algae, or oil to keep your hair well-nourished. Watch out for ingredients such as parabens, sulfate,s, and alcohols.

There is no point in spending so much money coloring your hair and then using shampoo which will lay waste to it in no time. Make sure the next time you color your hair or if you already have and want to get a specific shampoo for yourself, get a proper color-treating shampoo.

Medicated Shampoos

Guys suffering from underlying issues of psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, or a fungus such as Malassezia are usually prescribed by dermatologists to use medicated shampoos. The reason behind this is the composition of these shampoos. Most medicated shampoos consist of several active ingredients such as tar, sulfur, salicylic acid, chlorinated phenols, etc.

Medicated shampoos are also recommended to people with extra sensitive scalp, infections, or if they have been suffering from itching or scaling lately. In most cases, dandruff shampoos, antifungal shampoos, and prescription shampoos for various scalp problems do work—which is why dermatologists often recommend them as an initial treatment. These shampoos somewhat fall under the medicated category.

Now the question arises, “What’s the best shampoo for me?“

In case of a dry scalp-

Use shampoos that promote hydration of the scalp and the hair.
Avoid strong shampoos with loads of surfactants.
Shampoos with mild cleaning strength and nourishing agents will be much suitable.

In case of an oily scalp-

Can go with everyday and regular shampoos, which are good at removing excess oil from the scalp.
Avoid shampoos that add moisture to your hair.
Use volumizing shampoos to minimize the stickiness of the hair.