The Best Men's Shampoos

Shampooing is where healthy hair begins.

Air pollution, too much sun, hard water and other factors can damage your hair. Using a good men’s shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for males, can not only clean your hair, but, leave it healthier than ever.

You still need some guidance to find the right shampoo or conditioner, however. Some shampoos can strip your hair of their natural oils. That can end up leaving your hair dry, flaky or worse, damaged.

With so many men's shampoos out there, how can you know which ones are the best? Well, let a barber tell you!

I have tried hundreds of men's hair products over the years so let my experience with the best men's shampoos guide you to which ones are best to use.  One day I might even write a post about all the ones that I tried at the shop that didn't make the cut!

In this article I will let you know the best shampoos and conditioners for men’s hair by type. Whatever type of hair you have, be it curly, dry, greasy or whatever, there is a specific grooming product for you.

One thing to remember, though, is not to shampoo your hair everyday. Even the best shampoos should not be used too frequently to give your hair a chance to do its thing naturally. Every other day is a good way to start and see how your hair reacts.

The Best Shampoos Compared

Table could not be displayed.

Best Daily Shampoo for Men

American Crew Daily Moisturizing Shampoo

American Crew is the go-to product for just about everything at my shop.

The products are great quality for the price and this shampoo doesn’t disappoint.  It is designed for normal to dry hair, and the key to it is that it doesn’t strip the hair of its natural oils.

If you absolutely have to wash your hair everyday then this is a good shampoo to use daily.

It's got some great natural extracts that work with your hair.  Panama bark helps keep the hairs natural oils after washing and rosemary and thyme help invigorate your scalp.

It does such a great job at conditioning your scalp that it ends up being one of the best anti-dandruff shampoos out there.

If you use a lot of thick hair gel (not recommended) or blow dry your hair, this is a gentle way to keep your hair clean and still hydrated. Even though this is formulated for dry hair, I find it is a good shampoo for oily hair.

Best Shampoo for Sensitive Skin

John Allan's Sport Shampoo

If you are looking for the best men’s shampoo and conditioner for sensitive skin, then I highly recommend John Allan’s Sport shampoo.

It is very mild shampoo and gentle on your scalp and hair. Then it conditions leaving your hair soft and manageable. If your hair is too dry or brittle, it hydrates it. If you have oily hair, it helps keep your hair from absorbing too much oil from your scalp.

Like the other men's shampoos that I recommend, it moisturizes your hair leaving it will the healthy natural oils and gently cleans it.

Its scent is very subtle and mild. Sort of a blend of apples and lavender. Though it seems like it may be a girly scent, it is perfect for guys that don’t want an aggressive smelling shampoo to compete with their cologne.

Leaving your hair feeling soft, you won't lose control of your style the way some shampoos tend to do.

Best Argan Oil Shampoo

Brooklyn Botany Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo

Though this argan oil based shampoo is great for any hair type, it is the best shampoo for black men because of how it treats thick, curly hair. Even the most wiry hair feels softer after using this shampoo.

With a blend of argan, jojoba, coconut and almond oils, it is formulated perfectly to nourish dry or damaged hair. It nourishes the hair and gently restores the natural oil that is so important to keep your hair protected from damage.

The damage caused by sun, pollution and from years of using inferior products can all be reversed in just a few days when you shampoo with the best organic shampoo for men.

Dry, frizzy or even extra oily hair all benefits from the formula of different oils. After lathering up, rinsing and repeating, your hair will not only be cleaner, but also softer, shinier and healthier.

As I mentioned already, it’s really important to not strip your hair of its natural oils, so the best organic shampoos use oils to nourish your hair while letting your scalp do its thing. This is the best daily shampoo for men, but for optimum results, skip a day or two.

 Best Shampoos for Hair Loss and Thinning Hair

A question I get asked a lot in the shop is do hair thickening shampoos work?

Well, before I can answer that I need to understand what it is you want the shampoo to do.

If you have thin hair, then yes, thickening shampoos do work. By thin hair, I mean hair that is not thick or dense. Thinning hair means hair that is falling out. Thin hair is fine. So there is a contextual difference at play here.

Thickening shampoos work great at bulking up thin hair and making it thicker and denser so your hair looks, and is actually, fuller. If you can see your scalp because you have very fine blond hair, but aren’t losing your hair, then a thickening shampoo will work great for you.

Does thickening shampoo regrow hair? In short, no. At least not for male pattern baldness. The only proven treatments for regrowing hair is Minoxidil and Finasteride. If you are losing hair from stress, damaged scalp or other skin conditions, then there are shampoos that can reverse the damage and help regrow hair.

re:line Biotin Shampoo For Hair Growth

If you don’t have male pattern baldness but are starting to see your shower drain with more and more of your hair in it everyday, then time to bring out the big guns.

It’s time to try a thickening shampoo with DHT blocker. DHT is a male sex hormone known as dihydrotestosterone. DHT is thought to cause hair follicles to miniaturize, and this contributes to hair loss.

The best shampoos for hair loss contain a formula that blocks the production of DHT. Paisle Botanics makes this organic hair thickening shampoo for men that naturally blocks DHT by using argan oil, coconut oil, biotin B complex vitamins and even caffeine.

The way it works is that the scalp is stimulated which helps to kick start growth in blocked or dying hair follicles. In addition to that, it strengthens and thickens the hair that is already growing, giving your mane a thicker look.

Then, the biotin B contributes to the health of the new hair and strengthens it. Hair breakage is a big problem for men with thin hair and this does a great job at preventing the hair from breaking.

It’s free from harsh chemicals so it is safe to use everyday.

Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Damaged Hair

MONAT for Men 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner

Even if you don’t need the best shampoo and conditioner for hair growth, but, have dry or damaged hair, then this is an excellent solution.

It does really work wonders in treating thinning hair. The fact that it cleans and conditions at the same time means less time getting yourself ready in the morning and more time looking good.

According to Monat, after using this 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner:

• 46% noticed an increase in hair growth
• 48% reported a decrease in DHT that contributes to hair loss
• 35% witnessed an increase in hair follicle strength
• 70% saw an increase in repair effect improving hair anchoring
• 76% experienced an increase in collagen directly increasing follicle size

Now, will you be one of those guys that sees these results? There is no way to know until you try. The nice thing is even if you don’t see any increase in hair growth, you will have healthier hair and scalp. So, worst case scenario still looks pretty good.

Yes, it is pricey and yes, the container is small. A little goes a long way, though, so it should last you a while. You only need a dime sized dab to get a good lather going.

Best Smelling Shampoo for Men

You don’t need to believe in aromatherapy to feel like you get a boost when you step out of the shower smelling like a million bucks. Certain scents just make you feel good. Whether it is because it makes you smell more manly, or the scent helps to keep you calm.

If you want a shampoo that cleans your hair and gives you something to smell after the shower, then read on.

Fromonda Woody Shampoo, All Natural, Organic, Cedarwood & Cypress Scent

I will admit that I get a juvenile rise out of the brand name Frömönda (pronounced fromunda), but that doesn’t take away from what a great smelling shampoo it is.

If you're looking for a good all natural, organic and vegan shampoo that also smells amazing, then you should try out this unique men’s shampoo.

It’s made using purifying juniper oil with soothing aloe, jojoba, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E. But, it’s the scent that makes this an incredible shampoo. The cedarwood and cypress gives this a woodsy, manly scent.

The scent does last a while, too. Not the whole day, but long enough after your shower that anybody leaning in to whisper in your ear a few hours later will also be able to enjoy it.

Best Conditioners for Men

Using a conditioner is very important for both men and women. Why, though? What does conditioner do for your hair?

Conditioners seal up the cuticles in your hair, protecting it from pollutants and locking in nutrients. This not only smooths out your hair, getting rid of split ends, but also leaves your hair healthier and keeps it that way longer.

The Top Conditioners

Table could not be displayed.

Best Combination Shampoo and Conditioner

Every Man Jack 2-In-1 Daily Shampoo Plus Conditioner

To get your hair cleaned and then moisturised in one step, then a combination shampoo and conditioner is ideal. This one from Every Man Jack is ideal for any hair type, though it is one of the best shampoo and conditioners for dry hair and dry, itchy scalp.

It’s all natural and contains no parabens, phthalates, dyes or sodium lauryl sulfates. You don’t have to be a chemist to know that those are some nasty ingredients that can not only end up damaging your hair, but can also affect your health.

The citrus scent is invigorating and leaves your hair smelling fresh.

The shampoo part is coconut based and cleans your hair gently. Then glycerin and shea butter of the conditioner leave your hair soft and moisturized.

Cleansing your scalp is as important as your hair. Every Man Jack is formulated to treat your scalp and leave the skin as healthy as your hair. Treating your hair from the roots to the ends means stronger and healthier hair that looks and feels awesome.

If it’s important to you to use ethically made grooming products then you will love the fact that this shampoo and conditioner is not tested on animals and it totally organic.

Best Leave in Conditioner

What is the difference between a leave in conditioner and a regular conditioner?

Um, well, one of them you leave in. Ok, that’s obvious, but the biggest difference is that the leave in has all day to work its magic. Leave in conditioners work best on dry or damaged hair that need a little TLC. But, really they are good for any hair type.

If the weather is too dry or too humid, if you use a hair dryer, have dyed hair or you need the best deep conditioner for curly hair then you can really benefit from a leave in conditioner.

ArtNaturals Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioner

Argan oil has long been known to Moroccans as an amazing product with healing properties for your hair and skin. In fact, it’s also called Moroccan oil.

This oil helps the conditioner repair your hair as well as your dry scalp.

Rich in Vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids and linoleic acid, ArtNaturals leave in conditioner boosts cell production in your hair. It also hydrates your hair and leaves it smooth and shiny.

It contains awapuhi white ginger, aloe vera and witch hazel. The ginger gives your hair a radiant shine, the aloe keeps your hair hydrated and the witch hazel acts as an antiseptic for added protection.

Any inflammation or itchiness on your scalp will also be reduced thanks to the all natural ingredients. It is the best conditioner for sensitive skin.

Though this leave in conditioner is suitable for any hair type, it is best for dry or over-processed hair. Repair the damage done from styling your hair or from inferior hair care products by using this leave in conditioner.

ArtNaturals is, as the name implies, all natural and uses no parabens, phthalates or sulfates.

After shampooing, simply rub the recommended amount through your hair while it is still wet and go about your day.

Other thoughts...

It used to be cool for a guy to make a point about how he didn't care about how he took care of his hair.  Luckily, things are different now and you can fuss over yourself without anybody thinking twice about it.

And, finally men are not an afterthought when it comes to hair and grooming products. It used to be that men had to use women’s hair care products if they wanted to take good care of their hair. Though some of the products on the list are for men or women, there are plenty that are formulated specifically for men.