Frequently Asked Questions
What type of shampoo is best for gray hair?
Silver hair, natural or not, is similar to blonde in that it needs more TLC than darker hair tones to look its brightest and shiniest. Whether you naturally have icy-white hair or sit in the salon chair to get the look, the best shampoos for gray hair are essential for creating a dullness-defying hair-care routine that your cool-toned hair color will benefit from.
One of the most common concerns about going gray is keeping brassiness at bay. “The goal is to keep that hair bright and sparkly and not brassy or yellowish,” says Los Angeles-based hair colorist Clariss Rubenstein. Usually, purple shampoos are used to neutralize any yellowness in cool-toned blondes and gray hair, but Rubenstein says finding a shampoo that not only neutralizes brassy tones but also nourishes hair and replenishes moisture is key to keeping gray strands in tip-top shape.
Yes, counteracting yellow tones to minimize brassiness is one concern for those with gray hair, but New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, previously told Allure that gray hair can also change and become thinner, coarser, and drier since your oil glands produce less sebum as you get older, leading to drier hair follicles. “It is unclear why, but the biological process that affects the color of the hair likely also affects the structure of the hair being produced as well,” he said.
Tips for maintaining gray hair
To keep your grays looking bright and silver, Rubenstein recommends having a purple shampoo and a regular shampoo catered to your hair concerns. “Do you need volume? Moisture? Choose the right fit of shampoo and conditioner, then choose a purple shampoo you like,” she says. There are tons of nutrient-rich purple shampoos on the market, but for a deeper treatment that checks multiple boxes off your strand care list, Rubenstein recommends mixing your usual shampoo and a purple shampoo every time you wash. “The ratio I like is three-fourths regular shampoo and one-fourth purple shampoo; then follow with conditioner,” she says. “About once a month, do a full shampoo with purple just to tone.”
As we all know, shampoo’s main purpose is to cleanse. To remove buildup without sacrificing tone, New York City-based hair colorist Clara Purvis suggests using a clarifying shampoo or apple cider vinegar treatment. “Grey hair tends to be more on the dry side, which happens generally as we age and our body starts to lose moisture she says. So, she recommends using hair products like moisture-replenishing conditioners to help offset dryness, brittle texture, and frizz. “Additionally, regular oil treatments and hair masks are great ways to increase moisture.”
Meet the experts
- Julie Dickson, a stylist and founder of Joon Drop Salon based in New York City
- Marla Haislip, a stylist at Thrive Beauty Bar based in Santee, California
- Clara Purvis, a hair colorist and founder of Noordwyk Salon based in New York City
- Clariss Rubenstein, a hair colorist based in Los Angeles
- Valerie Vanessa, a stylist based in New York City and Los Angeles
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, Associate Professor of Dermatology, and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital based in New York City
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. We guarantee that these factors are considered when determining whether a hair-care product is worthy of a recommendation.
For our review of the best shampoos for gray hair, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists we’ve interviewed for the piece—who all have different hair concerns and types, desired outcomes (i.e., want shinier hair), and whether one product was tested across multiple hair types. Testers considered performance across two primary categories: efficacy and value. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
