Some people like to splurge at every step of their day job, while those who like to choose and choose their own hairstyle products in the name of financial responsibility. Take shampoo and conditioner as an example: While prices can reach high altitudes these days, there are quality formulas at every price point. The best drugstore shampoos are proven – they replenish hydration, add shine and repair – for under $15.
Vogue’s Favorite pharmacy shampoo
Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Update Shampoo
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L’Oréal Elvive Hyaluron plump hydrated shampoo
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Just like laundry detergent, people tend to be loyal to the pharmacy shampoo they grew up with. Many of these traditional brands are still growing strongly, but it is worth noting how much innovation has happened over the years. Consider more effective formulas, less demanding ingredients, and better options for different hair types. From favorite classics to recent debuts, below FashionAccording to the hairstylist and our editor, nine of the best pharmacy shampoo editors.
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Overall best: Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Update Shampoo
Pantene
Pro-V Daily Moisture Update Shampoo
- Why we like it: If you grew up in the Pantene family, you’ll be happy to know that its legacy Pro-V shampoo was the same in 2025 as it was in its heyday in the 90s. Packaging and odor – a clean, light fragrance that has been around for years – is relatively the same; with the benefits of Panthenol, AKA Vitamin B5, celebrity hairstylist Marc Ballance said: “Soft and hydrate without feeling overcoated.” He added that it is especially reliable “if you are dealing with dryness or heat damage.”
- Key Ingredients: Panthenol, antioxidant
- Best for: Dry hair, heat damage
- fragrance: Wild berries, fresh flowers, creamy herbs
- size: 12.6 fl. ounce
The best clarification: Odele clarified sulfate-free shampoo
Odler
Clarify sulfate-free shampoo
- Why we like it: “Clarifying shampoos are a must in any hair, especially if you prefer dry shampoos and wax sticks,” said celebrity stylist Sophie Rose Gutterman. “This will wash your hair in one breath and make your hair hair free and ready to grow.” She explains that the formula contains ingredients that exfoliate without stripping off your hair’s natural makeup. “While it removes things like hard water minerals and product buildup, it won’t strip your hair color.” The packaging also clearly lists the ingredients and specifies that all hair types are simplified purchases are safe.
- Key Ingredients: C14-16 Sodium sulfate carbonate, Formolypropyl hydroxyaminomethane, amaranthus caudatus seed extract
- Best for: clarify
- fragrance: The smell of natural moss
- size: 13 fl. ounce
The best dry hair: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Full Hydrating Shampoo
O’Leir
Elvive Hyaluron plump hydrated shampoo
- Why we like it: “If you’re going to choose a drugstore shampoo, this would be one of my suggestions,” said hair colorist Natalie Rotger. I have to agree: I can touch this whenever my end feels dry, which is usually due to my hot tool addiction. Color safe, sulfate-free and lightweight without defat moisture, this shampoo is basically free if you do girls math.
- Key Ingredients: Citric acid, bonding repair complex
- Best for: Dry, color-treated hair
- fragrance: White rose, lemon peel, citrus
- size: 6.8 fl. ounce
Best for damaged hair: Dove intensive maintenance shampoo
- Why we like it: For simplicity and recovery, Ballance points out Dove’s enhanced repair shampoo for “experienced hair.” From color damage and bleach to years of thermal styling, this is all for treating all your problems. (This is thanks to its bioprotein care technology, which infuses glutamate amino serum, helps restore the brittle chain.) Under $10, this is hard to go away.
- Key Ingredients: Glutamate amino serum, bioprotein care technology
- Best for: Signs of damage, crispy
- fragrance:n/a
- size: 28 Fl. ounce
Best for frequent washing: Local Coconut and Vanilla Shampoo
The country’s
Coconut and Vanilla Shampoo
- Why we like it: Locals are the most popular among newer drugstore tags, so they are very excited when they expand to hair care in 2021. Although locals are known to give up a stock of interesting flavors or brand collaboration stocks (look at you, Dunkin’Donuts). According to Ballance, the key element here is fortypropyl betaine, “the coconut-derived cleaner is super mild.” He added that this is “sulfate-free, lightweight, and does not build up” which will be very important if you wash your hair regularly.
- Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, cocoa, citric acid
- Best for: Damaged dry hair
- fragrance: Coconut, vanilla
- size: 16.5 fl. ounce
The best keratin: Kristin Ess
Kristin Ess
A signature shampoo
- Why we like it: All of Kristin Ess’ formulas bring salon quality results, and the packaging makes them look more expensive than they were before. They also smell incredible due to the iconic scent of pears, sandalwood and magnolia. Ballance says the excellent ingredient is hydrolyzing keratin, which helps smooth and strengthen without that terrifying plastic feel. He added that it “cleans lightly but doesn’t feel too light” and “cross-hair type work, which is rare at this price point.”
- Key Ingredients: Keratin, avocado oil
- Best for: Dry hair
- fragrance: pear, sandalwood, mulan
- size: 10 fl. ounce
The best moisturizing:OGX nourishing + coconut milk moisturizing shampoo
OGX
Nourishing + Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo
- Why we like it: I still remember sneaking OGX products into the cart when my mom and I went shopping in the grocery store. This shampoo’s coconut gas can take me back immediately. Even now, OGX is still a reliable choice for anyone seeking affordable and validity. Gutterman recommends using this shampoo for customers who are relatively healthy or virgins, as it focuses more on hydration than repair, although it does contain proteins that can help strengthen the chain over time.
- Key Ingredients: Coconut milk, coconut oil, hydrolyzed milk protein
- Best for: Dry hair
- fragrance: Coconut, Shea Butter, White Peach
- size: 13 fl. ounce
The best volume: Monday hair curl shampoo
- Why we like it: “Moon not only has the cutest packaging, but it also takes some time to meet different hair needs,” Gutterman said. Most large amounts of shampoos are filled with alcohol and sulfates that can dry hair, but this shampoo uses collagen, shea butter and light oil to replenish moisture and plump thin chains without putting them under pressure. She also appreciates the brand’s commitment to cruelty-free and dermatologists to test while keeping the price accessible. “I actually have this in the shower now.”
- Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed collagen, coconut oil, shea butter, macadamia oil
- Best for: Thin hair, lots of
- fragrance: Flowers, fruity flavor
- size: 12 fl. ounce
Best for curly hair: Sheamoisture Strengthening and Recovering Shampoo
Shea Moisture
Strengthen and restore shampoo
- Why we like it: This sulfate-free shampoo is made from 100% pure Jamaican black castor oil and is perfect for wavy, curly, kink or damaged chains. Gutterman explains that oil not only replenishes moisture, but will also promote hair growth. “It also contains shea butter, which helps to enhance hair that has been chemically processed or hot-styled. While Gutterman points out that it can be slightly heavier for those with fine hair, it’s great for anyone who is eager to get rid of the excess buildup.
- Key Ingredients: Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Fair Trade Shea Butter, Peppermint
- Best for: Damage to hair
- fragrance:Mint
- size: 13 oz
Everything you need to know
Is the pharmacy shampoo as good as an expensive shampoo?
According to our experts, drugstore shampoos can still offer quality formulas, but they are not always the same level as their premium peers. “The ingredients of pharmacy shampoos are similar (or even the same) to salon-grade ingredients, but are smaller and usually dilute less fillers,” Rotger said. Gutterman agrees, noting that “I don’t recommend pharmacy products in most cases, but there are certainly some gems worth trying.” At the end of the day, the best shampoo is the shampoo that enhances the hair feel and helps you achieve your goals.
What does a hairstylist think of pharmacy shampoo?
“Personally, I’m not an anti-drug shampoo, but it does depend on your specific needs,” Rotger said. Is your hair color treatment? Do you have a sensitive scalp? Are you losing your hair? If your answer to any of these is “yes”, then a shampoo at a pharmacy may not be the most appropriate one.
This isn’t very expensive to automatically mean better, but salon-grade shampoos are usually made from higher quality ingredients for a specific problem and are unlikely to cause irritation. Some hair stylists avoid drugstore choices because many hair stylists contain sulfates that can dry already fragile hair, causing buildup, even peeling and changing your color. For example, many pharmacy options contain sodium sulfate and ammonium sulfate (ammonium sulfate) – the most common surfactants that remove dust and oil from hair. To avoid this, just make sure to choose a shampoo labeled with sulfate, which will be supplied with some other cleanser to properly foam and shampoo.
Silicones are another controversial ingredient, although Rotger believes they are not as evil as people do. “They can actually be beneficial for certain hair types,” she said. At the end of the day, there is no one shampoo suitable for all. But if you spend a lot of money on colors, investing in high-end formulas can help you stay for longer.
What to look for in a drugstore shampoo
When scanning a list of ingredients, it is usually less, Rotger said. “Too much sodium derivatives, alcohols or flavor ingredients listed near the top are often red flags,” she explained. She recommends choosing a sulfate-free formula, especially since many drugstore shampoos already contain ingredients that may be harsh or peeled off. This helps minimize dryness, scalp irritation and color fading.
Gutterman agrees and adds that while not all alcohol is bad, it depends on the type of product. “Alcohol in hair spray? It’s totally normal. But, in leave-in conditioner? Not that much.” She recommends paying attention to where alcohol appears on the ingredient list, because this can give you an idea of how much it includes and whether it will cause damage over time.
- Marc Ballance is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City, whose clients include Nick Jonas, Sam Claflin and Maisie Peters.
- Sophie Rose Gutterman is a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles with clients including Gwenyth Paltrow, Karlie Kloss and Victoria Justice.
- Natalie Rotger is a hair colorist at Jenna Perry Hair Studio in New York City.
