Shampoo may be a staple hair-care product, but not every formula is designed to meet the unique needs of gray hair. The best shampoos for gray hair deliver an essential dose of lightweight hydration, provide a gentle (but thorough!) cleanse, prevent split ends, boost shine, and help to neutralize yellow tones that can make strands appear brassy and dull.
“Gray hair is gorgeous, but it can be a little picky,” says Ryan Pearl, a celebrity hair colorist. Because gray hair tends to be on the drier side, Pearl recommends picking up a formula infused with hydrating ingredients. As for what causes this dryness? Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, says that it tends to be caused by less oils being produced due to hormonal changes. She adds that gray hair tends to be on the courser side, “as it lacks pigment and needs extra maintenance to optimize shine.” And if brassiness tends to be an issue, purple shampoo will be a must in your shower rotation. “They help keep that gray cool and fresh, because let’s be honest, no one wants that yellowish tone creeping in. And make sure it’s sulfate-free so you don’t strip those precious natural oils.”
Below are the best shampoo options for color-treated and naturally gray hair, along with hair-care tips for keeping your hair color bright and glowy, according to board-certified dermatologists, hairstylists, and hair colorists.
The best shampoos for gray hair, at a glance:
Best Overall: Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain UltraViolet Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Recommended by both board-certified dermatologist and a celebrity hair colorist, Kerastase’s Blond Absolu Bain UltraViolet Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo is our overall top choice for gray hair. Infused with ultra-violet pigments and suitable for all hair textures, it helps to cancel out yellow tones that can make gray hair appear brassy, all while softening and cleansing the hair and scalp of dirt, oil, and product buildup. I can personally vouch that this formula is a fast-acting solution for fighting brassiness even in blonde or highlighted hair. In my experience, lathering up with it once or twice a week is all it takes to ward off those orange-y tones—and hair styling always feels easier after using it too. For the record, the brand recommends using it no more than three times a week.
The shampoo boasts benefits for dry hair, too. “The formula’s hyaluronic acid adds moisture, which is essential since gray hair tends to be drier and more brittle,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Jennifer Korab, a celebrity hair colorist and the owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa in Hillsborough, New Jersey, gives the formula her stamp of approval too, highlighting that it leaves hair looking bright, luminous, and toned.
Best Drugstore: L’Oreal Paris Sulfate Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo
With over 17,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, the L’Oréal Paris Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo is one of the most popular (and budget-friendly!) sulfate-free shampoos for neutralizing yellow tones in gray and silver hair. “This is a great and affordable option for gray hair,” says Dr. Garshick. “It uses purple pigments to keep brass at bay while being gentle on the scalp.” While some purple shampoos have left me with a little scalp irritation, this L’Oréal pick has always left my hair and scalp feeling clean and comfy. Similar to other purple shampoos, you’ll probably only want to use this a few times a week (at most) for toning maintenance.
Best Hydrating: RŌZ Foundation Shampoo
“The main thing with gray hair is that it craves moisture,” says Judy McGuinness, a New York City-based hairstylist, who recommends hydrating formulas for those with gray hair. One of her favorites is the RŌZ Foundation Shampoo, a gentle, lightweight formula that she says smells amazing and delivers on the hydration promise. Coconut-based surfactants help create a rich later and gently cleanse without stripping the hair, while added ceramides help strengthen. And because it’s not infused with concentrated toning pigments, it’s a great regular shampoo option for daily use. As for that delightful scent McGuiness referenced? The brand’s signature fragrance is inspired by the mountains of Big Sur and features notes of vetiver, neroli, fig, and bergamot.
Best for Brassiness: Shu Uemura Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Brass tints don’t stand a chance against this super pigmented buy, recommended by New York City-based hair colorist Priscilla Choi. She says the formula’s Japanese violet toning technology enriches hair with cool purple pigments to neutralize unwanted brassy tones in gray hair and give hair a natural-looking glow. It’s also infused with antioxidant-rich Japanese white peony to give dry hair a boost in hydration.
Best Volumizing Shampoo: Better Not Younger Wake Up Call Volumizing Shampoo
On top of gently cleansing, this color-safe shampoo from Better Not Younger makes fine, aging hair appear instantly fuller and more voluminous without drying it out in the process — a problem that tends to pop up with volumizing products. It uses a signature blend of ingredients like biotin, bamboo, and burdock root to help strengthen hair and prevent breakage that can make hair appear brittle and thin. One of my family members (who has color-treated hair and has the formula in her shampoo rotation) says it lathers extremely well, adds noticeable shine, and always leaves her hair feeling clean.
Best for Dullness: Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo
“When hair is feeling yellow or brassy I recommend Color Balance Purple Shampoo by Joico,” says Jay Small, a certified trichologist, celebrity hairstylist, and the founder of Arey. “This purple shampoo deposits a noticeable amount of pigment, instantly neutralizing unwanted tones without leaving hair feeling weighed down by product buildup.” The formula is also infused with green tea extract and UV absorbers to help prevent fading and hair color warping caused by the sun. It also boosts shine, maintains vibrancy, and leaves hair looking smoother by helping to control frizz and static throughout the day. It happens to be one of the shampoos that my mom (who has salt and pepper hair) has used for years for warding off yellow tones and preventing dullness.
Best Strengthening: Olaplex No.4P Blonde Hair Hydrating & Brightening Purple Toning Shampoo
If you’re looking for a shampoo that prevents split ends, mends breakage, and neutralizes brassiness, Olaplex has got your back. “The purple pigment added to this shampoo can counterbalance any dull yellowish hues that may begin to dull or alter the shine of the grey hair,” says Michelle Cleveland, a celebrity hairstylist and extension artist. This formula also features the brand’s signature bond-building technology to repair and strengthen hair, while coconut oil-derived surfactants supply a subtle lather that gently cleanse without stripping. The brand recommends working it into your wash routine as needed to target brassy strands, and leaving it in for approximately one to three minutes before rinsing to experience the full effects.
Best for Color Treated Hair: Pureology Strength Cure Blonde Purple Shampoo
While some purple shampoos have a lilac or lavender tone, this one has a deep violet tone that almost looks blue when it’s in your hands. That said, a little goes a long way in helping to strengthen compromised strands and remove orangey tones from hair—according to the brand, all you need is a dime-sized dollop to get the job done. Designed with all hair textures in mind, it’s a great choice for both natural and color-treated gray hair. “I love this one because it’s sulfate-free and packed with strengthening ingredients, which is perfect for the delicate nature of gray hair. Plus, the purple pigments help counteract unwanted brassiness without over-drying,” says Korab.
Best Silver Shampoo: Oribe Silverati Shampoo
McGuinness describes the scent of Oribe’s Silverati Shampoo as “immaculate.” It’s infused with Oribe’s signature Côte d’Azur scent, which features notes like creamy sandalwood and bright Calabrian bergamot. Made with blue and silver pigments, it’s also specifically designed for gray, white, and silver hair colors. “It’s not a full-on purple shampoo, but it’s great for canceling out the yellowish hue that silver hair can sometimes get,” she says. The hydrating formula also helps to protect hair against pollution and free-radical damage, thanks to the addition of European silver fir extract.
Best for Thinning Hair: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo
All hair colors can benefit from the strand-plumping powers of Bumble and bumble’s Thickening Volume Shampoo. It effectively removes product buildup and oil that often weigh hair down. In turn, this deep cleanse helps hair appear fuller and more voluminous. “I struggled with major hair thinning last year, to the point where I was just throwing about everything at it to try to get it to grow along the crown by my bangs,” says Glamour’s commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “I would wear my hair with two strands down at the front and noticed huge gaps and patches around where the rest of my hair stood (as seen in the before image). After trying multiple (and I mean multiple) shampoos for thinning hair, I found success with this Bumble and Bumble formula. My thinner, spottier areas looked a lot plumper and became much easier to hide. Although it wasn’t a solution for growing new hair itself, I’d definitely recommend it to those in need of a little volume boost on areas of your hair that are sparse. While I’m just going a little gray now at the front of my head, I have noticed that it’s less apparent and easy to hide behind my thicker bangs.”
Your shampoo for gray hair questions, answered
What shampoo is best for gray hair?
That depends on your exact needs, but for starters, you’ll want a moisturizing shampoo that delivers hydration that gray hair is frequently lacking. “Hydrating is key,” says Amy Spizuoco, DO, a board-certified dermatologist, dermatopathologist, and the founder of True Dermatology in New York City. “Gray hair tends to be drier and more prone to frizz, so look for shampoos that offer intense moisture.” Specifically, Dr. Spizuco recommends looking for formulas that feature hydrating and strengthening ingredients like biotin, keratin, and argan oil. She also recommends avoiding products that feature harsh ingredients that can cause even more dryness or damage to the hair. “Sulfates can strip hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and dullness, especially in gray hair.”
If you’re dealing with unwanted yellow tones, purple shampoo might be another helpful tool in your hair arsenal.
How can I make my gray hair soft and shiny?
On top of looking for a sulfate-free, hydrating shampoo, Marie Nino, a New York City-based hairstylist and colorist, recommends weekly deep conditioning treatments to replenish moisture and soften gray hair, as well as gloss treatments to enhance shine. “Always use a heat protectant before styling to prevent damage, and sleeping on a silk pillowcase can help reduce frizz and breakage,” she adds.
For keeping gray hair soft, shiny, and healthy, celebrity hairstylist Ryan Pearl stresses the importance of using a hydrating conditioner post-shampoo, nourishing styling products, and avoiding excess heat styling. “Air-dry when you can, and if you must use heat, always use a heat protectant. Your gray hair deserves the best!”
How do I keep my gray hair from turning yellow?
There’s a few things you can do to help prevent those yellow and brassy tones from popping up on gray hair, starting with working a purple shampoo into your routine. The purple pigments in purple shampoo help to cancel out, or neutralize, yellow and brassy tones. That said, Nino says lathering up with a purple shampoo too often can cause your hair to look dull or reflect a purple cast. You should also avoid leaving a purple shampoo in gray hair for too long before rinsing out, as prolonged contact could also contribute to staining. She also recommends using a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove buildup that leads to brassiness, and installing a shower filter to prevent hard water from contributing to the issue.
Pearl says that UV light can be a culprit behind yellow and orange tones too. “Seriously, if you want your grays to stay looking fresh, protect them from the sun,” he stresses. “UV rays can turn that stunning gray into a brassy mess, so wear a cute hat or use UV-protecting products.”
- Ryan Pearl, a celebrity hair colorist and Tangle Teaser stylist.
- Marie Nino, a New York City-based hairstylist and colorist.
- Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of LINES.
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.
- Jennifer Korab, a celebrity hair colorist and the owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa in Hillsborough, New Jersey.
- Judy McGuinness, a New York City-based hairstylist.
- Priscilla Choi, a New York City-based hair colorist.
- Jay Small, a certified trichologist, celebrity hairstylist, and the founder of Arey.
- Michelle Cleveland, a celebrity hairstylist and extension artist.
- Amy Spizuoco, DO, a board-certified dermatologist, dermatopathologist, and the founder of True Dermatology.