35 of Our Favorite Professional Shampoos for Curly Hair

If you’re searching for the best shampoo for curly hair, we have you covered with 35 of our top formulas from L’Oréal’s professional haircare brands.

By Leann Garofolo

Update Date: 03 Oct 2024

Does Curly Hair Need Special Shampoo?

All hair types can benefit from a dedicated shampoo, but it’s especially essential for those with curly hair. Unlike straighter hair, curly hair (a term that includes waves, curls, and coils) tends to be drier and more prone to frizz. As such, you’ll usually want to look for non-stripping, sulfate-free formulas that restore hydration and promote moisture retention. In addition, some shampoos for curly hair work to remove buildup on the hair shaft that can contribute to a flat, lifeless curl pattern. Picking a good shampoo for curly hair can help maintain your curls' shape, softness, and elasticity so that hair is manageable and healthy-looking.

Is there a shampoo that curls your hair?

There isn’t any shampoo that actually curls your hair. There are, however, shampoos that help protect your curls and bring out the natural bounce and texture of your ringlets.

Is Daily Shampooing Good for Curly Hair?

Shampooing every day is generally not recommended for those with curly hair. As mentioned, curly hair is often drier. This is because it’s harder for the scalp’s natural oils to travel down the bends of the hair shaft. Overwashing can strip away those essential oils, leading to dryness, frizz, and breakage. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should wash your hair, but many people with curls prefer sudsing up every few days. For a more complete guide to hair-washing, check out our article, How Often You Should Wash Your Hair Based on Your Hair Type.

You can also consider using a cleansing conditioner (also known as co-washing) on days when you don't use shampoo. A cleansing conditioner is a hybrid haircare product that combines the gentle cleansing of shampoo with the moisturizing properties of a conditioner. We love the manuka honey-infused Matrix A Curl Can Dream Co-Wash, which is ideal for in-between wash days to help revive curls without drying them out.

What Shampoo Is Best for Curly Hair?

The best shampoo for curly hair ultimately boils down to your hair type and concerns. Typically, you’ll want to select ingredients and formulas that align with your hair’s needs (for example, if it’s frizzy, color-treated, or damaged) to help your curls thrive post-shampooing. Generally speaking, some curl-friendly ingredients to keep an eye out for include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, manuka honey, as well as nourishing oils like coconut, avocado, argan, and camellia.

Our Best Shampoos for Dry, Curly Hair

L’Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression Moisturizing Shampoo

This paraben- and sulfate-free shampoo gently removes buildup and deeply moisturizes hair types ranging from 2A- 4C. It boasts ingredients like glycerin, hibiscus seed, and urea H, and works to define curls and give them a lasting boost of hydration.

Matrix Food For Soft Hydrating Shampoo

Hyaluronic acid and avocado unite in this hydrating formula, which helps instantly transform dry curls for touchably soft, frizz-free results. And, if tropical scents appeal to you, you’ll love how this shampoo’s fruity scent is reminiscent of a carefree beach vacation. Learn more about the nourishing color-safe collection in our Matrix Food for Soft Review.

Mizani Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo

If your coils are feeling a little dehydrated, pick up Mizani’s Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo. The formula with cupuaçu butter, argan oil, and honey quenches thirsty strands for silky, bouncy coils that are easier to detangle post-wash.

Redken All Soft Shampoo

Those with brittle curls will want to focus on achieving softer hair in every step of their haircare routine, beginning with shampooing. Redken’s argan-infused All Soft Shampoo is the key to cleansing, restoring, and softening dry, rough hair. The magic lies in the formula’s enriching Moisture Complex, a smart, targeted delivery system that treats hair from the root to the core to the tip. This way, all three levels of the hair strand receive the nourishment needed to improve shine and softness.

Biolage Professional Hydra Source Shampoo

Inspired by the aloe plant that never seems to dry, Biolage Professional Hydra Source Shampoo helps optimize moisture balance within the hair while increasing softness, manageability, and luminosity.

Matrix A Curl Can Dream Shampoo

Luscious, healthy-looking curls can be elusive, but they don’t have to be when Matrix’s A Curl Can Dream Shampoo has a spot in your routine. The deep cleansing shampoo for curls and coils removes buildup while humectant ingredients help shape and preserve your curl pattern.

Kérastase Curl Manifesto Bain Hydratation Douceur Shampoo

Manuka honey is an ingredient we see a lot in curly hair formulas, and for good reason: The sweet, New Zealand-sourced liquid is known to be excellent at sealing moisture into strands. Find it in Kérastase Curl Manifesto Bain Hydratation Douceur Shampoo and enjoy defined curls with up to 63% more hydration.*

Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo

Curls and frizz often go hand in hand, but the two no longer have to be mutually inclusive. If frizz is like that bad habit you can’t shake, swap your regular shampoo for Kérastase’s Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo. The sulfate-free, anti-frizz formula adds softness and smoothness to unruly, over-processed hair.

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

If you color your curls, Pureology’s Hydrate Shampoo can help keep your hue fresh while warding off dryness. This creamy shampoo is formulated with the brand’s AntiFade Complex to help protect color vibrancy and deeply hydrates normal to thick hair.

Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo

Fight the effects of humidity on your ringlets with Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo. Brimming with babassu oil, the sulfate- and sodium chloride-free formula works to tame frizzy hair, increase smoothness, and enhance shine.

Biolage Professional Smooth Proof Shampoo

Biolage Professional’s Smooth Proof Shampoo, which pulls inspo from nature’s water-resistant camellia, offers humidity control by encapsulating hair in a protective shield. In fact, using it with the Smooth Proof Conditioner and Smooth Proof Serum provides anti-frizz smoothness even in 97% humidity. The result: polished, manageable, hair that lasts up to 72 hours.*

Our Best Clarifying Shampoos for Curly Hair

Mizani Moisture Fusion Clarifying Shampoo

Curly girls can often stretch the time between wash days, which also means that curly girls are more likely to deal with major product buildup. Mizani’s Moisture Fusion Clarifying Shampoo is among our favorite clarifying shampoos for curly hair: It gently cleanses textured hair to remove product residue and excess oil without stripping strands of much-needed moisture and shine.

L’Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression Anti-Buildup Cleansing Jelly Shampoo

The Anti-Build Up Cleansing Jelly Shampoo from L’Oréal Professionnel is designed to eliminate impurities from root to end. The gentle “cleansing jelly” is free of sulfates, silicone, and parabens and removes product pile-up that can gather on curls and coils.

Biolage Professional Scalp Sync Clarifying Shampoo

Those with curly hair and an oily scalp will want to keep Biolage Professional’s Scalp Sync Clarifying Shampoo in mind. Made with fermented tea and glycolic acid, this purifying option helps balance scalp moisture levels while restoring volume, shine, and lift to the hair.

Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo

Whether you’re dealing with buildup from styling products or hard water, you’ll want to add the Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo to your cart. In just one use, this detox shampoo for all hair textures helps rid your hair of product buildup (like dry shampoo), minerals from hard water, excess oil, and pollution residue. Removing these elements leaves hair fresh, enhancing the results of your subsequent conditioner or hair mask.