Every hair type requires personalized care and nourishment. However, for those who have black hair find hair care and shampooing sessions a task. That’s because, black hair tends to be more textured, curly, coily, and kinky. But with one of the best shampoos for black hair in your weekly regime, you will be able to revolutionize the texture and quality of your hair drastically.

A shampoo that is designed for black hair is basically a shampoo that suits most of the 3 and 4A, B, and C hair types. Enriched with a potent blend of nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants, it cleanses your scalp without stripping away natural oils and moisture. The additional TLC that it offers helps support the quality and health of your hair strands. Let us also tell you that black hair is structurally distinctive and features varying degrees of tightly curled strands from coils to spirals. Moreover, they grow up and out rather than down unlike other hair types, and are more prone to breakage and damage. That’s why using a nourishing and hydrating shampoo for black hair is vital so as to retain moisture and prevent further hair damage. For additional care, you may also rely on a good quality conditioner post-shampooing. 

Since you are now very well acquainted with black hair and its shampooing needs, roll your eyes over and get set to add the best shampoo to your weekly routine.

• 1
  Best Overall

  Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

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By incorporating Olaplex’s No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo into your hair wash routine, you can seamlessly elevate your haircare game. This is a really good shampoo for black hair and maintenance as offers a bunch of benefits. Be it a strengthening, softening, anti-frizz, or split-end treatment, this shampoo packs a punch for you to achieve healthy and lustrous hair. In addition, it is one of the best hair-reparative products that lathers well, reduces hair breakage, and eliminates flyaways if any. 

Hair Type: All

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Sweet citrus 

Size: 8.5 fl oz

Cruelty-free: Yes

2

Editor’s Pick

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Luscious Moisture Shampoo

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Coming on to our next recommendation is this Black Vanilla Luscious Moisture Shampoo by Carol's Daughter. This moisturizing shampoo for black hair is an ideal choice for colored and non-colored hair as it restores desirable moisture to your hair without stripping natural oils. Formulated with aloe vera, vanilla, and rose, the shampoo smells oh-so-good while adding volume and weight to your dull, damaged, and brittle hair. Use it for weeks and say hello to shiny and soft hair.  

Hair Type: 4C-2A Curl types 

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Lavender and vanilla

Size: 12 fl oz 

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quick Tip:

Apply the shampoo from root to tip of strands until a rich lather appears. Rinse well with warm water until all suds are washed away.

3

Best for Eliminating Frizz

Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo

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Mielle Organics has introduced a masterpiece — Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo. This is a nutrient-rich shampoo for black hair growth and nourishment that is power-packed with hair-restorative ingredients like pomegranate extract, honey, babassu oil, and silk protein. What we love the most is its moisture-retention and curl-defining formula that also tackles tough tangles without any breakage. Furthermore, the shampoo leaves your hair bouncy, shiny, and smooth. 

Hair Type: 4A-C 

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Honey

Size: 12 fl oz

Cruelty-free: Yes

4

Best for Damaged Hair

Creme of Nature Strengthening Shampoo

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Designed especially for revitalizing damaged and dull hair, Creme of Nature Strengthening Shampoo is made of natural Acai berries and keratin. While analyzing the features of this product deeply, we found that this a commendable black hair shampoo that not only repairs but also prevents future hair damage. It cleanses, nourishes, and softens each hair strand making your detangling job easier and quick. The best part — this shampoo is also suitable for colored hair.  

Hair Type: Dry 

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Rosemary

Size: 12 fl oz

Cruelty-free: Yes

5

Best for Thin Hair

Amika 3D Volume & Thickening Shampoo

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Amika’s 3D Volume & Thickening Shampoo is like a magical elixir packed in a bottle as it not only adds volume but also improves the manageability of your hair from root to tips. Designed for flat, limp, brittle, and fine hair, the shampoo thoroughly cleanses your hair without drying or weighing it down. One of the Amazon reviewers shares, “This shampoo keeps my hair shiny and lovely in between my salon treatments.” 

Hair Type: Thin

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Amber Vanilla

Size: 9.17 fl oz 

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quick Tip:

Wash your hair with the shampoo once a week or every other week. Follow it with a conditioner. Apply hot oil twice a month for added care and nourishment.

6

Best for Colored Hair

SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength + Color Care Shampoo

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To restore your hair’s lost glory and health, SheaMoisture’s Purple Rice Water Strength and Color Care Shampoo is all that you need to invest in. Enriched with hair-soothing ingredients such as purple rice water, wild orchid, and sweet violet extract, it replenishes your tresses. What makes it the best black hair shampoo among hair experts is its deep cleansing and conditioning properties which help in eliminating dullness and imparting luster. 

Hair Type: Colored and damaged

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Sweet

Size: 13.5 fl oz 

Cruelty-free: Yes

7

Best Nourishing Formula

Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo

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Flaunting curly and bouncy hair is easier with Aussie’s Miracle Curls Shampoo as it is formulated with an impeccable nourishing formula. With the goodness of coconut and jojoba oil, it cleanses, moisturizes, and softens your hair strands right from the roots to the tips. This curly shampoo for black hair will also leave your hair manageable, smooth, and lustrous. Topping it all off, it is clearly a natural hair champion that maintains hydration levels of your hair for long-lasting results. 

Hair Type: Curly

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Citrus, florals, and musk

Size: 12.1 fl oz

Cruelty-free: Yes

8

Best for Removing Scalp Buildup

KeraCare CurlEssence Moisturizing Co-Wash Shampoo

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Made from Jamaican black castor and coconut oils, this CurlEssence Moisturizing Co-Wash Shampoo from KeraCare is a reliable choice to remove scalp and oil buildup with ease. What we like the most about this hair shampoo for black hair is the fact that it improves your hair's elastic strength and leaves it more resilient and strong. Plus, after a few minutes of research, we also noticed that this shampoo is the perfect product to make styling and detangling easier. 

Hair Type: Natural 3 and 4 curl type 

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Clean

Size: 12 fl oz

Cruelty-free: Yes

9

Best Anti-breakage Shampoo

Mielle Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing and Anti-Breakage Shampoo

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Let each of your hair strands tell everyone a story of resilience, strength, and shine with this alluring moisture shampoo for black hair introduced by Mielle Moisture. It is loved for its ability to provide some extra TLC to your hair and leave it feeling healthy and supple. Actually, the credit goes to the potent blend of avocado and ginger that gently cleanses and replenishes your hair. All in all, the shampoo works well and imparts sufficient nourishment. 

Hair Type: Damaged, curls, and dry

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Floral 

Size: 12 fl oz

Cruelty-free: Yes

10

Best Cleansing Properties

Pattern Cleansing Shampoo

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To thoroughly cleanse your curls, Pattern Cleansing Shampoo is the shampoo that you need. Infused with matcha green tea, aloe vera, and panthenol this shampoo is said to be a rich source of antioxidants that promote stronger hair and a healthy hair care regime. It revives the scalp and nourishes your hair without stripping away natural oils and moisture. Secondly, the deep cleansing benefits of this clarifying shampoo open the hair cuticles to receive an adequate amount of moisture. 

Hair Type: 3 and 4 curly hair type

Sulfate-free: Yes

Scent: Floral and citrusy 

Size: 7.8 fl oz

Cruelty-free: Yes

That was our comprehensive list of the best shampoos for black-colored hair. Now, let us run you through a detailed buying guide.

Here are a few aspects that you should consider before splurging on the best shampoo for black hair: 

Hair Type: Make sure you analyze your hair type before investing in any of the shampoos for black hair. Black hair types typically fall into types 3 or 4, which are curly, thick, coarse, or kinky hair textures. For those who possess dry, dull, and damaged hair, pick shampoos that are infused with hydrating and nourishing formulas. Likewise, if you have colored or chemically treated your hair, then splurge on color-safe shampoo for black hair. Avoid purchasing shampoos that are not meant for your hair type. 

Ingredient List: Check the list of ingredients. It is advisable to pick shampoo infused with natural ingredients such as avocado oil, shea butter, coconut water, willow bark, jojoba oil, black castor oil, cider vinegar, and aloe vera. Make sure you refrain from investing in shampoos that contain harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. 

Hair Porosity: Understand the porosity of your hair. It is the ability of your hair to absorb and lock in moisture. High-porosity hair means that your hair is super absorbent to moisture and nourishment. On the contrary, when it comes to low-porosity hair, moisture is hard to penetrate into the hair shaft because the cuticles are close to each other and less prone to receiving moisture from external factors.