The 10 Best Drugstore Sulfate-Free Shampoos for Soft, Clean Hair

Best Overall

Method Simply Nourish Moisturizing Shampoo

$11 at Amazon $11 at Target $11 at Walmart

Hair Type: All, color-treated | Key Ingredients: Coconut, rice milk, shea butter | Scent: Coconut | Size: 14 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re on the hunt for a sulfate-free shampoo that will work for all hair types, look no further than this one offered by Method. Benefits range from moisturizing to cleansing, which we adore. It works particularly well for those with color-treated hair, and with the inclusion of coconut, rice milk, and shea butter, your locks will feel softer than ever. Associate editor Caitlyn Martyn thinks the bottle is adorable, although it tends to fall over in the shower.

Caitlyn, tester with fine hair: “I love using this shampoo; it feels lightweight yet nourishing, and it never contributes to oiliness. In fact, it gently washes away days' worth of oil without stripping my scalp.”

Best for Straight Hair

V&Co. Beauty Straight Hair + Peptide Shampoo

$8 at Amazon $8 at Target $8 at Walmart

Hair Type: Straight | Key Ingredients: Aloe juice, proprietary peptide blend | Scent: Floral | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you have fine, straight hair, this shampoo from V+Co is going to do wonders for your hair from root to tip. “This shampoo is designed to care for straight hair and contains peptides, amino acids, and proteins that all help to support healthy hair function, strengthen the hair, and support less shedding,” says Cavalcante. And while this only works for straight hair, the brand offers other shampoos for all hair types.

Kayla, tester with medium-thick hair: “I found this shampoo to be very moisturizing, and my hair felt squeaky clean. The formula offers lightweight hydration, which never felt heavy or overpowering. Another bonus: It does a great job at reducing frizz.”

Best for Dry Hair

Native Moisturizing Shampoo

View on Amazon $10 at Target $10 at Walmart

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Citric acid | Scent: Coconut, vanilla | Size: 16.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We’ve been using Native’s body wash for years, and when we found out they offered our favorite scent in shampoo form, we had to give it a try. Made with only 10 quality ingredients, this drugstore find is easy to use and will transform dry hair in no time. Some users claim it leaves behind a greasy residue, but we haven’t experienced that.

Kayla, tester with medium-thick hair: “This shampoo lives up to its name. I could feel the moisture being revived in my hair, and it immediately softened each strand, even in a pre-conditioned state. This shampoo had the best lather out of the ones I tried, which is a relief to those who enjoy a sudsy wash.”

Best for Oily Hair

Pantene Miracle Moisture Boost Shampoo

$12 at Amazon $9 $4 at Target $12 at Walmart

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Pro vitamin B5, antioxidants, rose water | Scent: Floral | Size: 3, 9.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re sick of having to wash your hair every day or use way too much dry shampoo, we suggest giving this shampoo from Pantene a try. It moisturizes without any of the heavy ingredients that can further exacerbate oily strands or weigh the hair down. “I like that this product is free of surfactants and is also silicone, dye and paraben free,” says Cavalcante. “You’ll still get that clean feeling with plant-based surfactants; I am a fan of coconut ingredients (sodium cocoyl isethionate, for example) for creating a hydrating, lathering sensation without the damage.” It is worth noting, however, that this shampoo can be a bit drying, so it is important to follow-up with a good leave-in conditioner.

Kayla, tester with medium-thick hair: “This shampoo smells really good; it’s rosy, fresh, and calming. It lathers well, and it does not take much scrubbing to create a rich foam. I used this shampoo on hair that was in desperate need of a wash, and it handled the grease effortlessly well. As an added bonus, the packaging is really pretty and it looks aesthetically pleasing in my shower.”

Best for Natural Hair

Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo

$11 $8 at Amazon $8 at Target $11 at Ulta

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Hibiscus water, passion fruit, watermelon | Scent: Floral | Size: 13 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While this Maui Moisture shampoo is suitable for all hair types, we especially recommend it for wavy and curly hair. Thanks to ingredients such as hibiscus water, passion fruit, aloe, and watermelon, this shampoo will leave the hair feeling moisturized and soft without weighing it down. Our only gripe with this product is that the packaging can feel flimsy, so we hope to see that improved in the future. 

Kayla, tester with medium-thick hair: “My wavy hair responded very well to this shampoo, and I could see my natural texture forming in the shower. Thanks to the lightweight, hydrating formula, my waves air-dryed nicely (more so than my normal shampoo).”

Best for Bleached Hair

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo

$26 $16 at Target $18 at Ulta $18 at Sallybeauty.com

Hair Type: Color-treated | Key Ingredients: Elastin protein, quinoa | Scent: Floral | Size: 13.5, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When shopping for a sulfate-free shampoo, we think this one from Nexxus is perfect for blondes. It can extend color for up to 40 washes and even replenishes nutrients in the hair since it’s packed with quinoa and elastin protein. “This is a good choice for someone with color-treated or highlighted hair,” says Cavalcante. “Sulfates can fade and dull the hair and lead to brassiness in blondes.” One thing to note is that to utilize the full power of this shampoo, it should be used with its accompanying conditioner. 

Kayla, tester with medium-thick hair: “This shampoo made my hair the softest out of all the ones I tested. The formula would be especially beneficial for those with dry or brittle hair caused by bleaching since it creates such touchable softness.”

Best Strengthening

Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo

$10 at Amazon $10 at Target $11 at Ulta

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Biotin, rosemary mint | Scent: Herbaceous | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Courtney likes that this shampoo has the addition of strengthening biotin. The “gentle tingling sensation from the rosemary and mint” feels invigorating on the scalp, she says, adding that the use of many moisturizing ingredients (coconut oil, babassu seed oil, castor oil) makes it a nice option for even those with super brittle strands. The scent is pretty mild, but that may appeal to some, as most rosemary shampoos tend to be very fragrant.  

Kayla, tester with medium-thick hair: “I really enjoyed this shampoo, especially the cooling effect it has on the scalp. It lathers nicely and takes minimal scrubbing to produce a dense lather. The formula was very nourishing, and I could immediately feel a difference in the texture of my hair; smooth and shiny, what more could I ask for? In terms of strengthening, I encountered less shedding and an added bounce after using this shampoo.”

Best for Curly Hair

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Shampoo

$14 $12 at Amazon $13 at Target $19 $12 at Walmart

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, rose extract | Scent: Black Vanilla | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you like shiny, bouncy hair, this shampoo will deliver—no questions asked. Formulated with aloe leaf juice and rose extract, it moisturizes each strand for a soft and silky finish. As you can guess from the product's name, the smell is absolutely divine. With warm, comforting notes of vanilla, it makes each shower feel like a relaxing retreat. Keep in mind that the formula is very thick, so it can be tough to dispense out of the bottle.

Kayla, tester with medium-thick hair: “I enjoyed this shampoo for its moisturizing qualities, and I could immediately tell a difference in the softness of my hair. This shampoo lathered very easily, and it did not take a lot of effort for my hair to feel clean. My hair was noticeably shinier after using this shampoo, and it left no trace of residue.”

Best for Thick Hair

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

$37 at Amazon $11 at Sephora $37 at Ulta

Hair Type: Thick, dry, color-treated | Key Ingredients: Jojoba, green tea, sage | Scent: Lavender | Size: 9, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

With its highly concentrated formula, a little goes a long way, making it perfect for those with thick hair that is hard to manage in the shower. This shampoo provides a deep cleanse and is ideal for the days when you should have washed your hair yesterday (or three days ago—we won’t tell). Formulated with jojoba oil, green tea, and sage, it provides incredible moisture and can strengthen brittle strands. It’s a great choice before a blowout, since it really cleanses the hair and scalp, ensuring there is no trace of grease or buildup. However, since the formula is so thick and concentrated, be careful not to use too much, as it can weigh the hair down.

Kayla, tester with medium-thick hair: “I enjoyed the luxe lavender fragrance and the velvety lather this shampoo offers.”

Best for Wavy Hair

Rhyme and Reason Wave Revival Shampoo

$9 at Target View on Rhymeandreasonhair.com View on Co.uk

Hair Type: Wavy | Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, hibiscus extract, rosemary | Scent: Fruity, floral | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Wavy hair typically gets overlooked when it comes to shampoo formulations, but this one from Rhyme and Reason is specially formulated to nourish waves for superior definition. Packed with jojoba oil and hibiscus flower extracts, it tames frizz and enhances waves. It smells fruity, floral, and sweet, and the scent lasts long after washing. 

Kayla, tester with medium-thick hair: “I love this shampoo because it defines my waves in the shower, setting my hair up for a good hair day. Packed with hydrating ingredients, it nourishes wavy hair and ensures soft strands. This shampoo is low lathering, so it does take more effort to produce bubbles, but it never compromises on cleansing.”