What is the Best Type of Shampoo to Use on Gray Hair?

Mark Preston

For anyone who is starting to turn gray, it’s important to think about adjusting your hair care routine slightly. If you’ve been using a shampoo for brown or blonde hair, you’ll want to opt for one that’s specifically designed for gray hair instead. Gray hair is often much drier and coarser than other hair colors, and so without the correct shampoo, you’ll soon find it begins to look much duller. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about selecting the right shampoo for gray hair.

Our Hair Changes as We Age

In a similar way to our skin, our hair also changes as we age. While you probably have thought about changing your skincare routine, you’ll also want to do the same with your hair care routine. Many men and women opt to dye their gray hair with a 100% full coverage product such as the L’Oréal Paris Excellence Crème Permanent Dye. However, that’s not your only option. Instead, if you fancy keeping your hair its natural color, you’ll simply want to adjust your hair care routine. By selecting a set of products, such as a shampoo and conditioner, that are specially formulated for gray hair, it will soon return to its previous look and feel. Many people notice their hair looks more brassy or yellow when they turn gray, and these shampoos are formulated specifically to minimize the brassy appearance. Of course, as with any hair care product, you’ll want to find the option that best suits your type of hair. Shampoos for gray hair come in a wide variety of formulas, so there will be something on the market today to fit your needs.

Selecting a Shampoo for Your Hair Type

If you’ve always used shampoo for greasy or dry hair, there’s no reason to change this just because you are going gray. Everyone’s hair is slightly different, just as our skin is, so you’ll want to find a shampoo with ingredients that will target your specific hair care concerns. For anyone with dry hair, try to find a nourishing shampoo that will soften the ends of your hair. Anyone with limp hair will want a shampoo that adds volume and gives it a little more bounce and life. If you are struggling with brassy tones, look for a purple or violet shampoo. While you may think these are just for people with blonde hair, shampoos such as the one in this White Hot Brighten Duo will banish yellow tones from white and gray hair too. Many people find that their hair becomes weaker as they age, especially when it’s not looked after properly. A shampoo like the Redken Color Extend Graydiant can help to hydrate your strands of hair, leaving them looking brighter and feeling softer. All of these shampoos are designed to be used for an extended period of time, so your hair will look great for years to come. However, check the bottle carefully if you are opting for a purple shampoo, as these may only need to be used infrequently as a treatment.

Technology Used in Shampoo for Gray Hair

Shampoo for gray hair has come on a long way in recent years, with new technology being added to the formula options. This technology is generally designed to target gray and white hair and will enhance the gray hair to bring out its natural beauty and color. Gray hair can be a challenge to manage, and especially if you have long hair, you may find it becomes very tangled. Most of these shampoos are designed to detangle even the thickest gray hair, making it easier to brush and style each day. Another issue that sometimes goes hand in hand with gray hair is thinning hair. Many men and women suffer from thinning hair, and if you find that to be a bigger concern, look for a shampoo that’s designed specifically for that need.

If you’ve heat styled or dyed your hair throughout your adult life, you may notice it’s become extremely damaged by this point. If that’s the case, you may want to consider a product such as the Biolage HydraSource shampoo and conditioner, which seal our cuticles to lock in moisture. What we recommend most for anyone with dry, gray hair is to find a gray shampoo and conditioner you can use as your main products, and then add an intensive conditioner on top of this to target the dry hair.

When shopping for shampoo or conditioner, it’s essential you look for products that match the current color and stage of life your hair is in. There’s no point still using a shampoo for blonde or brown hair if the majority of your hair is gray. Finding a specially formulated gray hair shampoo will make you feel more confident in yourself and will nourish and protect your hair as you age. Many women and men today opt to show off their natural gray hair and look fantastic with this color. Of course, hair dye is always available if you are just looking to cover up roots or aren’t quite ready to show your natural gray hair just yet.