A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Aug. 30, 2024
You don’t need to spend a fortune to have amazing hair—and if you choose one of these cheap shampoos, you don’t even need to spend more than a few dollars!
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Looking for the secret to silky smooth, salon-worthy hair? Well, in this corner of the internet, it starts with a bottle of cheap shampoo. Admittedly, the word “cheap” often gets a bad rap for being run-down, less-than-stellar or simply skimping on quality. But just because these formulas are budget-friendly doesn’t mean they’re cutting corners on your hair health. In fact, we’ve scoured the aisles to bring you affordable options that deliver on both performance and price. So, get ready to lather up without breaking the bank.
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Many people love Native for its odor-blocking, natural deodorants, but the shampoos are the true star of the show. There are only 10 ingredients in this shampoo formula, and each one is explained on the packaging so you know what you’re putting in your hair. The Daily Clean Shampoo lathers like a dream to clean buildup, add shine and works just as well as your favorite stylist. Pair it with a scalp brush and you’re good to go.
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At less than $5, Pure Oils Moisturizing Detangling Shampoo does it all. It gently cleanses, uses grape seed oil to add moisture, reduces breakage with aloe vera and olive oil and detangles. It provides the perfect base for the perfect blowout or diffuser routine.
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Curly hair requires moisture—and lots of it. Shea Moisture has some of the best curl friendly hair products on the market and this Curl & Shine Shampoo is no exception. This cheap shampoo for curly hair boots elasticity while replenishing natural hair oils and shine. Want to look like you went to an expensive salon for your curly cut? Try it with these curly hair products to restore your tresses.
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Some clarifying shampoos or heavily fragranced shampoos can be too harsh for sensitive skin, contributing to dandruff or irritation. This gentle option by Kristin Ess doesn’t weigh hair down or cause buildup. The fragrance is light, so it won’t irritate your skin, either. If you struggle with a sensitive scalp and dandruff, try these natural remedies.
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“L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo is one of my go-to drugstore buys because it’s sulfate-free, so it’s hair color– and keratin treatment–friendly,” Dosso says of this inexpensive shampoo. She adds that its special formulation not only replenishes dry hair but also leaves it super shiny and silky. Another bonus? It’s a vegan product and can easily be followed up with a hair mask to seal in hydration.
Dosso’s work with all types of textures has taught her a lot about the value of hair products that fight flatness and tame frizz. “I love the OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo in the winter months when my hair is feeling extra dry,” she says. “It’s made with real coconut milk, coconut oil and whipped egg-white proteins, which leave my hair feeling strong and hydrated. It works as well as a $40 product!” This impressive hair helper is also paraben-free and sulfate-free.
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“This budget shampoo is one of my personal favorites for most hair types, but particularly finer hair that has damage,” explains Sophia Porter, a celebrity hairstylist at Exclusive Artists in Los Angeles. “It has a gentle cleansing formula enriched with hydrolyzed keratin to help strengthen hair strands while cleansing. I would say this shampoo is good for those who like to wash daily or those who do not need intense cleansing power.” Quick check: Are you guilty of these fine-hair styling mistakes?
Not all shampoo is a one-size-fits-all situation. When determining the best shampoo for you, consider your hair type, texture, needs and preferences. Whether you have color treated, curly, oily or thinning hair, find the formula and ingredients that work for you.
At Reader’s Digest, we take our shower time very seriously so we searched high and low for the best budget-friendly shampoos. Not only did we test dozens of shampoos to find the best options worth your hard-earned money, but we also interviewed a handful of professional hair stylists on their favorite affordable options:
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we comb through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product and if it stands up to the test.
What matters in a shampoo is its ingredients, not its price tag. Packaging and marketing may lead you to believe an expensive shampoo is a miracle worker, but the truth is a drugstore shampoo can work just as well. Check the ingredients and formula for your best match.
According to a study in 2022, the average price of shampoo was a little over $6. While many people might assume that a pricier shampoo might offer the best results, there are plenty of affordable options that are just as impressive.
Affordable shampoo isn’t the guaranteed cause of damaged hair, but harmful ingredients may be. Silicones, sulfates, parabens and other chemicals can cause hair loss, irritation and dandruff. These ingredients are cheaper for manufacturers to produce, so it’s best to find a clean formula instead of a cheap one.
